2.4 (13) Relaxed in Sedona, AZ
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Sedona: A Stunning Gateway and How to Get There
I referred to Sedona before: 0.6. セドナ空港（Sedona Airport） | 自家用操縦士訓練物語～超怖がりな私が空を飛んだ日（My PPL Training Days） (ameblo.jp)
When I first visited Sedona, Arizona, it was just starting to become known to Japanese tourists and was still relatively unknown even within the US. Since the pandemic, domestic travel demand has increased, and Sedona has become popular across the country. More and more people have come not only to visit but also to move there, causing a surge in land and housing prices.
To get to Sedona, we fly to Phoenix, Arizona, then take a shuttle bus that takes about three and a half hours. Just before arriving, there is a spot where the atmosphere and landscape change dramatically. The breathtaking beauty and otherworldly atmosphere there feel like a gateway to Sedona.
The red rocks, colored by iron oxide, are an iconic symbol of Sedona. The area is well-equipped with essential facilities for tourists. Within a 20- to 30-minute drive, you can reach various hiking spots. Since most major trails have clearly marked signs, hiking without a tour guide is possible.
There is a quiet residential area called West Sedona at the foot of the red rocks, including Thunder Mountain. It has many health-focused food shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, Upper Sedona is a livelier, more tourist-oriented district.
A panoramic view of West Sedona from Airport Mesa, with Thunder Mountain in the background.
Thunder Mountain is said to have inspired Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain.
Sedona Airport
Sedona Airport is definitely my favorite airport. It is located atop a hill at an elevation of 4,827 feet (about 1,500 meters). The airport is quiet and serene, with no jet airliners in service. There is a nice restaurant right in front of the runway. I also like the Sky Ranch Lodge, which is located just nearby. At dusk, the view of West Sedona spreading out below is bathed in soft orange and pink hues as the lights slowly begin to appear—a truly heartwarming sight.
Sedona Airport
Airport Mesa
On the way to the airport, there is a place called Airport Mesa. The panoramic view there is stunning. I love this place so much that I hope to live in the area someday.
A panoramic view from Airport Mesa
Helicopter tours are also available. Helicopters can fly very close to cliffs, allowing you to fully experience their impressive scale.
An aerial view from a helicopter. So close to the cliffs!
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock offers a very satisfying hike. There are some steep sections on the way to the top, but overall, even beginners can manage the climb. After descending the mountain, I had trouble calling an Uber taxi due to poor Wi-Fi reception. When I gave up and started walking to town, an American couple I had met on the mountain kindly gave me a ride into town.
Bell Rock
Its name is quite obvious—it looks like a giant red bell. Because of this shape, you can’t reach the top easily. Occasionally, some daring people climb to the top and share videos of it. The climb doesn’t take very long.
Agave Plants
Agave syrup, a natural sweetener, is extracted from the plant’s root, while tequila is made from its stem.
Belt of Venus: On the Early Morning of My Return to Training
I was lucky to observe the Belt of Venus in the morning of the departing day on the way back. The three-day trip relaxed me, and I felt happy. Waking up early on the day I left Sedona gave me a beautiful view of the Belt of Venus just opposite the sunrise.
The Belt of Venus is an atmospheric phenomenon visible shortly before sunrise or after sunset, during civil twilight.
As I mentioned in my previous article 2.2 (5) Regulations | 自家用操縦士訓練物語～超怖がりな私が空を飛んだ日（My PPL Training Days） (ameblo.jp), civil twilight is defined in the definition of Night as follows: Night is the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the Air Almanac and converted to local time. This definition should be used when logging night flight time.
Once I returned to the base airport, I resumed flight training. Strangely, I felt no anxiety or fear. Could I fly solo? (continued)