Our last evening in Phoenix/Scottsdale/Mesa/Tempe, we spent with our beloved boating friends, Jim and Julie. Now, it’s off to Sedona.
Sedona, “Red Rock City”, is an Arizona desert town surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. It’s noted for its mild climate and vibrant arts community. Uptown Sedona is dense with shops, spas, and art galleries. On the outskirts of town are numerous trailheads with access to Red Rock State Park and numerous trail heads for bird-watching, hiking, and picnicking spots.
Spectacular sights along our drive from Scottsdale to Sedona. Such a gorgeous area.
I want to stay here forever!
Snow on the mountaintop.
Sedona, renowned for its stunning red buttes and monoliths, is located at the base of Oak Creek Canyon and is completely surrounded by the Coconino National Forest.
In 1876, Sedona, yet unnamed, began as a small farming and ranching settlement. By 1902, 20 families had settled there. Arizona didn’t become a state until 1912. One of the settlers, Theodore Schnelbly, petitioned for and was granted a postal station that he named in honor of his wife, Sedona. The last name is familiar to us because our campground on Bear Wallow Road, is a spur off Schnelbly Road.
Sedona is an artsy town The red rocks are magnificent but it could be more than those vistas that stimulate the creativity of the artists. Many believe that the Sedona region contains a concentration of vortexes which are spots that release psychic energy or power from the earth. We visited the areas pointed out to us as vortexes but try as we might, we never felt the anticipated tingle.
Our campground, Rancho Sedona RV Park on Bear Wallow Lane (love the name) right in the heart of downtown. As we entered initially, there was a steep descent into the park and I thought we were entering into a magical fairyland. The tree branches had been festooned with iridescent silver ribbons pirouetting in the breeze as they reflected the sun. It took my breath and was a magnificent welcome. Our stay there was just that grand. Our site was on Oak Creek with a manicured lawn between our coach and the creek’s berm.
There is so much more to see and do so must be out the door. Nature’s splendor is magnetically beckoning.
Bill and Laura
Sedona, AZ
