A Day in Sedona: Hikes, IPA, and a Touch of Disappointment
Travelling’s about collecting experiences – some good, some not quite what you expected – and in our case, it’s about walking just enough to earn a pint (or three), keeping the silver-haired crowd at bay, and wrestling with parking spots. Join me on a cheeky recount of our day, with a side of bagels and beer, of course.
Morning Shuffle: From Alarm to Bagels
Alarm set for 08:00. I’d like to tell you I sprang from bed, full of beans, but alas, the allure of the snooze button was strong. However, at 08:30 sharp, we were showered, dressed, and feasting on a hotel breakfast that boasted the finest (or most common, depending on how you see it) cereals, bagels, and coffee on offer. The dining area? Packed! The secret was out, folks. We managed to snag a table, but with the influx of silver tops – you know, the type who are up at the crack of dawn without an alarm – I wasn’t sure we’d be as lucky tomorrow. Better be quick if I want my seat and my bagel!
The Red Rock Shuffle: Courthouse Vista Parking
By 09:30, we were out of the hotel and off to Courthouse Vista. But before that, we had to part with five whole dollars for a “Red Rock Pass.” A true bargain, right? I mean, that pass gave us the honour of looping a butte and sharing the trail with fellow hikers – priceless.
Driving from Oak Creek to Courthouse Vista was a quick jaunt, or at least it would’ve been if we hadn’t spent a good while circling the parking lot like vultures, searching for a spot. Three laps later, we struck gold and parked the car.
The Courthouse Butte Loop: A Meandering Morning Stroll
And so, off we went on the Courthouse Butte Loop, weaving our way around the grand Courthouse Butte and eventually finding ourselves at Bell Rock, one of Sedona’s iconic formations. The loop is 4.5 miles, which sounded manageable at the outset, but the morning sun was already promising a toasty hike.
The trail was busy, with people of all kinds sharing the path, most notably a lovely couple from South Africa who were full of stories. It’s always nice to stumble upon a chatty pair, but by mile four, conversation was the last thing Michele wanted – she’d gone quiet, which is her way of saying, “I’m knackered but will keep going.” She might’ve been out of her comfort zone, but she powered through like a trooper.
We clocked the whole 4.5 miles in under two hours – not bad, considering the heat was reaching a comfortable 80 degrees, and we climbed a total of 350 feet, bringing us to a scenic 4500 feet above sea level. My reward for completing the walk? A well-deserved shower.
A Quick Hello to Mum and Dad
Refreshed, I grabbed my phone for a quick video call with the parents. They were well – no drama there, so it was a short and sweet catch-up. Nothing quite like the comfort of a familiar face after a long walk in the desert heat, even if it’s through a screen.
From Sedona to Flagstaff: Munds Wagon and Oak Creek Vista
Now, the plan for the afternoon was to head from Oak Creek towards Sedona. Easy, right? Well, Sedona is lovely, but we kept on driving, eventually winding our way up to Flagstaff. On the way, we took in the Munds Wagon Trail and the picturesque Oak Creek Vista. The views were everything you’d expect from Sedona – red rocks, pine trees, and blue skies.
Flagstaff itself, though? Let’s just say it didn’t exactly knock our socks off. Maybe it was the end of a long day or just the high expectations that Sedona’s dramatic scenery sets, but Flagstaff left us feeling a bit flat. Nevertheless, it was the end of our drive for the day, and we were ready to head back to the hotel in Oak Creek.
Dinner at PJ’s Village Pub: Northerners Do Tea
There’s nothing quite like knowing you’ve earned your tea (as we call it up North), and what better place than PJ’s Village Pub to do so? The local IPA was flowing – three pints for me, to be exact – while Michele went for something a bit more posh with a Disaronno. But let’s not forget the food: half a rack of ribs that hit the spot after all that hiking. Simple, hearty fare, the kind that pairs perfectly with a pint.
By the end of the night, we were done. Between the miles walked, the beers consumed, and the ribs devoured, it was safe to say that bed was calling our name. Tomorrow promised a long drive, so we needed all the rest we could get.
What’s Next: Skywalk, Hoover Dam, and Vegas
Tomorrow, we’d be back on the road, this time to some of the American Southwest’s biggest icons: the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and the one and only Las Vegas. A true mix of natural wonder and man-made spectacle. The journey would be long, but with a good night’s sleep and a solid breakfast (again, here’s hoping for bagels), we’d be ready.
Final Thoughts: The Day We Earned Our Ribs and IPA
There’s something uniquely satisfying about a day like this one – walking through iconic landscapes, sharing the trail with strangers who somehow don’t feel like strangers, and ending it all with hearty food and drink. Sure, Flagstaff didn’t dazzle, but the day was about more than that. It was about the moments – the quiet between miles, the chatty South African couple, and the comfort of a cold IPA after a long day.
Tomorrow would be another adventure, but for tonight, it was time to close the curtains, let the day settle, and prepare for whatever came next.
