Sedona

For many years, my husband Garth and I have traveled the western states in our little 24-foot motorhome, along with our golden retriever Chase (and occasionally our cat!). In this and subsequent RVCYOB posts, I’ll share with you our experiences, our opinions on the best campsites to reserve, clever camping gear and gizmos, tried-and-true hacks, secret hikes, camp recipes, camping with pets and kids, things to avoid, and things you won’t want to miss. I hope you’ll enjoy traveling with us. Be sure to check out my posts on many other campgrounds you’ll want to add to your favorites list! Just click on the tab: “RV Camping in Your Own Backyard.”

Continue on with us to Stop #4 of our “Circle of the Southwest”—Sedona, AZ. We’d wanted to stay at Rancho Sedona RV Resort, a short 1/4-mile stroll to downtown Sedona. Apparently, so did everyone else. It was completely booked months ahead. We could have parked the RV at the downtown Elks Lodge but we’re not members. So, we booked at LoLoMai Springs family-run campground just south of Sedona for rigs under 40’. It was perfect—woodsy hookup campsites shaded by ancient cottonwoods and sycamores, friendly staff, a good camp store, laundry, swimming pool and spa. But the best thing was the ¾-mile frontage on Oak Creek where dogs are not only allowed to swim, they are encouraged to swim! When we asked the owner if it was okay, he answered, “It would be a shame not to let a dog like her do what comes naturally.” Chase, our golden retriever, was beside herself!

We luckily got campsite #77, off by itself and close to the creek. Chase ran and swam until she shook from exhaustion. The three of us were happy campers, all set for the next day—Sedona. We’d never met a person who didn’t love Sedona. Would it live up to the hype?

After a scenic 20-minute drive the next morning, we reached Sedona. Wow! What struck us first was the jaw-dropping beauty of the mountains surrounding the town—towering rock buttes and steep canyon walls in intense colors of red, brown, gold, and cream, all aglow in the morning sun. It was as though someone had turned the color saturation to maximum. Vivid colors. Contrasts. A deep blue sky. Dark green junipers and piñon pines. Then the earthy brown hues of the buildings whose Southwest architecture seamlessly create the impression that the buildings themselves simply rose up out of the ground, pulling with them the materials from which they were crafted—dirt, stone, and timber. Sedona immediately won us over.

We stopped at the Visitors Center for info and maps on local hikes, of which there are many! But before hiking, we wanted to check out downtown and do some shopping, of which there is plenty. Besides exciting street shops, there’s the architecturally beautiful Tlaquepaque Village to explore. Bring your wallet!

Throughout the tastefully landscaped downtown are artful curved mosaic benches and public chimes that we enjoyed playing. After several hours of strolling and shopping, we had lunch on the back deck of dog-friendly Hideaway House, overlooking the cottonwoods of Oak Creek with a view of Snoopy Rock. A great experience! Our convivial waitress schooled us on the renowned Sedona vortexes (or vortices)—concentrations of swirling masculine and feminine energy that stimulate creative power, meditation and healing.

After lunch, we drove out Hwy 179 to hike, stopping along the way to see the extraordinary Chapel of the Holy Cross, built right into the red rock. Then we hiked with Chase the short 1-mile Coconino Trail along the base of a canyon wall, followed by the Bell Rock hike and Courthouse Butte loop—scenic red dirt trails through pines, junipers, Yucca and wildflowers with panoramic views of colorful, rock formations.

After hiking, we headed toward the airport. Several locals had told us that’s the place to be at sunset. “There’s a vortex there too,” they said. Who were we to argue? The airport sits atop a downtown butte with a commanding view of Sedona and its surrounding mountains. Crowds gather to watch the setting sun’s peachy glow climb the red canyon walls. We were advised to arrive well before sunset. We joined the gathering crowd of locals and tourists, standing at the hilltop’s edge, cameras poised. Unfortunately, that particular day’s sunset was a muted disappointment. But we got a kick out of watching everyone snap ‘meh’ photos, drink wine, play music and visit. We walked around the entire hilltop, thinking maybe the mystical sunset hour would reveal the vortex…

I wish I could report that we’d experienced even one well-known vortex—at the airport, post office, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock—anywhere! But alas, no. However, I will say that there is something tingly about Sedona—whether it’s the creative energy concentrated around each vortex or the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the land itself. Sedona did not disappoint. And I have a feeling…if you spent a bit of time there, things would start happening to you and for you—and the place would become an inspiration. I hope after reading this, you’re inspired to visit Sedona, and give it time to do its magic.