We went to Sedona, Arizona last year during high season. Cool morning temperatures bring perfect mid 70′s during the day in the fall, where it’s crisp enough in the evenings for a fire and some s’mores. My husband and I absolutely love being by the ocean, but we thought we would give the desert a try. After waking the next morning and stepping out onto our balcony, I could not get over the views.
Room with a view…
But it’s not the ocean, I tell my husband. He quickly agrees. Oh well, we are here, we might as well make the most of it. I suggest we go for a hike. Sedona is a hiker’s paradise. With more trails to choose from than we had days there, we opt to hike the trail right across from our bed and breakfast. It’s only 4 miles, I tell my husband…
There are supposed to be vortex spots throughout Sedona. One of them is on the trail we were on. I stopped in the general location of this supposed vortex spot. I closed my eyes, I focused, I slowed my breathing. Did I feel it? Um, maybe. Or it could be the altitude. I guess I will never know for sure. As we continue on, we notice 2 ladies headed our direction.
They had to have been in their 70′s. Are you kidding me? If they can do this, I’ll be damned if I give up. They may have been mere moments from needing CPR (or were those sirens for me?) but I couldn’t let them show me up. After many more “are we done yet?”, we finally finish our first hike! The views were amazing but I am also impressed by the fact that there was not one single piece of trash on this 4 mile trail.
There are the usual tourist trap t-shirt stores, and other crap you are not supposed to be able to live without, but taking a Jeep tour is a must. We opted to use Pink Jeep Tours because they offer a tour that none of the other companies do (Broken Arrow) and the tour came highly recommended. And the Jeeps are pink… So we head out for a sunset tour, as excited as kids on Christmas Eve. Climbing the red rocks of Coconino National Forest, we are mesmerized by the beauty of miles and miles of rock formations and rugged land.
My favorite formation- Coconino National Forest
Our driver takes us to the top of a very steep hill. Clinging to the roof of the Jeep, I’m already speed dialing my chiropractor. Putting our trust into the driver (because we have no choice), we start our descent. There might be screaming. Not from me, it’s the other people on the tour with us. That’s my version of events anyway.
Day 4 arrives and it’s time to head home. It may not be the ocean, but after each day that passed, Sedona grew on me and I can’t wait to go back. I will probably hike (1 mile sounds good) but I will without a doubt take another Jeep tour. Autumn will always make me miss Sedona.
Valerie is a born and bred Midwesterner who loves to travel and explore other cultures through food. She enjoyes learning about this small world we live in and wants to enjoy life on her terms. Valerie is a freelance travel writer and writes for her blog, Trips or Treats.
