Labor Day in Flagstaff - Sunset Crater Volcano

We spent the day exploring. Here we are at Sunset Crater Volcano Monuments.

Bonito Park 

Sunset Crater Volcano erupted approximately 1,000 years ago. It is the most recent in the 6 million years of volcanic activity in this area. 

Eva didn't want to take pictures of flowers. She wanted to draw them. C'est une petite botaniste en herbe.

On our way to the lava trails, we first saw those big jagged rocks called aa (ah-ah) on The Bonito Flow. 

Then, approaching the main trail, we could see the smooth and fine lava (pa-hoy-hoy)

Red and yellow oxidized cinders shot out of the vent and fell onto the rim in its final burst of activity. Sunset Crater got its name because of its colorful red and yellow glow.

The Sunset Crater penstemon (the Scarlet gilia or Skyrocket).

It is a beautiful place and Eva's favorite National Monument (so far). 

Barry got Eva a Kid's Passport Companion book. Each time we go to a National Park, she gets a stamp with the name of the park and the date of the visit. She added some drawings and facts from her observations in her book. She is a true Junior Ranger. 

Flagstaff - Arizona Snowbowl

Summer in Phoenix is dragging on once more so this Labor Day weekend, we decided to road trip back to Flagstaff. 

Here we are hiking at the foot of Humphreys Peak. 

The San Francisco Peaks behind us.

The air is thinner up here. Eva and Mom felt a little dizzy walking on that path.

Catching our breath on the Katchina Trail. 

Aspen trees (Le peuplier faux-tremble)

Walking back to the car.

Lupine flowers.

For dinner, we went to Pasto in old town Flagstaff for italian food. Cécile chose the quail (caille) on a potato gratin bed. 

Barry had the salmon in a puff pastry roll. The peppers were stuffed with goat cheese and dill.

Eva ate some spicy meat balls for appetizer and red sauce spaghetti for her entree. 

After dinner, we played with some parrots.

Oak Creek - Avant et après la pluie

L'Auberge de Sedona - Visite de Sedona et Flagstaff

Rain! 

Heading to Flagstaff in the rain. We made a stop at the REI store. Barry found a purple rain coat and Eva some salmon color cool shoes. 

Then, we stopped at the McMillan restaurant, right across the train station and located on Route 66. 

The beet soup was perfect.

Still raining. We stepped into a historic hotel, the Weatherford Hotel. Look, the colors match with Eva's shirt :) 

Drums! Eva has a blast. On our way out, a little Navajo girl started to play with Eva. 

Driving from Flagstaff to Sedona. The rain has stopped!! 

Back to Sedona, Eva poses before the Courthouse Butte.

  

Bell Rock.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross designed by local sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude. 

In 2007, it was voted one of the Seven Man-Made Wonders of Arizona.

Cholla cactus in bloom.

Some of those red rocks are humongous.

Eva likes to act silly.

A scarabe resting at the foot of the chapel

Back to L'Auberge. 

Eva loves grass. She wouldn't stop running around. 

The city of Sedona has public xylophones...

... and lots of sculptures in display.

Last day at L'Auberge.