The long way home

Bell Rock as we started our hike

When Easton and I set off on our day hike, my intention was to walk from the parking area to where the Bell Rock Trail meets the Bell Rock Pathway. Once there, we only need to climb a few hundred feet up Bell Rock to have a spectacular view to the west, take some pictures and do what we came to do; leave a few of Lady's ashes behind. Mission accomplished on this lovely day in Northern Arizona. About 68 degrees, high clouds and no wind.

Looking west from Bell Rock to Sedona

I did not look at the handy, dandy map at the trailhead, because I planned on coming back the way we came. It was such a lovely day, Easton was having a good time, so thinking the Courthouse loop went between the two mountains; "heck, that's not that much farther at all". Not until we were well under way on the loop did I realize this was going to be a long hike. We had water and Easton was as enthusiastic as I've ever seen him - full speed ahead. 3 hours later we were at the car and tuckered out. Easton did great, leading the way on the narrow path around Courthouse Butte. He relished this assignment and was gung-ho the entire hike. Here are a few pictures from our adventure around Courthouse Butte (including a back-country avalanche):

Courthouse Butte - Bell Rock as we started the loop

Courthouse Butte

Dry Beaver creek bed

Needle, name unknown

Bell Rock from the north side

Ouch, Easton decided he needed to taste a Prickly Pear.
Not a good idea, his tongue bled a little. Never even phased him.

This back-country avalanche (OK - a "rock slide") sounded like a crack of thunder.
The picture was taken about 30 seconds after I realized what happened.

Courthouse Butte

I took this after finally linking up with the original trail we started out on.

I It was a beautiful hike and I'm not a bit sorry we did it. Even though it wasn't planned, we had water and saw a few hikers along the way to stop and chat with. Everyone was very nice and talk always got around to what a fine dog Easton is and how lucky we all were to be in beautiful Red Rock country. I never disagreed with anyone!

On the road to Red Rock country

After a slow morning, Easton and I finally hit the road around 10AM. Our first stop was the rest area at Sunset Point. It's not that far from Phoenix these days considering the speed limit is 75MPH, but we use to stop here all the time when I was a kid. Chugging and gasping for air our 51 Chevy needed frequent rest stops after enduring the Black Canyon climb. My Mom, with her walnut sized bladder, required a stop every 50 miles anyway. Sunset Point was always there with dug out toilets and a magnificent view. It's improved a lot with multiple flush toilets, fresh water, vending machines and a special pets only area. I haven't been there in many years, so we stopped just to say we did. Proof below!!

View from Sunset Point - These are the Bradshaw mountains. I spent many summers as a camper and councilor at the YMCA camp tucked up in these mountains. Pine trees, rattle snakes, mountain lions and the best overland hiking anywhere. Those were some great days.

Arrived at the southern entrance to Red Rock country. Stopped for a coffee and to "carb-up" + Easton needed a piddle. Decent place, nice people but no dog cookies!! Oh well, we drove a couple more miles to the trail-head parking lot where Easton struck the pose above. We stretched, gathered our water and headed out to Bell Rock. Tomorrow: Lady, Easton and the long trail back.

Bell Rock + The Hummingbird story

The trail leading to Bell Rock

People that know me well would be surprised that I am fascinated by the claims that such a thing as a Vortex can be identified and it's energy leveraged to enhance all sorts of spiritual navel gazing, meditation and conversations with the voices in one's head. Vortexes have been staked out in the red rock beauty of Sedona, Arizona. No surprise, the awe inspiring scenery opens the door for all sorts of speculation concerning energy concentration, crystal power centers and rumors of tee shirts dyed with red dirt from a local jeep's knobby tires. Allegedly some Vortexes are male, some female and some described as balanced. Several times in the last 4 years, I've hiked to the top of the popular "airport mesa vortex" right in the town of Sedona. Fantastic views, plus its always busy with tourists clamoring all over the rock formation and goofy locals reading palms and offering guided tours of the afterlife, courtesy of the energy concentration. I've never felt anything but annoyed!


Last Monday I was visiting friends in nearby Cornville. Yes, I was still feeling a little blue and knew there was some piece of business that wasn't finished. Then I remembered Bell Rock. A fickled Vortex according to the locals, but that's OK, I needed to vent. It was a very stormy morning and thank god, it kept the tourists away. I had Bell Rock all to myself, sitting about half way up on the west side, watching the storm clouds roll by. It was the perfect time to scream, praise, curse and have a damn good cry; proclaiming my undying love and final goodbyes to My Girl Lady. No questions were answered that morning (though many were asked), but on the hike back I felt completely cleansed and refreshed, ready to start another chapter of my life. I thought a lot about my Hummingbird encounter that had occurred just 3 days earlier (I really needed to make sense of it).....


Friday morning, March 4, 2011 - 3 days after Lady went to the bridge.

The weather has finally turned here in Phoenix. Mid morning I had the MDX parked, windows and back open, loading a few things for that day. I completed my task, got in the driver’s seat and reached for the key to start the ignition and head out on an errand. It was very quiet that day and then I heard it: a dull tight buzz coming from behind me. “Hmmm, my car doesn’t make that sound”. Then I heard it again. I turned my head to the right to peer into the back and there she was. A Eugenes Fulgens, yes a Magnificent Hummingbird (their actual name) perched on top of the passenger side rear seat. I learned it was a female when I looked up the species on the Internet. The seat back was now up in the “up” human position, but has spent the last three years in the Lady position (down). Miss Hummingbird didn’t panic or fly away; she just sat there looking around the inside of the MDX. I slowly got out, walked to the back, her little head following my path. I opened the rear hatch, then after about 5 seconds (which seem like an eternity) she flew out, never in a panic, no banging or touching anything inside the car. My Dad saw her perched for a second as I opened the hatch and of course, saw her fly out.

Wow, I just couldn’t make up a story like this. I’m not that clever.

On the hike down from Bell Rock, I allowed myself to believe the obvious - a messenger arrived to confirm that Lady has made it to the Rainbow Bridge and is running free with Mully, The Luke, Max, Cowboy, Devo, Cosmo, Sunny and so many more (it’s a very long list). Bless them all. We’ll see you soon.

I’m not sure why I am privileged to receive this communiqué, I've never had one before. The difference is (I guess) - I wasn't looking for it! Maybe its as simple as that.

Bell Rock's imposing neighbor "Courthouse Butte"