road trip recap: seeing Sedona
A quick update: I moved to Providence, Rhode Island just one week ago to start an exciting job in my field. Though it’s funded through a temporary grant through the end of June, it’s a great project and if all goes well, I’ll be in Providence indefinitely! New city, new job, new apartment: lots to explore and experience.
On to the recap: After a lovely day at the Grand Canyon, I decided to stay in Flagstaff another night to give me a chance to explore Sedona, famous for its amazingly beautiful red rock scenery and energy centers, or vortexes. I’d heard about Sedona through a former co-worker who visited on his honeymoon, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check it out for myself. As the clouds rolled in at Flagstaff’s altitude, I headed back down the mountain and was lucky enough to find the sun breaking through the clouds during a solid portion of my day.
It is a must to take the scenic route 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona. Along the winding road, you encounter lots of trees (snow-covered during my trip), but then you gradually get your first views of the red rocks. If leaving from Flagstaff, make sure to stop at the first official park turn off for a viewpoint, but most importantly, for a chance to shop the silver jewelry, pottery, and other goods made by local Native American craftsmen at very reasonable prices.
As the red rocks got closer and closer, I got a chance to get out of my car and do a little bit of light hiking. I highly suggest visiting the region in an off-season, because you can take in the views by yourself. When I was wandering along the path in the photo below, I didn’t see anyone else until I was leaving, which helped me appreciate my surroundings even more.
After driving through the center of town, I headed to the state park to see the views of Cathedral Rock. I got a later start, and the weather was only semi-cooperative, so I didn’t have a chance to see all the major views. A word to the wise: don’t pay to go to the state park! The best views with the classic reflections in the water are only accessible from a different path, on the other side of the river, which is free. I had a local resident explain this to me from the other side of the river (a little too challenging to cross with two cameras), but I didn’t get there. Do some research and get the best view! I think I did pretty well, though.
As the sun began to set, the colors playing off the rocks became unreal and amazingly beautiful. I drove around, surrounded by the rocks, watching the colors change at each turn, so unfortunately I don’t have many photos to share. I definitely would like to go back to Sedona for a few days and hike around more, maybe do a vortex tour and experience the energy (though I was close at Cathedral Park), and get some amazing shots. More reason to return. But dusk was truly gorgeous.
After a day of exploring and admiring, I headed back to the hostel to plan my drive the next day, as I wanted to make sure to see as much as possible en route to Albuquerque, New Mexico!
