Sedona

Probably our favourite place so far … Sedona’s scenery is dramatic, impressive and surreal.  Stayed at a campsite that was within walking distance of “uptown” (there is no downtown) and probably the best site we’ve stayed at so far (other than HH places). Very well maintained, information sheets galore, spotless bathrooms and very scenic spots under trees and next to a river.

We went for a nice hike amongst the vibrant orange sand and scary-looking cacti that offered some great views of a variety of interesting rock structures – definitely one of the best hikes we’ve done.

On a Trolley Tour of some sites in Sedona, we passed the mansion of Dr Ioan Cosmescu – a Serbian doctor who invented (amongst other things) the laser scalpel. The 8000 square foot holiday home was built for his wife and includes an indoor pool, a million dollar koi pond and a $7m telescope. Currently on the market for US$27million … because they are getting a divorce. Also saw the Chapel of the Holy Cross – a church that protrudes from a red cliff face.

By chance, we found that the Sedona International Film Festival was on. Due to our schedule, we were unable to see any of the movies, but we did attend a free “round table” hosted by four movie-makers of some of the short films being shown. Very interesting to hear their perspectives of obtaining funding, spanners in the works, their opinions of Hollywood as well as Parasite (the movie).

This made me chuckle … appears that the Catholic Church is now taking credit card payments for candles. First time I’ve seen this, but that could be because I haven’t set foot in a Catholic Church (or any church to be fair) for decades.

This rather impressed me … a Bike Repair Station at the start of a National Park Trail – everything they could need (by the looks of things) attached on extendable metal cables! Pity they didn’t have an RV Repair Station … I’ve been doing some handy-woman work along the way.

What we learned in Sedona ….
Tlaquepaque is pronounced:
“tuh-lah-key-pah-key”