Revisiting Sedona: In Search of Sacred Space

I realize it's been quite some time since our Sedona trip, but frankly, I think I'm still on it. I returned home to have David turn around quite quickly on a 5 day trip back east - leaving me to re-adjust to our normally crazy weekly schedule on my own. And anyway, nobody really wants to see more snowy Idaho winter pictures - it's much better to look on pictures of warmth and light, wouldn't you agree?

On the last two days of our trip, we went in search of sacred spaces - in Sedona, they call them "vortexes" (not "vortices" - don't make that mistake). On the first day, we headed to a trail NOT called the Brins Mesa trail - and honestly, I can't even remember what it really was called (we'll get to the Brins Mesa trail again - you must be thinking - uh, non-sequitor?).

We picked this trail for the "big payoff" - lots of geographic features in a relatively short distance. After a huge sinkhole a small distance in, we next came upon the "Seven Sacred Pools". We heard some jeep tours go by, talking about the reason they were special - didn't get much out of that. They are pretty much muddy pools of varying depths.

As we were hanging around at the pools, I started taking some shots of David. Amazingly, this one particular photo captured something not visible with the naked eye, nor visible on any subsequent photos - the radiance of David. Was it truly a rainbow of radiance? Was it an aura of inspiration? Or was it simply the bending of light/space around David caused by the magnetic field due to his constant jabbering on the blackberry while on the initial portion of the hike? You be the judge.

Another funny story about the pools - so, Ethan desecrated the bottom pool on our way back. He couldn't possibly hold IT in (and you know what I mean there by IT) for another second, and therefore, desecreted the pool. So David, getting yelled at by me to "hurry him up", grabbed a plant for Ethan to clean up with - turns out the plant he grabbed was poisonous - and so here's Ethan, a few hours after the hike, puking his guts up in the hotel. Poor Ethan - he was fine after a significant nap, plenty of fluids, and some dinner. Who knew? -- lesson learned: don't desecrate the sacred space.

So, this hike was also memorable for the approximately 45 minute argument that erupted on the top of the Brins Mesa - argument between David and I over whether it would be better to turn around and go back the way we came, or head down this other trail, that appeared (to me) to be taking us on the opposite side of this huge stone fin... We had a few ounces of water left, no food, and had Nanny and Pappy returning to the car on the "quicker way back" route. I said, let's not take chances - turn around. He said, no, that's boring, and I'm sure this connects... This is all polished up for our younger readers... more than once, the kids shouted, "Awkward silence!"

Turns out, where we started arguing was almost exactly halfway on the trail - both paths were about equal. Hmm. I feel foolish, do you? But come on - look at the Brins Mesa - covered in fully or partially burnt trees - wouldn't it put anyone on edge?

So the next day we wanted to get to the honest-to-goodness heavily advertised Sedona vortexes. We started south of town at Bell Rock - except that I failed to pick the closer trail start with the very obviously labeled "--> to Vortex" signs - and started about 1-1.5 miles from the base of the rock on which the vortex is located. Nanny was NOT thrilled with me.

Apparently this vortex is supposed to be extremely strong - and apparently felt from anywhere close to the rock - at least, that's what I was going to claim. It was a very hot, bright, strong energy area - so much so, that we all felt a bit dehydrated after the experience.


Our final excursion took us to the vortex at the base of Cathedral Rock. This one was supposed to have particularly feminine energy. It did appear softer, pinker, and generally more welcoming than Bell Rock - or it could just be that it was cooler, closer to evening, and the light was low. Either way. David claimed I seemed carefree and that the place brought out a peacefulness he hadn't seen in me in awhile. Either way. Here are some photos.

This photo is quintessential David - note particularly the "Do not cross fence" sign on the fence - that he clearly crossed. I told him he should use this photo when he needs photos for conference proceedings or journal publications - it shows his true nature.



At the vortexes, you'll find stacks of stones - hundreds, maybe thousands of stacks built by visitors over time. It adds to the feel of the place, for sure. David and I made sure to add ours (the kids? They were watching "Squeakels" with Nanny and Pappy - we were busying ourselves so we didn't have to pry our eyes out with a hot poker)


Now, I need to finally say good bye to Sedona. My next post is bound to include pictures of snow.