Monday, February 1, 2016

Sedona





Today I want to take you to a very special place.  Sedona was recommended to us by the concierge.  We had planned all of the places to visit before leaving home and told him all the places we planned to see.  He mentioned to us that we probably didn't want to miss Sedona!  I'm so glad we didn't as it is just beautiful!




Sedona is a geological marvel with its iconic red rock formations that rise from the desert floor!  It is listed as one of the most beautiful spots in America and I can certainly see why!  We felt like we had just entered into a western movie.  Maybe John Wayne would come riding in.  Grayden loves old westerns and this town would make any cowboy feel right at home.






Each rock formation has been named.  As we travel through the village of Oak Creek we see Bell Rock on the left and Courthouse Butte to the right above.






Courthouse Butte






Bell Rock

Driving through the Oak Creek Canyon we see one beautiful sight after the other.




Sedona's red sandstone formations change colors at different times of the day as the sun shines upon them.  There are hundreds of hiking and biking trails to enjoy.


Cathedral Rock


I can imagine the ancient Sinagua living among these giant formations.




The first Anglo settlers lived in this area around the late 1800's.  They planted peach and apple orchards.  Some parts of Sedona didn't have electricity until the 1960's.  Most of the development has been aimed around tourism.




We continue on into Sedona.






We reach the lovely little town of Sedona.  There is a small town feel that adds to the charm.  As one could imagine it is home to many artists.  With so much beauty at your doorstep it's no wonder.  There are shops that are full of local art.  We park the car and decide to look around a bit.






In order to stay cool there were clever mist sprays around the little place we enjoyed lunch.  It really made quite a difference on this really warm day.




After lunch we decide to travel up the back road to Flagstaff, as our server suggested.  What a glorious day in a beautiful town!






The beauty of Sedona and its surrounding area will stay in my mind's eye forever!




22 comments:

  1. What beautiful scenes! My nephew and his family lived in that area for a few years, and we heard about the beauty of Sedona. - Hugs, Nellie

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    1. Nellie, Sedona takes your breath away! Thank you for stopping by and always for your sweet comments! xo ♥

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  2. I've been there and agree with you!

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  3. As Cathy, so do I agree! It is so beautiful, and your photos are just how I remember it.

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  4. Thank you for your beautiful photography! I really enjoyed seeing Sedona again.

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    1. Vee, I'm so glad we went there. The rock formations are awe inspiring. ♥

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  5. Aren't you glad you didn't miss this?! I can imagine that it is even more stunning in person!

    Ooooo...mist sprays to keep you cool. Oh boy.

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    1. Cheryl, I am glad we were able to see Sedona. We definitely needed the cool mist on that very warm day! The beauty that surrounded us made it all worth it! ♥

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  6. My grandfather loved the old westerns and introduced them to me. This is what the scenery looked like, when there was color that is :-) My grandfather liked John Wayne be really liked Gregory Peck. I liked him as well.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Amalia, it felt just like an old western, but in color! I was astonished at the beauty of Sedona. Have a lovely day! ♥

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  7. So happy that you visited Sedona, Martha Ellen! Your photos are just gorgeous. When I brought my German friend there, she took a helicopter flight over the beautiful red rock formations. She still talks about the experience! We just love our travels with you, Martha Ellen! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

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    1. Dawn, I cringe to think we may have missed this amazing place. We were so close and to think we didn't consider it. That must have been something for your friend to fly over Sedona in a helicopter! I love having you travel with me, dear Dawn! Have a wonderful day! ♥

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  8. What a fanstastic journey Martha Ellen! Thank you for sharing and taking us along with you! My parents loved Sedona....they almost wanted to retire there, but I am so thankful they did not! Such a different looking area of our country!

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    1. Thank you, Betsy. Sedona was a lovely town surrounded by so much beauty, I can see why your parents would want to retire there! The desert is so different from my East Coast upbringing, but is lovely in its unique way. ♥

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  9. Martha Ellen ~ these photographs are just beautiful. My heart sings to look at them. I wish that I had known about Sedona the two times I passed through the region some thirty years ago. I spent a couple weeks in the general area and just could not have been more awe~inspired.
    Thank you for these beautiful, beautiful photographs! ~~~Deb xoxo

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    1. Deb, you would absolutely love Sedona! We almost missed going there and I shudder at that thought! It would be a lovely place to spend more time as the area is full of trails that wind below these majestic red rock formations. Have a wonderful evening, my friend! xoxo ♥

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  10. Oh my gosh!! All O these images are just gorgeous!!! What a time you have had!! (It brings back fond memories for me for I have once traveled to these places)
    Blessings dear one Love and warmth, Linnie

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    1. Linnie, isn't the southwest interesting? I am in awe at the diversity of our country! Thank you as always for your sweet comments, dear one! xoxo ♥

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  11. I have visited Sedona and I agree it is a gorgeous area of AZ! We see similar red rock formations here in Colorado along the front range. I often wish I knew more geology so as to appreciate all the formations I see.

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    1. Pat, you live in a gorgeous area and I always enjoying seeing where you have been! Don't we live in an amazing world? ♥

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