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Experiencing Sedona, Arizona For the First Time
Rate it! Votes (3) | Comments (0) By Adam Abraham Photos: Adam Abraham Posted August 6th, 2007 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: Sacred Sites Of The West, by Bernyce Barlow, (2002, Llewellyn Publications)	Sacred Sites Of The West

SEDONA, ARIZONA, USA -- Sedona, Arizona; New Age Mecca, UFO's, spiritual vortexes. Fabulous Travel editor Cheri Sicard and I set off to explore this mysterious spot one sunny February. Never skeptical, but not knowing exactly what I would actually find there, we were both excited at the opportunity to experience Sedona (myself for the first time).

Let's make this the first distinction; Sedona is not a place that to visit, but a place to experience. The area's reputation is so often described in positive, superlative terms, we were eager to see for ourselves what all the hubbub was about. After spending just two days there, let there be no question where we stand: Sedona is breathtakingly beautiful! We would go so far as to call it enchanting, warranting many a happy return, whether you are on your own, a couple, or with the entire family.

Enchanting is a good way to describe Sedona, which is located in an almost perfect temperate zone 4,500 feet above sea level, in the heart of Central Arizona. It is surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, 28 miles south by southwest of Flagstaff, and two hours from the Grand Canyon.

The city got its modern name from a woman pioneer, Sedona Schnebly, who settled there at the end of the 19th century. Today, it is a Mecca for people of all ages, on quests of all kinds. It promises a special kind of nourishment for of the body, mind and spirit. What is the principle Sedona attraction? Beauty and Serenity.

The waters of Oak Creek, said to "heal and cleanse the spirit" wind their way through the Sedona area. Towering formations of red sandstone, aptly given such names as Cathedral, Teapot, Bell, and Snoopy, give majestic contrast to the expanse of canyons and valleys that lie in-between. (We suspect that the rock formation given the name Snoopy, which resembles a certain beagle cartoon character laying on his back looking at the sky, is a fairly recent name change.) All of these areas are accessible through one of the many jeep touring companies, or on your own by car.

Mystical Vortexes
The Sedona area is host to four vortexes. These are some of the most popular spots in the area and one its largest attractions. On a vortex site, it is said that the earth's unseen lines of power intersect to form an energy field. How this actually affects one's Sedona experience may vary greatly from one person to the next. The vortex locations are, Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Airport Mesa. Free maps to these sites are readily available in town, or you can go to the Sedona Vortex web site to see an online map.

Having heard so much about the vortexes over the years, I didn't quite know what to expect. Would we find something like a burning bush? Or perhaps a whirlwind-like opening into another dimension? Maybe we'd meet an undercover UFO agent who would use a secret handshake to introduce him or herself.

So much for speculation. Reality was far different. Upon reaching the Airport Mesa vortex, I was compelled to ask Cheri, "is this the vortex?"

She said "yes."

The question was asked, not because I was disappointed, but because I did not want to be missing out on something obviously mystical that was known by everyone else. I guess you might say that mysticism is in the heart of the beholder. I was not, however, mystified by the view from the Airport Mesa vortex. It is truly spectacular, and not to be forgotten.

While I didn't feel anything particularly mystical at the Airport Mesa vortex, I did feel what seemed to be pulses of energy emanating from the rocks at the Boynton Canyon site. Again, your psychic mileage may vary.

Thousands of people come to Sedona and the vortex sites each year for many reasons. We found some clues at the trailhead registry to Boynton Canyon. The visitors who came from the nearby states of Arizona and California, and from distances such as Florida, Alaska, and abroad listed everything from hiking to spiritual grounding, health to the beauty of the area as their reasons for coming. Whatever it is that draws you to this area the first time, we're sure it'll make you thirst for more.

Creative Treasures
Beyond the natural wonders of the area, Sedona is home to a large contingent of artists, weavers, sculptors, and crafters, presenting a variety of styles, from Native American to contemporary. Where there are artisans in abundance, there are many galleries to display their work. One such place is the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village on Hwy. 179 (at the bridge) in Sedona. Forty galleries and shops offer a wide selection of one-of-a-kind items.

Surrounding Area
If this will be your first visit, consider your Sedona experience to be a work-in-progress. There is too much to see for a single weekend. From the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarksdale, and the haunted stylings of the old mining town of Jerome, to the Utopian (some might say fractured) vision of the prototype community, Arcosanti, 35 minutes to the south of Sedona just off I-17 (Exit 262). Sedona is an experience unto itself. In a place of many faces and visions, Sedona is one that is likely to leave you in awe, and wanting more.

For more information about Sedona, or to make local reservations, visit the Sedona Online website at www.sedona.net.

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