Last weekend I traveled to Arizona to join family members for a mostly-girls’ gathering. I say “mostly” because two of my brothers, now retired and living the snowbird life this winter in the Southwest with my sisters-in-law in their large RVs, were included in the excursion. Along with three other sisters and two cousins, we converged on an RV resort just 30 minutes or so south of Sedona, most of us staying in small rental cottages on the property.
Those of us coming from the Northwest and Northeast were looking forward to warmer, drier weather than what we had at home, but earlier in the week the temperatures had cooled quite a bit, and farther north, Flagstaff had received over 2 feet of snow! Luckily, we came prepared with cold-weather clothes, but our drive north from Phoenix nevertheless exposed us to plenty of desert vegetation. We were fascinated to see whole “forests” of saguaro cacti ranging over the hillsides, not like the lone individuals we expected to see. The farther north we got, the higher in elevation we went and the more juniper and pines we saw and the more mountainous the landscape became.
On our first full day, we awoke to find an inch or so of snow on the ground. By the time we were ready to head out, the roads were nearly dry and the skies were bright blue, so we piled in our rental van and headed to Sedona. At 4,300-some feet, we expected to find more snow in Sedona, and we were right — but only about 3 inches. Along the way, we noted several drivers who earlier had apparently not given the conditions the proper consideration and had spun out. We arrived safe and sound, however, becoming more and more awestruck by the monumental red rock formations as we neared the city. Sedona sits in the Oak Creek Valley, surrounded on all sides by these deeply colored, fantastically shaped rocks and cliffs,
and the snow only served to further highlight and etch their forms; we really felt fortunate to visit at that time (though the skies remained mostly overcast). Our server at the restaurant we visited told us snow is unusual here; they last had this much about three years ago.
Our first stop was for brunch at the Mesa Grill, a Southwest-style grill sitting on a plateau next to the Sedona airport. Its location and large windows offered wonderful views, and the food was really delicious. The Southwest influence was readily apparent in their breakfast items, from their Breakfast Tacos with house-made chicken chorizo and fire-roasted salsa to their Huevos Rancheros with the chef’s beef chili, grilled jalapenos and pulled pork and my choice, the Sedona Scramble with asparagus and artichoke, roasted tomato and wild thyme potatoes.
The snow meant the popular local trails were slick and muddy, so we dropped our plans to do some hiking (next trip!) and visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a stunning Catholic chapel completed in 1956 and carved directly into the towering red bluffs. The views are remarkable, as is the architecture of the chapel, inside and out.

Photo 9169154 © Tom Dowd | Dreamstime.com
From the outside plaza one can see the unique rock formations that inspired the woman who sponsored the building of the chapel on this site: one (at the center left, below) looks like a standing Madonna holding the Christ child. She is flanked by two hands open and uplifted in prayer (on the right). The interior is dominated by a crucifix (described as “The Living Christ on the Tree of Life”) mounted over the soaring windows which look out over the valley.
The beauty and peacefulness of the site really inspired us, and we took several more photos of those amazing rocks before heading on to more prosaic activities.
We wrapped up our afternoon at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, built in the 1970s to resemble a traditional Mexican village. A series of stucco buildings and courtyards range along Oak Creek and shelter beneath enormous Arizona sycamore trees, which must offer welcome shade in the summer months.
Alongside a host of galleries, boutiques and shops lies an assortment of restaurants and wine tasting rooms, so one can recharge after some serious shopping. Each of us found a few items to take home as mementos of our visit, but I know that for me, the images in my mind of that stunning landscape will serve as the best treasures of our time in Sedona.
— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 28, 2023Recaro Aircraft Seating CL670 Business-Class Seat Takes Off on Iberia
Recaro’s new CL6720 business-class seat with doors took off recently on Iberia’s Airbus A350 cabin, flying Madrid (MAD) to Buenos Aires (EZE), with a total of 31 of the seats in the aircraft’s business-class cabin. The premium-economy and economy cabins also feature Recaro seats.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Mar 28, 20234 New, Updated Restaurants Coming to London this Year
In a city where new hotels, restaurants and experiences emerge seemingly every day, it’s expected to feel overwhelmed when deciding where to dine. London consistently sees delicious and top-notch restaurants appear, but how can one possibly keep track of all the new and updated restaurants?
Romania
Mar 28, 2023One of the World’s Largest Brâncuși Exhibitions Opens this September in Timișoara, Romania
Works of art signed by Constantin Brâncuşi, often called Romania’s best-known artist, takes place Sept. 30–Jan. 28, 2024 at National Art Museum Timișoara under exceptional security conditions. The art pieces will be transported to this Romanian city under guard, and the costs associated with the exhibition are expected to exceed $2.1 million. Out of that sum, approximately half will go toward the museum, which will host the event, while the other half will cover the exhibition itself. Timisoara was selected as a 2023 European Capital of Culture, and the exhibition will be one of the city’s major cultural events during the year.
Daily
Mar 27, 2023Turkish Airlines Lounge Opens at John F. Kennedy International Airport
Turkish Airlines recently opened a new lounge in Terminal 1 of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airline operates three flights per day from the airport and now premium passengers have luxurious, comfortable and hospitable lounge amenities to enjoy in a renovated, rebranded space.
2 Spring Art Destinations to Visit in 2023
Daily
Mar 27, 2023Spring Festival Fun in Virginia Beach
Daily
Mar 27, 2023Viceroy Announces Partnership with Out & Equal
Daily
Mar 24, 2023Daily
Mar 23, 2023The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan Introduces Spring Experiences
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan offers travelers exciting experiences this spring. Opened in July 2020, the property overlooks Lake Chūzenji and Mount Nantai in Japan’s Northern Kanto region. With cherry blossoms (Sakura) set to bloom in April, the area is the perfect destination for a spring getaway.
Daily
Mar 23, 2023New Limited-Time Bonus Offers from Scenic, Emerald Cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises currently offer travelers savings of up to $500 per cabin and a 50 percent reduction on deposits on select 2023/2024 river and ocean itineraries. The offers are available through March 31 and can be combined with others, such as early-booking savings of up to $1,500 per couple and a Pay in Full bonus that includes free or reduced airfare options.
ShareThis