Another Phenomenal Drive in the Books

Another phenomenal drive. First though a night in a wigwam. Yes, THE wigwams off of Rt. 66. It was a bit … how shall one say … unusual in an uneasy sort of way because the only thing that separates you from death by serial killers or zombies is a flimsy wooden door with a very questionable lock. They still give you a room key. I mean I totally dig the kitch but c’mon.

Yep, that tiny door separates me from the elements and zombies.

It was cozy, I'll say that. But kind of creepy too. 

But – as Maria put it – was a brave little toaster and slept HARD. I was just so tired of all the running around the past week, all the bitter cold, and all juggling work and travel I didn’t care. I cranked up the heat like a mother and huddled under my sherpa blanket for the night. I do remember a couple occasions waking up from a solid slumber thinking, “Oh my God, I’m sleeping in a wigwam.” I think one time I questioned whether I was being culturally insensitive to the Native Americans. Their land is glorious, and it belongs to them. It’s hard living out here. All respect to these tough as nails people.

Fun fact: The owners/operators are only there from 3-9, so if something happens at night you're S.O.L. until 3 the next afternoon. 

Anyhow, 10 hours later I had enough of sleeping in a wigwam and attempted to shower. If you think showering in a concrete wigwam sucks it does. That water is freakin’ cold! Needless to say I got ready earlier than planned and decided to head out.

I wanted to have a hearty breakfast first but the place I was planning to go to was closed. That’s the bummer about doing this in the winter, a lot of places close for the season. I can see why. Too bad though, it’s surprisingly extra beautiful with the snow and whatnot. I hate snow, but this is on a whole different level. I digress. I picked up a sausage egg McMuffin (eh, it’ll do) and headed to the Petrified Forest National Park. Holy shit snacks is that place HUGE! Damn! It blew me away, it really did. But fuuuuck was it cold. Windy and cold, blech. The drive was nice, I’ll say that. Oh, and I picked up souvenirs.

Petrified Forest was impressive, I’m so glad I took the time and paid the entrance fee to see it. Time to move on to Sedona. I drove up and down this mountain in Coconino Forest and that was just the most amazing drive of my life. It was scary a.f. in spots – you fall from tall you go quiet forever – but it was sooo worth it. It was like driving a paper clip that collapsed upon itself. The trees, the snow, oh my gosh it was beyond anything you can imagine. I’m so, so glad I saw that in the winter! You just can’t imagine the heavenly beauty of it. Glorious.

Petrified Forest is HUGE! I drove what seemed like forever in it. 

Rt. 66 used to cut through the forest. This old Studebaker commemorates the great road that once was. 

Did I mention it was friggin' cold?

And then there it was at the bottom of the mountain: Sedona. The red rocks, holy crap! It’s so unimaginatively beautiful, stunning. I just … this is the best trip ever, hands down. I am so, SO lucky to see all this. But wait, there’s more!

After a bite to eat at a pizza and bar place (good life choice: strawberry goat cheese salad), I headed to the destination, Sedona Sacred Rocks. I’m in the Fairy Suite and have an unobstructed view of a couple red rock mesas that gleam in the sunset. And so, as I was sitting there in front of the large window that gives me this indescribable view, feet up on the ledge drinking some peppermint tea, I chuckled at what I accomplished for myself. I said I was going to do it and damn it I did it. Didn’t need no help from no man, nope. I truly am a badass. I have just written a new story for myself.

This is the view from my cabin window!

How I enjoyed coffee in bed the next morning. 

I spent a lot of time just looking out at this view. 

The Fairy Suite!!!

Did I mention this was at a "metaphysical B&B"?

The view the morning I left. It snowed and was so pretty. This snow I can get into.

C’mon, how friggin’ cool? Tell me something interesting about yourself. Well, after my kid went to college and my lease was up, I went on a 7-week (working) walkabout around the Southwest before moving to Nashville. Stayed in Roswell on Friday the 13^th, went sledding at White Sands, holed up in a tiny casita in Gila National Forest while waiting out a winter event, slept in a wigwam off Rt. 66, and now glamping in Sedona in the forest, overlooking mesas in a “fairy suite” at a horse farm. Oh, and this is day 8 of 49.