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Sedona, Arizona, a place of abundant energy
  
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Capturing America
By Jim and Jane Whitcomb
Williams, Ariz., was the last city on Historic Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40 and was our gateway to the Grand Canyon. Most of its original shops remain. We enjoyed wandering the streets and looking for Historic Route 66 memorabilia as well as original Route 66 buildings and sign.
The Grand Canyon Railway departs from the depot for rail trips to the south rim. Prior to the daily departure an authentic “old west” show is staged for tourists. The shoot-out should not be missed. The sheriff took care of the bad guys and left the crowd and us with a hilarious beginning to our day. The nearby museum is filled with memorabilia on the history of the train and depot, which was originally the Fray Marcos Hotel, one of the famous Harvey Houses at the turn-of-the-century.
Whether you arrive by the Grand Canyon Railroad or by car, like we did, the views from the rim were awe-inspiring. Views from the rim reveal one of Earth’s true gifts. With every changing light the canyon displays changing light and shadows on the countless spires and rock layers. From the North Rim to the South Rim is 10 miles “as the condor flies.” Returning from extinction today there are approximately 60 condors soaring above Arizona but only 300 in the world.
In 2008 at least six pairs exhibited nesting behavior and two pairs seem to raising chicks. Fledging does not occur until fall. Condors live 40 to 60 years and do not begin breeding until six or seven years of age.
When President Theodore Roosevelt stood on the South Rim more than 100 years ago he said, “Keep this great wonder of nature as it now is … Keep it for your children and your children’s children and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see.”
To our disappointment the Hermit Road was closed for construction until November. So we found ourselves spending more time in the Village. Hopi House has every Native American souvenir for shoppers as well as a works of art. El Tovar Hotel is in the style of the grand old lodges, welcoming visitors to rest and renew. We finished the day driving the 23-mile Desert View Drive to Navajo Point. There we watched with hundreds of other tourists as the sun set on the canyon. We could see the Colorado River rapids from our vantage point fade into the darkness.
The next day we drove to Oak Creek Canyon in the Coconino National Forest to Sedona, Ariz. The Canyon quickly descends from the rim into a beautiful tree lined canyon that offers colorful red rock and sandstone formations, craggy cliffs and trout steams. Sedona tourist information lists the drive as eighth most scenic drive in the USA. Along the way we stopped to shop at the Native American Jewelry Vendors at Dairy Queen in Oak Creek Canyon. Talented Native American artisans sell their handcrafted works year round on the side of the road.
The town of Sedona is situated at the southern end of the canyon and is known worldwide for the splendor of its red rock formations, moderate climate, and outstanding shopping as well as some of the best spas in the world. For years the Native American Indians have known the wonder of this area. Sedona is known as a place of abundant energy. Several vortex are said to converge in the area. Spiritual journeys can be arranged for the experience.
In all of our National Park travels we were able to use our Golden Age Pass to gain free admittance. In Oak Creek Canyon and the Sedona parks even with our Pass an additional fee was required for admittance to those parks. We were a little disappointed with the additional fee. One fellow RVer in our KOA Kamp said it best, “Sedona is a rich man’s paradise.”
Arizona is rich with Native American history and ruins. Montezuma Castle stands in a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley. Early settlers marveled at the structure and assumed that it was Aztec in origin, hence the name Montezuma Castle. The ruins belong to the world of the Southern Sinagua, a prehistoric culture that once flourished in the Verde Valley. No one knows why the Southern Sinagua abandoned their pueblos by the early 1400s. Even as deteriorated as the Castle is today it is one of the best preserved Indian Cliff Dwelling in the Southwest and should not be missed.
While at the Grand Canyon we heard it was the annual Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Join us as we view this colorful yearly event next week.
The Grand Canyon Railway departs from the depot for rail trips to the south rim. Prior to the daily departure an authentic “old west” show is staged for tourists. The shoot-out should not be missed. The sheriff took care of the bad guys and left the crowd and us with a hilarious beginning to our day. The nearby museum is filled with memorabilia on the history of the train and depot, which was originally the Fray Marcos Hotel, one of the famous Harvey Houses at the turn-of-the-century.
Whether you arrive by the Grand Canyon Railroad or by car, like we did, the views from the rim were awe-inspiring. Views from the rim reveal one of Earth’s true gifts. With every changing light the canyon displays changing light and shadows on the countless spires and rock layers. From the North Rim to the South Rim is 10 miles “as the condor flies.” Returning from extinction today there are approximately 60 condors soaring above Arizona but only 300 in the world.
In 2008 at least six pairs exhibited nesting behavior and two pairs seem to raising chicks. Fledging does not occur until fall. Condors live 40 to 60 years and do not begin breeding until six or seven years of age.
When President Theodore Roosevelt stood on the South Rim more than 100 years ago he said, “Keep this great wonder of nature as it now is … Keep it for your children and your children’s children and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see.”
To our disappointment the Hermit Road was closed for construction until November. So we found ourselves spending more time in the Village. Hopi House has every Native American souvenir for shoppers as well as a works of art. El Tovar Hotel is in the style of the grand old lodges, welcoming visitors to rest and renew. We finished the day driving the 23-mile Desert View Drive to Navajo Point. There we watched with hundreds of other tourists as the sun set on the canyon. We could see the Colorado River rapids from our vantage point fade into the darkness.
The next day we drove to Oak Creek Canyon in the Coconino National Forest to Sedona, Ariz. The Canyon quickly descends from the rim into a beautiful tree lined canyon that offers colorful red rock and sandstone formations, craggy cliffs and trout steams. Sedona tourist information lists the drive as eighth most scenic drive in the USA. Along the way we stopped to shop at the Native American Jewelry Vendors at Dairy Queen in Oak Creek Canyon. Talented Native American artisans sell their handcrafted works year round on the side of the road.
The town of Sedona is situated at the southern end of the canyon and is known worldwide for the splendor of its red rock formations, moderate climate, and outstanding shopping as well as some of the best spas in the world. For years the Native American Indians have known the wonder of this area. Sedona is known as a place of abundant energy. Several vortex are said to converge in the area. Spiritual journeys can be arranged for the experience.
In all of our National Park travels we were able to use our Golden Age Pass to gain free admittance. In Oak Creek Canyon and the Sedona parks even with our Pass an additional fee was required for admittance to those parks. We were a little disappointed with the additional fee. One fellow RVer in our KOA Kamp said it best, “Sedona is a rich man’s paradise.”
Arizona is rich with Native American history and ruins. Montezuma Castle stands in a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley. Early settlers marveled at the structure and assumed that it was Aztec in origin, hence the name Montezuma Castle. The ruins belong to the world of the Southern Sinagua, a prehistoric culture that once flourished in the Verde Valley. No one knows why the Southern Sinagua abandoned their pueblos by the early 1400s. Even as deteriorated as the Castle is today it is one of the best preserved Indian Cliff Dwelling in the Southwest and should not be missed.
While at the Grand Canyon we heard it was the annual Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Join us as we view this colorful yearly event next week.
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