August 1, 1999 - I was on a mission today to take pictures for my web pages so I hiked Vultee in record time. Actually, I'm not sure if the idea of pictures made me go fast, or if it was the thought of gathering storm clouds overhead. Last week I got caught out in a torrential downpour while hiking, so naturally I am a little more cautious this weekend!

Sedona got blasted with a vicious rainstorm again, just a few days ago and there are signs of the flash flood everywhere. In fact, this normally hard packed dirt is really sandy today and the dry creek bed has been widened out -- the edges of the path have even been carved away in some places. Huge piles of dead tree trunks and branches are everywhere, and there are two foot gorges carved out of the forest hillsides. "What on earth would one do if caught back here?" I kept thinking. Climb a tree and pray, I guess. It must have been a sight. Even the grasses are still bent down and plastered into the soil. This normally gentle canyon must have really seen some action.

But today I am safe. I emerge from the forest to find that the clouds have dissipated and the arch is shining bright red in the sun. This is always such a sweet spot for a picnic lunch and my favorite flat rock beckons. I sink onto the sunny platform and forget all thoughts of rain.