<p>I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful states in our great nation.  I think we might also boast the most diverse landscapes of any of the other 49 states. </p>

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<p>I awoke on Day 24 in the Sonoran Desert, which is actually quite stunning. </p>

<p>pic of south mountain</p>

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<p>After a 2 hour drive from Captain Adventure's house, we scaled the Red Rocks of Sedona.  </p>

<p>pic of sedona</p>

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<p>After another 30 minute drive, we hiked a pine forest trail in Flagstaff (trail elevation 9600 ft.)</p>

<p>pic of flagstaff</p>

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<p>As you can see, if you can tolerate 115 temps for a few months, then this state is one breathtakingly majestic oyster. </p>

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<p>The plan for Day 24 started with a Google hunt for the height of Aspen "gold rush" in Flagstaff.  I've been to Flagstaff many times, but never at the peak of fall foliage, and I wanted an autumnal experience to remember. </p>

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<p>The second weekend of October is considered THE weekend to visit Flagstaff for fall colors, so I called up my friend, David (aka Captain Adventure), who lives and breathes nature stuff.  It took him about a ¼ of a second to accept my invitation. </p>

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<p>We decided to turn this into a 2-day nature extravaganza.  First stop:  Sedona, Arizona.  Which.  Is.  Absolutely.  Incredible.  One of my favorite places on earth.  If you've never been, start plotting a Sedona escape soon. </p>

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<p>Sedona is known not only for its stunning one-of-a-kind scenery, but also for its Woo-Woo factor.  If you're ready to get you're New Agey freak on, then Sedona is your place.  I would guesstimate that Sedona has more psychics per capita than anywhere else on earth.  If New Agey freak freaks you out, then just focus on the red rocks and mind your own beeswax.  Sedona attracts people from all around the world, so I guarantee you won't feel out of place. </p>

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<p>Or course, I was chomping at the bit for a psychic reading because a.  I like to get my freak on every once and awhile and b.  I wanted to learn about the fate of this blog.  Because psychics are always right, you know.  According to <strong>Dionne Warwick</strong>. </p>

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<p>However, hen you're traveling with Captain Adventure, you don't waste sunshine and perfect 80 degree weather on psychics.  You must first conquer the mountain! </p>

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<p>When you hike Sedona with girlfriends, you leisurely follow hiking paths, share girl stories, and stumble upon a naked man in the woods.  (True story.)</p>

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<p>When you hike Sedona with Captain Adventure, you make your own path.  Up a rock.  Thinking that if your mother saw you, she would freak out and not in the New Age-y way. </p>

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<p>(insert me scaling red rock here)caption: Feel the fear and climb that rock anyway!</p>

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<p>I don't know what was more exhilarating, the climb or the vistas. </p>

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<p>Few people hang in there all the way to the top, and for those who do, there are special rewards.  Lucky for me, Captain Adventure fancies himself a masseur, so I received a cranial massage while passed out on the lone flat rock.  David wouldn't let fellow hikers take his masseur-in-action photo because he suddenly felt shy (???) but I assure you, it cleared my sinus headache in about 10 seconds flat. </p>

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<p>(Ladies, if you want me to play matchmaker, contact me privately and you and David can exchange digits.  Although now that I think about it, I may need him to remain single for this Dating Game idea I have for the blog, but that's for another day...)</p>

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