I’ve learned that every destination has its own unique charm. A new destination is like a beautifully wrapped present waiting to be opened. The unfamiliar scents and sounds always give me a giddy rush of excitement and anticipation. My recent trip was no different, me and my friend, Lyn, toured from Flagstaff Arizona to the Grand Canyon and through red rock country to beautiful Sedona. The trip was everything and more than I anticipated, in fact, it was the best birthday trip ever!
Pure Bliss!
Our visit to the canyon culminated with a quiet moment of pure bliss as I sat on the south rim overlooking the Duck on a Rock and unwrapped my sandwich. I felt supremely blessed as I sat there munching contentedly while soaking in the spectacular view laid out before me. It was an unseasonably warm November day, cold and windy despite the bright sunshine. Perfect weather for me!
We returned to our hotel to shower and get dressed for dinner. Although we were not really hungry it seemed fitting to end the day in celebratory mode complete with good food and wine. We chose the Taverna Modern Mediterranean restaurant for dinner. The restaurant is spacious and the decor is fresh, tasteful, and modern. The menu is typically Mediterranean and there is a nice selection of wines as well as beer on tap. We ordered the Brut Cava and individual appetizers.
Champagne and bad judgment
The appetizers were delicious and very filling! as usual, the champagne made me giggly and giddy. Somehow I am fine with hard liquor but champagne can do me in pretty quickly. Lyn did not show any outward signs of impairment but as we all know, appearances can be deceiving! We were both full, yet bad judgment prevailed! we ordered an entree to share.
When our entree arrived we realized almost immediately that everything on the platter was charred! I laughingly suggested that maybe since it was almost closing time, the chef was tired and fell asleep! The server apologized profusely and did not bill us for the entree. On our way back to the hotel we giggled about how uncomfortably full we were and how much worst we would have felt if we had eaten another bite! Despite the mishap, I’d still recommend this restaurant for the delicious appetizers and modern ambiance.
Off to Sedona!
The next morning after getting my Covid test out of the way we set out for Sedona. The scenic drive from Flagstaff to Sedona is an absolute treat! The picture-perfect Ponderosa pines and Aspen, the unbelievably clear blue sky, and the amazing views along the winding highway as you descend to lower country is a feast for your eyes. If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of Elk or Black Bear along the way!
Of course, there are different ways to explore Sedona. A rental car and Google maps would allow you to go at your own pace and you may even opt to overnight for an additional day of sightseeing. An Uber or taxi is the most direct and quickest way to get to those specific places you want to visit, but the best option is a guided tour.
There are quite a few tours to choose from depending on the amount of time you have and whether you’re a foodie, a wine lover, geology or history buff. Lyn and I took an uber since we had limited time after my drive-thru Covid test. The Uber is the less economical option but we only wanted to visit specific sites and try one of the restaurants in uptown Sedona before heading back to Flagstaff.
Sedona must-see sights
We arrived in Sedona at mid-afternoon and decided to go to the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park then work our way back to the town center. The park is a peaceful, spiritual oasis and I immediately wished my sister Jacqui was there to experience it with me. It made me more aware of what prayer, meditation, and positive affirmation have in common. These practices all calm the spirit and bring about an absolute sense of peace and tranquility. As we departed from the Peace Park we realized that we had no data service! (and no way to summon our Uber chariot) but I was supremely chill – nothing could dispel my peace and calm!
We walked for a bit then Lyn had the bright idea that maybe if she turned her phone off then turn it on again it may connect. Well, what do you know!? it connected immediately and we took an Uber to our next stop, the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
It was just before 5 pm when we arrived inside the gates of the Chapel. The view as we ascended the curved walkway to the Chapel itself was spectacular! The moon was already visible in the clear blue sky even as the sun began its descent. The Chapel is a fantastic engineering feat. It sits high in the rock face and appears to have been constructed with minimal disruption to the surrounding landscape.
The poignant depiction of The Crucifixion on the Tree of Life inside the Chapel is like nothing I have ever seen. The sheer size of the sculpture is in itself awe-inspiring, and it dwarfs the Chapel making it appear smaller than it actually is. We lit candles for the souls of our departed loved ones and spent a few moments in prayer. I gave thanks for the perfect day and the blessed guidance that brought us to this magnificent tribute to the Almighty.
It was after 6 pm when we arrived in uptown Sedona. We were just in time to see Peccary – or Javelina as they are called in this part of the world, scampering down the street! We browsed in a few of the souvenir stores then stopped for dinner at The Vault. It was already pretty dark so although the view from the restaurant is reportedly quite fabulous in the daytime, there was nothing to see at night.
A great dining experience
We enjoyed everything about our experience at The Vault restaurant! The restaurant has a homey atmosphere which is family-friendly and upbeat. The service was great, the food was scrumptious and the cocktails were delicious! To top it off, the desserts were literally over the top in every respect! tasty, well presented, and enormous! After dinner, we reluctantly dragged our satiated selves out the door and headed back to Flagstaff. We both had afternoon flights out of Flagstaff the following day, I was heading back to Antigua via Miami and Lyn was heading back to New York.
The following morning we packed our stuff, strolled to Macy’s for a hot breakfast, and a final walk through town before we left for the airport. All in all, our trip was a magical adventure! The weather was good, we had some amazingly perfect moments and delicious food (this is high on the list for foodies like us). Our Grand Canyon tour guide Cristian was informative and fun. Our hotel was comfortable and conveniently located in the heart of Flagstaff. As always, we were grateful, refreshed, and rejuvenated after a fun few days in each other’s company.
really great read!!!
Thank you!