MEET US IN SEDONA
Ever been to Sedona Arizona? If not, you would do well to put it on your bucket list. The place is spectacular. We go every year and are always amazed by what we see that we didn’t last time there. In my view, it is truly “The God’s Country.” We went again this past Thursday with friends, and it inspired me to write about it.
Sedona is a community of about 10,000 people and 20,000 tourists located in the Coconino National Forest, about two hours north of Phoenix. It’s primary attraction is the red sandstone made from layers of iron oxide in what is called rock formations, rather than mountains as I call them. To this kid from the cornfields of Illinois, they look like mountains. Anyway, the first time you see them, it’s breathtaking, although the sunsets are pretty spectacular as well.


It was the ancient Native-American tribes of the Sinagua and Anasazi that had settled there first. They were builders, farmers, and artists who thrived, leaving behind drawings in the cliffs still recognizable today. The Hopi Indians claim to be descendants of the Sinagua’s. The ancient Palatki and Honanki tribes lived there as well, but high up on the cliffs.
Named after Sedona Schnebly who husband, Theodore became the first postmaster when he settled just west of Oak Creek Canyon to grow apples and peaches around 1876. Antonio de Espejo is credited to be the first European to reach Sedona in 1583.

Upon entering Sedona, the first thing most people do is hike up, or in my case drive up, to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It rises 70 feet up from a 1,000 foot red rock cliff. The windowed chapel looks out over the community.
What blows my mind about Sedona is when looking at these mountains/formations, you have to remember the reason they are red is because of the iron in them. If a rock is made up of iron, it had to have been underwater at one time. This means the entire valley was once under water during the Permian Period in Earth’s history.
Wilson Mountain is the tallest peak in Sedona at 2,300 feet. Named after Richard Wilson, who’s claim to fame was being eaten by a bear in 1885. As I was looking over Wilson Mountain, I began to wonder how one went about having a mountain being named me, but if it requires becoming bear excrement I think then I’ll pass.
Sedona claims to be a vortex, swirling centers of energy that assist healing, meditation and self-exploration. Supposedly one feels energized in the various vortex spots. Specific sites claiming to have a vortex of their own are the Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon area’s. I wonder why they don’t include the general store we stopped in that has a big sign to sit in a swing chair where their vortex is. I sat in that chair a few times and can’t say I felt any different when I got up, although there was some indigestion starting up.
The Wilde Resort also claims to have vortex, but at $641 per night, not including the spa or vortex services, I’ll have to take their word for it. Seems a little pricey for a Chebanse boy. But wait, if you’re at least 48 y/o you can make payments on your stay for just $54 per month, I kid you not.
While there, we took a tour of the Broken Arrow trail, courtesy of Geoff of Pink Jeep tours. Yes, the jeeps are pink. Tip – sit in the front seat next to the driver and not in the back. You’ll thank me later.

This is what their website says of themselves – “Majestic views and stunning photos await—panoramas of towering rock spires and unique geological formations surrounded by juniper and cypress. Walking stops include Submarine Rock or Chicken Point. The tour finale is a nearly vertical descent down a natural staircase of rock, ruts and roots! This one-way “Road of No Return” will leave you craving for more 4×4 adventures.”
Although a little pricey, they don’t overstate it, and it is not to be missed if you want to go places that you don’t want to walk or hear from guides. (I found a lot of places I did not want to walk!) They are painted pink because the original owner’s wife thought it would be a great marketing tool for their tours.
After the Pink Jeep tours there is a variety of just about anything you want to spend your money on, from T-shirts to multi-thousand dollar works of art. There used to be a restaurant that had a $10,000 cheeseburger. It came with a side of a signed Stevie Ray Vaughn guitar, but I didn’t have time to see if it sold yet.
From the time Hollywood movies began until the ‘70’s, more than sixty movies were made in Sedona. It is home to the Sedona Film Festival, too, annually from February 22 to March 2nd. I personally have no intention of being there at that time given a strong disdain for pretentious Hollywood actors, but I thought I would mention it if it were your thing. You might even want to submit your own film.
If you’re an outdoors-man, there is plenty for you to do such as hiking, kayaking, or taking an ATV. Would you believe I have no experience with any of these events, nor will I in this lifetime.
On the drive south back to our home, we were treated with some of the most spectacular sunsets, found only in Arizona. And the best part of that is they are available almost every night.

The bottom line, I’ve been to the Grand Canyon, but only once. I go to Sedona every year, it’s that spectacular to my wife and me. If you’re travels take you to the Southwest, put Sedona on your list.