Sedona Day 3&4

By our third day in Sedona, I already didn’t want the trip to end. The morning kicked off with something I was looking forward to our whole trip—sunrise yoga on a red rock cliff, overlooking the stunning valley below. It was the most perfect morning as we flowed through poses, and I couldn’t help but wish this was my regular yoga studio. It was peaceful, grounding, and such a beautiful way to start the day. I only wish our instructor had taken some more dynamic photos of us—because let’s be honest, we were doing some pretty cool stuff up there!

The view of our yoga studio

 

After breakfast, we headed out to Boynton Canyon Trail, and I have to say, it was my favorite hike of the trip. The trail winds through beautiful, lush canyon terrain, and the final stretch at the end—where the crowds drop off and the canyon walls rise dramatically—is just breathtaking. It felt like a little pocket of stillness tucked away from the busier spots.

On the way back down, we did make the detour to the Subway Cave, one of Sedona’s famous vortex spots. It’s a really unique rock formation and worth seeing, but it was packed. The narrow trail and crowds made it a little stressful, so I didn’t linger long. Brad, on the other hand, ventured around and explored the other side of the cave while I made my way back. Different paces, same appreciation for the beauty around us.

To top off an already magical day, we indulged in a couples massage—which felt amazing after all the hiking—and then treated ourselves to a fancy dinner at The Hudson. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and the perfect way to celebrate the final night of our trip.

Subway Cave

On our last morning, we were determined to squeeze in one more hike—Cathedral Rock. We’d tried before and couldn’t find parking, so we figured an early Monday morning would be our golden ticket. Turns out… nope. Still no parking. Since I’ve hiked it before, I told Brad to go for it and dropped him off at the trailhead while I grabbed some coffee and enjoyed one last quiet morning soaking in the views.

Brad said the hike was incredible—steep, rugged, and unforgettable. He even witnessed a wedding up there! Not a bad way to end a Sedona adventure.

(the wedding)

Then it was back to reality. We’d left the kids home on their own for the first time, and they did great! It’s such a good feeling to know they’re at the age where we can take a quick getaway and trust they’ll be okay.

This trip was everything I hoped it would be: adventure, beauty, time with Brad, and a little space to breathe and reflect. Sedona never disappoints—and it was the perfect way to celebrate a new decade.

Sedona Day 2

Our second day in Sedona was all about getting off the beaten path—literally. We rented mountain bikes in the morning and hit one of the “easier” trails… although I’ve now learned that in Sedona, easy is a very relative term. The trail was about 3 miles, but between the rocky terrain, steep inclines, and sharp turns, it turned into more of a ride/hike combo for me. Let’s just say there were plenty of moments where I was walking my bike instead of riding it! But the views made up for every challenging stretch, and it was still such a fun way to experience the landscape.

After lunch, Brad had his eye on a longer 7-mile ride, but I decided to peel off and explore on foot instead. I found a hiking trail that overlapped with Brad’s biking route (even though I never actually spotted him), and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. For the first part of the hike, I didn’t see a single other person. It was just me, the red rocks, and it was so peaceful and grounding. I loved having that stretch of solitude to just soak in the beauty of Sedona without any distractions.

Eventually, the quiet trail connected with the more popular Devil’s Bridge trail, and suddenly it went from nobody around to crowds galore. I hiked all the way up to the top, but decided not to wait in the forever-long line for the photo op on the bridge. I’d already done that on a previous trip, and the clock was ticking to catch the last shuttle back to my car—thankfully I made it just in time!

Meanwhile, Brad was loving his longer ride. He said it was definitely challenging and confirmed that I made the right call skipping it. Sounds like it was a win-win for both of us: we each got our version of adventure for the day.

Dinner that night was at a local pizza place—definitely not your standard pepperoni-and-cheese joint. They had some creative combinations and bold flavors that totally hit the spot after a full day outside.

By the end of the day, we were sun-soaked, tired, and happy. Another perfect chapter in our Sedona escape.

 

Sedona Day 1

To celebrate my 40th birthday, Brad and I took a quick getaway to Sedona—and it was everything I hoped it would be. I went a few years ago with some girlfriends and completely fell in love with the beauty of the red rocks, the peaceful desert air, and the magical feel that Sedona seems to wrap around you. Ever since that trip, I knew I wanted to come back again, this time with Brad. It felt like the perfect place to mark a new decade.

On our first day there, we hiked Soldier Pass—an incredible 3-mile trail that winds past the Seven Sacred Pools, which are little pockets of water carved into the rock. They were beautiful, but the real highlight for us was the hidden cave near the end of the trail. We scrambled up a rocky climb to get to it and were blown away once inside. It felt like a secret world, and we had it mostly to ourselves. There’s something so peaceful about exploring a place like that—quiet, ancient, and absolutely stunning.

The weather was cooler than usual for April in Arizona. In fact, it had snowed just days before we arrived! But the cooler temps ended up being perfect for hiking. We did get a little light rain along the trail, but nothing that slowed us down or took away from the beauty of the day.

The Seven Sacred Pools

The hidden cave!

That evening, we had dinner at the Mesa Grill, which is perched next to the Sedona airport and is known for its sweeping views of the valley. We timed it a little late, so we caught the sunset during our drive up and arrived after dark—meaning we missed the views, but definitely not the meal! I ordered the Cajun shrimp and grits, and they were incredible. So flavorful and comforting—such a perfect way to end a day full of fresh air, gorgeous scenery, and time with my favorite person.