Sedona

I've wanted to visit Sedona for ages and ages. Especially after the famous line in The Devil Wears Prada when Stanley Tucci talks about Miranda killing the Sedona shoot. A few quick google image searches later, and it was on my list of places to see before I die.

So see it, I did.

And it did not disappoint.

Like so many places {ahem, Grand Canyon}, pictures do not do any sort of justice to the bold colors and depth of the landscape. I was in awe of the bold oranges and reds against the muted greens and browns of the trees. The scenery looked like one of those fake backdrops in old western movies. 

It was too beautiful for words. Perhaps one day I will be able to articulate how much this wonderful world of ours amazes me. Until then, I'll keep stammering along, trying to make sense of the beauty that I've been lucky enough to see for myself.

Oh by the way, if you want your palm read, this may or may not be the psychic capital of the world. No lie, tarot cards and crystal balls on every street corner. Probably because of all those vortexes. Next time, a vortex hunt will be my first priority. 

 

A Grand Adventure

Going to the Grand Canyon has been on my bucket list...forever. Well, at least since I started thinking about bucket lists circa 2004. 

It's something that all of us have seen countless times in pictures and on TV. Most of us can visualize it perfectly. But no picture can ever convey just how majestic and grand it really is. Awe-inspiring. Breathtaking. Truly one of Wonders of the World. 

My mother and I were talking about how truly incredible this great rift in the middle of our country is one afternoon, remarking on how the first explorers must have felt when they came across such a landscape. It is enough to make you feel like you're at the end of the world. How overwhelming it must have been to come across such a sight. Thank goodness that there are those who won't let something like a several mile gorge stop them form seeing the world. I'd like to think that's how I approach both life and travel. There will be big holes in life, and huge canyons to cross, but just imagine what's on the other side.

 

A few recommendations:

Hiking: My group hiked partially down South Kaibab Trail from the top of the rim down a few thousand feet. The hike down actually took much longer- about 2.5 hrs due to excessive picture taking. The trek back up was much faster, as all any of us could think of was making it to the top and having a nice cocktail while watching the fast-approaching sunset.

Sleeping: We stayed at the Kachina Lodge in Canyon Village. It was basic, but clean and had killer views of the Canyon. If you want something with a little more character, try to stay at El Tovar Lodge, which was right next door to Kachina.