Chasing Sunsets in Sedona
Nick Fauchald
From Every Day with Rachael Ray
February-March 2006
More Fun in the Desert Sun
 THE HEARTLINE CAFE
This popular spot offers healthful fare like tea-smoked chicken dumplings ($9)
and pecan-crusted trout ($22), with excellent wines to match. Eat on the patio,
which is open year-round. 1610 W. Hwy. 89A, heartlinecafe.com, 928-282-0785 |
 BRIAR PATCH INN
The restless Oak Creek provides a soothing soundtrack for this B&B's 9-acre, 18-cottage spread. Sit back in a cozy Adirondack-style chair and enjoy the inn's healthy creekside breakfast, or warm up by the outdoor fireplaces. Open-air massages are available for $85 per hour. Cottages from $189; 3190 N. Hwy. 89A, briarpatchinn.com, 888-809-3030
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COFFEE POT RESTAURANT
Sedona's busiest breakfast stop serves great coffee and 101 kinds of omelets, from traditional sausage and cheese to the oddly delicious peanut butter, jelly and banana. 2050 W. Hwy. 89A, 928-282-6626
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First, pick up a copy of Dennis Andres's Sedona's Top 10 Hikes ($12, Meta Adventures), available all over town. Or you could call the experienced guide himself for a private tour (tours from $295; sedonaprivateguides.com, 928-204-2201). There are hundreds of miles of trails in the Sedona area, but two of the best are a skip away from downtown:
BRINS MESA
This is a moderate 5-mile trek up and across the mesa's flower-blanketed flattop. Instead of doubling back, follow the Soldier's Pass trail past the Seven Sacred Pools.
HUCKABY TRAIL
Another 5-miler, Huckaby covers all sorts of terrain, from creek bed to hillside, and you'll encounter some amazing stone creatures along the way, including Snoopy Rock and Elephant Rock.
Two other hikes are west of downtown, near the Enchantment Resort:
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BOYNTON CANYON
This easy, lengthy trail (6.3 miles) heads past the famous Kachina Woman Spire,
through the forested canyon floor, and there's a reward for those who make
it to the end: a stunning view of the canyon. A warning for solitude seekers—the
trail tends to get crowded on the weekends. |
DOE MESA
This short, 2.5-mile hike zigzags up the side of the mesa and across its amazingly flat plateau. From the top, you'll be able to see the once-booming mining town of Jerome to the west. |
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CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS
This modern landmark is spiritual whether you're religious or not. It's built
on top of one of Sedona's major "vortexes," where the earth's energy
is said to be amplified. You be the judge. 780 Chapel Rd., 928-282-4069 |
 FOUR-WHEELED SIGHTSEEING
If you take only one piece of advice about Sedona, let it be this: Rent a Jeep or SUV (and buy supplemental insurance). Many of the best vistas are found at the end of a rugged drive. The roads are unpaved for good reason—to keep tourists like us from hogging the views. Jeeps and route maps can be found at Farabee Jeep Rentals. 3009 W. Hwy. 89A, sedonajeeprentals.com, 928-282-8700
Or skip the rental and take a Pink Jeep Tour (204 N. Hwy. 89A, pinkjeeptours.com, 800-873-3662). The Broken Arrow trail is a bumpy good time.
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Other Travel Articles:
Stolen Weekend in Austin
Family Outing in Savannah
Get Lost in San Diego
Rachael visits New York
Run Away to Boulder |
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