Sedona, the Corona of Arizona

For many people, Sedona, Arizona is a corona (crown) for mind-body-spirit revitalization. The population is about 11,000 and they get over a million visitors a year.

"Sedona's world-wide reputation as a spiritual mecca and global power spot has drawn some of our planet's most amazing healers, intuitives, artists and spiritual guides. Come to Mother Nature’s red-rock temples to experience their life-transforming, soul-nourishing work in person. Sedona is a perfect place for spiritual and personal enrichment of the body and the soul."

Sedona is known as a place of healing, partly because there are vortexes. ("Vortex sites are enhanced energy locations that facilitate prayer, meditation, and healing. They are neither electric nor magnetic.") I don't understand vortexes but apparently many people have derived great benefits.

There are many spiritually-themed businesses, massage treatments, yoga, spas, along with palm readers, tarot card readers, aural readings, and psychics. I do remember Linda V., one of my co-workers in Florida, coming here years ago, saying it was her mental/spiritual retreat. She was battling cancer at the time and at last report was doing well.

My longtime friends, Carol and Mark Steingard, are in the process of buying a house here. Unfortunately, they were in Florida so we didn't get to see them. Sedona is also known for its art galleries and Mark is already associated with the Gallery of Modern Masters.

COMING INTO TOWN

OK, so I had heard of Sedona but didn't know much about it. As we drew closer to the town, there was one surprise after another.I couldn't stop taking pictures!Each hill we crossed or turn we made brought another amazing scene.

It seemed that these huge red rocks and mountains just kept appearing and appearing.

We planned to stay right in town in an RV park. We've been on the road since August 1st and, besides the one reservation in Yellowstone, we've just driven until Ed's tired and we've always found a vacancy in every RV park....but not in Sedona....they were full. This is the peak season for the area, not to mention that there was an antique Porsche show and it was Fall Break Week for the schools.

They called and got us a place at Lo Lo Mai, the nearest RV park. That turned out to be 15 miles south. It wasn't great and the internet service was very erratic but we had no choice. It worked out fine.

Thursday, we went to the Visitor's Bureau and got an overview. In our quest for an extra camera battery, we were sent about 10 doors up the street, which was 10 doors of charming shopping. The shops have such unusual and attractive things and we had fun looking around. We didn't find the battery, but we did find a great little place for a pulled pork sandwich lunch.

We drove north on US89A for about 20 miles to Oak Creek Canyon vista. Besides a nice view, there were Navajo Indians selling jewelry.

We did a bit of grocery shopping and found a jeweler to replace my dead watch battery. (It seems we can't avoid batteries these days!) I wondered why he didn't set the time correctly. Somehow, all our watches and clocks didn't give the same hour. We found out that Arizona does NOT use daylight savings time. Good for them.....and yes, the jeweler did set the time properly!

SUNSET IN SEDONA

We then went up onto the airport mesa for the sunset.

It was one big party up there! It reminded me of Key West, where people go to the dock to watch the sunset at the southern-most tip of the USA.Between the controlled burns in the area and the dust, it was a bit hazy but we still got some decent shots.

HOUSES THAT NESTLE

One of the things I love about Sedona is the way it is being built -- leaving trees and building houses that blend into the natural environment. The colors used are earthtones that harmonize with the surroundings. Even Burger King blends in with its simple design and colors.

FAMOUS CHAPEL

Friday morning we drove to see a famous chapel, which my favorite architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, helped design.The tapestry is a large, rough and nubby texture.

Click on the photo below to better see the unusual altar pieces.

The cross that is so prominent from the outside, is clearly the focus on the inside of the chapel. The walls are rough concrete.

The stark simplicity is typical of Frank Lloyd Wright's work. He seems to follow the idea that "Less is More".

The way this chapel fits in with the rocks is totally unique...and brilliant.

We admired the house built nearby.

The "castle" below was built by a guy from India who invented something to do with lasers. It was really fancy but tastefully done to blend with nature.

Here we are facing the main door to the chapel.