Hitting The Road

Did You Know? - The first Anglo settler moved into Oak Creek Canyon in 1879. The early settlers were farmers and ranchers. Oak Creek Canyon was well-known for its apple orchards. In 1902, when the Sedona post office was established, there were 55 residents. In the mid-1950's, the first telephone directory listed 155 names. Parts of the Sedona area weren't electrified until the 1960's. Sedona began to develop as a tourist destination, vacation-home and retirement center in the 1950's. Most of the development seen today was constructed in the 1980's and 1990's.

Did You Know? - The Coconino National Forest is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country with landscapes ranging from the famous Red Rocks of Sedona to Ponderosa Pine Forests, to alpine tundra. Explore mountains and canyons, fish forest lakes and wade in lazy creeks and streams.

Before we drove into the canyon we stopped at Oak Creek Canyon Vista. Here you can get a bird's eye view of what awaits you down the road and, at the same time, shop for Native American jewelry and other craft items from the local Native American artists who set up displays along the pathways.

Did You Know? - The two main routes south of Flagstaff are interstate 17 to Phoenix and the slower, more scenic AZ 89A, which passes through thick pine forests for 10 miles before descending suddenly and spectacularly into Oak Creek Canyon, a steep, narrow and very colorful gorge that is at the center of the second most visited area in Arizona, after the Grand Canyon. The town of Sedona is situated at the southern end of the canyon where the cliffs open out, and provides a base for exploring the surrounding lands, which include many other canyons and an extensive, scenic red-rock wilderness in all directions.

Sedona was established in 1902 but did not become a popular destination until the 1960s, since when it has become a well known center for various kinds of artistry, and a magnet for wealthy retirees, for followers of new age religions and for people just wanting to escape the pressures of city life.

Did You Know? -The town has a pretty location surrounded by large red and white sandstone cliffs and buttes, with contrasting greenery provided by a mixture of trees, bushes and cacti. A small steepish zone with no building development separates the town into two parts; the downtown area is centered around the AZ 89A - AZ 179 road junction, where most of the art galleries, restaurants and tourist facilities are found. The larger second section (West Sedona) is two miles to the southwest, along Highway 89A, and contains the main residential area, with more conventional shops and amenities.

Did You Know? - No other Sedona golf course provides a better combination of jaw-dropping splendor and exceptional challenge than the acclaimed Sedona Golf Resort. Located in the heart of one of the most captivating regions of the Southwest, the thrilling 6,646-yard, par - 71 course is widely considered among the world's most unforgettable golf experiences. Winding around the famed red rocks of Sedona, each hole provides a unique adventure. No wonder this championship Sedona golf course receives a continuous four-star rating from Golf Digest.