An Inspired Cook

Over the last week of October, Joe and I took a few days to get away and enjoy a change in scenery. We recently celebrated our 40th Anniversary and wanted to go somewhere beautiful but within driving distance. Sedona is only a few hours away and we found it one of the most beautiful hidden gems of the Southwest. Nestled in the Red Rock country of northern Arizona’s high desert, Sedona is surrounded by towering red rocks, flat topped buttes, and steep canyons . There are dozens of hiking trails to choose from and if that’s not your thing, you can hire tour guides that will take you to all the stunning destinations while making stops along the way for photos. There are many vacation rentals, resorts and spas available to those who like to be pampered. And I would recommend stopping at Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village for some unique shopping and art galleries. We found a comfortable vacation rental located near Thunder Mountain which was close to many of the hiking trails we had planned. Many of the trailhead parking lots filled up early so we made a point of getting up early and heading out to beat the crowds. Our mornings started out just above 40 degrees with full sunshine. After walking only a few minutes we would begin to warm up and take off a layer or two of clothing. We took our time enjoying the stunning views of the rock formations around and above us. Joe had a bucket list hikes with the Subway Cave at the top of the list. The Boynton Trail led us to the Subway Cave which was our favorite and most challenging day. There is a bit of a climb to say the least to get up to the area of the cave where you can view the stunning landscape of the Boynton Canyon pictured above. Whatever the occasion, Sedona is a place surrounded by serenity and beauty with a mild climate that provides a unique getaway anytime of year!