Finally the day has arrived!! August 14th: the day that I quit my job in Phoenix and make my way back to the East Coast via a 2 week long road trip with my sister and my chihuahua. Robin, Meredith, and Stella: three little ladies on the road. The long-anticipated main event of summer 2015!!
But first: packing. Being myself, it took about 40 times longer to pack everything up than anticipated, and by the end of the process the car was completely stuffed. This is my second cross-country move on my own (but my fourth in my lifetime), and I always manage to forget how stressful it is. I also left a lot of my belongings off the moving truck, which was long gone by the time road trip time came around, and I think that I overestimated how much could fit into my tiny Toyota Corolla. But, packed to the brim, we rolled out. The goal was to reach Sedona before sunset to really get to experience the red rocks in all their glory, but alas, it was too late. We instead had to watch the sunset from the car. Still on the to-do list: see Sedona at sunset.
Where To Stay
We stayed at the Sedona Oak Creek Inn, which was in the Village of Oak Creek, a few miles south of Sedona itself. The motivation for choosing this particular accommodation was that it was budget-friendly, and this is a budget road trip (staying just outside the destination was a perfect option, since we obviously have a car, and the drive to the heart of Sedona was only about 10 minutes long…and SCENIC!). The hotel was also dog-friendly, so Stella was happily welcomed. In the morning, we awoke, got a quick continental breakfast, then started driving north into Sedona.
Highlights of Sedona
Scenic View Stops
One of the best ways to appreciate the absolute marvelousness that is Sedona. The unusual and vibrant red rocks are formed by The Schnebly Foundation, which is red and orange sandstone that is only found in the Sedona area. Kick back, relax, take it in. This is natural beauty at its finest.
Hiking Trails
Sedona is at 4,500 feet elevation, but even so, the summers are still brutally hot, and the land is closer to the Arizona sun’s incredibly powerful rays. Sedona in summer is HOT. I think the best time to visit Sedona would probably be in either spring or fall (to avoid the icy roads of winter leading up into the town, as well as what feels like the literal flames of Hell baking you to a teeny tiny brown crisp). There are thousands of hiking trails that the area has to offer…we walked around a bit, but decided to refrain from any grueling hikes with our six pound chihuahua in the 105 degree heat. However, these hikes are 100% the top thing to do while in Sedona, and should be at the top of your itinerary, whether you’re road tripping through or Sedona is your final destination.
Tours
Though we had neither the budget nor the time, there are a ton of options for guided tours through Sedona, including Jeep tours, horseback riding tours, even helicopter tours! Experiencing Sedona from a different perspective is definitely on the list for the next time we visit!
Shopping
Sedona is one of the Southwest region’s biggest arts communities, with Western, Southwestern, and Native American themed art, jewelry, and souvenirs packed into dozens of shops lining red-rock-surrounded plazas. Tired of trekking the outdoor trails? Duck into a few shops, grab an ice cream cone or bite to eat — the red rocks are always there to greet you when you emerge. We spent several hours perusing the artsy gifts and enjoying the Southwestern culture to which I have grown so fond in the past year as a desert-dweller.
Up Next…
We drove off towards Flagstaff afterwards, a town that all of my Arizonan friends frequented in the winter months for skiing weekends (due to my slightly sheltered upbringing, I not only don’t know how to ski, but I have never even attempted to ski, one of the aspects of my life I am making a priority to change), but which also proved to me that there are actually some really gorgeous green areas of Arizona! Who would have thunk??
Our next stop on our West to East road trip is Albuquerque, New Mexico. Stay tuned, fam.
