Sedona

 
What do you think

Of Arizona

Is it just the desert wind

Or a delta flood plain valley

Where the towering cactus live?

It's the Call of the Canyon

Bell Rock, Cathedral, Mitten Ridge

It's Sedona, Sedona

Where the lovin' people live

Lyrics by Donna Loren

Sedona is an easy 115-mile drive up I-17 north of Phoenix.  My earliest memories of Sedona are from graduate school, when we would just pop up there for the day to sample margaritas and cactus fries.  Later in life, it has become a place we go to celebrate anniversaries or Valentine's Day.  There are many lovely places to stay, including the most famous, which are the Enchantment Resort, with the relaxing Mii Amo spa, and the L'Auberge de Sedona, situated right in the heart of Sedona on Oak Creek.  This trip, however, was planned as a spur-of-the-moment girls trip (me and my two girls, that is), and we had two last minute add-ons which ended up driving the direction of our trip.

"Please take us with you to Sedona, Mama"

So this was the pet-friendly version of a Sedona trip.  They are good travelers and are just happy to be included.  This was going to be easy.  I booked a room at the Best Western Plus Inn of Sedona on Highway 89, which is a pet-friendly hotel that boasts some of the best views in Sedona.  It was very comfortable, and, yes, had wonderful views.

I felt like I had to start the weekend off with a margarita at Elote Cafe.  A friend of mine gave me the Elote Cafe Cookbook some years ago, and every since, the restaurant is a go-to for me in Sedona.  The cuisine of Chef Jeff Smedstad is inspired by his travels around Mexico.  Having spent a good amount of time traveling and taking cooking lessons in Mexico, I find his menu refreshing and muy delicioso.  This trip I tried the Ahi Tuna Asado while my daughter ordered the Chile Verde Pork Tamale.  Be sure to try the namesake dish of Elote, fire roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime and cotija cheese.  Wash it all down with a Jeff's Margarita made with one of my favorite tequilas, Don Julio.  (You can find the Elote Cafe Cookbook on either Amazon.com or on the cafe's website, listed below.) 

Grilled Hawaiian Tuna with Chile Verde Sauce and Roasted Corn Salsa

 

Poblano Chile Braised Pork Shoulder Tamale

In the morning we meandered back up the highway to the town of Oak Creek to try the Red Rock Cafe, which locals have said has wonderful blue corn huevos rancheros.  I couldn't dream of a better meal to get me ready for a day of hiking.  It is located in a nondescript strip mall, and once inside is an inviting atmosphere surrounded by paintings of the scenery of Sedona done by local artists.  Other house specialties include Southwest Chicken Fried Steak and Cowboy Style Benedict, poached eggs served atop biscuits and sausage and covered with gravy.  Breakfast is served until 3 pm for those of you who like to sleep in.

Blue Corn Huevos Rancheros

Painting of Cathedral Rock

Interior of Red Rock Cafe

I chose a hike that the kids and dogs could handle.  There is a website, www.greatsedonahikes.com, that I used to find the Little Horse Trail, billed as one of the most scenic hikes in the area.  It is located right off Highway 179 in between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona.  Described as a moderate hike of 4 miles round trip, it was easy enough for anyone in relatively healthy shape to enjoy.  It is level with very little altitude gain. 

Our destination was to the right of the two spires

All the trails are well marked

Very cool house as seen from the trail

Getting closer...

...almost there...

Yeah!

In case you were wondering, the red dust is a bear to wash off

Heading back to the car...can you believe those views!

Chapel of the Holy Cross, as seen from the Little Horse Trail

A trip to Sedona is a treat in and of itself, but if you have the time, swing by the old mining town of Jerome on the way back to Phoenix.  Even if you only have an hour to spare, that is a nice amount of time to get an introduction to this historic copper mining town.  Now a tourist and artist community, Jerome has a population of 450, down from 15,000 in the 1920's when the nearby mine was producing 3 million pounds of copper per month.  The town is perched at 5,200 on the side of a mountain, and has incredible views.  Popular attractions include the Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum and the Sliding Jail, the former jail that slid 225 feet downhill due to settling issues.  We watched a glass blowing exhibition and had a quick lunch of pizza on the patio of Grapes Restaurant before heading back home.  All in all, a successful weekend.

From Jerome, a view of the San Francisco Peaks of Northern AZ

Best Western Plus Inn of Sedona

1200 Arizona 89A

Sedona, AZ  86336

928-282-3072

www.bestwestern.com/Sedona 

Elote Cafe

771 State Route 179

Sedona, AZ  

928-203-0105

www.elotecafe.com 

Elote does not take reservations...it is first-come-first-serve

The Red Rock Cafe

100 Verde Valley School Rd, Ste 107

928-284-1441

www.redrockcafe.wordpress.com 

Grapes Restaurant

111 Main St, Jerome, AZ 

928-639-8477

www.grapesjerome.com 

Reflections

I wrote this post on my iPhone from the top of Camelback Mountain today.  I had to get out of the house and clear my head.  I dropped everything I "had" to do, and laced up my trail runners.  In a very short period of time, I was scrambling over boulders with my heart beating out of my chest.  At the top, I was rewarded with the extraordinary beauty of the valley below and a certain sense of accomplishment.  As I sat at the top reflecting on the recent loss of another dear family member, I was reminded of why I started writing this blog almost a year ago today.  To let go of sadness and grief and to share what I find joyful in life.  I have to be honest, however, that it is not always easy.  Life is full of trials and tribulations, and just when I think I have the hang of it, I find myself knocked down.  The hard part is wiping off the dirt and getting back up.  To use an allegory, last week, I was riding a very large 17-hand Warmblood that spooked at something in the corner of the ring and sent me flying into the dirt (I literally had dirt in my eyelashes and between my teeth).  The instructor asked me to get back on and take one more jump.  I didn't hesitate, but as I was lifted back onto the saddle, a large part of my conscience was screaming at me to reconsider.  Nonetheless, I collected my horse, centered him towards the jump, and we went soaring beautifully over the jump.  It was more exhilarating because of the fall.  I write it down so I won't forget this lesson.  I am, as ever, thankful for the strength of my incredible family and of the everlasting support of my friends.  And I vow never, ever, to lose my sense of humor...ever.  
xoxo M