Exotic Destinations - Sedona, Arizona

Exotic destinations inspire the creative spirit. Noneopportunities. Along dusty trails in the wilderness
moreso than the spectacular backdrop ofto the sites of new hotels and resorts, a dramatic
panoramic beauty surrounding the desertrock formation was always visible in the
community of Sedona, Arizona.background. During our times in Sedona, we
As a child I dreamed of travel to far away places,discovered some of the man-made medicine
and I read everything I could find about locationswheels I'd read about. We watched from a
with picturesque settings. As an adult I marveleddistance as other people wandered by, some of
at the discovery of magic destinations like Sedonathem chanting softly into the quiet calm of the
that bring life to past dreams.vortex sites. Others paused to take pictures. Four
In the early 1990s we made our first trip toenergy vortex sites were attracting a growing
Sedona's glorious Red Rock country. Seeing theNew Age movement to Sedona. The New Agers
red-orange rock formations set against cloudlesscame to meditate, to recharge crystals, and to
blue skies was like visiting the set of anhear the Indian voices caught up in the wind.
unforgettable movie. Years earlier, when actorsThe incredible rock formations of Bell Rock,
like John Wayne and other western stars ruledCathedral Rock, Courthouse Rock and other
the silver screens in theatres across the country,wondrous configurations rose high against a clear
movie-makers discovered the all-encompassingblue background creating magical photo
spectacle of the Sedona desert. The enchantingopportunities. Being in the midst of the vortexes
mountain scenery glowed from afar as cowboyand on the sacred land was a spiritual experience.
heroes on horseback rode off into the sunset.Although we did not view the flying saucers
Artists were not far behind the movie-makers inothers have claimed to see over Bell Rock, during
discovering the enchanting Sedona landscape.one of our visits we went several nights to take
They came in droves to look and liked what theya look. In the late twentieth century, hundreds of
saw so much they stayed. Hundreds of artistsflying saucer sightings were reported each year.
came to work and live in Sedona, giving rise to anAt night, a glowing blue light was said to
extraordinary number of galleries. Quite a few aresometimes outline Bell Rock.
located in Tlaquepaque; others line highways 179On a jeep ride through the Red Rock country
and 89A.wilderness, we discovered Devil's Bridge near
Even with all the changing landscapes and theChimney Rock and Coffee Pot Rock. Before we
widening of the roadways, Sedona has remainedleft, our daredevil guide posed for photographs
a haven for artists and for New Age followers.straddling the chasm.
The dozens of art galleries located in the areaIn our most recent trip to Sedona, we were
offer work by artists who create in a variety ofdisappointed to see that the community has crept
styles. In one gallery, some of the most colorfulever closer to magnificent Bell Rock. A shopping
and impressive pieces were painted by anmall has grown up near by, and the special little
eight-year old girl. Throughout Sedona, visitors canrestaurant with the stained glass window depicting
find bronze sculptures depicting eagles lookingBell Rock is gone. It doesn't seem quite right for a
especially realistic against a backdrop ofplace as unique and picturesque as Sedona to
picturesque red rocks. Many of the retailchange. But it has.
businesses sell art as well as crystals, books, andEven so, Sedona remains an exotic destination
other New Age items.where writers and artists have come to
On our first and on our subsequent visits, everycongregate. Childhood dreams can become a
place we went we found incredible photoreality in a beautiful and tranquil desert community.