Sedona
It’s Red Rock Country
It's aptly named. Dani and I made our way to Sedona after the Grand Canyon. I admit to having doubts about the photogeneity of Sedona's rocks, especially as we went at the end of our journey through Zion, the slot canyons of Page, and the Grand Canyon. Sedona proved me wrong
Red Rock Scenic Byway
Sedona’s Red Rocks are comprised of sediment layers deposited over many millions of years. The shale foundation is the remainder of ancient swamp lands. Other layers are the remainder of an ancient beachfront, known as the “Schnebly Hill Formation,” that deposited iron about 275 million years ago. (This iron is what gives Sedona’s rocks their rich red color.) The Coconino sandstone layer was formed at a time when a Sahara-like dunes covered the majority of the Western US.
The Kaibab limestone layer was deposited when a warm shallow sea covered the area about 250 million years ago.
The Red Rocks we see today were formed several million years ago when the uplifting of the Colorado Plateau that created the Grand Canyon also caused water to carve out Sedona’s red rock, cake-like layers. Currently, Sedona is considered to be a part of the Colorado Plateau and is in the process of making mountains, raising an average of one inch every 60-80 years!
Bell Vista
In 2005, Red Rock Scenic Byway was chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be Arizona’s first All-American Road, which means it is a national “destination unto itself.” The Byway is a destination you will not only want to drive — but stop, stroll, hike, bike, golf, shop, dine, stay — and enjoy!
Chapel of the Holy Cross
The chapel was inspired and commissioned by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who had been inspired in 1932 by the newly constructed Empire State Building to build such a church. After an attempt to do so in Budapest, Hungary (with the help of Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright) was aborted due to the outbreak of World War II, she decided to build the church in her native region.
Richard Hein was chosen as project architect, and the design was executed by architect August K. Strotz, both from the firm of Anshen & Allen. The chapel is built on Coconino National Forest land; the late Senator Barry Goldwater assisted Staude in obtaining a special-use permit. The construction supervisor was Fred Courkos, who built the chapel in 18 months at a cost of US$300,000. The chapel was completed in 1956.
The American Institute of Architects gave the Chapel its Award of Honor in 1957. In the sculptor's words, “Though Catholic in faith, as a work of art the Chapel has a universal appeal. Its doors will ever be open to one and all, regardless of creed, that God may come to life in the souls of all men (and women) and be a living reality.”
In 2007, Arizonans voted the Chapel to be one of the Seven Man-Made Wonders of Arizona, and it is also the site of one of the so-called Sedona vortices.
Silver Son West Gallery
A meandering gallery of vintage collectibles and unique Mexican art. You could literally spend hours here discovering room after room of chimineas, rare metal signs and high-end decorative pieces with a Southwestern tilt. A beautiful setting and a shoppers paradise.
The Town of Sedona
Stroll along “Main Street”, sit and relax on a patio, in a courtyard or at a sidewalk café, or pause a moment on one of the locally crafted benches to savor the experience. Fill your senses with the endless red rock views and the vitality created by visitors from all over the world. Keep your eyes open for commemoratives of Western movies filmed in Sedona and the actors who brought cowboy life into our homes. These "Hands through History: Sedona Western Film" bronze plaques, embedded in red rock concrete with the handprints or boot prints of the actors, are placed in five different plazas.
There are also countless outdoor sculptures that add to the beauty. Just one example is at the “Mid-block Crosswalk Plaza” where you'll find the life-size sculpture depicting Joe Beeler, an incredibly talented artist who lived here and was one of the five founding members of the Cowboy Artists of America organized right here on our Main Street. These are all great places for one-of-a-kind photos.
A walkable downtown, locally known as Uptown Sedona or the Main Street District, there are wide sidewalks along the two main roadways and several side streets, with magnificent vistas throughout. Home to several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and many sites and structures with a Local Historic Landmark Designation, Sedona Main Street is where it all started and the entire community flourished for decades: it was home for the orchard industry, the first irrigation ditches and water wheels; it was the site of the first electric service and telephone installation, the first school, chapel, post office, gas station and hotel. It was also the site of the first tourist business opened in a teepee along the roadway! Historic plaques along Jordan Road in the Pioneer Pathway and interpretive plaques along N. SR 89A from Forest Road to SR 179, tell the many stories of Sedona.
Sedona Airport Overlook
The Sedona Airport Overlook is 500 feet above the center of West Sedona and State Route 89A. There are spectacular views of iconic Sedona red rocks like Thunder Mountain (also called "Grayback"), Coffee Pot Rock, Cockscomb, Chimney Rock, Sugarloaf, and Mingus Mountain.
Sunset is the optimal time to go for the best viewing or photos, but often the most dramatic photos are taken about 5 minutes after sundown or later. If the cloud formations are nice—especially during the monsoon season of July to September—the views and photos can be over-the-top amazing.
Red Rock Crossing
Red Rock Crossing had been a low water crossing over Oak Creek until a major flood washed the road out back in the 70's. The bridge was never rebuilt and Red Rock Crossing & Crescent Moon Recreation Area is now one of the most beautiful locations that you can visit easily in all of Sedona. At Red Rock Crossing you will find one of the most recognizable images of Sedona known all around the world, Cathedral Rock, majestic against the eastern horizon, flanked by the ever present Oak Creek meandering by.
A great place to set up for the day. Bring a picnic lunch and prepare for a glorious outing. Open Daily. Sunrise to Sunset. Red Rock Crossing is a State Park, a fee per carload is charged.
Sit on the banks of Oak Creek, have a swim or take a hike along either side of the creek on wonderful wooded trails. The trail on the south side of the creek will lead you all the way to the top of Cathedral Rock, offering breathtaking views and excellent exercise.
Jerome & Vegas
The night we arrived in Sedona, Dani and I ate dinner at Elote which was fantastic. We were surprised by the wine special (it was from Arizona). So we decided to take the long way back to Vegas and stop in Cottonwood at the Pillsbury tasting room. After a successful tasting and purchase of several bottles, what followed was a comedic search for shipping boxes which led to another two tasting rooms- Arizona Stronghold and Cellar 433. Cellar 433 was in Jerome, AZ at the top of an abandoned copper mine, but a fantastic place to try some wine, have a cheese plate and take in a sunset. From there it was a time to head back to Vegas.
