Sedona
- a Four Season Playground
Sedona's
Scenic Drives
Sedona
- a Four Season Playground by Robert Livesay
Sedona began as a small,
remote ranching and farming settlement in 1876 when the first permanent
settler, John James Thompson, squatted in Oak Creek canyon. By 1902, 20
families lived in the settlement and a postal station was petitioned for
by Theodore Schnelbly. The petition was granted and Schnelbly named the
new post office in honor of his wife, Sedona. The remote agricultural community
was well-know for the quality of its fruit, especially the abundant apple
orchards. But as the scenic wonders and sites of Sedona became known, tourism
surpassed agriculture in economic importance.
 Sedona
is a four seasons playground for everyone - whether you're into history
and archaeology; arts and culture; power shopping; outdoor sports; or the
spiritual and metaphysical, imagine doing all this in a backdrop of some
of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Indeed, this picturesque
city is surrounded by red-rock monoliths named Coffeepot, Cathedral and
Thunder Mountain. At the north end of the city is the stunning Oak Creek
Canyon, a breathtaking chasm that even today, is wildly wonderful. Natural
endowments aside, you'll also find world-class hotels, resorts, bed and
breakfasts and a very good variety of dining to keep you satisfied.
Tourism has dynamic direct
and indirect effects on each and every business in Sedona. The Sedona chamber's
tourism bureau has been the leading marketing organization responsible
for generating overnight visitation in order to enhance the vitality of
its economy. Sedona's visitor's centers move more than 400,000 visitors
per year around the community. The collection of Sedona's impressive, natural
endowments also includes the 1. 8 million-acre Coconino national forest,
which essentially engulfs this city and encompasses seven intriguing wilderness
areas.
 Oak
Creek canyon is a 16 mile stretch along Oak Creek through towering, red
canyon walls. The beauty, greenery and coolness of the creek attract thousands
of visitors each year, with. Slide rock state park contains a natural waterslide,
the biggest summer attraction. There are some top hiking trails here, such
as west fork, and visitors enjoy the great trout fishing and camping too.
In fact, highway 89a offers visitors one of the most scenic drives in the
country. The winding road through Oak Creek Canyon not only is Arizona's
first officially designated scenic highway, it is the first leg of a day
trip to one of the world's great wonders, nearby Grand Canyon.
Sedona is a perfect place"
for spiritual and personal enrichment of the body and the soul. Sedona
is a place of beauty, peace and mystery. Spiritual seekers come here from
all over the world, attracted to what many believe are energetic places.
Many stay in Sedona because it is a central hub to the best sightseeing
opportunities in the area, including national monuments and geographic
wonders like Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon.
Sedona is one of the power
spots of the world, and many believe that Sedona's red rock country is
a vortex of energy. "Indians tell us that Sedona's "towering crimson peaks
stimulate sensitivity and are the home of the Great Spirit. Amid red rock
vortex country, people come face to face with themselves and the potentials
of their nature.
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About the Author -
Sedona, AZ is one of the most beautiful areas in the western United States.
You can get a hundred FREE travel tips by visiting here: http://tinyurl.com/lxgx5d
Sedona's
Scenic Drives by Sylvia Somerville for the Sedona Verde Valley
Tourism Council
It's been said that God created
the Grand Canyon for the world, but Oak Creek Canyon for himself. Oak Creek
Canyon is a picturesque, intimate canyon, carved by the perennially flowing
waters of Oak Creek . A 14.5-mile paved, meandering road through the canyon
(89A) links Sedona to Flagstaff , Arizona , and offers memorable views
all year long from either direction. This drive is "must-do" for anyone
visiting the area.
Travelers pass colorful canyon
walls (dusted with snow in winter) and lush greenery, which explodes into
brilliant hues in the fall. Because the canyon has an elevation gain of
nearly 2,500 feet from one end to the other, 89A traverses five ecosystems,
which add great variety and their own signature beauty. At the top of the
canyon, sightseers may want to stop at the scenic overlook, which offers
a panoramic view; road amenities, such as restrooms; and a visitor's center
from March through October.
 Other
notable drives that showcase red rock country's striking vistas include:
Red Rock Loop Road on the
western outskirts of Sedona: a winding drive with several scenic pull-offs
and access to Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Ranch and Red Rock State
Park (Part of the road is gravel.)
Boynton Pass Loop: a sweep
past electrifying views of Dry Creek Road and Boynton Canyon and the desert
grassland landscape of Forest Road 525. The roads, with access points to
several trails, are mostly paved, but there are unpaved and bumpy sections.
Highway 179 (also known as
Red Rock Scenic Byway): One of only 27 roads in the country designated
by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "All-American Roads" ("tourist
destinations unto themselves") for their exceptional and unique recreational,
natural and scenic qualities. Highway 179 features scenic pullouts for
travelers to enjoy the magnificent views.
Page Springs Loop: a look
at the outskirts of Sedona-from Page Springs and Cornville to the Village
of Oak Creek. The paved roads go past a fish hatchery, wineries, red rocks,
desert grasslands and trailheads.
Schnebly Hill Road: Eleven
miles of bumpy, steep, winding road with unparalleled views and historic
interest. The road, which connects to Interstate 17, dates back to 1904;
but it is only open part of the year-usually from April through October.
Only the first mile is paved.
Note: While off-road vehicles
are prohibited in Red Rock Country, there are routes that have been cleared
for 4 x 4 and ATV travel. For more information, call the Red Rock Ranger
Station at 928-282-4119.
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