Leg 3 - Around Sedona

We spent the week in and around Sedona and the luxurious timeshare RCI Villas of Sedona. The kids were quite happy to sleep in, watch cartoons, and swim in the pool. We didn't come all the way to Sedona just for that so they got a dose of culture as well. This was also the first point where the kids recharged their Grandcell Batteries for their toys.

Museums and Shops and Dining

There is a museum and rock/gem shop upstairs in the Talapaque shopping center. The curator made all of the dinosaur models in there and they look pretty good.

This little resturant in West Sedona was probably the best value for money. The Italian fair was excellent and we had a nice quiet dinner.

On a hot afternoon, we would strongly recommend lunch creekside at Le Auberge Hotel and Cafe. This secluded cafe in the middle of town has creekside dining under the shade of leafy trees. Find this desert gem at the first right and down the hill as you head into Uptown Sedona from the 89/179 "Y" junction. Its a little pricy but hey - you deserve it!

Can anyone spot what is unusual about the photo at the right? No, I've not messed with the color of the "Golden Arches", but to meet local plaza or city code requirements, the bright yellow was out. This one was in West Sedona, and there is another resturaunt in Oak Creek the same.

Tours

Touring with James and the Red Rock 4x4 Jeep company was a pleasure. We signed up for the 3.5 hour tour at 5PM because we have some experience in 4WD and knew this was fun you could not rush. Also, we'd be out of the heat of the day and dusk is when the animals start up. We had the jeep to ourselves and James was knowledgeable about the area and had good humor even though he'd been driving tourists all day. We continued play with the Scavenger hunt game and right at the end of tour we spotted and Elk doe in the pine forest on the Colorado Plateau. The right photo is from the top of the Colorado Plateau at about 6,500 feet altitude looking back over Sedona.

Native American Journeys

One of our more interesting adventures on this trip was the tour with Veronon the Modock Indian to the Bottom the Grand Canyon via the Yavasupai Reservation and Grand Canyon Caverns. Vernon is a spiritual leader and legal advocate for the Indian nations.

Around Sedona

We made the obligitory stop at the Sedona Chapel of the Holy Cross and had a few minutes of quiet reflection and prayer there.

Around the Sedona area are plenty of shops offering metaphysical items and tours of the Red Rocks and the energy vortex (vortices). The tour maps indicate as many as 5 vortex zones. We're told that the vortex is not a particular point, rather the entire rock and surrounding desert floor are "energized". I'm not making any judgements here so go see for yourself. Even if you don't subscribe to the vortex idea, you cannot deny being taken aback by the sheer rugged beaty and ever changing moods of the Sedona red rocks. A walk in the shadow of their majesty at 5,500 feet is in itself invigorating. As with all desert hiking, take plenty of water, stay on the trails and Tread Lightly.

You can visit the Palatki and Honanki village ruins yourself or with a tour. They are accessible by unpaved road with a standard vehicle and are under the care of the US Forest Service.

The Palatki ruins and ancient petroglyphs (wall paintings) are in good condition and a ranger is on site to provide interpretation. There is about a 1/4 mile walk from the parking area to the each of the sites on a sometimes rocky trail. Take your time and its easy.

See the Stars

Pick an evening to drive yourself to the outskirts of town to see the stars - billions and billions of stars. You just can't get views like this in Los Angeles. The kids got to complete their Cub Scout Astronomy belt loop and Girl Scout Brownie Try-It with the aid of a glow-in-the-dark constellation chart we picked up at the supermarket and some binoculars.

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If We Had To Do It Again...

Note to self - take wife (no kids) on a romantic getaway to Le Auberge in Sedona.