We kicked off our Sedona escapade leaving Lake Havasu at a sizzling 100 degrees and making a pit stop at Circle K for gas ($2.98 a gallon, thank you very much!)
We hit legendary Route 66 in Kingman, where the temperature mercifully dropped to a mere 96. We celebrated this slight dip in the mercury with a crucial stop at Sonic – because nothing says “road trip” like a Route 44 unsweet tea for my incredible wife, Leesa (keeping it classy, folks!) and a Diet Dr. Pepper for me, along with a side of cheesy tots. Pure, unadulterated bliss!
Our Sedona Digs
Our journey continued through Williams, where a miraculous 73-degree monsoon (yes, you read that right, a monsoon! I didn’t even know there was a monsoon season!) greeted us. We then ventured into the breathtaking beauty of Oak Creek Canyon via AZ 89A, a road so winding and scenic it made our heads spin (in a good way!).
We rolled into Club Wyndham Sedona around 2 PM. We were ready to settle into our “mobility lockoff.” It sounds less like a room and more like a secret agent hideout, if you ask me. The desert heat was back, clocking in at 93 degrees, but our spirits weren’t dampened. We’d originally booked a one-bedroom mobility unit. However, the travel gods (or perhaps a very kind front desk angel) smiled upon us. They upgraded us to a two-bedroom lock-off. It felt like stepping into two complete, accessible condos. They were connected by a magical inner door, creating a true condo-ception.
Now, for a moment, it looked like we might not have access to our original unit. The lock to the mobility unit had apparently staged a protest and deadbolted itself. But fear not! Our maintenance hero swooped in. He came armed with the tool for the job: zip-ties oddly enough. Having experienced this issue before, he had us in our palatial digs in no time.
And what digs they were! We’re talking more space than our actual tiny house back home. A king-sized bed (because a king deserves a king-sized sleep, even with a walker!), a bathroom that could double as a spa (walk-in shower AND a jetted tub – hello, relaxation!), and a kitchen that practically begged us to whip up a gourmet meal (we settled for takeout, because, vacation). Plus, a washer and dryer! Our deck offered a serene view of piney goodness with just a peek of those famous red rocks. After the rain rolled through, the air cooled off beautifully. This, my friends, was hands down the best unit of our entire trip – like a penthouse for two, mobility-style!
The Grand Canyon: Train, Rain, and No Driving Pain!
The next day dawned at a pleasant 74 degrees and sunny, perfect for our grand adventure to the Grand Canyon. We braved the infamous Sedona roundabouts (seven in a row, people! It’s like a dizzying dance of directional decisions!) and made the hour-and-a-half drive back through Oak Creek Canyon to Williams for the Grand Canyon Railroad Depot.
I’d splurged on first-class tickets both ways. Frankly, if you’re going to ride a fancy train, why do it halfway? I’d checked the website, confirmed accessibility, and felt pretty smug. Then, at the counter, I had a brief “oh no” moment. I realized a quick phone call might have made things smoother. But bless her heart, the ticket clerk was a pro. She got us squared away on the right accessible car. Before we knew it, a hand-cranked hydraulic platform expertly lifted me onto the train. It felt less like boarding a train and more like being beamed up, Scotty! Plenty of room to maneuver my wheelchair, and I happily transferred to a comfy train seat.
The train ride itself was glorious, treating us to more stunning scenery. No driving stress, just pure, unadulterated relaxation. Once we arrived at the Grand Canyon, we peered over the edge from behind a very sensible wall. Of course, that’s when a monstrous rainstorm decided to make its grand entrance. We took refuge on a nearby covered deck, enjoying the majestic views despite the downpour.
After a leisurely three-hour visit, we reboarded our train car and indulged in on-train snacks. We also enjoyed delightful banter with our sweet attendant. Evidently every train ride back to the depot has to make a stop for the infamous outlaw train robbers. Fortunately the Sheriff was on the train so they were eventually captured and detained after visiting every car!
We returned to the train depot and then made the gorgeous drive back through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. It was a perfect day of exploration, even with a side of spontaneous shower!
Sedona’s Spiritual Side and Sipping Views
Sedona’s red rocks are truly something else. Driving around is like constantly being in a postcard, with majestic formations and canyons at every turn. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is an absolute marvel. It is a Catholic church built right into the rock. A 90-foot cross seems to be wedged between two towering red sentinels. It’s a masterpiece, both architecturally and spiritually.
Later, we decided to explore Sedona’s sole distillery, Redwall Distillery. Their flights were solid – definitely a step above the “bottom shelf,” though perhaps not quite “top shelf” material. But honestly, the spirits were secondary to the view. The distillery is perched on a hill. It offered panoramic vistas of at least three other mesas. All of them were bathed in that glorious red rock glow. Sitting there, sipping a flight, and soaking in the scenery felt like pure bliss. My wallet might have felt a slight tremor, but my soul was soaring!
Sedona is not known for its breweries. We tried Oak Creek Brewery, it was only 1 mile from our condo. The flight was spendy, $17 for a 5 beer flight. Our pizza was named the Milk & Cow: steak, American cheese, roasted peppers and onions. At the cost of $22 it seemed overpriced but it was really good.
Leesa’s Vortex Verdict: Chakras and Chill
Now, I have to hand it over to my wonderful wife, Leesa, for her take on Sedona’s famous vortexes. There are several scattered around, and the easiest one to access is supposedly at Airport Mesa. Some people might swear by the little hill beside the Mesa. However, Leesa, with her finely tuned chakra radar, was convinced the real energy was flowing on top of the Mesa.
“I could just feel the energy, my chakras aligning!” she declared, eyes sparkling. Whether it was the actual vortex or just the sheer beauty of Sedona, she felt refreshed. And honestly, who am I to argue with a woman whose chakras are aligning? Happy wife, happy life, especially when she’s pushing my wheelchair up a slight incline!
Until Next Time, Sedona!
Sedona is undeniably beautiful. Our three days here were a fantastic blend of adventure and relaxation. We spent time dodging daily monsoons. These storms, like clockwork, would arrive, dump some rain, and then vanish. They left behind glorious cool air. From accessible accommodations to scenic train rides, and breathtaking views, Sedona truly delivered.
Tomorrow, we’re off to Gallup, New Mexico, but we’ll carry the magic of Sedona (and the memory of those seven roundabouts!) with us.
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