Travel Tuesday: Around, and Above, Sedona

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

This post comes from our friend, Michael James Murray.

As stated so eloquently by Ralph Waldo Emerson, a trip to Sedona can certainly offer the incomparable experience of a journey. You’ll encounter a place so beautiful that a sense of peace will undoubtedly overcome you, even in a world as chaotic as ours.

Sedona, Arizona is a wonderland of natural, desert beauty. The land boasts a scarlet shade of red and the sky an incredible blue, known for its steep multi-hued red rock canyon walls and beautiful pine forests.

Chances are, if you know of Sedona, then you already know of its serenity and mystique. In fact, many people believe the area possesses an incredible amount of spiritual energy.

Whether you’re on the search for energy vortexes or not, you can bet there’s a certain brand of stillness in Sedona not found anywhere else. Perhaps it’s due to the larger-than-life rock faces that surround you, in turn making you feel rather small in size, almost contextualizing you, creating a feeling of introspection about who you are, who you want to be and how you perceive yourself.

I took several hikes while there, one in particular towards a common destination of Devil’s Bridge. This trail is a fairly easy walk. You can choose the walk along the road or the Chuck Wagon Trail to get to the Devil’s Bridge Trail from the parking area. Upon reaching the bridge, you’ll be met with an absolutely breathtaking view overlooking a sea of pine trees and surrounding mountains.

While in Sedona, you’re a relatively short drive from the Grand Canyon. You’ll drive along a pass called Oak Creek Canyon, about a 14-mile stretch between Sedona and Flagstaff. It’s an absolutely gorgeous winding road that climbs some 4,000 odd feet, passing steep gorges along the way and mesmerizing wooded areas.

The Grand Canyon is nearly endless and even difficult to take in as a whole, as the expanse goes well beyond your peripherals. In this instance you’re reminded that it parallels much of life in the sense that, although you cannot see the entire perspective, there’s still a driving desire and curiosity to further understand it.

Personally, I found Sedona more of a beautiful naturescape than the Grand Canyon but, that said, to have the chance to see one of the natural wonders of the world is worth the short day trip.

So, if you’re looking for your next travel destination, look no further.  Traveling to Sedona can offer an understanding of both yourself and the surrounding world we share. There’s a perspective you can only gain from being there yourself and seeing with your own eyes the humbling sights before you.

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