Sedona, AZ

3 days in Red Rock Country

By Wander with Jill

February 26^th, 2019

Sedona is a city I've wanted to visit for a few years now. Known for it's energy vortexes, hiking trails and breathtaking scenery, this small town is someplace everyone can appreciate. It's proximity to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon makes it easy to take a short trip during your stay in Arizona (although once you arrive you may not want to leave). I honestly wish we had more time here because it exceeded my expectations significantly.

But even given my 3 short days in Sedona, I fell in love with so much about this place. So as you plan a trip of your own, here's some things I recommend...

Pink Jeep Tour

I decided to go on a Pink Jeep Tour on our first day in Sedona. You cant miss seeing these Pink jeeps driving all over town. They offer a variety of tours but I chose to do the Ancient ruin/ Diamondback Gulch Combo tour which I enjoyed. Although it was a bit cold, my tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. I Would definitely do another tour if I returned.

For more info: https://www.pinkadventuretours.com/tours/sedona-tours

Honanki Ruins

The Honanki archaeological site was first studied by Jesse Walter Fewkes of the Smithsonian Institution. He conducted test excavations at this site in 1895 and in 1911, during his study of Hopi migration traditions. Fewkes named the site "Honanki," which means "Bear House" in the Hopi language. Honanki was one of the largest prehistoric pueblos in the Verde Valley. The Sinagua occupation of Honanki was probably between 1130 and 1280 CE, based on a tree-ring date of 1271 (from a wooden beam in the ruin) and other archaeological evidence.

Pictographs are a key feature of the site. Some of the pictographs were present before the caves were inhabited, dating to 2000 BCE. However, most of the pictographs are additions from the Sinagua peoples dating between 900 and 1300 CE.

Hiking - Devils Bridge Trail

Devils Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch located in the Sedona area of the Coconino National Forest. This is a very popular hike that offers breathtaking views of Red Rock country.

This trail is a moderate 4.2 mile hike. This hike was a bit more difficult since it snowed the night before and the trail was full of ice and snow but it was definitely worth it at the end.

Hiking - BoYnton Canyon Vista Trail

Boynton Canyon Vista can be reached by a short 0.6 mile hike from the Boynton Canyon parking lot. The trail is easy with many rock steps up to the saddle of the vista. The saddle is between two rock spires and is known to be a energy vortex.area.

The towering red Sandstone formations stand guard at the mouth of Boynton Canyon. Kachina Woman is the highly conspicuous 80-foot toadstool-type tower guarding the entrance to Boynton Canyon. Kachina Woman stands opposite a squatter mudrock tower called Warrior Man. They are said to embody, the Divine Female Energy and the Divine Male Energy.

Upon walking towards the Vista trail I had heard someone playing a flute and followed the sound up to the Kachina Tower. When we arrived a kind man approached me and gave me a heart shaped stone. He was the person playing the flute and we had a short conversation. He had told me the names of the two towers and that the heart in the centre of the two was where the balance of yang and yin energy was. His purpose for playing the flute is to channel Reiki...a healing energy he believes he passes to everyone and everything through his music. His hearts represent "unconditional love" which he says is the only way to change the world "one heart at the time". I truly was touched by the message he gave and I feel like we were destined to cross paths.

TLaquepaque Village

Nestled beneath the shade of the sycamores on the banks of beautiful Oak Creek in Sedona, Tlaquepaque is the most distinctive Sedona shopping experience to be found in the Southwest. Authentically fashioned after a traditional Mexican village, Tlaquepaque, meaning the "best of everything," has been a Sedona landmark since the 1970's. Its vine covered stucco walls, cobble-stoned walkways and magnificent arched entryways give you the feeling that Tlaquepaque has been here for centuries. There are many Art galleries and unique shops which can have you here for hours.

AmitabHa Stupa & Peace Park

The stupa is one of the oldest forms of sacred architecture on earth, dating back to the time of the Buddha, 2600 years ago. Stupas are mostly found in the East, where Buddhism first took root and flourished. A stupa is considered to be the living presence of the Buddha and as such represents the Mind of Enlightenment. Practitioners believe that by meditating on and walking around these stupas, they can find healing and peace.