Sedona, Arizona
TRAVEL ROUTE: Phoenix, I-17, SR (State Route) 179, Sedona
September 20, 2006 — As interesting as the desert landscape had been on our trip north from Phoenix on I-17, as we approached our exit at Arizona Route 179, it had settled into a kind of monotonous regularity - low hills paralleling the highway and blocking our view of all but the highest prominences in the distance. Through a fortunate gap in the hills, we caught a glimpse of some impressive pinkish rocks, quite different from anything we'd seen, so far. Driving toward Sedona on 179 opened up for us a progressing panorama of fantastic formations - towering pinnacles, great mounds, massive buttes, gigantic mesas, sheer cliffs and deep canyons - shaped out of the characteristic red rock of the area and arranged into a landscape of dramatic proportions.
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Our plan was to arrive in Sedona late in the day, to catch the last rays of sunshine on the famous Cathedral Rock. The classic views of this southwestern desert icon are taken from the middle of Oak Creek, which is easily accessible from the Crescent Moon Picnic Area in Sedona's Red Rock State Park. When we arrived at Red Rock Crossing, as this particular vantage point is called, it appeared that our timing was near perfect - the sun had not yet set behind the surrounding hills - but our precision was almost our un-doing since there was little time to scout for the perfect photo location and we were forced to settle for a couple of nice pictures. Our dreams of an award-winner faded with the waning sun's rays. As compensation, Lower Red Rock Loop, the road that winds through the park, afforded some scenic overviews of the landscape bathed in the rosy afterglow of sunset.
Devotees of the new age and the occult arts will find that Sedona has much more than scenic splendor to offer with more psychics, sensitives, clarivoyants, clariaudients, clairsentients, empaths, tarot readers, healers, spiritual counselors, hypnotherapists, channelers, intuitives, mediums, palmists, animal whisperers, vortex guides, shamans, moon worshippers, chakra balancers, aura cleansers and consciousness raisers per capita than anywhere else on earth. In addition, Sedona is a haven for artists and craftspeople of all kinds who sell their creations through the many galleries, showrooms and consignment stores in the town.
 Sedona tends toward the pricey end of the scale and will never be high on a budget traveler's list of favorite places. It does offer a full spectrum of overnight accommodations (from campgrounds to luxury resorts) and eating establishments (from fast food to gourmet dining) and some excellent values can be found. Our one dining experience in our all-too-brief stay was at the Marketplace Cafe (MPC) in a shopping center in the Village of Oak Creek (a Sedona 'suburb') where we had a generous plate of fish tacos and a pint or two of the exellent local brew at a very reasonable price. Service at MPC was friendly and non-intrusive. We were encouraged to come back the next morning for breakfast, which we almost did - opting, instead, for a couple of luscious cafe mochas with whipped cream to go.
But instead of leaving Sedona right away, as planned, we decided to spend a few extra hours sampling a bit more of the visual feast that Sedona offers the traveler. Architecture lovers will want to be sure to visit the awe-inspiring Chapel of the Holy Cross, a church built high into the rocks that overlook the town by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Chances are, when you leave Sedona, you'll be leaving to the north. By all means, make sure you take state route Alt 89 back to I-17. Alt 89 is a winding, 25+ mile drive through Oak Creek Canyon and is considered one of America's most scenic byways. Unless you are hiking or on a bicycle, be prepared to store mental images of what you see because there are precious few places to stop your car to take actual photos (most of the turn-outs that are there are blocked, preventing use) until you reach the scenic overview (and Navajo flea market) at canyon's end.
Next Stop: The Grand Canyon
Travel to One of These Other Fascinating Locations:
Sedona, AZ
Grand Canyon, AZ
Monument Valley, UT
Lake Powell, AZ
Zion NP, UT
Rhyolite, NV
And, Coming Very Soon...
Death Valley NP, CA
US 395 & Owens Valley, CA
Mono Lake, CA
Bodie, CA
Yosemite NP, CA
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