Sunrise Hike Christmas Eve on Brins Mesa Trail

I am testing out sharing an "album" through Google Photos as we took many pictures on our two sunrise hikes in Sedona.  Christmas Eve we hiked from Brins Mesa Trail to Soldier Pass Trail to Cibola Pass Trail.  Starting before sunrise allows you to enjoy the beauty all to yourselves and engage with the wildlife that live there, too.  We saw a Mule deer from a far and I spotted a beautiful coyote.  The mule deer pictures are before the dead tree and "tall shadow" pictures; #35 if you count them.  My coyote picture did not turn out so I added Rachel's picture in this post.  Rachel and I took hundreds of pictures so the hike took us over three hours.  Nathan and Brad were taught with us while Max, his mom and grandma and Art when to see Star Wars.

We were the first car in the parking lot but there were a few people on the hike that live along the trail head.  Other than a couple or two with their dogs, we did not see anyone until we came back on Soldier Pass Trail.  Sunrise temperature was 45F degrees and I thought I would be cold but I took off my fleece vest within 30 minutes of hiking.  We started climbing on the hike but with the dry air and jeans, I was comfortable in my urban clothes until 10 am when the sun warmed the land.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PBaOfNhpNAha2YDi2

Sedona Hiking

Family arrived around noon and we chowed down vegetarian crock pot chili and turkey sandwiches.

After unpacking, we all went hiking at Fay Canyon Trail except Brooke who was sick as a dog.  

Dinner was at Bella Vita Ristorante with a wonderful lounge crooner, Anthony Mazzella.  Our meals were tasty and decent portions, too.  I had Pappardelle Funghi assorted mushrooms in a champagne, truffles, shallot cream sauce.  

Holiday Prepping in Sedona

Rise and shine with Rodney Yee Yoga, Michael Hedges, lounging, errands and a short hike.

I prepped meals and snacks for the family. Usually Roxanne or Nancy or Eli hosted us for the holidays (missing you Eli). We have hosted at our house in Lancaster but it was just Eli or Nancy and Art when they were in town.  So it is our turn to host a party of nine, including us.

Prepping started at 7:45 pm after Friday night dinner with brads mom and Art.  I love to cook but to do it in someone’s else kitchen is disorienting which can add time to preparing the dishes.  I had to find the proper utensils, pans, knives and storage containers.

Thursday, I used the garbage disposal and it seemed to work well.  Since the owners didn’t mention the garbage disposal in their house notes, I thought cool!  At the same time, as I chopped cilantro, green onions and cracked 18 eggs - I thought maybe I should not use the disposal.  You know where this is going.  My couple hours of prepping meals turned into a whole night affair.  Call me Josephine the plumber. 

I was all beside myself as Ober was in bed from smokey prickly pear mescals.  I am one that cleans as I cook and the sink was backed up.  I tried to stay on task but I was fixed on fixing the clog as I wanted to run the dishwasher before bed.

I finally unclogged the disposal with basic plunging.  I finished cleaning and chopping the vegetables and prepping the dishes.  Dishwasher ran and nothing else exploded or leaked.  

Sunset hike before Friday night dinner

Cleaned the green beans, prepped six pounds of mashed potatoes (used some potato water and milk) and prepped the vegetarian chili for Saturday's lunch. I read that you make the mashed potatoes with everything but the butter.  When you make the meal, you add the butter to keep the mashed potatoes tasting fresh. 

Able to prepare the Breakfast Enchiladas ahead of time, too.