Sedona?

Post IMAZ we stayed in the Briar Patch Inn, in the Ivy cabin.   Absolutely fantastic grounds, would stay there again in a hearbeat

http://www.briarpatchinn.com/

Eh, thanks, but I don't think that will work. My husband gets motion sickness from bouncy/bumpy stuff and a Jeep fits right in there. The Ruins tour looks awesome though! 

I don't travel much, but back in '94 me and my volleyball team were there for a big tournament...Sedona was easily my highlight of the week...okay, Sedona and all the hotties on the ASU campus!  

Seriously, we just pulled our team van off on the side of the road and we proceeded to scale some very tall red rocks with completely inappropriate footwear...I'm surprised none of us were maimed or killed climbing up so high.  It really is the most beautiful, surreal, and serene area I've ever been...we did see a baby rattlesnake out there...glad we didn't see the momma.  Be careful!

I worked near there (north of there mostly) for 2 years.  When I stayed in Sedona, I stayed at the Best Western Casa Robles.  It was pretty nice.  Trails are everywhere out there.  The verde river runs almost year-round.  Oak Creek runs in some areas. 

Even though they're at 4000 feet of elevation, it gets pretty darn hot there in the summer.  97-100 this week.  Traffic can be pretty busy down in the canyon with all the summer tourists.

If you're looking for two really great hikes this time of year, go up the hill to Kendrick Mountain (11,000 feet).  The trail is so nice and clear and shaded most of the time.  The altitude doesn't hit you until you're about 1000 feet from the summit.  It's such a nice hike with beautiful views.

The other hike near there is up Mt Humphreys.  It's a pretty tough climb (12,633 feet, parking area is at 8000 feet).  Trail is tough to find toward the top because it's so rocky.  But it too is a very cool climb.  When you reach the top, you can see into the Grand Canyon, south to Crown King, all of Northern AZ basically.

Unless you're married to the idea of Sedona, I'd recommend Flagstaff this time of year. It has very nice weather (70s-low 80s), it has great outdoor activities (hikes, climbs, rides) and Great food (Diablo Burger, Tinderbox, Nandos).  

This. Sedona is one of my favorites places ever.

Regarding the creepie-crawlies: Do not put your hands where you can't see them, and shake out your shoes before putting them on.

Sedona is beautiful. Tell us how your trip went. My grandmother had a cabin there and we spent many weekends there when I was a kid.

Teejaay - 2012-06-27 1:12 PM

ChrisM - 2012-06-27 10:21 AM Don't forget the vortices 

Oh yes!!!  You can get a map of where the vortices are!  Go sit in them.  Bring your crystals too!

I joke but I loooooove Sedona.  One of my most favorite places to be in the outdoors!  Absolutely beautiful! 

Actually I thought the twisted trees in a couple of them were pretty cool.  But yes, it's very new agey

Love it there, we lived in AZ for 3 years and even named our Choc Lab 'Sedona".

Look up some bed and breakfast places, that way you feel like a local and have the locals tell you the best places to go.

Hike to Devil's bridge.  Well worth it and not a ton of people. Bring water.

http://www.greatsedonahikes.com/devilsbr/devilsbr.htm

Yay.  I had eaten there just once on our cross-country jaunt last summer but it was memorable.  That was no guarantee that your experience would be the same.  Glad I and some others in this thread steered you to a good meal.

Did you get the ribs?

TW

Ribs were not on the menu. I'm assuming it's a seaonsal, rotating menu, kinda place? K had the duck with jalapeño mac & cheese with an extra side of blue cheese grits, and I had scallops with fresh "creamed" corn (not the typical southern style, but ohhhh so good). 

Off to hike!