Solo in Sedona
Being alone is a practice.
Or a gift.
Or both.
But mostly, it’s necessary.
I like being alone, I’ve always liked being alone. I’m a highly sensitive person and an introvert, so spending time alone is quite invigorating and inspiring. It’s my recharge time, my creative time, my time to just do or feel whatever speaks to me. I think not just simply being alone but thriving alone is a practice and in return a gift.
To be clear, I don’t mean without others, as in solitary - in the literal sense. I mean in a solo frame of mind, a personal bubble where I am with my own self and thoughts - it could be in a quiet room reading next to my partner, or alone at a party observing those around me. Alone, meaning, with oneself, completely, no matter the environment.
So, I took a solo trip to Sedona because, well…I just needed some time alone, to adventure and explore and be with myself, by myself.
I chose Sedona sort of strategically. After some disappointing flight research - cost, time, etc - I decided wherever I was going, I needed to be able to drive there. Plus, I love to drive. I knew I wanted to go somewhere aesthetically pleasing and somewhere that felt safe. I figured a halfish day drive would do; I could get there and still have the evening to dally about. So…from San Diego, it was either up the coast (no brainer, love!) or east into the desert. Since I’ve been up the coast a thousand times and know what to expect, I decided to go east to a high desert city I’ve heard so many wonderful things about that I’ve never been to - Sedona.
Sedona is said to be magic.
Well, I can tell you…it is.
I arrived in Sedona on a Tuesday evening.
It’s a seven hour drive - nearly to the dot - from San Diego, where the landscapes change wildly and magnificently. When you pull into Sedona, you could almost see yourself entering a gateway into another universe. You just climbed 4000ft and then these extraordinary, out-of-this-world red and orange megaliths, rise up out of this very green high desert plateau like guiding arrows to a world beyond. It was cool, like nothing I’d ever seen, I was stoked.
My Airbnb was in this adorable quiet neighborhood and happened to be only 15 minutes walking distance from the Sugarloaf Trailhead. Since I arrived with some daylight left, I did the trail for sunset and oh my gosh, it was the most amazing, shortest, hike I’ve ever done. It only took another 15 from the trailhead to the summit. At the top, 360 views of the Sedona valley. I ended up doing this trail again for sunrise a couple days later.
Without giving away too much of the magic my own personal solo journey in Sedona, here are the high points and recommendations to inspire you to get out there and explore it all on your own.
Do ANY and ALL hikes at dawn, sunrise is the BEST time to hike, especially the really populated trails. I hiked the Boynton Canyon Trail to Subway Cave at sunrise and it was spectacular. It felt safe and clearly marked (not subway cave trail) and by the time I was headed back, it was packed full of people.
Swim in Oak Creek. There are a few different swimming holes along the river: Slide Rock, Grasshopper Point, and Buddha Beach. I only went to Buddha beach, but this is definitely something I would do more of on my next trip. Most beaches have fees. I think Slide rock is $20/car, Buddha beach was $12/car. It was worth it.
Allow for kismet. My favorite thing that surprised me about the trip, is that I met other women solo traveling nearly each place I went. How beautiful and empowering. And, I came home with only a name for each of their stories, no contacts or social media, just their names. Kind of natural, in the softest way, I’d say.
The morning of my last day, just before I drove out of town, I did the Sugarloaf Trail one more time - at sunrise of course. I spent 30 minutes at the summit just taking it all in, breathing, sitting, looking and thinking. And, if I hadn’t been present, patient and open at that moment, I may have missed my favorite view of the whole trip.
I took a lot of photos on my trip, great photos! This was one of the worst - but honestly it’s my favorite, you can image why.
Now, go out, be brave, courageous and soft. Take yourself on adventures and be open to the magic of it. It takes practice, but it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Links
Airbnb: Casita Good Karma
AllTrails: Sugarloaf Trail + Boynton Canyon Trail
Eating: Mariposa for dinner (views are amazing!) + Hideaway House for lunch (also amazing views!)
