Date of trip: August 2004

The city of Sedona is located about 2 hours north of Phoenix and two hours south of Flagstaff. Three million years ago, the Colorado Plateau popped up from the earth like a cork. With time, erosion by wind and rain created Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona, miles of layered mountains made of “red rocks”. The rocks are made mostly of sandstone. Why are they red? They are coated with iron rich soil that rusts! The effect is absolutely stunning.

Highlights:

-Over the years, many celebrities have fallen in love with the area including Walt Disney. If you’ve been to Disney World, you’ve probably ridden the Thunder Mountain ride which was designed to look like a particular mountain in Sedona. Today that mountain is called, of course, Thunder Mountain as a tribute to Disney. Other famous formations include Coffee Pot Rock and Snoopy Rock.

-Some mystics believe Sedona harbors magical energy. There are a few locations where vortexes are said to exist. Many say that upon entering these areas they have been filled with spiritual energy and uplifting forces. You can find maps of the vortexes all over the city. Will and I visited one and it was a bit windy but, then again, it was on top of a mountain.

-The best way to see Sedona is to take a jeep tour. There are several companies that offer them, but the most well known and popular is the Pink Jeep Tour. We expected a relaxing ride but it was actually quite rough. The jeeps literally drives up and down the rocks at 90 degree angles! I loved this tour because Sedona is quite touristy and we were taken away from that to an area where we could enjoy the red rocks in a peaceful and natural setting.

-Avoid the crowds if you want to get the most out of Sedona’s beauty. Main Street is full of tourists and salespeople. Go for a drive or hike. Sunrise and sunset are both beautiful, but it’s a lot easier to find a quiet spot at 5am than at 7:30pm, so get up early!

-The Chapel of the Holy Cross is worth visiting even if you are not particularly religious. Built into a mountain, in the shape of a cross, the only word to describe it is breathtaking. It also offers some of the best views of the city.

Sedona can get very hot and dusty so be sure to dress appropriately and drink lots of water. You should also be aware of the high altitude and take things slow if it bothers you. Most importantly, make sure your camera has lots of space for pictures as you will want to take a lot of them!

It’s easy to understand why someone would think a striking place like Sedona has secret powers, but you can decide for yourself. Either way, it’s unlikely you will leave without feeling some connection to the city whether it be spiritual, physical or another way uniquely yours.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Sedona Links:
Sedona Official Site
Wild Sedona Vortex Maps
Pink Jeep Tours
Chapel of the Holy Cross