Our most recent visit to the canyon was on our drive to Tucson in December of 2003. We had spent the night in Flagstaff and decided to take the scenic route down through the canyon, along Highway 89A. It was a cloudy, somewhat gloomy day, but the scenery was still amazing. And ... there were very few people about. We had most of the canyon to ourselves. There were still a few leaves dangling from the trees, and it has a very fallish atmosphere. The air was cold and brisk, but coming from farther north, the temperatures were no bother.

Along the drive we spotted a blue heron in the creek, peacefully standing watch of the surrounding domain. We took lots of photos of the area and stopped at a trailhead to check out the Red Rock Trail system, which runs through the area. The whole area looks to be elaborate and interesting.

On the south side of Oak Creek Canyon we stopped in Sedona to pick up some breakfast at a Circle K. They talk about Sedona being some sort of confluence of cosmic energies and forces. I took several photos of a strange group of clouds bubbling over the red rock above Sedona. It was as if there were some invisible energy emanating from the spires and peaks. Very amazing and quite Interesting.

Perhaps someday we'll make it back in the warmer months when we can hike and enjoy the scenery more fully. It would be well worth the effort and time.