Hard to believe that one week after biking in Oil Creek State Park in NW PA, we’d be hiking along a Rails-to-Trails path outside Prescott AZ. Getting from home to Prescott in one day was only possible with an early start and a long day of travel. However, this morning rail-trail hike made it all worthwhile.

The Peavine Trail follows the rail bed of the former Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix RR and, consequently, has a very low gradient. It cuts right through the heart of the so-called “granite dells”, passing Watson Lake, a reservoir created in 1916.

As skies cleared, the intriguing granite shapes were beautifully framed by the deep blue of Watson Lake and a bright blue sky filled with fascinating cirrus clouds. This is more obvious in the next photo, taken at our turn-around point:

Later, en route to Flagstaff, we stopped in Sedona to see the impressive Chapel of the Holy Cross. It was built directly into a butte and offers a sweeping view of the valley 200 feet below. The chapel is easily identified by its most prominent feature --- a giant cross that seems to support the structure as it juts out from the rock.

Hundreds of people marry here each year because of its peaceful and picturesque location.

Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright, conceived the idea for the chapel in 1932 while gazing up at the newly completed Empire State Building. An accomplished religious painter, sculptor and philanthropist, this, her largest work of art, was finally constructed in 1956.

Flagstaff is the home of Patty’s daughter, Tricia, her husband, Derrick, and baby Clint, now 1 year old. This pleasant reunion provided quality time for grannie and grandson. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words:

Near Payson AZ lies Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, another highlight of this trip. Far exceeding our expectations, this park preserves what may be the world’s largest natural bridge made of travertine. Adding immensely to our enjoyment was a scrambling hike down to the cool, shady stream bed. Here, beneath the arch, its size is best appreciated:

The water plunging over the face of the arch has a fall of some 200 feet!

My nephew’s wedding, of course, was the reason for this excursion out west. It was a rare chance to visit with brother Joe and his family while celebrating a marriage. The wedding of Casey and Katherine, performed by an Irish priest, was as joyous and happy a ceremony as ever we’ve seen. The reception afterward continued in the same tone with the added pleasures of excellent food and danceable music.

Visiting the State Fair in Phoenix, browsing and shopping in Phoenix area malls, and driving a piece of the Apache Trail (Hwy 88), rounded out our Arizona adventure. That drive was cut short by wind-blown dust and thunder showers but not before we gazed upon the imposing Superstition Mountains.

Hidden away somewhere in their mysterious interior is the fabulous and legendary Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine --- or, so the story goes. Less fabulous, perhaps, but certainly for real is Goldfield Ghost Town which sprawls at the foot of the Superstition Mountains. We couldn’t pass it by without having a look.