This is a map of the planned route for today-







Gonna be a full one, some twistys, then Skull Valley, Prescott, Jerome, Sedona, Oak Ceek Canyon, Camp Verde, and more.

Leaving out from our campsite early this morning...








...not been this direction on the road before...









...the wind feels good this morning...








...and before you know it...









...we're winding our way thru the hills...








...canyons and curves. 









Fellow traveler enjoying an early morning ride!










This is a pull-out, on the side of the road, where Dezirae was born...not enough time to get to the hospital!









Kurt letting us know the story of the birth, and that this little pass was where he had picked out for us to put the drone up and get some good footage of us flying thru the curves. Will have to do that another time!

Back rolling toward...








...Skull Valley...







...thoroughly enjoying...









...the wide open road and very little traffic.








What amazing sights we're seeing!








The road is fun too!









We've only just started today...








...but it is definitely getting...









...interesting, as we climb...








...40 mph sounds about right. 

I don't know where we are...








...but Kurt said to go ahead of him and enjoy. So I am. 








A look back...








...a look to the side...








...curves everywhere, sweepers and tight ones...









...AND, something we have not seen in a while....








...besides the great riding, there are TREES!








A look back-








This is definitely some fun!








I don't know where the trees went, but the twistys are still here! 

Still early in the day...







...and it is off to a great start...








...curves everywhere we look...








...and the views are amazing...








...whoa! I knew we've been climbing, but this is a bit surprising.








Shadow Pic-









Pulled over in the woods for a little convo and break. Stunningly different terrain than an hour ago.







Kurt leads the way into downtown Prescott...







...the Foodies have a plan!









We park right off the Prescott Town Square. That blue Mustang is Sally's ride. She does not ride motorcycles, so today she is our "chase" vehicle.

We end up at Olive-U Naturally. Mary is in heaven! They make and sell flavor infused oils and balsamic vinegar's.







I enjoy her enjoying the tasting and oohing and ahhing over all the different flavors. They have a comfortable chair, just for folks like me. lol








Kurt and Sally stocked up on some, and Mary got introduced to a whole new world of flavors...I'm sure we'll be back here.

But now we are on our way out of Prescott...







...headed toward Jerome.









Water! Not a common sight for us the last few days!







A look back at Sally.







Wow-Cloud pic!








Another shot of Sally, enjoying her Mustang!








Starting our climb toward Jerome...









...something's telling me this is gonna be another good road.

I had no idea...







...there was such great riding in Arizona!








A look back on this spectacular road!








What a blast!









The curves just keep on...







and on.








A quick look back...







...the views are amazing...








...and Kurt's camera is a whole new level for Mary!








We are thoroughly enjoying the day Kurt has planned out.

Riding this road...







...we are overwhelming grateful...









...for the privilege of riding Free, for the beauty...








...and to Kurt for showing us this.









Coming into Jerome...







...a copper mining town, built on the side of a mountain.








We stop at a copper store, and the 4 of us look around a bit, pick up a few reminders of our day, then step onto the back porch of the store for a look around.








Leaving Jerome, it is a short roll...








...but amazingly scenic...







...to Sedona.

Riding into Sedona...






...we had seen photo's, and heard how scenic it is...







...but being there is quite another thing.








As we got into Sedona proper...







...the traffic and tourist shops took over.








We found a place to park, and made our way to the Oaxaca Restaurant in the above photo.

The food was great...







...and the company even better!








Walking back to the parking lot...even it is scenic.








As we roll out of town, we wonder where Kurt is taking us next...







...well, we know, he told us "Oak Creek Canyon", but what that is, is yet to be seen.

A look off to the side as we roll...







...out of town...








...toward Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road...








...that road sign is telling the truth!








This place is amazing...








...the views overwhelming...








...a little look back...









...the photo's do not begin to do justice to what we are seeing/experiencing...








...the views are stunning...








...and the road is fun.

Wow! It just keeps getting better...








...I'm not even tempted to ride fast, the views are too captivating...








...amazing...









...well, we can open it up a little here and there. 








I know I'm posting a ton of pics from today...but it is only showing a fraction of what we're experiencing...








...I can't believe we've never ridden here before...









...yeah, we had to ride thru some desert to get here...








...but it is worth it!








More trees now, and definitely a cool canyon feeling.









Stunning!

Heading up...







...the mountain...








...out of Oak Creek Canyon...









...the road is scenic and fun to ride!








A look back at Sally in her Mustang!








A drop off into the canyon on the left and a rock wall on the right.








And all kinds of...








...Twistys. This is a road that needs to be ridden!








Turning into...








...Oak Creek Viewpoint.








Parking as some other riders are pulling out.

A look out from Oak Creek View Point...







...is well worth the stop and short walk.








A helpful fellow tourist took a photo of the four of us-








Looking down at Oak Creek Canyon, that we just rode thru...









...and looking at just 3 of the "layers" of road that we took out of the canyon up to this mesa.






We had a great time out here...searched for dog rock (long story), and Kurt picked out a locally made, copper Bear Claw money clip, which he kindly gave me. 



Back in the parking lot with the TG's. Kurt takes the '19 for a little spin. The controls are a tad different on the '19 than earlier years.








Back on the road, with a shadow pic...








...on the mesa. Toward the end of the Mesa we are at the outskirts of Flagstaff. Gonna be turning south, onto some highways to burn up some miles...








...on the 17, down a LONG hill.








The sun is getting low, and we are still going down a pretty good grade.

A view off to the right at 75 mph-








From the turn off onto the 17 a few miles ago, back to camp, is a 3 hour ride. We're also stopping at a Walmart in Prescott, so we're definitely going to run out of sunlight.

Still headed downhill...







The trees/woods/forest are long gone, but still headed down to the high desert.









A look back at Sally in her Mustang!








A good shot of Mary in the Mirror. Amazing how long we have been going downhill!








Wow, this might be the best shadow pic we've ever gotten!








A shot of Kurt, & we are now on level road...







....another shot of Mary in the mirror as we...








...ride into the sunset.








Last photo. Soon after this the camera battery went dead.






Right after the sun set, we got to Walmart in Prescott. Picked up a few things. When we came back out, it was dark, the remaining 1 hour 20 minutes will be in high desert cold, 2 lanes and twisty.

Mary jumped in the car with Sally and Kurt and I took off.

No photos, no video, no traffic, clear sky, moon was out, and it was one of the most peaceful, in the zone, rides of my life.

Dark, besides the moon and our LED lights, we flew thru the high desert twistys...it was as close to magical as I've ever experienced.


Tomorrow we are going to go see the HUGE Open Pit Copper mine, and learn a bit more about Bagdad, one of the last remaining "Company Towns" in the USA.

Day 18 HERE