Finding Peace while Visiting Northern Arizona

With only a few days left in the stunning Verde Valley of Arizona, I’ve been reflecting a lot on my time here. Sedona is known for its energy vortex sites, where spiritual energy is amplified, creating an environment conducive to prayer, meditation, and healing. After years of battling my own body to function, and even longer battling my mind from dragging me under, I thought this would be a good area to wash all that away and go on with my journey with a fresh mind and heart.

On the path to the vortex at Crescent Moon Ranch, Sedona AZ

              I was really ambitious in my plan to get out of Denver; it was mid-October, and snow was possible any day. Ironically, on November 9^th, it still hasn’t snowed in Denver. The first couple of weeks on the road were long, with five different campgrounds over nine days. But it allowed me to really practice at the technical stuff and find the bumps in the road (quite literally in some instances!). It also gave me an idea of how long I can go without hookups. While it was challenging, it taught me a lot that would have taken months to learn otherwise.

              The Verde Valley in northern Arizona is gorgeous. I wouldn’t have ever considered visiting northern Arizona as a vacation destination, and I would have missed out. The Valley is made up of a handful of towns, ranging in size, each with a rich history and western charm. Cottonwood is the largest town in the area, with plenty of commerce in the area to meet all your needs and so much opportunity for outdoor recreation. Jerome, a very small town west of Cottonwood, is situated on the side of a mountain and was established as a mining town in the late 19th century. One of my favorite trails was Jail Trail, right in the middle of Cottonwood, named so for the old jail building where it begins. I was lush and green, and very quiet, which was odd, being right near busy roads.

              Sedona, north of the Verde Valley, is famous for its incredible red rock formations and energy vortex sites. The town is full of establishments dedicated to healing, spirituality, and overall wellness. There is also a vibrant arts culture in Sedona, where you will find several galleries and shops dedicated to local artisans. I was surprised to learn that Sedona wasn’t much of anything until the 1970s, when Abe Miller arrived and had a vision. He partnered with other unorthodox creatives, and together they built Tlaquepaque, a magical living artists' village themed after the Mexican town of the same name. This became a community of artists who lived and worked in the village, out in the open for all to see. From there, Sedona grew into the arts and spirituality center it is today.

              My time visiting Northern Arizona has been incredibly healing, a combination of the location and the fact that I’m living my lifelong dream, probably. I have found many moments when I am just in awe of the big scenery, but also moments when I appreciate the beauty in the small picture, too. At Dead Horse Ranch State Park, between Cottonwood and Sedona, they have lagoons that can be fished and are circled with walking paths. I was also pleased to see there were multiple pull-outs of sorts, off the trail that hung out over the water. They were for people in wheelchairs, to be able to fish from the shoreline. While walking with the dogs, we stopped to watch some ducks on the shore. There was one duck that had a little poof of feathers off the top of its head and two curls in its tail feathers. It was such a small thing, and I realized in my old life, I wouldn’t have even noticed it, let alone taken a moment to appreciate it.

Stylish duck with a curly tail and a funky hairdo

              When I got here, everything was just about the same shade of tan or green. It was beautiful to be sure, but you wouldn’t have convinced me there was a significant river flowing through the area. As the weeks have passed, fall has settled in, and I’ve been vividly proven wrong. I can now look out over the landscape and see exactly where the river flows, as the foliage on its banks has changed to beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds. I had no clue there were areas of Arizona that were this diverse and colorful.

              For able-bodied folks, this location would be a great destination. Personally, I’d avoid summer, because even up in the north, the daytime temperatures are intense. For those with mobility challenges, this may not be the place for you. While there is a lot of effort in making most locations at least partially wheelchair accessible, it is just not possible in a lot of locations. One factor is the historic nature of a lot of the locations. Jerome Historic State Park, for example, is in a mansion built in 1916, so adding an elevator wasn’t possible. They did, however, have a book available that had photos and information about what was upstairs. Another location in Jerome, Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, I didn’t even write about, because it is completely inaccessible to most anyone needing a mobility aid. It’s on a hillside, it’s rocky and uneven, and they even have a huge sign out front basically saying, "Enter at your own risk." The outdoor locations are similar, while there are a lot of developed paths suitable for mobility aids, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to access the best locations.

              That is what I am on the hunt for: the experiences that are suitable for all to access. While I’ve enjoyed my time here and may even come back, I am excited to move on and explore the next location. This week, I move on to Southern California for 5 weeks, starting in Palm Springs!