Getting Away from Life

It was the year 2015, still doing the daily grind of being a health care professional, stress slowly chipping away at my happiness. And so the need to get away was ever growing. Away from this life and the city. Even for a little bit. It was around this time I was reading into metaphysics and consciousness, hoping to find some clarity and Sedona would come up as a place for those interested in such things. Perhaps going there would help me find some direction as to where my life was going.   

Last time I was in Arizona, I was maybe 10 years old, on a family trip to the Grand Canyon. All I remember is that we almost got lost in the desert following some unmarked dirt road on the way. Parents arguing which way to take on the map (remember those? GPS couldn’t come soon enough). We did it make it there eventually. How was it? I couldn’t tell you. I was just a kid going with the flow.

Breathe It In

While chugging along in our little eco-friendly car through the winding roads of the green mountains, we passed by endless trees. One almost forgets that you’re in Arizona. Part of me was expecting to be greeted with the desert right out of the airport. The landscape was a welcome sight to us urbanites so used to the concrete jungle of tall buildings with only little pieces of nature to appreciate.

The dense forests gave way; we saw less and less trees and started seeing the famous red rock formations. The phone’s camera could barely capture the beauty of the layered rocks with the backdrop of clear blue skies. It doesn’t matter how advanced our tech can get, it will never compare to what we see with our own eyes.

After getting our things settled in the hotel room at Amara Resort and Spa, we strolled down the block where the line of stores stop to give way to the natural beauty of the red rocks once again. Along with the fresh air, relaxed ambiance of this small town, sharing this experience with my love — things were looking up already.

As it was becoming dusk, we headed back to the hotel, to the backyard area – sprinkled with yellow lounge chairs and white tables – a cozy setting for sipping cocktails and admiring more of the red sandstone in the distance. As if I didn’t already love it there, as the sun went down, Sedona offered its night sky, with its infinite stars and without the light pollution of big cities. Its only competition – the back yard fire pit – with hypnotizing flames that appear to dance amid the quiet darkness.

Energy Vortices

With the map of energy vortices , 2 Poland Spring bottles in hand, my floppy sunhat (not my best look) and shades, we set out to Boynton Canyon.

Now what’s a vortex? It’s said these sites have swirling energy that amplify the energy a person brings, so many come to elevate their meditation, healing or spiritual ceremonies. Sedona has several of these energy vortices in a relatively small area, which makes it pretty special.

Trying to pinpoint exactly where a vortex is located–now that was the challenge. Is it in a small area, or covers a large area? No idea. How will I know that I’ve arrived at one? Don’t know. Off to a great start, aren’t we? Along the sandy trail, came across some strange pale purple flowers, bright yellow blossom on a cactus, and other unfamiliar plantlife.

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The twisted trees grew in strange swirls directed by unseen forces.

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Up Close

We got up close to some of the red rock formations. How exciting! Perhaps by touching them, I may acquire some old magic earth power to elevate my lowly human existence. Taking in the sight of the rust colored rocks set against the light blue sky, with areas of sparse and dense areas of foliage; it brought me to a zen state of mind.

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Intermittent clearings, marked with prayer rock piles – signs of people’s hopes and intentions. I suppose I could have built my own, but at that moment, something in me said to wait.

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The sun was hovering over the horizon, our phones dying/overheating, and no compass, we weren’t taking any chances of getting lost in the Arizona desert. So we made our way back to the trail head.

Airport Mesa

According to our map, the Airport Mesa vortex was not too far away. Luckily we found a parking spot at the base of the site. Trekked up some stairs, a winding trail carved through the sloped layered rocks to the plateau. It’s’ a breath-taking panoramic view of Sedona and a prime spot to view the sunset. There were a few others on this plateau. Thankfully, they seemed as caught up with our surroundings and kept their voices down. As I sat on the edge facing west, the sun about the touch the horizon, I gaze into its radiance, my mind and spirit clears of all worries, replaced by feelings of oneness between me and the world around. Looking back, I think there was a shift in my consciousness, taking me in a new direction in life. All was right with the world, everything was going to be ok.

Native American Ruins

Something you can’t help but see around town are Pink Jeep Tours coming and going.

Being fans of ancient civilizations, we signed up for the ancient ruins tour. The guide brought us up close to more red rock formations – where the Honanki tribe lived about 700 years ago. Homes carved into the rock, adorn with various petroglyphs. It’s not clear why these sites were abandoned, but theories include drought and being driven out by enemies.

Other Fun Stuff

The must-visit local store is Sedona Crystal Vortex. They have numerous crystal and stones of all colors, shapes and sizes. They have descriptions of the different properties of them. Like amethyst, which helps with spiritual awareness and intuition, and lapis lazuli, which assists in creativity, and encourages truth and self-expression. Another favorite place is the Earthbound Trading Co. It’s a treasure trove of Bohemian style clothes, artwork for the earthy and spiritually inclined. Got myself some beautiful wrap around skirts and a Himalayan salt candle holder.

For the final day, I felt so good on the inside, I decided to splurge on a massage and facial to treat the outside. The spa lady at our resort was excellent in her work. I left there feeling refreshed, relaxed and pretty.

Final Thoughts

Sedona is a wondrous place of natural beauty, a haven for the spiritually inclined tucked into a valley past the Coconino forest. A small town that will leave you feeling good vibes only. Those few days helped clear my head of negativity, and feel more hopeful for the future. Everything was going to be alright.