People have been telling me for years that I should visit Sedona, a small town north of Phoenix. I heard it enough that when the opportunity came up on our western trip, I grabbed it.  

For a variety of reasons, we found ourselves leaving Phoenix around 6 pm. The sunset was beautiful,  but before long we were driving the winding road in the dark.  

It was late when we checked into our hotel. We were told this was one of the darkest places in Arizona, great for star gazing.  The young man who helped us to find our room, assured me.  “For sure, you’ll see a shooting star if you just look up for ten minutes or so. 

Then he asked, “ What do you think of our red rocks? “  

I laughed and said, “I haven’t seen them yet.  Too dark.” 

The next morning I threw open the curtains to a jaw dropping view.  My gosh. No wonder friends have been telling me I should visit this very special part of the planet.  

Made me wish I had scheduled a photo tour and had more that the day and a half to explore the area.  

People come here from all over to hike this spectacular landscape.  We didn’t do that, but we did have some time to look around.  

It’s an interesting town.  I thought it was quite touristy.  I learned that Sedona, named for the wife of one of early settlers, was a sleepy place until the Western movies put it on the map. It is possible to take tours of some of these locations used for famous shoot-em-up films.   But what has really drawn people to this isolated place is Instagram and other social media sites where people post their photos when they visit Sedona.  

Hmmm.  Well. It was busy and we were there off season. I can’t image what it would be like “in season.” I’m not sure I’d like it.   The uptown part of town had all the typical touristy stuff—shopping galore, places to eat and lots of hype. 

I was particularly amused by the New Age influence.  The area is known for the Vortexes that are believed to promote well being.  I think it is wonderful if it does that, but I’m fascinated with all the businesses that revolve around the mystical reputation.  I even saw a “New Age Super Store.”   

A little research revealed that being in a Vortex can rejuvenate, harmonize and heal.  It’s a spiritual cleanser of sorts. I don’t think I was there long enough for this to happen, but I suppose it is possible.  

If I go back, I’d like to take a tour of the Vortexes and see what it is all about.  

Speaking of tours, this looked like fun.  We didn’t sign up for one of the many jeep tours available,  but this caught my attention. So did some of the other goofy stuff.  

We saw all kinds of restaurants.  You wouldn’t go hungry.  You might even have a romantic evening in a place like this.  

We did poke around in some of the art galleries.  I particularly liked the ones with art glass.  I also enjoyed the the opportunity to do some abstract photography.  I’d do more if I had more time.  I saw lots of opportunities to be creative. 

As we headed north out of town, we marveled at the spectacular red rocks and the beautiful Sycamore Trees along Oak Creek.   These trees are large, spreading trees that sometimes twist and turn.  The theory is that their sometimes interesting shapes are caused by  the powerful vortex energy in this mysterious place.  Clearly, more to explore.