Welcome to the awesome beauty of Sedona and the Verde River Valley! This is a splendid place to go for a walk - several, actually - in the abundance of nature that springtime in Arizona's Red Rock Country so readily provides.

The magnificence of central AZ's Red Rock lands - some 500 square miles here - has been 330 million years in the making. From the Mogollon Rim, high on the Colorado Plateau to the depths of Oak Creek Canyon (part of the Verde watershed), we pass through a rich geologic record, very similar to that of the upper Grand Canyon - with the colorful shale and limestone layers. Like pages in a great book, these horizontal layers of rock strata tell stories of ancient oceans and swamps, floodplains, vast deserts of sand, and violent volcanic eruptions.

Based all four nights at a superb B&B (w/private baths) near the rural, bird-abundant area known as Page Springs, in the lower Oak Creek drainage, our small group is perfectly set to take advantage of the impressive trail system of west Sedona, as well as the riparian "fingers" of willow-cottonwood and the clean, freshwater ponds of the lower valley.

Add to these wonder walks amongst arches, hoodoos, and mesa tops, the dual pleasures of sampling the local wines (yes, four vineyards in Page Springs) and seeing the bountiful springtime songbirds and hummers at preserves - such as the B&B-adjacent Bubbling Ponds and the Verde River's Tavasci Marsh,. We will also be taking in walks, millenia-old "ruins", and rock art at contemplative sites like Palatki, V-Bar-V, Tuzigoot, Agua Fria, and Montezuma Well.

The terrain and walking is up and down and all around, and the landscapes in this semi-arid, high-desert area are as varied as they are wondrous: riverside cottonwoods and cattails to redrock canyons and mesas; cliff-hugging "ruins" of ancestral peoples (the Sinagua) to "hoodoos" and other erosional wonders. Moderate to somewhat strenuous walking/hiking with sturdy boots required at times. We will be walking 5-7 miles/day, with elevations in the 3500-5000' range. Average highs at 70, with lows in 40s.

This trip takes in 4 nights, starting April 27th at 12:30pm in Sedona (PHX shuttle leaves@9am); ending 5/1 at 3pm at PHX.

All-inclusive price, excluding airfare and gratuity (optional), is $1400/person; or $2700/two sharing room. $400 single supplement (or $1800 total for private single).

Last day to sign up/send 50% check deposit is 3/27/08.

Lodging at Page Springs B&B Inn