Sedona on the Rocks

We have been to Sedona many times in the past ten years.  Last week, over Labor Day weekend, was the first time we went in the summer.  And it was so hot! 110 degrees or so every day we were there.  As a result, my plans to do a tour and some hiking were dashed.  Instead we drove around in an air conditioned car and got out in the heat for short periods of time to take pictures.

On route 179  on the way into Sedona from Interstate 17, there is a visitor center for the Red Rock region, which is part of the National Park system.  We stopped to take some pictures, pick up a Red Rock pass and otherwise look around (i.e. shop for trinkets for grandchildren and me).  This year, I remembered my annual N.P. pass which allows me to get the Red Rock pass for free.  I was looking for it in my purse to show the woman at the desk and she asked me if I had the Senior Pass.  I laughed and said, no, I hoped I did not look like I was 62 already.  Then, when I asked her for the map with the rocks she said that was the "Disneyland" map and I really should take the hiking trail map instead.  Apparently being in an air-conditioned building all day made this woman, who was significantly older than I am, delusional about what is appropriate behavior in 110 degree weather.  I took my "Disneyland" map and left to take photos of the rocks, like any good Mickey Mouse tourist.

Three of the rocks shown below are spiritual vortices in Sedona, and reportedly have special energy.  They are Bell Rock,  Cathedral Rock and Kachina Woman.  The fourth vortex, Airport Mesa, is not really a rock  and thus not as photogenic as these other places.

These rocks are named based on what they resemble.  I have followed local conventions as much as possible although sometimes Thunder Mountain is also called Capital Butte, Two Sisters is also known as Twin Nuns and Coffee Pot Rock, from another angle, is called Eagle Rock.  The red color of the rock comes from a mixture of ferrous oxide with sandstone.

I also include a picture of the Chapel of the Holy Cross which is not a rock per se but is viewed in the same light and even deemed by some to be a vortex.  I must agree that it has a special aura when you go inside.

Kachina Woman (Boynton Canyon)

Two Sisters

From left- Chimney Rock, Thunder Mountain, Coffee Pot Rock

Courthouse Butte

Coffee Pot Rock

Madonna and Child

Bell Rock

Cathedral Rock (from Schnebly Hill Road

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Good Karma

View of Boynton Canyon in Enchantment Resort

We love Sedona, allergies notwithstanding.(And they can be bad this time of year--headaches, achy eyes, runny nose, congestion at night) We always stay at the Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon. The drive into the canyon to get the resort is always so beautiful.  I feel like I have come home when I see the red rocks.  Both my husband and I relax so much more quickly here than other places that you wonder if the effects of vortexes are real.  Enchantment supposedly has several vortexes.  Once we climbed up the side of the canyon to get between the masculine and feminine energy sources.  Mii Amo, the spa, also is surrounded by vortexes or so they tell you at the very expensive treatments.

There are wild animals around here too, not like the opossum and the neighborhood skunk at home.  We saw a roadrunner and a  fox running across the road on our way into the canyon yesterday. Years ago one sorry bunny rabbit met its demise in the front grill of our rental car late one night coming back from town. We drive our own car now rather than fly and rent. Luckily no more road kill since that one sad encounter.

Coffee Pot Rock

We tend to have some habits about where we eat.  This morning we went to the Coffee Pot Restaurant, home of 101 omelettes.  The menu asks you to order them by number which of course we never do.  One of the 101 is made with peanut butter. Not a big omelette fan,  I got 1/2 order of french toast, an egg and a slice of bacon instead.  The Cafe is on the corner of Coffeepot Drive which leads more or less to the Coffee Pot red rock formation which looks like an old fashioned you guessed it.

Yesterday we ate twice at the Wildflower Bread Company--lunch and dinner.  I had two different types of soup and treated myself to a loaf of raisin walnut bread to bring back to the room so I could eat something in the morning when I walked to the lobby to get our complimentary coffee. This year we are very close to the lobby so the walk is very short.  One of my favorite things about the morning is the walk to the lobby to get coffee before most people are up.  I love the canyon in the crisp morning air and the light on the red rocks is awe inspiring.  Since my walk is short this year I am not getting that experience and since it is a bit chilly in the morning I am not getting the opportunity to sit on our balcony with the hot coffee looking at the rock formations.  Nonetheless it is still wonderful to be here.

One of my favorite things about Enchantment is that there is no BB or cell phone reception at the resort.  I really cannot be reached easily here and forced to get on yet another conference call or review yet another document.  I have discovered that there is wireless in this particular room so I can be on my computer and touch iPod at all hours.  Last time we were here I could only get wireless reception in the lobby and not in the room which was a ways away from the lobby.  I am not sure which situation I prefer.  Hmmm.