Seniors on the Move: Sedona, Arizona

[maryann virack]

 

As I enjoy the autumn of my years, I have embraced a new found need for a search for passion. Not necessarily a steamy love affair, though that would not be out of the question; but rather a purpose to my life. My travels as a single senior female afford me the opportunity to enjoy that journey.

My most recent destination on this path to fulfillment was the sacred grounds of Sedona, Arizona. A most amazing place to be sure. My friend Patty and I left from southern California and enjoyed a scenic seven hour drive to Sedona. Diverse landscapes of deserts, mountains, Indian reservations (and casinos), windmills, small towns and big cities surrounded us and made the trip seem effortless. As soon as we made the turn onto State Highway 179, we were overwhelmed with the beauty of the massive red rocks of Sedona. Lots of road construction detracted from the scenery; but never blocked out its power.

Paying (for) a Kings Ransom 

We chose to stay at the Kings Ransom Sedona Hotel right on 179, just a short drive from what the locals refer to as “Uptown”, the accepted commercial center of Sedona.  Kings Ransom was clean, with large rooms and wonderful views of the red rocks. There were lots of families which made for a noisy pool area in the 120 degree heat; but we were pretty busy during our stay and only visited the pool for a short time. The hotel is situated on eight acres and has direct access to a local trailhead. Room rates are affordable, $125/night in July for two queen beds on the second floor with a private patio facing the incredible views of the rocks. There is no elevator, so if a short flight of stairs is a challenge, make sure to ask for the first floor but be ready to sacrifice a piece of the view. Rooms can face the pool or the courtyard, a lovely old world style garden.

A continental breakfast is included every morning from 7-9am and the new Elote restaurant is on-site offering gourmet Mexican cuisine. There are only about six entrées on the menu and prices range from $15-22; but we were guided to order their special elote appetizer (small plate) of the most wonderful corn chowder and to share one entre of lamb adobo. It turned out to be just the right amount of food and then was quite affordable. I have found that as I get older I eat less and sharing has become a wonderful alternative to the doggy bag.

        Sedona has many hotels, bed and breakfasts, cabins and a host of timeshare accommodations ranging from the common Comfort Inn to the romantic elaborate Enchantment Inn to isolated homes for rent and expansive timeshare resort communities.  Lots of choices!

Thunder Mountain: Well-Named 

Sedona sits 4500’ above sea level but can get very hot in the summer. The topography is quite unique. At one point we passed from the high desert into the forest in the blink of an eye. Average temperature is about 90 degrees but we experienced highs of almost 120. Spring and fall are the best times of year to visit. Summer is monsoon season. Not the kinds of monsoons that we associate with Southeast Asia; but rather a torrential downpour for about an hour in the early evening. Most people welcome the cooling powers of the Heavens. I doubt that these rains would interfere with any of your plans.

An interesting story about these monsoons really intrigued me. It seems that Walt Disney was a frequent visitor to Sedona and was quite taken with a rock formation called Thunder Mountain. During monsoon season this rock can receive over 4000 lightening strikes in two months and it is a very impressive sight. Disney rented a home at the base of this rock to experience the power of the storm to its fullest. When he returned to California, it was the influence of his experience at Thunder Mountain that later turned into the noted Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at Disneyland in Anaheim.

Krazy Kyote 

Sedona is the seat of New Age spiritualism in America. There are archaeological remains of native cultures that inhabited the Verde Valley over 6000 years ago. Cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people show that they lived in this valley from 650 to 1300AD. The mystery of the disappearance of these Native Americans is still unsolved. From early on, the power and sacredness of the area was obvious. The energy from the vortexes saturates the whole area in and around Sedona. The energy that you can take in at one of these energy centers can affect you and stay with you for days afterwards. Some of the most remarkable energy on the entire planet is produced here. One cannot visit the area without at least one tour to the many vortex sites.

Patty and I chose to work with Krazy Kyote Activities and Tours (928-282-7544) located right next door to Kings Ransom on 179. Krazy Kyote is your one stop destination for booking all your tours and activities in Sedona from jeep tours, Native American tours, cowboy adventures, hiking, biking, golfing, rafting and camping to guided trips to the Grand Canyon.

They 1st scheduled us for a 10am tour with Redstone Tours called “Scenic Sedona”($38) which picked us up at our hotel and did a general overview of the area, the vortexes and the history of Sedona in a two and half hour jeep ride. We got our first introduction to the vortexes at Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross as well as a visit to the Heritage Museum. My paramount energy experience was at the Chapel. As I walked into the beautiful church I was overwhelmed by the power. I felt weak and sapped of energy with an almost unquenchable desire to weep and rid myself of all emotional stress. If I remember one unexplainable feeling connected to Sedona it would be my visit to the Chapel of the Holy Cross.  

The Vortex Tour

Our guide was a friendly college professor, whose ancestry takes him back to Morocco, on hiatus for the summer and our “jeep-mates” were four women from Scotland. ..an interesting mix to be sure. That evening Krazy Kyote arranged a Sunset Vortex tour with Earth Wisdom ($68). I enjoyed this tour immensely. Again, we were picked up at our hotel – this time at 5:30pm. Earth Wisdom is less commercial and a lot more spiritual in their approach to the energy of the area. They approach the experience from a more metaphysical and Native American perspective. For this tour our guide was a very friendly, knowledgeable and spiritual fellow named Kevin Torres. He was fairly new to the tour guide business; but he gave us some true insight into the area and it was very easy to connect with his energy. A young student from Korea, traveling alone, was our 3rd passenger. We visited vortexes we had not seen before including Sacred Canyon and Mystic Vista. Kevin pointed out the Juniper trees twisting from the swirling energy below the earth’s surface and ley lines (earth energy lines) in the earth’s surface. Patty and I felt much more moved by this tour, its power and its spirituality.

The last activity arranged by Krazy Kyote was a visit to the Blazin’ M Ranch ($35), a fun, non-spiritual, cowboy dinner theatre. An all you can eat “chuck wagon grub” of bar-b-q, beans, potato, cole slaw and spice cake on a tin plate was consumed while we enjoyed the music and comedy of the Blazin’ M cowboys. The little old west village offered old time photos, gift shops and a shooting gallery...a nice family destination, though I am sure my father would have loved it!

The Indian Medicine Wheel

To finish off our tours of Sedona, we booked a “Medicine Wheel” tour with Earth Wisdom. Our guide, Larry Sprague was a 68 year old “hippie” who has been doing these tours for twenty years. His connection to the Native Americans, their culture and their spirit was evident in his explanations and love of the area.

He took us to a private property to experience the magic of the Indian Medicine Wheel. I learned that my spirit guide is the Eagle, my color is black and I am ready for new beginnings. Native American, New Age or Magical; those details were right on! 

        Sedona is full of psychics, healers, palm readers, aura readers, past life regressionists and any other metaphysical or occult specialist you may desire. For fun or guidance the choice is yours.

 

        Sedona was an overwhelming, uplifting adventure. The hiking involved for seniors is in your control. The beauty is God’s and is there for everyone of every physical ability. The power and energy are real. Your involvement in the spirituality is dependent on having an open mind and an open heart. No matter what your age, religion, ethnicity or belief system, everyone can appreciate the beauty of the red rocks of Sedona. It is a destination that I would surely put on my own personal list of places to see before you die!  

 

image:  Al_HikesAZ