Sedona: Sights, Flights, and Swirling Energy

Inspired by our friend Laura, we set out on scenic route 89A on the blustery morning of September 26: from Flagstaff AZ, through the Oak Creek Canyon, and into beautiful Sedona Arizona. The early morning sun lit up the cliffs that screamed "Welcome to Sedona".

"36 Hours in Sedona" from the NY Times recommended breakfast at The Coffee Pot. It was clearly a popular place, but the wait was reasonable and the food was just what we needed to fuel a vigorous hike along the Teapot Trail to see the namesake of the restaurant - the Coffee Pot Rock..

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Though it was still rather early in the day, the temperature along the hiking trail was in the high 80's. We took our time, rested occasionally in a shady spot, and kept hydrated. We had the trail practically to ourselves as we enjoyed the sites and the dry Arizona air. 

Coffee Pot Rock

For dinner we discovered "Vino de Sedona", a wine bar with live music in a shaded courtyard with a view of the mountains and a brilliant sunset sky. We found a secluded table in the corner and enjoyed flights of Arizona wines - one white and 2 reds - with a yummy charcuterie plate for noshing.

,Sedona is home to four "vortexes" - thought to be "swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation, and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy". Armed with the added energy of crystals purchased at Sedona Crystal Vortex, we set off before dawn for the Airport Mesa Vortex to feel its power at sunrise. We hiked up a short but steep incline in the dark under the morning star Venus. About 20 energy seekers shared the brilliant dawn sky as we caught sight of hot air balloons rising in the distance. 

Before the Arizona heat kicked in, we hiked along the banks of Oak Creek near the Crescent Moon Ranch in the Coconino National Forest. 
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Nearby was the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic chapel commissioned by a sculptor to be built into the red rocks at the peak of a rise. We parked our car and gladly rode up the steep incline in a golf cart driven by an enterprising gentleman who wisely targeted the senior set for tips. The 1950's architecture was striking and the site offered a beautiful view of Bell Rock and the surrounding Coconino Forest.

We ended our visit to Sedona with a light dinner at Steakhouse 89, which was surprisingly good even though we didn't order steak.

Sedona is a gem of a place that was always on our list of must-see cities. It didn't disappoint.

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