| We hadn't planned to go to Sedona; it just happened. The plane took us to Phoenix and the rental car took us to Scottsdale where we stayed for three nights. We were in the Old Town area, had a nice dinner and the following morning explored some more on the "Trolley Line". This is a free service and takes you to a few places where you can "Do Some Shopping." |
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| For me it was more like being on a merry-go-round, except the horses were going the wrong direction. Mother Nature is my style: such as wild ponies or a grove of saguaro and other cacti. |
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| If you ever encounter this cute "teddy-bear-cholla" cactus below, don't touch! If you do, you'll be sorry. Just to demonstrate, I kicked a piece lying near the path and had to use a sharp stone to carefully scrape it of the bottom of my shoe. The whole thing is nothing but barbs and vicious hooks. The story goes that Indians tortured their enemies by tossing them onto a bed of these cuddly teddy bears. |
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| The following morning we drove north to Sedona. It is much higher than Phoenix; the temperature drops and the scenery rises. Sedona is at the edge of a fault, an escarpment with a sharp change in elevation. Phoenix is below and Flagstaff above. The red colored sandstone has eroded to expose a wonderful display of cliffs, towers, and weird shaped rock formations. There are several with local names like "Coffee Pot", "Bell Rock" and some that I don't want to mention here. In fact, there are many photogenic locations that I will not show right here. To view some wonderful pictures on the Internet go to: http://www.todancewithangels.com/sedonaphotos.htm Better yet, go there yourself and see the place; you will be pleased. |
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However, maybe there is something to be said about the "Vortex". This only exists in Sedona and is claimed to be an swirling energy source that has an uplifting, rejuvenating sensation to those who believe, to those who experience its power. It occurs at several locations including Boynton Canyon, which is a nice hike north of town. Sharon and I did this several years ago and we may be the only humans to ever have "seen" the vortex. (Now please, these two photographs were taken several years ago when I had no idea how to be "creative" by modifying pictures. Out of the roll of 24 shots, these were the only two that had a "blemish". Was it exposure to light?: NO, not with my camera. Was it the Vortex?: who knows? What we do know is what we saw afterwards and that, after our hike, we felt uplifted and re-energized. We usually are anyway.) Perhaps we just enjoyed our excursion, or . . .? But, please, don't fall for the many traps of cancer cures and all the other spiritual claims of miracles in his region. They are so common on the Internet. If you really believe in this, good luck; but be aware of the "prophets" and how they can take your money. |
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| While we were in Sedona, there was an art exhibit all over town. Artists had painted the same series of( I believe) ceramic or bronze sculptures of peccaries, a form of wild pig native to the Southwest and northern Mexico. The painted animals were similar to the painted cows we have seen in the Valley-of-the-Moon, one of California's wine districts, and the miniature cars in Healdsburg a few years ago. After a certain date these art objects are put up for bid. |
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| One shopping area is outstanding and, as much as I dread "shopping", we spent a couple hours at Tlaquepaque. It is a smaller version of the shopping town near Guadalajara, Mexico. The name Tlaquepaque stems from an Indian word that means "place-above-clay-land". The Mexican town is famous for its pottery and blown glass. While Sharon browsed, I took some pictures of the architecture. |
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| Several years ago, when this mall was first started, some of the shop keepers lived up-stairs, above their shops. Now it is so popular that even the homes were turned into more shops. Except for the kids shown below, skateboarding is not allowed. |
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| After all this shopping, the only thing we bought were two ice-cream cones! Then it was off to see the small chapel just outside town. The setting of this Catholic Church is dramatic, to say the least, but what was also interesting were the stations of the cross. The railroads may have some influence here, because the architect had used sections of rail and spikes to make the thirteen stations and displayed them around the spectacular interior. |
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| Sedona is a great place to visit. We recommend you do it. Then go onto Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. It is a real experience! To fully appreciate that "Wonder of the West" you have to take a rafting trip for a week or two. But that is another story. (click that if you really want to) |