Sedona

SWMBO and I drove over to Sedona today to celebrate our 40th anniversary.  8 days late but at this age, we wait for the weather to cooperate.


First stop: Tlaquepaque.

It's a touristy arts and crafts center but it's done so well, it's always been a favorite place of ours.  It was modeled after the town of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco just outside of Guadalajara in Mexico.

Lots of Spanish/Mexican style architecture.  Beautiful big sycamore trees dominate some of the plazas.

Most of the art is Southwestern-oriented but Sedona being what it is, you can find plenty of Asian influences as well.

There's also a touch of whimsy afoot, as in this sculpture of a big pig.  A nearby placard says the name of it is "Eat More Beef."

Inside El Rincon, a Mexican restaurant and tavern . . .

There's a group of "guardians" . . .

Though this member of the group looks about as tired as I felt after awhile.

One shop features treasures from the sea . . .

This sleepy fellow appeared to be related to the pig.  He was standing watch over a parking lot, next to a sculptured Saguaro cactus.

It's a very pictureresque place, tempting to the camera . . .

But after a period of walking around, staring at the goods in the shops, one grows weary.  And thirsty.  So . . .

Our visit to Sedona ended with martinis and a great lunch at Shugrue's Hillside . . . and then the drive home.