July 18

Sedona and the surrounding area is right out of a picture book. It is sort of a cross between Whistler and Banff but with a southwestern style. The whole place is just one big tourist trap catering to the crystal/vortex/new age/Birkenstock set with a veneer of commercialism and big buck “yuppieism” laid over it. That being said, it is still a very interesting town and really pretty.

Our hotel, the Bell Rock Inn, is fantastic. A wonderful spot, luxurious toiletries from The Sedona Spa, two superb pools, absolutely special room and just a magnificient resort. Probably one of the nicest places I have ever stayed in!

The hotel (and Sedona) is right in the midst of some of the most unusual rock formations imaginable. Bell Rock actually looks sort of like a bell, and there are other spectacular hills/mountains all around. Sedona itself is all adobe/pueblo style buildings. The houses fit into the landscape rather than fitting the landscape to the housing. The lighting at night is really subdued, with very few streetlights and even those are low output. Signs on stores and businesses are subdued and almost invisible.

For example, the “Golden Arches” here are about 4 feet high, painted on a 6 foot adobe block wall beside a driveway and they are turquoise. No glaring yellow things that can be seen forblocks! I guess they want no light/sight pollution.

Out to Slide Rock this morning. It is a place

in the river that makes a long natural waterslide. The kids absolutely loved it. Kendra even participated! I was an old stick-in-the-mud and just watched. I value my back. Spent about 3 hours there.

Back to the hotel and the girls were inthe pool for the rest of the day and evening.