Hiking in Sedona - Day 1 - Cathedral Rock

Decided we should do a short hike for our first day in Sedona.  It was short but unfortunately it was almost vertical... 

J on the way up;
 

Views from the top (almost);
 

The route back down; 

On the road - New Mexico to Arizona

ome photos of the road between Truth or Consequences NM (named after the 1950's TV game show) and Sedona Az.

Santa Rita Copper Mine;

Silver City NM;

 Snow capped mountains in the distance (Mt Graham near Safford Az);

 Bridge over Theodore Roosevelt Lake;

Arriving into Sedona;

 

Golf in Truth and Consequences

Prior to leaving T or C we managed to get a round of Golf at the Sierra del Rio Golf Course where Jakki managed to beat me 2 and 1.

No, I didn't hit it in the water...

Stunning views and a lovely clubhouse on this desert golf course.

White Sands National Monument

Took a trip from T or C to White Sands, a national Park in the middle of the main US missile testing site.  Also famous for being home to the Trinity test site where the first Atomic Bomb was detonated.

The National Park is made up of dunes of bright white Gypsum sands.  Very hard going up and down the dunes some packed rock hard and others so soft that you sink up to your knees.

We hiked about 5 miles into the desert to find the Alkali Lake bed;

Jakki filling her boots with fine white sand (again);
 

 Run Forest Run;

Elephant Butte and 'Truth or Consequences'

After Marfa we headed North through El Paso to New Mexico for a couple of days in Truth or Consequences, NM.  

We had our first hike round Elephant Butte, a state park in New Mexico.

Tough going as it was all soft sand.

Jakki cooling her feet in the Elephant Butte.  Can't believe how cold the water is when it looks so inviting.

We ended the day in the Hot Springs that 'Truth or Consequences' is famous for, to ease away the aches and pains of sore muscles;

Quick quiz;  Why is 'Truth or Consequences' called Truth or Consequences?  (and no looking at Google or Wikipedia).