Mid-April, Darren and I went camping near Sedona. We drove down Thursday night after work and stayed the night in Cave Springs Campground. It is located in Oak Creek Canyon right next to Oak Creek. It was really pretty but freezing cold at night! I don’t know how low the temperature actually got but I do know it was cold. I slept in two layers of clothes from the waist down and a shirt, light jacket, and two sweatshirts from the waist up. And don’t forget the beanie!

The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast (Darren made English muffins with eggs, ham, cheese, and salsa. YUM!) and then we went hiking along the lower end of the West Fork Oak Creek Trail. The trail is situated alongside a quiet, trickling stream and continues through a deep, forested canyon with many eroded rock formations, colorful canyon walls and tall pine trees. The trail crosses the stream many times and we had to use the strategically placed stones and fallen trees to get across the creek bed.

The hike begins at the site of a ruined settlement with overgrown remnants of fireplaces and stone floors. There was also a cliff house built into the side of the mountain that overlooks the old settlement and an old chicken coop. All the structures are part of the early 20th century dwelling of Mayhew Lodge, long since abandoned. I have since learned (since there was not one single plaque, sign, old rotting board, ANYTHING, that explained what it was. It was really annoying to look at something and now know what it was.) Anyway…I have since learned that it was a popular destination for prominent movie stars, politicians and writers, including: President Hoover, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Zane Grey, Walt Disney and Maureen O’Hara. The U.S. Forest Service acquired the property, but the lodge burned down in 1980 before they could renovate it. It was an interesting place. As you can see there is ivy growing up over an archway to the creek and all over the trees. It looked really cool! There is also a whitish vine that grows up the sides of the trees and branches out like a Christmas tree. It was interesting.

We got back to the campsite, crawled inside the tent and took a nap. It was great. We woke up to find that new neighbors had moved in while we were asleep. Few words to describe: alcohol, loud music, and non-censored language. Gotta love it!

A picture of Darren and I brushing our teeth out of the front of the tent. We were just getting ready to burrow beneath the blankets when I realized I hadn’t brushed my teeth. Gross! So I got up and stuck my head out of the tent (too cold to go all the way outside). Darren joined me and “a picture moment” was born.

Another freezing night! I think it was even colder than the first night if that’s possible. When we woke up in the morning all of our blankets were damp (condensation, not bed wetting :) Tell me…how are you supposed to stay warm in such conditions!?!?

The next morning we ate breakfast and just chilled around the campsite. Darren read me part of the book that we’ve been reading together, “The Sunflower” by Richard Paul Evans. I have read it before but thought it might be one that Darren would like. We had fun reading it together and I was excited when Darren didn’t want to put it down. We have since read another book by the same author “The Last Promise”.

After leaving the campsite at about 1:00 or so, we decided to drive to Jerome to take a look. I went there with my family a few years ago but Darren had never been. It’s not one of those places that we would return to often but it’s an interesting little town and definitely worth seeing once. We stumbled upon a glass blowing demonstration which was pretty cool.

Overall…another great trip with my man! Really pretty and lots of fun!!