When I picture Sedona, I picture gorgeous red rocks carved by nature. That was a picture I had in my mind prior to our arrival, and once we were there I was happy to see that picture confirmed. I've heard about Sedona before from several people. One of my closest friends is from Arizona, plus our in-laws live there for a few months out of the year, and they have always suggested that Tor and I visit Sedona, so we took this as a cue to do so. What drew us to Sedona is that it's located in the magnificent red rock country. With me being from New Jersey and Tor from Canada, it's certainly a sight we aren't used to. The drive from Phoenix to Sedona is around 2 hours, and I slept for a majority of that journey (super typical when Tor drives). About 30 minutes out, I woke up and saw the landscape had completely changed. Instead of vast valleys and hills, there were suddenly towering red pillars and canyons. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11814,11791"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11826,11829"] After checking into L'Auberge de Sedona, Tor and I drove 20 minutes southwest towards Crescent Moon Ranch/Red Rock Crossing. I wanted to visit this park specifically because it has several spots alongside Oak Creek that overlook the iconic Cathedral Rock. I knew I wanted to see the famous stepping stones, however once we arrived at them there was an intimate wedding ceremony going on. Considering the fact that we had just celebrated our own one-year wedding anniversary, it was touching and sweet for us to see another couple getting married and in such a picturesque spot. [gallery link="none" size="full" columns="2" ids="11801,11802"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11797,11793"] The weather was very warm, so once the ceremony concluded, Tor and I returned to the stepping stones. I took off my shoes and began wading in the (extremely cold!) creek. The stepping stones were actually underwater, and I assume in the summer once the creek's levels lower a bit that the stones will be a bit more prominent. Tor and I watched one poor hiker wipe out while trying to cross the raging creek. She had a good laugh about it, but she certainly could have crossed easier with the stepping stones! [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11803,11805"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11810,11811"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11806,11808"] Tor and I dined at our hotel L'Auberge de Sedona frequently, but the morning after we visited the Grand Canyon, we stopped at Red Rock Café which came highly recommended. When I saw they had chocolate chip pancakes, I knew I had found the right place for me. We also spent one evening away from our hotel at Mariposa, which was recommended to me by my friend Caitlin of A Dash of Darling. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11821,11824"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11822,11828"] It was too cold to try Slide Rock even though I brought a bathing suit and really wanted to! For those who don't know, it's a natural water slide amongst the rocks in Oak Creek that follows downstream. It's pretty much an Earth-made slide! While dipping my feet into the cold creek was no biggie, swimming in the cold water after battling a nasty cold didn't sound like a wise idea to me. So the next time we visit Sedona, we will be sure to visit Slide Rock and hopefully capture some not-so-graceful moves. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11832,11817"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="11818,11819"] Stay tuned for my Arizona travel guide where I will feature some more of our favorite spots in Sedona as well as Scottsdale and Phoenix. Photos by Torrance Coombs. Rococo Sand dress (last worn here; similar here and here), Vince boots (last worn here; similar here and here), Gucci bag, Preston & Olivia hat, Byredo Bal D'Afrique perfume, Illesteva sunglasses

When I picture Sedona, I picture gorgeous red rocks carved by nature. That was a picture I had in my mind prior to our arrival, and once we were there I was happy to see that picture confirmed. I’ve heard about Sedona before from several people. One of my closest friends is from Arizona, plus our in-laws live there for a few months out of the year, and they have always suggested that Tor and I visit Sedona, so we took this as a cue to do so.

What drew us to Sedona is that it’s located in the magnificent red rock country. With me being from New Jersey and Tor from Canada, it’s certainly a sight we aren’t used to. The drive from Phoenix to Sedona is around 2 hours, and I slept for a majority of that journey (super typical when Tor drives). About 30 minutes out, I woke up and saw the landscape had completely changed. Instead of vast valleys and hills, there were suddenly towering red pillars and canyons.

After checking into L’Auberge de Sedona, Tor and I drove 20 minutes southwest towards Crescent Moon Ranch/Red Rock Crossing. I wanted to visit this park specifically because it has several spots alongside Oak Creek that overlook the iconic Cathedral Rock. I knew I wanted to see the famous stepping stones, however once we arrived at them there was an intimate wedding ceremony going on. Considering the fact that we had just celebrated our own one-year wedding anniversary, it was touching and sweet for us to see another couple getting married and in such a picturesque spot.

The weather was very warm, so once the ceremony concluded, Tor and I returned to the stepping stones. I took off my shoes and began wading in the (extremely cold!) creek. The stepping stones were actually underwater, and I assume in the summer once the creek’s levels lower a bit that the stones will be a bit more prominent. Tor and I watched one poor hiker wipe out while trying to cross the raging creek. She had a good laugh about it, but she certainly could have crossed easier with the stepping stones!

Tor and I dined at our hotel L’Auberge de Sedona frequently, but the morning after we visited the Grand Canyon, we stopped at Red Rock Café which came highly recommended. When I saw they had chocolate chip pancakes, I knew I had found the right place for me. We also spent one evening away from our hotel at Mariposa, which was recommended to me by my friend Caitlin of A Dash of Darling.

It was too cold to try Slide Rock even though I brought a bathing suit and really wanted to! For those who don’t know, it’s a natural water slide amongst the rocks in Oak Creek that follows downstream. It’s pretty much an Earth-made slide! While dipping my feet into the cold creek was no biggie, swimming in the cold water after battling a nasty cold didn’t sound like a wise idea to me. So the next time we visit Sedona, we will be sure to visit Slide Rock and hopefully capture some not-so-graceful moves.

Stay tuned for my Arizona travel guide where I will feature some more of our favorite spots in Sedona as well as Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Photos by Torrance Coombs.

Rococo Sand dress (last worn here; similar here and here), Vince boots (last worn here; similar here and here), Gucci bag, Preston & Olivia hat, Byredo Bal D’Afrique perfume, Illesteva sunglasses