Thursday, January 15, 2009

Sedona and Her Vortexes

If you didn't yet get enough of it, please go back with me to Thanksgiving weekend when we were in Sedona, Arizona. Little by little I'm getting all the photos sorted and put into albums. YAAAY! Here's the Sedona Album.

We stayed at this adorable Sea Pines Resort outside Sedona where there seemed to be hundreds of these tiny "cabins," just perfect for a week's stay. From that point, it was an easy drive to anywhere we wanted to go.


We went to Sedona mainly to see/feel the vortexes for which it is known. I'll get to that in a minute but we had a chance also to visit the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village in the city. I'm always inspired by the artistic imaginations of people that create incredible pieces of art.

And as always, I'm so curious about the flora and fauna of places I'm not used to...like the desert! And even if we have our own version, like the cattails.



Now, the Sedona vortexes! There are 7 of them in the Sedona area that are considered biggies.

"In Sedona vortexes are created, not by wind or water, but from spiraling spiritual energy. The vortexes of Sedona are named because they are believed to be spiritual locations where the energy is right to facilitate prayer, mediation and healing. Vortex sites are believed to be locations having energy flow that exists on multiple dimensions. The energy of the vortexes interacts with a person’s inner self. It is not easily explained. Obviously it must be experienced."

For me, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built in 1956 between two natural red rock pinnacles was one of the best.


Inside the chapel was where we both felt calming energy. It brought tears to my eyes!



From the Airport Mesa (above) at sunrise, we climbed high enough to get a spectacular view.



Cathedral Rock (above) is probably the most well-known and photographed of all the vortexes because it's such a picturesque place along the Oak Creek.


Courthouse Butte (above).


Schnebly Hill (above).


Bell Rock (above).

Boynton Canyon is the only vortex of the 7 we didn't quite reach because, well, truth be told, you need a jeep! After trying to get there, driving about 2 mph (if that), we decided to turn back and not risk tearing up the rental car. But 6 out of 7 isn't bad, right?!

OK, now here's my theory. Spiritual energy is within us. Sometimes we feel it more than at other times. That's my take on the Sedona vortexes. It's become quite a tourist business, of course, which diminishes some of the effect. But if/when we are in tune to Spirit, I believe the vortex can be wherever we are. Some places, especially those in Nature, like what you see in these images, can definitely make us more receptive to spiritual powers. I believe it.

Do I second-guess the trip? Not for one second. It was a very beautiful and powerful place on many levels, for which I am thankful and still in awe.

27 comments:

  1. I think my lower jaw just dropped to the floor! WOW! The photos are so amazing, that one can almost feel the spirituality through them. That church must have been more than awsome, Ginnie. Thank you for sharing. Now I need to have a look at your album. And maybe plan a trip there one of these days!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just goose bumps all over.I can feel the energy through your pictures...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my - Ginnie I've really got to visit. I've got many friends down in AZ. IT's a matter of putting in a vacation for it!

    The photos that just made me in AWE were the following:

    Sea Pines Resort photo
    Airport Mesa
    Courthouse Butte
    Schnebly Hill


    Aee you ever going to blow up some of your work! You should... Which reminds me, I should practice what I preach...

    Also - I'd love to live in one of those small cabins.. Perfect size = no clutter!

    I know I'm not the only one feeling this way seeing form OX and CS!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CS: If EVER you have a chance to visit there, go. Even if without feeling a thing, it's an incredible adventure into spectacular Nature.

    O-X: Make sure you take CS there one day! And then tell me all about it. :)

    ET: I have wanted to visit there for years so you can imagine how it felt to have my dream come true. I'll never forget it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Musketeer I am so proud of you this collection of pictures is truly outstanding. Well done mijn vriend:)
    You really enjoyed your hobby on this trip.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Now I'm sad that we didn't even talk about this when you were here. I really wanted to hear about it. :(

    Is one of these in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"?

    I didn't realize you were visiting the seven (almost) and I didn't even know there were seven. That first one would have been incredible to me too, that interior space - wow. All gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  7. When we hit Sedona....my camera battery had died ( I was still new to the whole photography thing...who new a battery needed to be recharged???? I have learned so much since then (2 years ago)) anyway..thanks for sharing your photos...brings back some lovely memories!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Isn't the desert more beautiful than it is portrayed as? Beautiful blog and site...

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is why i love blog hopping - the beautiful pics posted. It's a much cheaper way to visit the world of others.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lurch: You are such a true friend, Musketeer. Bedankt!

    Ruth: We must have had more important things to talk about, sister! You got me curious about Close Encounters so I Googled it. It doesn't appear to have been filmed here but wouldn't that have been something! You would love this part of our country, seriously.

    Neva: Man! Cameras! That would have totally bummed me out. WOW! So glad you can see these images through mine, then!

    Coachdad: There is MUCH beauty in the desert, for sure! More than most of us ever realized. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

    Beautiful: You are so right...and thanks for coming to visit me from Malaysia! It's a small world after all!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stunning, just stunning. I love the Chapel of The Holy Cross. This has now made my list of vacation spots and now I'm going to surf to the sites you and Expat Traveler spoke about. Namaste, Bob

    ReplyDelete
  12. That looks like a fabulous place. I'd love to visit one day. But looks like I won't be doing much travelling, as I'm not keen on travelling on my own, now that I'm by myself. Love those red rock outcrops. And so interesting about the energy vortexes. Perhaps i need to go there, to re-energise myself.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You did a trememdous effort.
    And I understand why you dropped the last one.
    (Anna and I have a very bad experience from the Atacama desert, with a rented car. We were rescued, but it was very tough

    Wonderful photos and landscapes

    ReplyDelete
  14. Big big day in the USA today!
    Good luck to your new president.... and may the people (and the media!) employ caution, understanding and patience cos the current mess will take more than a few weeks to clear up!
    Hooray for Mr Obama.
    And hooray for all the people who voted for him.

    ReplyDelete
  15. what beautiful photos.

    I love the one with the river, I also love the scenic buttes and mountains.

    Oh my, the places you get to go!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Ginnie, makes me want to go back again! Isn't it an amazing place? I still can't believe that I am saying that about the desert, but as I've mentioned, this is nothing like the desert I grew up in. So amazing. We didn't got out to see the Chapel of the Holy Cross and now I regret it. But the off roading trip we took brought us closer to the buttes and other Vortexes.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I popped over here from Ruth's blog! I last visited SEdona in 2004, and your photos are gorgeous!!! It makes me want to go back. We live in So Cal so it's only about a 6 hour trip.

    I related to every photo you posted.

    I browsed around your blog, and you have gorgeous photos of the places you've been.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for a lovely report with great pictures - looks so nice, clean and warm (wonderful collar contrast!) Quite different from the weather we're having in Norway right now :-)

    Wishing you a lovely Sunday and a great week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have to say I love this post, Ginnie!! I have never heard of these vortexes but they certainly make sense. Also love the lantern pics in the previous post.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Gorgeous photos, Ginnie! I loved them! Makes me want to travel. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ginnie,
    I hope everything is okay with you and you've just been busy! Hope you can post soon, or shoot me a quick email.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm wondering where you are... off on another holiday somewhere? Or just extremely busy?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Bob: This is definitely a place you need to visit some day. You'd love it!

    Sham: My e-mail address is in my profile...would you please write me, because I want to talk to you!!! But I need your e-mail address!

    Tor: Some times you end up saying "It's not worth it!" Thanks for sharing your sentiment! :)

    Sham: We're still in the honeymoon period but he seems to already be on a roll!

    Don: I have been very lucky, I know!

    Mad: It sounds like you got to some places we didn't and vice versa! Together we'd have quite a story to share. :)

    Sandy: Thank you so much for popping over! It's a small world after all!! Ruth is my sister, did you know? :)

    Renny: I always love sharing what I see, just like you do!!

    RD: Long time no see, Stacey! I have been looking at your posts faithfully...you world traveler you!

    Tim: I hope you get to travel here, because it's like nothing you've seen before!

    Susan: I tried contacting you but you didn't respond, so I'm not sure I have your correct address? Mine is in my profile, so please write and I'll update you. Thanks.

    Sham: Not off anywhere, just very busy, packing up the house. Please write me so that I can have your e-mail address. Mine is in my profile. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  24. heeeh Ginnie, Just found your (this blog back and I am glad I did, what are you showing here intersting shots, wow! That 'mountians,ar incredible, 'I think I know where it is' Yes nature of that kind is impressive, I can tell by your shots....

    Sorry for not visiting regularly, My mom is after 7 weeks of hospital (heartsurgery) finally home, she is still weak but recovery takes always a lot of time, she is 83 years ols, a very sweet woman, so I am glad she's home now:)

    JoAnn/Holland

    Are you ever visiting Holland again?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ginnie.......these are stellar shots of an awesome place........the chapel took my breath away!!!! and the buttes are beautiful........make me wanna go on a road trip again..it's been only a month since we came back from one......i hope to go on a sabbatical some day and explore as much as of the beautiful country of yours some day , Ginnie :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I knew nothing of Sedona but came across it when driving back from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix, via what I thought would be a scenic route. I was not disappointed. Sedona came as an incredible surprise - so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  27. JoAnn: Your mom has already lived longer than both my parents, so she has lived a long life. I wish you all well as you deal with life's fragility. And oh yes, I will visit Holland again and, in fact, will probably live there one day!! :)

    Moi: If ever you need a new place to visit, this is definitely one I'd highly recommend! You will not be disappointed!

    Sublimely: Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I'm glad you "accidentally" found Sedona in that way. You would have found out about it later and would have kicked yourself for not knowing enough to stop by!

    ReplyDelete

Texel Island, NL, 2024: Renovations

  To be honest, I thought I had already posted about our January trip to start some renovations in Jaap's bungalow, as a gift from Astri...