In Search of My Spiritual Side in Sedona

Sedona is known worldwide for its majestic red rock formations. But it is also known as a center of new age enlightenment and healing. According to believers and practitioners of this spiritual movement, Sedona is a source of great energy and power, which come from a number of vortexes that are located in the area.


The vortexes of Sedona are swirling centers of subtle energy that come out from the surface of the earth. This energy, while not exactly electric, is said to strengthen the "Inner Being" of each person who comes within a quarter to a half mile of the source.

Who among us couldn't use a little more energy? So along with friends -- Lynne and Jason, Tory, Lisa and Wendy -- I set out in search of the vortex in Boynton Canyon and its spiritual powers.

From the start of the trail to its picturesque conclusion, nearly two and a half miles up the canyon, you get a taste of two Arizona life zones. First is the Upper Sonoran Zone, with its sagebrush, oak, pinon and juniper. Wildflowers are also prevalent in April and May. Next is the Transition Zone, which adds a smattering of pine trees among the juniper and oak.

After a short rock scramble, which is harder going up than down, I reached the end of the trail and found myself above the tree tops. The view was breathtaking and invigorating. But there was no sign of a vortex, only the rush of energy that comes from physical activity.

While I didn't find the vortex in Boynton Canyon, that didn't mean I gave up my search for enlightenment and healing, either. So after the hike, we all headed to Oaxaca Restaurant & Cantina. Good food, friends and a little tequila will surely boost any one's spirits.

So if you are in Sedona in search of a vortex, my advice is to consult the experts. There are plenty of guides and resources in town. But if you are on your own, skip the hike and fortify your "Inner Being" with a Red Rock Enchilada and one of Oaxaca's signature margaritas.

Note: After our trip to Sedona, Tory found some information online that leads me to believe that the vortex at Boynton Canyon is near Kachina Woman Rock, on the Vista Trail, which breaks off from the trail through Boynton Canyon, shortly after it's start. If you go, be sure to check it out and let me know what you find.

Climb Every Mountain... ...Till You Find Your Dream

The night before I hiked Camelback mountain I watched the Sound of Music on TV. I found a bit of irony in this. If you remember the end of the movie, you recall that the von Trapp family climbs the Swiss alps to escape pursuing Nazi solders. Motivation like that might have helped me climb Camelback -- a helping hand from a young Christopher Plummer would have helped too.




If you've never hiked Camelback, let me warn you, the Summit Trail out of Echo Canyon is know to be strenuous and difficult. The elevation gain is 1,264 feet (the summit is 2,704 feet) and the trail is 1.2 miles -- one way. This, however, didn't deter me.

I had originally planned this hike for New Years Day, but some wise friends warned me against this. The trail is quite popular on weekends and holidays, and if you don't like to have another hiker on your heals -- literally -- it's best to pick another day. I did and was off to a good start. I had a hiking stick to help me up the stair-like trail and to steady my steps in the rocky areas. There were quite a few other hikers on the trail, but no one was in a rush and there was plenty of time to stop and check out the spectacular view of the Valley.

I had gone 3/4 of a mile up the trail and was feeling really good. All was going well -- until I found this. A steep rock incline that you literally had to pull yourself up, hand-over-hand, along a guide rail.

Here's something you may not know about me. I have a fear of heights. Well, more like a fear of falling hundred of feet to my death. While I considered going up the rock wall, I was sure there was no way I would make it back down without help from the Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team. Although it's not a bad way to meet a cute fireman, I decided it was better to turn around and find a new trail.

Luckily there are a few other hiking options at Camelback and my trip was not a total loss. For less adventurous types there are the Ramada and Bobby's Rock trails, the latter of which takes you towards the camel's head. Both offer the opportunity to explore the urban mountain park -- without scaling a sheer rock wall.

Since my visit to Camelback didn't quite turn out as planned, I'm not ready to cross this one off my list. I'm willing to give the trip to the top one more try, but I'll take a different path -- the Cholla Trail. It starts at the back side (butt end) of Camelback. It's a little bit longer -- 1.5 miles each way -- and is still recommenced only for experienced hikers. As long as it doesn't require ropes, a harness, anchor chains and rappelling rings I might be able to make it.

This isn't the last time you'll see me at Camelback mountain. Stay tuned for "Camelback -- Take Two."

Pinnacle Peak; No Walk in the Park

Growing up, "Pinnacle Peak" was synonymous with "Steak House." It was a western-style restaurant, complete with sawdust on the floor, and a place we took our visiting East Coast relatives. For fun, if they ordered their steak well-done they were served an old leather boot. If they showed up in a tie the waitress promptly cut it off and hung it with hundreds of others from the ceiling rafters.

Hmm? Perhaps that's why the family stopped visiting.


Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse is still there, and so is its namesake -- Pinnacle Peak, which I came to conquer.

Joining me on the hike were friends, Tory and Lynne. And what a beautiful day it was for a hike, sunny but not too hot -- a good thing, since the hike is no walk in the park. The trail is classified as a moderate hike, with plenty of hills and valleys along the nearly 2 mile trek, one way. When you reach the end, don't expect to find a courtesy shuttle to take you back to the start. You need to come back over the same trail.

I consider myself in fairly good shape, in fact I ran 5 miles the day before, but that was on flat ground. Hills are a whole other form of exercise and the elevation gain on the trail reaches nearly 1,300 feet. Needless to say, I was not the fastest hiker in the group, but I wasn't there to win any race. I was there to enjoy the beautiful views of the Valley.

After the hike, we headed over to Greasewood Flat for our reward -- burgers and beer. It's not on my list, but should be on yours if you're heading to Pinnacle Peak. It's the perfect post-hike stop.

Nothing beats a big ol' chili, bacon, cheese burger after a hike. And you'll earn every calorie on your hike up (and down) Pinnacle Peak. Enjoy!

The List

I've always used lists. Whether it's a grocery list, mailing list or some other kind of to-do list, these checklists keep me on track. This one shouldn't be any different. Here is my list of 50 things to see and do in Arizona before I turn 50.

PHOENIX AREA
1. Hike Camelback Mountain DONE!
2. Visit the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix DONE!
3. See the holiday lights at Mesa’s Mormon Temple DONE!
4. Take a tour of the Orpheum Theater in Downtown Phoenix DONE!
5. Eat an ice cream treat at the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale DONE!
6. Visit the Phoenix Art Museum DONE!
7. Visit the Heard Museum in Phoenix DONE!
8. Visit Taliesin West in Scottsdale DONE!
9. Visit the Queen Creek Olive Mill DONE!
10. Hike Pinnacle Peak in North Scottsdale DONE!
11. Visit the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe DONE!

SOUTHERN ARIZONA
12. Visit the Southern Arizona wineries DONE!
13. Visit Bisbee DONE!
14. Hike Sabino Canyon DONE!
15. Visit the Casa Grande Ruins DONE!
16. Visit Tombstone DONE!
17. Stargaze at the Kitt Peak Observatory DONE!
18. Dine at the Long Horn Bar & Grill in Amado DONE!
19. Feed the ostrich at Rooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch DONE!
20. Attend Mass at San Xavier de Bac DONE!
21. See the Hummingbirds at the Ramsey Canyon Preserve DONE!

CENTRAL ARIZONA
22. Visit Crown King DONE!
23. Take a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad DONE!
24. Attend the Prescott 4th of July Rodeo
25. Sleep at a haunted hotel in Jerome DONE!
26. Slide down Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon
27. Visit the Verde Valley wineries DONE!
28. Hike the Red Rocks of Sedona DONE!

NORTHERN ARIZONA
29. See the sunset at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
30. Take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams
31. Take a summertime chairlift ride at Arizona Snowbowl DONE!
32. Hike the Grand Canyon
33. Hike to Havasupi Falls
34. Walk on the Grand Canyon Skywalk
35. Cut down my own Christmas tree in Northern Arizona DONE!
36. Hike in Walnut Canyon
37. Visit the Four Corners Monument
38. Stay at La Posada in Winslow
39. Take a jeep tour ride in Canyon de Chelly
40. Hike Antelope Canyon near Page

WESTERN ARIZONA
41. Visit the Vulture Mine in Wickenberg
42. Walk across the London Bridge in Lake Havasu
43. Take a tour of Hoover Dam
44. Explore the Grand Canyon Caverns
45. Dine at the Road Kill Café in Seligman

EASTERN ARIZONA
46. Visit Hannagan Meadow
47. Go fishing at Hawley Lake
48. Take a raft trip down the Salt River
49. Visit Tortilla Flat
50. Travel the Arizona Salsa Trial in Graham County DONE!

While I've organized my list by region, the items are in no particular order. They are simply places I've never been and things I would like to do. But don't be surprised if I take a few detours along the way.

Let the adventure begin.