Ma Vie Folle

” Our families shape who we are on so many different levels and these stories are a part of us and our own history….”

A new meme from Lori and Amy (or just click the button to go there)

The misadventures of our 2006 road trip from Ohio to San Francisco and back.    Previous posts can be found here.  *All photos will enlarge on a click.

Okay, so we exited Barstow, got lost within the first minute and finally made our way to the Hoover Dam where it was incredibly hot.   Then it was off to Sedona, AZ for a three night stay.   Heaven on earth right there I tell you, heaven on earth.   They say there is something mystical, spiritual, unexplainable about Sedona.   I didn’t think much about it until we started our long drive down the canyons of the red rocks to enter the city.   It was a goosebumpy feeling of ‘being home’.  Of solace and peace.  That’s the only way I can put it.

As we drove through the canyons, we could see the vast black scorched areas that just days prior had been the result of a HUGE fire that ripped through Sedona, closing it off from all that wanted to enter.

Nick Cage's former house (click 2 enlarge!)

It was a very, very bad fire.   I remember thinking in the week or so before we left home…watching the devastating news stories about it…”figures…one place we can go to relax and it just burnt down”.  But, it wasn’t.  It was just somewhat scorched.

We settled into our hotel, the Sedona Real Inn & Suites*, which, um, omgosh was beautiful!   It was nestled on Hwy. 89 in the heart of the city which was like 2 main streets.   All the houses were beautiful and you could tell for sure rich people (and famous) lived here.

I’ll tell you, all the bickering and tension this whole trip just about dissolved here.  It was like magic.    It was quiet here, beautiful, serene and the people and weather were fabulous.   I did think it was odd that the one fast food restaurant, a Mc Donalds was painted in teal.  Apparently they have a strict code there and only certain colors can be used on buildings.  Which is sorta nice….there’s not that bright red and yellow messing up the atmosphere.

The Apache's lived on all this land as far as the eye can see.

We took a jeep tour.  Really expensive yet really, really fun.  We were limited in where we could tour though due to the fires.  We jeeped off to Montezuma’s Well, an ancient site and huge well that once was home to Native Americans.    The water was saturated with arsenic (naturally) and our guide was extremely knowledgeable.  He gave us tons of info as we hiked and drove regarding the native peoples.   Many things made me very sad like how the Apache’s owned all this land and were just forced out.    Or killed.   He talked a lot about how the Indian’s used the earth.  So unlike the people of today….they were not wasteful.  Even with the killing of animals, they used all parts of it as to not waste.   It was even fascinating to hear of all the things they used plants for, and how they are incorporated into our drugs today.   Quite amazing!

Shane golfed while I ventured into a vortex area and felt a calming peace about me that I SO much needed.  It was wonderful!  We ate at one of the only restaurants in town.  It was alien/ufo themed….as Sedona is a hot spot for extraterrestrial and ufo sightings.  (unfortunately WE didn’t see any).  We swam and toured.

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Ah, I just cannot say enough good things about Sedona.  Little unique shops all over town, beautiful scenery….breathtaking to say the least.

Next stop is the Grand Canyon!  See you then!

If you ever travel to Sedona, I highly recommend the Sedona Real Inn & Suites.  It was VERY clean, smelled good, lots of amenities, a pool, hot tub, vending machines, restaurant, close to everything and great service.  Oh, and great prices!  OMG, and THEEEE best pillows in the universe.