Got out of the gate at a reasonable hour this morning and pointed my bike towards the Boynton Pass Vortex. Nine miles with lots of hills to test my mettle.

Arrived at the busy lot, chained up the bike and hiked off into the red rocks of Arizona. Found my way up to the spire where spiritual energy is said to emanate from the rocks. Sat with my back to the spire to calm the mind.

A vortex fanatic had scaled the pillar across from me and sat at the apex playing a native flute. People came and went, some coming to sit and meditate others pausing just long enough to snap a photo and run off to the next instagram staged shot.

I was gawking too much walking up the trail and my shoe caught a root and I went down fast. Landed with the camera in the palm of my hand taking the full brunt of the fall. This poor old Canon has seen some tough moments. The flash has to be physically pried up to function and the rubber hand grip is coming unglued. But it still seems to take a pretty decent picture. I dusted it off and worked the little spring loaded lens cover until it closed properly. Keeps on ticking.

I’d read that the trailhead at Bell Rock had a gravel bike path that led into the bush. Backtracked past the roundabout at camp and went up the hill past the church that’s built into the stone.

Refilled my bottle at the curio stand where PJ did her shopping those many years ago. At Bell Rock, the trail wasn’t that well maintained and I was getting a little tired so I turned around early and headed for camp.

Lots of nice downhill with expansive views of Sedona as I rolled into town. Another Gatorade at the souvenir center and I was good for the rest of the commute.

Easy afternoon at camp, checking upcoming stops and catching up on laundry. In the evening, I wandered Tlaquepaque looking at the shops and grabbing dinner at the Secret Garden.