jeep..

we were thrilled to get a groupon for a jeep tour... if you have a chance make sure you do one!  It was breathtaking up in Sedona...

I love stories... here is one about the man that lived in this cabin... (the parts in blue are me adding what I heard on the jeep tour)

Earl Francis lived on top of this mountain in the 1960s. He was a man who enjoyed his freedom, not wanting to be tied down to a 9 to 5 job and the burdens of society. He once said, "A man can be free in the mountains. He doesn't have to punch a clock or take orders from a boss." 

He staked a small gold and silver mining claim nearby and was able to make just enough money to get by. He built a small rock walled home, made jewelry from precious metal and painted landscapes of his precious mountains. He carried it piece by piece from an abandon cabin down the hill...

In 1964, at the age of 33, the US Government judged his homestead claim unacceptable due to it not being "profitable.  Because he was making moonshine :).. Francis said it was profitable enough for him to survive, "There's a few dollars' worth I can scratch out. But I like it better that way than if there was enough to make me rich. At least I don't own nobody and nobody owes me."

He spent over a year fighting the government, but ended up losing his case. His claim was declared null and void and the government ordered him to tear down his home. In 1966... He decided o sell it to another man and have him deal with the consequences...He was murdered and to this day it is the only unsolved murder in Sedona...

After the tour we headed out for some good ol' country cookin'! 

We had us some Rattlesnake, buffalo and cactus fries...

 Sedona is so adorable right now...

 then of course, off for a hike... we just had to...

Keep lovin' life!
ps. thought you might wanna know I'll be doing a INSTA giveaway soon, so follow along to see... lets just say it may be caffeine related ;)