The famous Sedona red rocks took over 350 million years to create. This area was both ocean and desert as it was undergoing volcanic eruptions. Three layers in particular, the Schnebly Hill. Hermit, and Supai formations combine to make Sedona’s beautiful scenery. The Supai Formation is named for the Havasupai Indians consists of the softer pale-pink to reddish-brown sandstone.
The distinctive scarlet color comes from iron oxide stains formed when flood plain deposits of iron minerals mixed with atmospheric oxygen. The faults along the creeks allowed water to break through the lava caps, and carve the iconic canyons of Sedona. The forces of nature built this beautiful panorama, nd seem to be present today in various forms. Ask all the believers of the energy and spirituality of this region.
I just simply enjoy looking, taking an occasional hike, or flight over the region, and leave the interpretation to you. This area does seem to attract a rather earthy hippie-like crowd. Lots of natural food markets, new age retailers, and spaced out locals here.
I must tell you that the corn chowder last night at Elote’ was supreme, as was the pork cheeks. Dessert was a colorful and tasty, though I was quite full from dinner. The salsa was equally unique, mostly a blend of homemade salsa, but loaded with fresh ingredients like cilantro, jalapenos, and poblano chiles. This might be my favorite place in the southwest, and worth the wait inline starting at 4 pm. We also met the chef, Jeff Smedstad, but refrained from buying his cookbook!
Did you know that the sun shines an average of over 300 days a year? That is more sunshine than Florida!
Arizona has more National Parks and National Monuments than any other state.
Sedona and Arizona have more mountainous countryside than Switzerland. It also appears to have more chocolate and guns.
Sedona is located in the southern part of the largest stand of Ponderosa pines in the world. So, if that is the case where are the Cartwrights, and did they film Bonanza here?
Actually, we have seen most of the sites, and also taken a helicopter ride over the magnificent red rock areas. And I have hiked most of the trails. And window shopped all the tourist stores. So, why do we keep returning?
I like to think that it is really magical, almost spiritual. If you have not been here, you should give it a try. To top it off, this young lady who worked for me said her husband’s family was from Jerome, the old copper mining town up in the hills a little southwest of Sedona. How did a Portagee end up in Arizona, and where did they keep their dairy cattle?
Tomorrow will be a full day of dining, starting with breakfast at the Coffee Pot Cafe, located near the base of the red rock called the Coffee Pot. Dinner will be at the world renown Elote’ Cafe in Oak Creek. In between, we may hike, do some retail therapy, converge harmonically with nature, or just take a long afternoon nap by the pool.
As they say here, everything is rouge!
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