Flood Update

When we decided to turn back this morning, we may have avoided disaster.  In the Cave Creek area where we made that decision, about five and a half inches of rain fell in a short time.  As much as eight inches fell in some areas.

The Interstate 17 in that area was awash and was closed for much of the day after we left.  Folks did have to be rescued from the Carefree Highway area we vacated.  Parts of northern Phoenix and Scottsdale were flooded.  All I know is that I was glad when the three hour ordeal was over.  Quite an experience!

The rain stopped here at 2:30 p.m. and we ventured out at 4:30 for pictures.

Oak Creek is a spring fed stream that normally is clean and just bubbles over the rocks,  The rock swale emptying into it is normally dry.

We got less rain in Sedona than farther south, but it still made a mess.

The frustrating thing is that our hiking plans have been knocked askew.  More thunderstorms are predicted for the remainder of our stay in Sedona.  They shouldn't cause flooding, but the trails are so muddy that after about ten feet you can't lift your boots any more, and the prospects of the trails drying out in time are not good.

So, we made the best of a bad situation and went to the Mesa Grille at Sedona Airport for dinner and some pics.

Citrus Seafood Salad

Unfortunately, they don't feature fried cactus any more, so Ewen reluctantly  :-) settled for his usual naked hamburg with bacon.

No sunset tonight (we may not see one in Sedona) but this sequence of shots taken while we ate dinner will indicate how the changing light can alter a rock picture.

Tomorrow we take the Verde Valley Railway ride, so any rain shouldn't seriously affect our plans.