Fall is leaving, and the chilly months of winter are back. Memories of more than 30 winters are revived. There are the years when there were feet of snow, and there were years when there was none. I like the snow years better. For the most part, they were wildly beautiful. The temporary inconvenience of roads and runways closed is offset by the short time the snow remained. Things tend to return to normal quickly. The beauty remains in the mind and gives us our winter memories.
The photo above is an aerial shot taken from just south of the Sedona Mittens looking toward the north and the Colorado Plateau. On the horizon toward the left is Kendrick Peak and near center are the San Francisco Peaks and to the right of them is Mt. Elden. Further to the right are multiple volcanic cones located in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Below the peaks is Oak Creek Canyon, and you can follow it down into the open canyon area below. A winter wonderland!
This photo was taken from near the same spot, but looking to the west-southwest. The flat snow-covered area in the lower left is Brins Mesa. Beyond that is Long Canyon and Black Mountain on the left. Right of center on the horizon is Bill Williams Mountain, an unforgettable scene.
The photo above is the view looking east-northeast from the north end of runway 21 on Airport Mesa. See the Sedona Mittens, with Oak Creek Canyon on the left and Schnebly Hill and the road on the right.
This photo was taken from the southwest side of Airport Mesa looking to the West. The primary rock is Chimney Rock with the cliff faces of the snowcapped rocks towering above it and just behind it.
The photo above was taken after a big snowfall coated trees along the fairway behind our home. Pure magic. I wish you all the joy and blessings of the season.
