Day 45 - 10/19 - Day Trip to Sedona

Though we are spending two nights in Flagstaff diidn't mean we had to stay. After all, we had visited Grand Canyon NP in 2013. So, we headed south about 32 miles to Sedona, an area where we have never been but wanted to see we heard it was a beautiful place. Sedona didn’t disappoint even though the town, itself, is the touristy Gatlinburg of the west. If you like crowds, slow traffic, and shops galore, go to Sedona or Gatlinburg. But, if you want to see the other aspects of the locations you have to get away from the retail environment. Of course, what is seen around Sedona is vastly different from what can be witnessed around Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

As we exited our twisting ride through Oak Creek Canyon,

we were presented with a clear view of Cathedral Rock,

a formation of rocks that prominently overlook Sedona.

It is a natural sandstone butte and one of the

most-photographed sights in Arizona.

Our route took us down in elevation through the Oak Creek Canyon. As one would imagine, Oak Creek goes from the upper elevation of Northern Arizona toward the Verde Valley. The canyon walls are always not far from the creek and roadway on either side. Of course, the many curves along the path made for an interesting drive in addition to the changes in the types of trees in transitioning from altitude to another.

This photo, from Wikipedia, show how deep Oak Creek Canyon is.

It was formed along a fault many, many years ago. The canyon is often

described as being a cousin of Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty.

The hairpin turns of State Route 89A run for about 13 miles from

south of Flagstaff to just north of Sedona.

Our first stop was the Sedona Visitor Center where we talked with a delightful lady from Cincinnati, Ohio. She gave us maps and good information. Then, we set off for a brief visit around Sedona.

We had planned to hike to the base of Chimney Rock. Where the trail was to begin we came upon the Amitabha Stupa, a Buddhist location. Stupas are the oldest form of sacred architecture on the planet. While we don’t embrace the Buddhist beliefs, it is interesting to visit these outdoor centers created for meditative experiences. It was very characteristic of the Buddhist Garden we encountered in Montana. It though similar, was on a grander scale. The Amitabha Stupa is very simple in comparison. Even though these structures are outdoors, there is a sense of reverence as you approach the area. Those visiting also conduct themselves in reverent manner while at the site.

Chimney Rock is just northeast of downtown Sedona. Several trails

wind around the sandstone formation.

Amitabha Stupa sits on land at the southeastern base of

Chimney Rock. As with other Stupas, silk flags with messages

or prayers (peace flags) decorate the area. The flags may be

hung to a line or just attached to branches in a bush.

Our next stop was the Airport Overlook which provides a view of the Verde Valley and Sedona from an elevation of about 500 feet above the area. The runway and buildings sit on a mesa. By the way, the airport is not controlled but there is a good video on You Tube explaining the intricacies of using the airport. You see, though it is on a mesa, there is taller topology that surrounds the airport that can cause tricky winds, etc.

Cathedral Rock can be easily seen from nearly anywhere in Sedona

since it dominates the skyline. This is the view presented

at the foot of Airport Road.

After an ascent of 500 feet to the mesa on which the airport

sits, the valley below can easily be seen. That may or many not be our

retirement home at the lower right. It looks fine enough to be.

From there, we made our way to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. This was yet another spiritual experience with a Catholic overtone. The Chapel was built by Marguerite Brunswick Staude as a monument to faith. It sits on a twin pinnacled spur, about 250 feet in height, jutting out a thousand-foot rock wall. The architecture and construction was designed to blend into the red rock environment of Sedona.

Here we are below the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Formations that inspired the placement of the Chapel are

The Nuns (the two pillars) and the Madonna (the

erect formation immediately to the left).

With the large window behind and the cross embedded

in the architectural design, this Crucifix is affixed.

It is made of native wood and a sculpture of bronze.

The walls are of concrete with exposed aggregate and

tinted red in color.

Our last stop was Javelina Cantina for a delightful lunch of Mexican food with some friends. We met these two ladies nine years ago at an international Newmar rally in Escanaba, Michigan. Since meeting them there, we’ve maintained contact with Rosanne and Sue. We have crossed paths over the years and always have fun catching up with each other. We had so much fun, we forgot to get a picture of our time together

There is no escaping a view of Cathedral Rocks, not even at 

Javelina Cantina, a highly-rated restaurant off the beaten

path in Sedona.

At the conclusion of our time in Sedona, we returned

to the quiet shade of our campsite at Flagstaff KOA.

The cottonwoods are busy dropping their leaves

in preparation for winter.