Beautiful, but Too Crowded!
Dear
Polite Travelers,
Widely
recognized for its natural beauty and spiritual qualities, Sedona has always
been one of my bucket-list items. So
once Covid took a break—and we’re both triple vaccinated—we hopped into our
trusty Honda and drove 800 miles southeast to the land of crimson
mountains.
The Drive from Flagstaff to Sedona
Since
we live in California, we drove Interstate 40 east to Flagstaff, AZ. If visiting Arizona, please stop in this
lovely city. It’s greener than most of
the state, the people are young and as vibrant as the landscape, and there are a
couple of Starbucks just
waiting for those like us. Besides the
interesting locals—and caffeinated beverages—our junction, Highway 89A/17
South, for Sedona is conveniently located in Flagstaff.
Drive Slowly & Enjoy Highway 89A South
Warning,
this is a winding, slow road, but one you are guaranteed to enjoy. Still, it’s not wise to drive in the
dark. The road drops off in places and
the elk are huge! Drive during the day
and enjoy the view.
Mainstreet IS the Highway?!
Really?
One
downside about Sedona is the road leading into town is the main road and
Highway 89A. This means a steady stream
of vehicles traveling through town much of the day. Yikes! Thankfully, there are several roundabouts to slow traffic for uptown-loving pedestrians.
Of which, there are plenty. (Hotel review)
Speaking of Uptown
Sedona is a small town with over four million visitors a year. It’s difficult to avoid a crowd, even if hiking, especially after March 1—the beginning of the high season. Mistakenly, we thought one week into March would be safe, but no. Maskless crowds packed every inch of the place making Sedona a tad uncomfortable. Even attempting to find a restaurant early in the evening was a chore. (Restaurant reviews)
One Short Shopping Stop
We
did make one short stop early afternoon to a few of the uptown jewelry
stores. Due to my years of presenting
workshops at the Diné College in Tsaile, AZ, I have since wanted a Navajo turquoise
bracelet. We found a simple one made by the
Navajo artist “ELB” Emma Bonney at Indian Touch of Sedona (221 N. State Road 89A). I love it!
Please don’t accept the first price the dealers give you. Most will come down in price.
Beyond Uptown
Because
uptown was elbow-to-elbow tourists, we allowed ourselves to walk the main part
of uptown early in the morning. Very few
shops were open, but it was pleasant.
Still, we need to see more of the surrounding area. So, we drove a few miles out to see the
deservedly hyped Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral
Rock. Seeing these landmarks in person was a true joy.
Be
advised. Even though we visited the Chapel
of the Holy Cross early in the morning, it was busy. I mean crazy busy. So, yes.
It was a must-see, but not necessarily a comfortable visit.
Was the Visit Worth the Drive & Will We Visit Again?
No
matter the natural beauty and pleasantness of the locals made this visit
tolerable for those with immune issues or those simply concerned with staying
healthy. I advise visiting this majestic
location
during the slow season. Bundle up and
enjoy the area without the crowds. For
us, we drove. We witnessed the beauty firsthand
and will reserve our travel time and cash for other locations.
Until
next time, my polite travelers, farewell.
More
by The Polite Traveler
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Pack Called and We Answered
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