{Red Rock Country Sedona Arizona}

Yes, this time around we did get to visit those special highlights in Sedona, becoming part of those annually nearly 4,000,000 visitors! 

Driving up from Scottsdale, Arizona via Freeway 101, onto Interstate-17 and than Highway 179 we passed through Village of Oak Creek where we saw the above Courthouse Rock

The above map was handed to us at the Hyatt Pinon Pointe, A Hyatt Residence Club and you can view it on SedonaTV ←(click it) and from video you can get map.

Next in Village of Oak Creek we got to see Bell Rock, with still a glimpse of Courthouse Rock to the right...

We did follow Highway 89A, from the Hyatt to the West and took a left on Upper Red Rock Loop Road (seen at left), towards Red Rock Crossing and Crescent Moon State Park...

Photo taken from Upper Red Rock Loop Road with a stunning view of Cathedral Rock!

We also learned that for making the BEST photo, you probably have to try doing so over the entire day for selecting the best hour!

Here we are at Crescent Moon Ranch ←(click it) - Coconino National Forest

You pay an entrance fee of $ 10.00 per car.

That's it!

Yes, we opted for this easy trail type, as Pieter had heart cramps at the end of January and we did not dare to go for the strenuous 7 mile hike UP on Cathedral Rock from the other side.

It was so very bright and sunny that I am but a light blob here in this photo in front of the Water Wheel

Here I am on the trail and you can see that the trees almost fully did bud out, on March 26. That way they very much do obstruct the view of Cathedral Rock from this point.

Pieter just loved this very special tree that we found along Oak Creek...

Once we walked past the tall trees, we could clearly see the majestic Cathedral Rock!

Quite a sight... This is Red Rock Crossing with Oak Creek flowing in front of Cathedral Rock

Oak Creek was beautiful as well!

This is just taken from a video I made, showing Pieter making the above photos...

Here we are on Chapel Road...

Sign saying there is additional parking ahead...

This is Chapel of The Holy Cross ←click it

Below you find a photo from the inside of this special Chapel.

Photo credit: Flickr Dave Toussaint

Great architecture by Marguerite Brunswig Staube and it seems to be huge!

We did not go inside, as it is quite a bit of a hike from the parking lot and might have been too strenuous on Pieter...

Below you find excellent videos with far better images, to understand Sedona's beauty!

Related links:
{Sedona, Arizona - Hyatt Piñon Pointe} | previous post by me
{Scenic 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona, Arizona} | previous post by me
Sedona: The Spirit of Wonder, Original IMAX Movie | BEST video to watch Sedona's beauty!
Arizona Travel Video Guide | Incredible video about Arizona and its Red Rocks
Red Rock TV | link to video with great info and images of Sedona and its Red Rocks
Secret Sedona | Youtube video with great images

{My Rice Cakes FIT in this Dutch Rusk Tin}

For my favorite Rice cakes I did find this perfect Dutch Rusk Tin at: The Little Dutch Girl in Texas. Just click the hyperlink... BUT, when it arrived I had no Rice Cakes to try if it really worked. So when we came back from our one night at the Hyatt Place Atlanta - Perimeter Center and did some shopping I tried it out right away!

Yep it works! 

Table full with birthday cards, that we found in the mail, for Pieter, upon coming home from Dutch King's Day Celebration...

Bottle of water almost finished during my ride back from Atlanta and now I'm ready for my tea with a RICE CAKE!

Whole Foods Market is selling them and my favorite flavor is TAMARI with SEAWEED...

This is the Blue Delft Design Dutch Rusk Tin...

A windmill on the lid...

Excuse me: I could not wait!

Do you also love Rice Cakes?

{Sedona, Arizona - Hyatt Piñon Pointe}

On September 3, of 2014 we did pass through Sedona, on our way to Scottsdale, returning  from the Grand Canyon. We fell in love with the beauty of its Red Rocks. We stopped at the Hyatt Piñon Pointe at that time and now we came back to stay here a couple of nights and to explore the breathtaking views.

Lovely Pueblo architecture and the view from this Hyatt Piñon Pointe is incredible!

The parking lot in front of our unit, our rental car is not visible here...

Husband Pieter is standing in the entrance of our  first floor 1 bedroom unit #1712. There are two levels.

Like a little village it is nestled atop a hill and there are 98 2 bedroom and 11, 1 bedroom units.

From our unit, looking to the left...

We did drive up the I-17 from Scottsdale and than the Red Rock Scenic Byway 179 ←click it for some photos and on maps for seeing the above.

Feels good to be home away from home with lunch on the balcony...

Outside our balcony we have our own Red Rock formation...

Next to the square wooden garbage bin you see the stairs going down. There was a very neat walkway, connecting the different units for reaching the pool, restaurant and shops.

Everywhere we saw yellow Banksia roses...

Beautiful landscaping and meticulous gardens.

Can you imagine for having a view like this from the pool area?

It felt heavenly to stretch out and relax...

Yellow Banksia Roses

Stunning views of the Red Rocks all around us...

Even from the Wildflower Bread Company we could see the beautiful Red Rocks...

My vegetarian ginger carrot soup with fresh baked bread from the bakery.

Stepping outside of the restaurant you had this view!

You can read more about the Sedona Geology ←(click). The deep red color for which Sedona is famous, is because of the presence of hematite (iron oxide).

For March 26th this was perfect weather!

View from the Hyatt Piñon Pointe...

Indeed, some of the most spectacular and picturesque canyons and buttes found anywhere in the world!

You can see that we are on top of a hill and Hwy 179 is visible here below.

Wherever you turn, the view is breathtaking!

We both loved their architecture, so well incorporated into the scenery.

Great art work near the shops

We both loved this!

Cute turtle...

Sedona is at an elevation of 4500 feet and got established in 1902

Next I will take you sight seeing to Cathedral Rock and The Chapel of The Holy Cross as seen on above's map...

Hope that this post has been helpful to others!

On Trip Advisor my Review of: “Sedona, Arizona - Hyatt Piñon Pointe” has been read by 2,799 readers.

Related link:

{Scenic 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona, Arizona} | previous post by me