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Caveat Emptor: Sedona Car Rentals

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There's only one rental car company at Sedona Airport:  Sedona Car Rentals Their website only listed two classes of available cars:  "Economy" and "SUV".  I didn't need an SUV to shuttle the three of us to / from the AirBNB and hiking trails, so I opted for the economy car.   Here's the reservation confirmation I received: Thursday, upon arriving at KSEZ, the FBO ramp worker retrieved the car and brought it plane-side for us (awesome!).  FIRST CAR: The car was a 2011 Ford Focus with 152200 miles on it (and a TPMS warning light.)  I noticed immediately upon leaving in it that it drove like a broken shopping cart:  Vibrated, and pulled left.  The transaxle made a loud whining noise that varied with the automobile's speed (not the engine RPM.) On our way to the AirBNB we attempted to take this vehicle on the highway and it immediately revealed that it wasn't suitable for highway use.  At 55 MPH it began to shake violently.  It wouldn't...
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Sedona, AZ

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We set out on a trip to Sedona, AZ (KSEZ) with the two schnauzers for Spring Break.  I'd always wanted to land at KSEZ, since the airport is set atop a 500' mesa surrounded by the famous red rock formations of the area. As promised, the airport was nothing short of breathtaking.  We rented an AirBNB that was too far away in Munds Park (closer to Flagstaff than Sedona) but it was a nice place, affordable, and dog friendly. We rented a car from Sedona Car Rentals and had such a bad experience with them that I'm writing a separate post just about them . Anyway, here's Wonderwall some pictures: Miles flying Ivanpah Solar Power Facility Arriving in Sedona View from the airport mesa Luna prefers the shade.  She stopped in shadows on every hike. Montezuma Castle cliff dwelling (Sinagua, 1100-1400 AD) A cliff dwelling at Montezuma Well Montezuma Well View from Hwy 89A Tuzigoot National Monument Tuzigoot National Monument Tuzigoot Tuzigoot Luna thought this was an "extra l...
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Day Trip to San Francisco

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Miles and I were itching to go somewhere (especially since we don't have any snow up here in South Lake Tahoe right now, sigh) so we decided to take a day trip to the San Francisco Bay area. Miles wanted to check out North Beach, the "Little Italy" of San Francisco, and get some authentic Italian style pizza, so that's what we did.  Afterwards we walked up to the wharf to say hi to the Sea Lions.  Salt Springs Reservoir   At KSQL     North Beach, San Francisco, CA North Beach   Miles trying Smoked Salmon Pizza at Il Casaro       Amazing deserts at Stella Pastry   The famous Pier 39 Sea Lions   Alcatraz Playing classics at Musee Mecanique   Back to the Sierra Nevada mountains.        
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Birthday trip to Joshua Tree Nat'l Park

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We loaded the family into the T210 and headed to Palm Springs, CA for a weekend trip to Joshua Tree National Park .  For this trip we reserved a quirky, cute little mid-century mod AirBNB home in Joshua Tree, CA, right up the street from the north entrance to the park. Sadly, we had to cut the trip a day short and come back Sunday instead of Monday because of a fast moving winter storm system that blew into the Reno / Tahoe area Sunday night.  I had a backup plan to fly to Bishop, CA and drive the rest of the way but the storm system was too big and too unpredictable to chance that not working either, so we cut our losses and headed back early. As such, we only got one day in the park.  It was beautiful and the whole area was charming, so I expect we'll be back. Miles and the huge saguaro in front of the AirBNB The backyard Backyard   Backyard Backyard     Joshua Tree Nat'l Park   Joshua Tree Nat'l Park   Joshua Tree Nat'l Park   Joshua ...
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