Boondocking in the red rocks of Sedona
Six miles down a 5-mile-an hour washboard road, we found an empty spot just at sunset to park our rigs with a view of the signature red rock plateau surrounding Sedona. Then we were welcomed with the rise of a golden full moon. We are excited about being in Sedona. And as luck would have it, we have our own personal guide! My hairdresser in Texas put me in touch with her best friend in Phoenix who is a hiking maniac. We met in a Walmart parking lot a couple of nights ago and really hit it off. She decided to join us and take us on some of her favorite “tamer” hikes for the next couple of days.
First challenge is Devil's Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area and known for its vortex (didn’t feel it..), jaw-dropping views, and test of bravery. It looks scarier than it really is once inching out on the bridge overlooking the canyon below. But it does have a pucker factor of 8+++. It’s a must-do pilgrimage and was the site of Sharon’s wedding - out on the bridge. Quite the rock-scrambling, 5000’, 1.8-mile RT trek for the wedding party! It’s a happening with a string of people going up and coming down and hanging around at the bridge encouraging everyone to take the walk. After a round of high five’s and a bunch of photos, we were off for some sunset photos at Airport Mesa.
Again, another pilgrimage at sunset for iconic photos by half of Sedona I think. Plus there was one young woman in her very high stiletto heels walking up the rock in her lacy-white wedding-invitation dress. In a quick quip to someone’s query about her shoes, she said they were 2 for 1 sale at REI.. Pic below of the happy couple.
But first we stopped at Chapel of the Holy Cross, a phenomenon built and nestled between massive red rocks boulders and supposedly in the heart of a vortex. Built by a devout student of Frank Lloyd Wright in 1956, it received the prestigious American Institute of Architects Awards for Religious Structures as well as was designated as one of the Holy Doors sites during the Jubilee Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis in November of 2015. Remarkable in it’s design, location, spartaness.
Day 2 was Submarine Rock, a very loooong massive rock with outcroppings on either end making it look like a submarine. Buzzing around were the Pink Jeep tours that were taking groups to the rock and driving them further up into the hills and down the “staircase.” The staircase looked to be at about a 50+ degree angle and elicited roller-coaster shrieks of terror. It couldn’t have been a more perfect 2 days in Sedona topped off with lunch at Sharon’s favorite organic restaurant, the Chocolate Tree, shades of hippie days. Once we get settled in at our long-term site in Quartzsite AZ, we look forward to more adventures with Sharon and her husband!
Tomorrow we are off to the Grand Canyon and one of the more beautiful scenic fall drives I’ve ever experienced going through Oak Creek Canyon with it’s tight curvy road along the creek as it twists up the canyon topped off with a gaping view of the canyon at a pullout.
