| Page Views: 482 Last Visit to Sedona: March, 2009 | Sedona, Red Rock Country by joiwatani - last update: May 10, 2009 |
Where you can see flaming red rocks | My children enjoyed the trip to Sedona |
My sister Polynne, who lives in Ibaraki, Japan, told me that she saw this documentary about Sedona. From the moment she watched the film, she dreamt of coming to this Red Rock Country. So, when I told her that my family is visiting Sedona, she jumped in right away. She didn't waste a minute!
She said that this place is beautiful and extra-ordinary. There are many spas, meditation and relaxation centers in the town.
Also, the documentary featured this Japanese author experiencing the culture of the Indians.
I also saw a video about Sedona. But, it's not the same as my sister's. Every morning when I exercise, I tune in to Denise Austin's show. And, she goes on location. Her favorite shooting location of her exercise video is Sedona because of its wonderful panoramic views of the Cathedral red rocks.
Sedona is very different. It's a natural wonder. It's very unique. Because of it's unique landscape, it is a check my photography on Sedona).
There is something special about this place and you can only figure it out when you get there! The houses are colored the same earth tones. The buildings and other developments in the town seemed to be part of nature - like part of the red rocks...
History of Sedona
Sedona is named from the wife of the first settler. Sedona Schnebly. My children kept teasing me during our road trip because I can't pronounce "Schnebly".
But, anyway, that's where they got the name of the town. This couple "Schnebly" went to settle in this place because they thought it was a beautiful place. They planted some apples, peaches and other crops and they sold their fruits to Flagstaff. During their travels in bandwagons to Flagstaff, they would bring some people they met back to Sedona. And, these people ended up living in their cabins. So, before they knew it, Sedona slowly become settled by these people they met. That's how Sedona became a town!
Now Sedona is one of the tourist destination in Arizona and even in the United States! They received about 130,000 visitors per year.
Why are the rocks red?
The red color found in most of the layers of the rocks are hematite, or iron oxide, a mineral found in great abundance of sedimentary rocks.
What to do in Sedona?
Sedona is a great place for camping, commercial tour, fishing, nature study, off-road driving, hiking, and cycling. However, you have to have a pass in order to do some hiking and camping! (This is one way of Sedona of protecting their wilderness!)
Also, Sedona is a great place for meditation and relaxation. Make sure to check out all their spas and salons.
For jewelry shoppers, there are so many local Indian Jewelry shops where you can get your unique and intricately handcrafted Indian jewelries! For jewelry designers and makers, there are local shops that sells raw beads, rocks and minerals.
Make sure to visit the Museum Heritage of Sedona and get there before 3 p.m. as they close early! (Please click here to read my tips!).
Dare to drive to the Oak Creek Canyon! (Check out my Oak Creek Canyon's travelogues!). The long and zig-zaggy roads overlooking cliffs, buffs and rivers are scenic and spectacular.
Here are more sites to see in Sedona:
1. Montezuma Castle National Monument
2. Montezuma Well Natinal Monument
3. Tuzigoot National Monument
4. Walnut Canyon National Monument
5. Wupatki National Monument
6. Palatki Cultural Site
7. Honanki
8. Museum of Northern Arizona
9. Sedona Heritage Museum
10. Fort Verde State Historic Park.
How to get to Sedona?
By car, you can access to it from Phoenix, Arizona. You take I-17 North and West on 179. From Flagstaff, you can take 89 A South. |
|  | The Mt. Carmel Chapel Mt. Carmel Chapel is a very small chapel perched on top of a beautiful red rock mountain in Sedona.
The climb up hill is very steep and yet very exhilirating. It's like you feel that you are one with nature - the sky is so close above and the view of surrounding red rocks is very spectacular!
You can't really miss seeing the church. As you go pass the first patch of business establishments, you will see a huge red rock to your right and see the chapel standing proudly on top of one of the biggest red rocks in Sedona. |
| | The Bell Rock This is the Bell Rock. It is one of the prettiest red rock mountain in Sedona. It really does look like a bell if you are at a distance looking at the rock. But, once you are up close, you can't see the shape of the bell anymore...
To have a great view, just park your car at the view deck. It will show at the entrance of the view deck that you needed a Pass. However, if you are just cruising around and park your car just to take a quick shot of the Bell Rock, the park rangers will allow you to do that. So, be quick and take your memorable pictures with the Bell Rock. That's what we did! |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "This is such a unique town with a lot of natural wonders to see." | | Cons: | "The Better Business of Commerce should pool their resources together to put a water park for children during the summer!" | | In A Nutshell: | "Something that I wanted to live - where you open your windows and look at the natural beauty of nature! Such a beautiful place to live!" |
joiwatani's Sedona Travel Tips
 joiwatani's Sedona Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for joiwatani about Sedona | | | | |
BruceDunning Wed Aug 5, 2009 21:05 UTC
I have limited time here when visiting in September, but am going to see most all of the sites your referenced as well as try to hike a little to these red rocks. Thank you for the tour. How did yourtip on the museum get up to 14 pics? | jusdenise93 Sun Jul 19, 2009 03:24 UTC
wow! ue sedona page is top 5. Congrats. :) hope i can go there again, when its not so hot. | deecat Thu May 21, 2009 11:29 UTC
Your photos are really spectacular. A comprehensive and helpful page about Sedona. Brought back fond memories. | travelgourmet Thu May 21, 2009 01:33 UTC
Jo, one of my road trips will be to Sedona this year. Your photos make me want to go sooner than later. Larry |
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