BoomerGirl Diary

Sedona really is quite the place. Its natural beauty is legendary. The unique red rock formations bring a 320-million-year geologic history to Sedona. And those rocks are the basis for much of the mystical aura that surrounds the area. Generations of ancient Indians have considered the Sedona area and Oak Creek Canyon a spiritual and sacred place. They chose to live just outside the area, coming into Sedona only for spiritual enlightenment. Even today, some Native American tribes return to Oak Creek for an annual cleansing ritual.

The beauty and the sacred nature of Sedona have drawn fine artists, musicians and writers, making it a major arts center in our country. But Sedona is also a major center for the healing arts and local practitioners include psychics, native healers, intuitives, channelers and wellness therapists. People come to Sedona to experience inspiration, spiritual renewal, and a therapeutic cleansing of mind and body.

Powerful meditation sites in the red rocks

Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon are Sedona’s four major meditation and spiritually uplifting sites known as vortexes. These are areas of extraordinary energy flows that exist in dimensions deeper than electricity and magnetism, according to Pete Sanders, Jr., an M.I.T.-trained scientist. I picked up his book, "Scientific Vortex Information," at one of Sedona’s unique book shops and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand these metaphysical sites. He (and many others) say that vortexes can turbo-boost mental and spiritual skills. But you do have to understand how to tap into that energy.

Exquisite resorts, spas, dining and shopping

Besides the beauty of the high desert, which offers more moderate temperatures than lower desert areas, you will find wonderful accommodations. Many resorts feature spas. We stayed at the Hilton Resort and Spa and enjoyed it immensely. I scheduled myself for a 90-minute Sedona Stone massage — heated basalt lava stones enhance the massage experience. The combination is said to provide balance and harmony of mind, body, heart and spirit. Ah-h-h, it certainly was re-energizing.

You’ll find many shops that feature original art, handcrafted jewelry, one-of-a-kind clothing and furniture. Restaurants run the gamut of cuisine. Since this was our second trip to Sedona, we returned to Oaxaca for dinner in uptown Sedona. We enjoy watching the sun set from its rooftop cantina.

Exploring the red rocks and high desert

Hiking, of course, gets you closest to the heart of Sedona’s landscape. And you’ll certainly want to be on foot when you visit the vortex sites. But you can get a great tour of the area by helicopter, hot air balloon or by jeep.

Getting to/from Sedona & gambling along the way!

We flew Midwest Airlines into Phoenix, rented a car and drove up to Sedona, a very easy 90-minute drive. On the way back, we stopped in Camp Verde (about 25 minutes south of Sedona) at Castle Cliff Casino, owned by the Yavapai-Apache Nation. Castle Cliff is a very nicely appointed casino with both table games and machines. We particularly liked the poker machines as my husband hit a $1,000 jackpot within a few minutes of our arrival. This may become a regular item for future Sedona trips.

Tips:

• Get more information on Sedona at www.visitsedona.com. Be sure to request the “Experience Sedona” guide, filled with great information and a map.

• Sedona WebCam and Slide Show.

• Why are Sedona’s Red Rocks Red?