Ah, Sedona

Sedona: known as “Red Rock Country” is an entrancing city, home to some of the most spectacular rock formations in Arizona; massive ones with names such as Cathedral, Bell, Steamboat, Snoopy and Coffee Pot, all looking like their shapes.

Bell Rock

It’s in a spectacular location in one of the most scenic areas of the state, apart from the Grand Canyon, which is truly one of the most magnificent natural wonders we’ve ever visited. 

The city is rightly a famous tourist spot and once we arrived, we could see the attraction immediately. We were so glad we didn’t stay at a campground with our fifth wheel there because parking even for small cars was at a premium.  

one of many superb Sedona sculptures 

We took a Pink Jeep tour of the backcountry, bouncing along a mostly boulder-ridden old cow trail (and hanging on tightly for most of it), along Bear Wallow Canyon and up 2,000 feet to the top of the Mogollon Rim, part of the boundary of the vast Colorado Plateau.  At Schnebly Hill Vista, we stopped for a short break before the descent, where we had a magnificent view over Sedona and the Verde Valley.  One of the seven people in our party had a very hard time keeping her very short black dress from flying up in the wind at the top of the rim. Fortunately, she didn’t slip over the rocks with her sparkly encrusted flip flops either!  If she’d been young and attractive, some of the men might have been interested in seeing another view!

view climbing to the top of the rim

overlooking the Verde Valley and Sedona

Howard holding onto his hat

from the top of Schnebly Hill Vista at 7,000' high

Lunch was on a patio near the main part of town overlooking “Snoopy Rock” at a delightful restaurant called “Wildflower Bread Company” - delicious sandwiches, soups and pastries.  We returned again after our two hour jeep tour to buy a loaf of sour-dough bread and have a drink and pastry on the patio. 

 selection of delicious breads 

Wildflower Bread Company restaurant

At the scenic overlook on Airport Road, we waited with approximately a hundred other people for a spectacular sunset  that barely arrived. The view was lovely though to see Thunder Mountain in the center of the photo below with Chimney Rock on the left and Coffee Pot Rock on the right.

It's truly a photographer and artist’s haven where several old western films were made. We’d like to return sometime to explore the Indian cliff dwellings of Montezuma Castle, maybe take a balloon ride, visit a museum or view the vortices of natural energy that bring many people on a spiritual quest to this particular area.