Sedona Arizona and Hopi Reservation

SEDONA ARIZONA AND THE HOPI RESERVATION

TRAVEL ADVENTURE WITH LASTING IMPRESSIONS

We gasped in awe as our van rounded the final corner into Sedona Arizona, and we beheld our first breath taking glimpse into this red rock wonder.

I was traveling with about a dozen women through Adventurous Wench, an adventure touring company for women only.

The red rock formations are spectacular. We never tired of looking at them. They were the first thing we saw in the morning, and the last thing we saw at night from our hotel room.

You can experience the red rocks any way you like, by hiking, horseback, jeep, mountain bike or helicopter.

Sedona is a Mecca for health and healing. You can get a massage; practice meditation; visit a spiritual vortex; get an aura reading, consult a psychic and much more.

Browse countless tourist shops specializing in crystals, gem stones, art and jewelry. Be prepared to climb stairs and lots of them since everything is built into the Rocks.

Restaurants tantalize your taste buds. My favorite is the Cowboy club. It features a menu which includes Elk and Buffalo. If you haven’ tried these, go ahead. They are delicious and very nutritional.

Looking for McDonalds? What, no golden arches? Look again. They are teal blue to better blend in with Sedona’s unique backdrop.

Sedona is not a hot night spot. If you are looking for the night life scene, forget it. Everything shut sdown early.

After spending a weekend with the Adventurous Wench group, I decided to strike out on my own. I booked a tour witch offered a one day trip to the Hopi Reservation.

This tour, I don’t remember the name of it, picked me up at my hotel and we drove about two hours north to the Hopi reservation. The drive is spectacular through canyons and mountains with winding twisting hair pin turns.

Visiting the Hopi reservation thrusts you back to ancient times.

The Hopi reside on three mesas, First Mesa, Second Mesa and Third Mesa.

Second Mesa is the most modern. It has the most commercial shops and a hotel. First and Third Mesas are more primitive. On first and third mesas, many dwellings lack phones, electricity and indoor plumbing. Some prefer to live this way and some simply cannot afford the modern conveniences.

The Hopi are famous for their carved kaTsina dolls and their pottery. When you visit there, bring cash because most places do not accept credit cards. In fact, most people sell their arts and crafts directly from their homes or small adjacent shops.

The katsina doll represents a powerful being or image. It can bring fertility, rain, healing, or a bountiful harvest. According to the Hopi tradition, if you by a katsina doll, you must buy the corn to present as an offering as well.

Many young folks have deserted the reservation in search of jobs else ware. The old folks remain. The Hopi take care of their elderly. When I visited, I saw several elderly women sitting outside their dwellings hoping that someone would come buy and purchase something from them. It is a moving site and an encouraging sight. These folks are hardy. They are hard workers and they won’t give up. The land is beautiful but harsh as well. Lack of rain is a constant worry.

For big city dwellers, this area is a fantastic get away destination. The space is vast and open. You will experience a real sense of freedom. I hope to return someday to the Hopi to witness the ceremonial dances some of witch are open to the public.

The tour guide, a Native American, added to the folklore of the reservation. As we drove to and from the reservation, he explained Hopi traditions, told stories, sang songs, played drums. We had a chance to shake the rattles and participate in the experience. For more information contact the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office.