Today we're up and out the door early for a Starbucks and our spa appointment. The Breathe Spa was absolutely fantastic! Kelly and I both opted for the Lavender Lemongrass Sugar Scrub with the Vichy Shower rinse. It was simply AWESOME!
While we were busy pampering ourselves Darren and went and rented a jeep. We grabbed a take out lunch and went to picnic out on the red rocks. We headed into Soldier's Pass area and stopped at the Devil's Kitchen to eat. Devil's Kitchen is a giant sinkhole--watch your step! Further down the trail is the Seven Sacred Pools and some great picture spots. I think I used 3 rolls of film in here!
Kelly was not a big fan of the 'jeeping', so we took her back to the hotel while Darren and I went to explore a little used jeep trail. The trail is called "The Cliffhanger"--and it is aptly named! For the most part it is fairly level, but you do get to hanging off the sides of hills and cliffs in a few spots. The views from the tops of these ridges are amazing! It is a panorama from Bear Mountain and Doe Mountain to the north, Scheurman Mountain and Cathedral Rock to the east and a beautiful valley leading down to Oak Creek on the south and west.
Your bravery is rewarded at the end of the trail as it takes you down to the old "Hidden Cabin" and a serene beach spot on Oak Creek. Some folks have obviously found this hidden gem judging by the campfire rings and rope swings that will drop you into that cool creek. Just downstream you can hear the faint sounds of running water. The creek runs a bit downhill thru here and over some rocks creating that soothing gurgling sound. One could sit here and meditate for hours.
Unfortunately, our time here is short as I have to get back and get ready for the Film Festival Gala tonight!
The sun is starting to set as we head back and the shadows on the rocks makes for some spectacular pictures.
Well, we get back to the hotel to get ready and Kelly's back is really bothering her (thanks to Darren's little jeep tour) so we opt not to go to the Gala. We go for room service and tv instead....which is just fine by me as I am not really into all that Gala stuff anyway. Besides, I was so tired that I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow!
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