Chasing Clean Air

Lately, Consistent Clean Air in Los Angeles

 

March 2020 Los Angeles Hiking before trails shutdown to stop coronavirus spread

To blog or not to blog, that is the question. On hiatus after cumulative major life events: the care and passing of my mom, multiple evacuations from Los Angeles fires, learning how to live in the age of coronavirus and be an advocate for my 90-year old dad, who lives in an assisted living facility with coronavirus spread. 

The good news regarding Los Angeles air quality: Blue skies and clean air has become the norm in Los Angeles where cars and planes no longer pollute. Few people work. Just before the coronavirus hit California, I'd gone to Tucson, Arizona and really liked it: Beauty, clean air, hiking trails, open space. 

January 2020 Hiking Gates Pass, Tucson, AZ

 

Sabino Canyon, Tucson

 

Now I focus on grocery shopping. I haven't been able to get a food delivery. The city public health officials talked about a possible surge this week; and suggested many of us avoid shopping if possible. So my thoughts revolve around shopping: mask, gloves, Lysol wipes (but so few left and none to buy), timing, wondering when the best time to shop with fewer people.

Be safe: Wear a mask. Remain six feet or more apart. Respect one another. Vote for Biden. 

 

Montezuma Castle, Arizona

Looking at Montezuma Castle, I was reminded of Howard Zinn's book A People's History of American Empire where Zinn threads truth throughout historical events, thereby toppling pre-fabricated stories--from our long tradition of spin--better known in schools today as History 101.

Montezuma Castle was home to the Southern Sinagua (meaning without water) natives, just outside of Sedona. 

It's a popular stop in the Verde Valley along the way from Phoenix to Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona. As are its sister sites, Montezuma Well and Tuzigoot.

Montezuma was the Aztec king in what is now Mexico and Central America.

When the Europeans "discovered" America, they thought the remnants of these cliff dwellers was the work of Aztecs, hence the name Montezuma.

Wrong.

Some of My Favorite Things in Sedona, Arizona

It's great to know that a clean air, unusually beautiful area is close to where I currently live in Southern California.

I flew to Phoenix and rented a car but flying these days is unpleasant, so should I return to Sedona, I'll drive stopping in Palm Springs for a night.

Other than coyotes and cowboys, Sedona is a quiet town that will likely remain so because there's a cap on population growth at 22,000.

Right now, Sedona population is at 19,000. This ensures air quality should remain relatively clean.

My top favorite recommendations in Sedona include:

Tours of the Universe, which I wrote about here.

Red Rock Jeep Tours with our cowboy guide Dan, which I allude to here.

Sedona Trolley, which makes going carless in Sedona easy. It's a hop on and hop off trolley that takes you to several town highlights, including on the first Friday of each month when the trolley takes you to art galleries. A very Sedona thing to do, as this area is known for its artists and spiritual retreats.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park is not only a great place to see lions,  tigers, jaguars, rhinos, giraffes, and lemurs up close and personal, it's the vision of Dean and Prayeri Harrison who in 1988 decided to share their love of wildlife at this park where you can take a Serengeti Safari.

The safari gives you a feel for Africa in Arizona. Giraffe, zebras, ostrich and more are frequently touchable.

While many of the animals are robust, others are rescue animals that have been injured and find good care here.

Red Rock State Park is the location of one of the most photographed areas  in Sedona. Cathedral Rock is here (photo above) and not only breath-taking, it's one of four major energy vortexs in the area. I took several photos and video.

Sedona's Tour of the Universe

Sedona's clear, dark nights are ideal for star-gazing and I could think of nothing better to do on New Year's Eve.

So last Wednesday I took a 15 minute drive from West Sedona to experience an unforgettable Tour of the Universe with Evening Sky Tours.

Along with a group of locals and tourists, I sat in fold 'em up chairs, warmed by blankets, and kept my head up, eyes peeled on the night sky open to see whatever I may.

Meanwhile, astronomers Dave and Matt had mighty telescopes to view stars in the sky and we took turns. 

In addition to viewing the vast universe, they gave us the scoop on galaxies, comets, shooting stars, satellites, nebula and groups of young and old stars alike.

Turns out young and old aren't alike at all.

The Pleiades are the youngest stars in the Milky Way galaxy (that's our neighborhood) and as such--like Hollywood stars-- they're hot!

And give off a blue hue.

According to Dave, the Pleiades are about 150 million years young, so young they weren't even around when the dinosaurs roamed earth.

Of course, Pleiades have nothing on the M15s--a group of stars just shy of Venus and 12 billion years old.

They're smoking red hot!

Which is good news for us aging stars.

Apparently, we get hotter with age.

When I looked through the telescope at the Pleiades, I saw twinkling flecks of star light.

The stars appeared like thousands of diamonds against the night sky, and reminded me of sand sparkling in the sun after a tide washes over, cleaning the way.

The way.

Vast.

Happy New Year from Sedona

Just another new year, protecting  delicate flowers, who hang by red rocks in the dead of Sedona's winter. 

All in a day's venture before posing on the edge of a cliff at Oak Creek Canyon enroute to Flagstaff, Arizona.

Mighty pleased I didn't fall off... 

Tent Rocks National Monument

  Off the 25 North, driving from Albuquerque to Santa Fe are Indian pueblos and their land.

We took the turnoff for The Pueblo de Cochiti, and discovered the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, elevation 5,570 to 6,760.

We walked the loop, as rain started. Beautiful tent formations as result of volcanic eruptions 6-7 million years ago. Signs of human occupations span 4,000 years. The Indians inhabiting nearby pueblo are ancestors from settlers in the 14th and 15th centuries.