The array of food that arrived was astounding and we dove in with ravenous intent on consuming every morsel. You were still wrapped in the sheet and I was cleaned up and redressed raring to hit the mountains I love so much. It was an exhilarating experience, this was no scenic ride, we're talking serious off road driving, tilting and tipping, leaning to and fro, rounding mountain tops that don't seem wide enough to drive on; surrounded by the Martian like landscape that makes up the Sedona area mountain ranges with names like Coffee Pot Rock, Court House Butte and Cathedral Rock. It was an adventure that was right up my alley and I was ready to go.
You showered and dressed quickly, while I filled my backpack with the things I've learned are essential in the desert... sunscreen, camera, a towel, another shirt and pair of socks, energy bars, some of the fruit from breakfast, a first aid kit and as much water as I could carry. So there I stood in my khaki shorts, white tank top and a light long sleeved shirt, a ball cap and hiking boots. You laughed openly at my oversized backpack asking
"Hey are you sure you're going to be able to stay vertical with that thing?" I stuck my tongue out at you but I knew you might be right and contemplated taking out something. "What's the inventory?" I gave you my detailed list and you found all the requirements where there and you kissed me as you slung it over your shoulder. "You've got what we need; I'll carry the pack you just worry about staying on your feet or in your seat!"
We decided on the mustang and we were off in the direction of downtown Sedona where the tours started; you grabbed the pack and threw it in the back of one of the famous pink jeeps and climbed in the driver's seat.
"Hey don't we have to go check in and pay?" I'd done the tour and knew there was an experienced driver that navigated each of the jeeps and the tour was hardly free, so I was confused even further when you produced the key and revved the engine.
"Oh, did I forget to mention there's no driver?"
"What?" My knees wobbled a bit when you smiled and said
"I'll be your guide today."
"Whoa, hold on there cowboy! They have experienced tour guides that are supposed to drive!"
"Yeah, I'm one of them." Of course he was, how convenient and wonderful!
"Do you work everywhere in Sedona?"
"Yep, pretty much." You said with a wicked grin that I returned. I took shotgun with delight, the jeeps hold 5 tourists plus the guides and the last trip I was in the rear end, up front was going to be a whole new ball game. We started to back out and I asked if there weren't other passengers and you shook your head with another big smile. Goddamn this was just getting better and better!
I buckled up as we took off, the adrenalin pumping, my heart racing with excitement as you began to tell the story of Sedona's history and the tale behind its amazing rusty color. Two hours later we were at the base of Bell Rock and I looked up at what I considered "My Mountain". A smile crossed my face as I became lost in my reverie, remembering that day several years before when I had come so close to being another statistical victim to dangers of this arid wilderness. I got out of the jeep slowly; my eyes searching the northern side of the bell for the path that I had taken to that magical place up top.
"This is Bell Rock, it's something, isn't it?"
"Yes... something. This is MY Mountain."