{Lunch at The Boulders A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Carefree, Arizona}

Because husband Pieter had to lecture in 1986 and also in 1987, in Scottsdale, Arizona, I got to go to this desert playground with the ladies tour. We had lunch here each consecutive year.  Because Pieter never had been there, I did look it up and found it, comparing my photos from the 80s.

Nestled in the tranquil beauty of the high Sonoran desert and 12-million year old granite boulder formations that dot the landscape... The Boulders ←click it.

On our last day in Arizona, we drove from our Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town to 34631 N Tom Darlington Dr. in Carefree, Arizona by following our GPS.

Typical Sonoran desert view with cacti as we enter The Boulders.

Seeing The Boulders sign made me smile, for being back after 27 years!

This is the only photo in which our Buick rental car is visible...
Lovely cacti!

Flora & Fauna of the desert is so different from the north of Arizona...

Husband Pieter just loved this cactus tree!

Closeup of the cactus tree...

Quite interesting desert garden layout.

The Boulders is world renowned as one of the finest golf clubs in the United States.
Maybe next life we too will play golf...?!

It sure looks like a golfer's paradise and certainly for living here!

We just admired the grounds and its exotic looking flowers...

Including blooming cacti...

BUT, let's have some lunch at THE GRILL Restaurant!

THE BOULDERS
A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT

Pieter happy with a coffee and for me a green tea!

Both of us selected from the Starters, as a light lunch.

 Pieter went for the CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAP with chopped chicken breast, red peppers, scallions, water chestnuts, peanuts, sweet honey dipping sauce.

And for me GRILLED GULF SHRIMP Arugula, pickled Vidalia onions, Creole rémoulade.

With a happy tummy from my 3rd lunch at The Boulders, this time with husband Pieter as well, we  are leaving for the final leg of our journey.
See you next in 1880s Rawhide, Arizona - Western Town...

Related links:
{Scenic 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona, Arizona} | previous post by me
{Humphreys Peak, a 12,000 footer in Arizona} | previous post by me

{Maswik Lodge & Grand Canyon Flora & Fauna} | previous post by me

{Our Dinner at the 1905 El Tovar Hotel | Grand Canyon National Park Lodges} | previous post by me

{Hiking Part of Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon} | previous post by me

{Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach Tour} | previous post by me

{Riding the Grand Canyon Railway} | previous post by me

{1881 Williams, Arizona - Gateway to Grand Canyon & Wild West} | previous post by me

{Scenic 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona, Arizona}

Of course, already being in North Arizona, we also did want to drive the scenic 89A route from Flagstaff to Sedona, viewing the fabulous Red Rocks. So we did, after viewing Humphreys Peak we continued south on said 89A.

Yep, we got to see Cathedral Rock! 

Red Rock Scenic Byway ←(click it) or 179, is what we took after the 89A, all the way down from the Grand Canyon, via Humphreys Peak (from previous post). 

When we drove up from Phoenix airport, I took the I-17 up north...

This time we enjoyed so much the scenery and as a matter of fact we want to go back to Sedona for a stay of a couple of nights!

The scenery from 89A is just breathtaking!

Beautiful Ponderosa pines...

Red Rocks start revealing themselves along 89A...

Switchbacks as the 89A follows Oak Creek...

Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive Just North of Sedona, Arizona ←(click it)
This article from May 14, 2014 mentions that Route 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona has been recognized as one of the Top 5 Most Scenic Drives in America by Rand McNally.
So we actually were descending 4,500 feet from the Flagstaff area down to Sedona.
Indeed, breathtaking through very picturesque forests. 

What a view!

Sign that points to Slide Rock... 

5 Most Scenic Drives of Arizona ←(click it).

Indeed: Hwy 89/89A where Old West meets New West

The 30-mile stretch of Hwy 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff (we did it the other way around!) rises up through dramatic Oak Creek Canyon. Be sure to stop at Slide Rock Park (see previous photo), where the rollicking Oak Creek pushes swimmers through a rock slide. The road levels off and glides through ponderosa pine, into fun and funky Flagstaff...

We just went south from Flagstaff to Sedona!

Can you see WHY we really want to go back in order to enjoy this area?!

Somewhere I read that in Arizona, the Grand Canyon has 5,000,000 annual visitors and Sedona 4,000,000...

Husband Pieter was photographer, while I drove and enjoyed the ride as well!

You are really surrounded by the beauty of these Red Rocks!

This iPad photo I took from the curb, going to Hyatt Piñon Pointe, A Hyatt Residence Club ←(click it) that we want to try out next time! Overlooking 89A.

Also this iPad photo, showing you the view more to the right...

Wish we could have spent a couple of days there!

Cathedral Rock...

What a view!

We continued the Loop Road and we should have followed Red Rock Crossing... that would have given us far better views but we actually did not have the time as we still had to continue about 2 hours south to Scottsdale, to our Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town for that night...

Love that scare crow to the left and what a lovely view of Cathedral Rock!

Looking to the other side of the road, I took this iPad photo...

We for sure will be back for more Red Rock views and for hiking somewhat in the area!

On April 18, 2014, Sedona, Arizona got also mentioned as: 10 most sacred spots on Earth by Fox News Travel...

We WILL be back!

Related links:
{Humphreys Peak, a 12,000 footer in Arizona} | previous post by me

{Maswik Lodge & Grand Canyon Flora & Fauna} | previous post by me

{Our Dinner at the 1905 El Tovar Hotel | Grand Canyon National Park Lodges} | previous post by me

{Hiking Part of Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon} | previous post by me

{Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach Tour} | previous post by me

{Riding the Grand Canyon Railway} | previous post by me

{1881 Williams, Arizona - Gateway to Grand Canyon & Wild West} | previous post by me

{Humphreys Peak, a 12,000 footer in Arizona}

Northern Arizona has lots of surprises and we did not know, like many others, that there are 12,000-foot (3,657 m) mountains in the area!
Sure, Arizona is about a whole lot more than just desert without trees...

We're so glad we selected a scenic route, going from Grand Canyon Village to Sedona,  in order to see this magnificent tall Humphreys Peak at Elevation: 12,635' (3,851 m).

Looking at the ►you can follow the route we took from Grand Canyon National Park, southbound.
Following the 180 which leads to Flagstaff and you see Humphreys Peak just above Flagstaff.
Just took this off Mapquest.com's site for: Village Loop Dr, Grand Canyon, Arizona, 86023.

Taken from Flickr which shows you Humphreys Peak, as seen from I-40.

On the road towards Humphreys Peak... we had such perfect weather the entire 7 days!

The previous photo above, Pieter took with the Nikon camera and this is taken with my iPhone, showing the hood of our Buick rental car. Love the sun rays in this picture.

After one hour and 15 minutes we're nearing the San Francisco Mountain.

Humphreys Peak ←click it and scroll down to see this segment...
So San Francisco Mountain was once about 16,000-20,000 feet (4,876-6,096 m).
It is also Arizona's only strato-volcano.

We traveled right through KAIBAB National Forest ←click it.
Kaibab National Forest ←click it for more info.

Link from fs usda government ←(click it) enlarged mountain range.
You can see where we came southbound, via the 180...

Pieter took this photo from Red Mountain Volcano—A Spectacular and Unusual Cinder Cone in Northern Arizona ←(click it), just before we reached San Francisco Peaks, to the right of the 180.

This photo is from the above mentioned Red Mountain Volcano link.
You see how the 180 passes by Red Mountain before it reaches San Francisco Moutain.

Coconino National Forest with San Francisco Peaks

COCONINO National Forest ←click link for above info.
Indeed, the Coconino National Forest is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country!

We are nearing our goal: Humphreys Peak the tall 12,000 footer in Arizona is in sight!
Keeping in mind, that all the time we are driving at an elevated level!

One last shot through the window, with my iPad... Again those sun rays make it look rather unique.
Hope you enjoyed this ride...

Related links:

{Maswik Lodge & Grand Canyon Flora & Fauna} | previous post by me

{Our Dinner at the 1905 El Tovar Hotel | Grand Canyon National Park Lodges} | previous post by me

{Hiking Part of Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon} | previous post by me

{Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach Tour} | previous post by me

{Riding the Grand Canyon Railway} | previous post by me

{1881 Williams, Arizona - Gateway to Grand Canyon & Wild West} | previous post by me