Sunday - Flagstaff, Oak Creek Canyon, and Sedona in Sedona... :)

I loved this last weekend, in some of the most beautiful places in the state.... :)  Below is the trip home, from Flagstaff down through Oak Creek Canyon and into Sedona.

The above and below were taken at the top of the 'switchbacks' on 89A (the highway).  There is a view point there looking down into the Oak Creek Canyon. 

Walking back to my car in the parking lot, I found some pretty things to photograph....  :)

I stopped at a pull out after the 'switchbacks' and took a short hike down to the creek.  When I got out of my car, I found myself in a group of dragonflies. 

The Oak Creek...  :) 

There was a rock slide....  you can see it in the pictures from the 'view point' - the first few pictures.... 

Some of the creamy orange rock in the mountains.... 

I stopped to take a picture of some lovely mountains, and I saw this.  There was a fire in the area, and I thought it was neat, to see the new growth coming from the charred tree....

And when I turned around, this is what I saw :)  Pretty orange box in the trees.... :) 

More pretty mountains......

This one is my favorite.  Snoopy Rock.  See it?? 

Hey - I had to do it....  :) 

It's some of the most beautiful country, in my opinion.  If you ever find yourself in the area, it's an absolute MUST in my book.  :)

Sunday, dog show wise ended up good too!  In the breed ring, Chance earned his first points towards his Grand Championship, which was fun.  He really enjoying being back out there! He may have to dip his paw into the Breed ring from time to time ;-)

A few hours later, Dakota and I went into the Rally ring.  I was really worried because it was outside with all those yummy smells, but he did REALLY well!  We only really fumbled on one station, but we got through it.  During the honor exercise we were to have them sit.  The last station before the finish (which was right across the ring exit from the Honor exercise) was Halt, Stand, Down.  Well I'll be darned... Kota heard that lady tell her dog 'down' so he did!  At the very last second....  I couldn't believe it! LOL  He blew the Honor exercise his first day in ABQ too!  I swore it said "DQ".  I chekced the score and it was a 79.  When I left there, I thought that because we blew the Honor exercise.  What I learned THIS weekend was that messing up the honor exercise takes away 10 points.  So the reason I thought I saw DQ, but maybe it was NQ, was because of the -10 points, we no longer qualified (need a 70).  So THIS weekend, we got a 97, but then he goofed the Honor exercise, so we ended with an 87 and 3rd place!  :)  I was super pleased that he ended with a good performance! It was his best, by far.

**EDIT**
I failed to mention that this 87 and 3rd place finished up his RE title!!!  Duh, me!!  Kota is (pending AKC confirmation: CH C-Myste Dakota, RE, CGC :)  Up next either Freestyle, or his CD.... or maybe both :)

It made the drive home even better!  :)