10 RED ROCKS FOR OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY

Last week I wrote about an inner journey that was evoked by our week-long stay in Sedona. Now let me talk about the outer journey that inspired me to write it. 

There are so many outstanding red rock places in the US. We have been to twelve, listed below, but there are still a few more pending on our bucket list. This post is about the last on the list.

 1.  Little Grand Canyon in Hawaii

      2.  Painted Hills in Oregon

      3. Valley of Fire in Nevada
  4. Red Rock Canyon in Nevada
  5. Garden of the Gods in Colorado

      6.  Arches National Park in Utah 
  7. Canyonland National Park in Utah

      8. Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah

      9.  Monument Valley in Utah and Arizona

    10. Grand Canyon in Arizona     

    11. Painted  Desert in Arizona

    12. Sedona in Arizona     

     
 Sedona is a city in the northern Verde Valley region of Arizona. Its resident population is a little more than 10,000. But the sandstone formations that glow in brilliant orange and red, especially when illuminated by the rising or setting suns, attract hordes of tourists at all seasons. These red rocks form a spectacular backdrop for many activities including hiking, biking, and photography. And there is another attraction: heightened enlightenment at places which exhibit the so-called scientific vortex phenomenon.

the other six, from upper right, clockwise: Thunder Mountain, Castle Rock
Cathedral Rock, Steamboat Rock, Snoopy Rock, and Wilson Mountain

The city is just two hours away from where we live so we have visited the area three times. But they were short trips and we got to know only four of the famous red rocks: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Slide Rock, and the Buttes of the Chapel of the Holy Cross (headline photo of last week's post). 

On the occasion of our 10^th anniversary last week, we decided to spend the whole week in Sedona. It was my mission to complete ten red rocks, one for each year of wedded bliss. See the collage of the six other red rocks we came to know on this trip.    
   
     But the week was not all a hunt for red rocks. We also celebrated our anniversary, of course. First was the lunch at the only creekside restaurant in Sedona, L'Auberge. It is right on Oak Creek at the Canyon of the same name. The second was the dinner at the Mariposa Latin-Inspired Grill. It has a patio with spectacular red rock views at sunset. Its interior is fabulous with over twenty unique crystal-embedded artwork worth thousands of dollars each. 

  
     Finally, we gifted ourselves with the popular Pink Jeepney Tour that we had seen plying around whenever we visited Sedona. It was fortunate that the regular driver/guide we were assigned to did not arrive. Bob, a senior guide who was sitting around for situations like this, got lucky and drove us. He told us all about how the unique geological landscape evolved, interjecting it with interesting info about the flora and fauna that inhabited the land.  The best part was the noteworthy Jeff Foxworthy "red neck" jokes that peppered his stories. There are several routes but we chose to go deep into the Coyote Canyons. 

There are more red rocks to explore. We plan to time another long trip during fall when it is not too hot and the colors of the trees and plants make the rocks look even more breathtaking. Bill is interested in hiking some trails not only among the rocks but also among the red canyons which we have just begun to discover. We also hope to experience the spiritual vortex phenomena at the enchanted places. We will share with you each special experience. Each will be further proof that Sedona is a blessed place.  

the trick photography c/o our guide with the Pink Jeep Tour that took us deep into Coyote Canyons

HEADLINE PHOTO: Bill trying to be awed by the spectacular view at Slide Rock and not by the bathing beauties right in front of him. Guess because I was around and it was our 10th anniversary!