I spent my Spring break in Sedona, Arizona. Many of my students have asked me why I would go to Arizona and I have no particular answer. I like visiting different places and I felt like getting in touch with my "inner nature goddess." So, I picked Arizona.
Sedona is touted as a funky little artsy town. It is artsy and funky, but I found that it has begun to cater to tourists a little too much, and in the process is losing a bit of its identity. It is the equivalent of your favorite musician "selling out." The town has chosen to bask in the economic benefits of more tourism at the expense of forgetting what drew visitors in the first place. I am glad that I was able to see the town in the beginning of this process, before all of the "good stuff" is sucked up by capitalism.
On the other hand, the town is quite environmentally friendly (which I loved) and strives to pass along its environmental tips to visitors. For example, there are few stop lights and instead roundabouts. This saves people an average of 40 gallons of gas each year. Also, most of the lights shine downward therefore cutting back on the light pollution in the area.
But, regardless of my opinions on the "feel" of the area, the natural beauty of Arizona cannot be argued. Every morning as we drove through Red Rock Country I gazed in awe at the beautiful rock formations. You could live here your entire life and always be able to see something new. The light from the sky constantly bathes the land in new and interesting ways and the night sky seems surreal as the moon hangs above the mountain tops.
Although the beauty of the Red Rocks was breathtaking, the Grand Canyon surpassed it all. I felt honored to see the Grand Canyon for the second time in my life. You would think that looking at a bunch of rocks is no big deal, but when you get there and can feel the wind blowing through your hair, those rocks become a living, breathing, entity. As you gaze down into hundreds of years of life you feel thankful to be able to see something so extraordinary. A sight like the Grand Canyon can inspire even the most ambitious people.
Have any of you witnessed a natural wonder that changed the way you look at the world? I would love to hear about it - perhaps a picture too! Check out the slideshow on the right to see some pictures from my trip.
23 comments:
I have to agree with you on the Grand canyon and Sedona's red rocks. It was breathtaking the first time I saw it. At first I was very reluctant to go, because I didn't think it would be fun. In actuality it was very enjoyable. The view is unlike anything you've ever seen.
I saw you pictures, my favorite is the one with you and the cactus!
When my parents decided to move out of New Jersey they had either Arizona or Florida in mind. We use to travel to Florida yearly so before we made our choice we went to Arizona. The senery there in Arizona is breathtaking, incredible to see. It was one of my favorite landscapes that I have seen. I also loved the seeing waterfalls and the ocean views from the moutains in Hawaii.
I've always wanted to go to Arizona but I have not got the chance to go. An experience I will never forget is going to the Panama Canal. That was so neat to see and feel. The only way to describe it is it's like a bathtub. They fill up this canal with water and then it lifts up the boat. Then these little things that look like cars, pull you through. It was amazing to actually see and feel. Then we got to walk around and see all the technology that went into building the Panama Canal. I will never forget this trip.
I would love to see some natural beauty within our country that would change my view on everything. However, I don't travel at all and that is why having an High-Definition t.v is awesome. Watching shows like Blue Planet and Planet Earth just show the most phenomenal shots that would leave you in awe forever. In the future, I would love to visit the Grand Canyon and possibly Niagara Falls.
Yes the Grand Canyon is pretty sick just looking over the edge can take your breath away. I actually just went to AZ a little bit ago to visit my brother who moved there about a year ago. I love the mountains but I tend to enjoy green a little more. One of the greatest places I have ever been to was the Swiss Alps I've only ever seen them once when I was 8 but they left such an impression that I can still picture them vividly.
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Looking at scenery just doesn't do it for me. I'd rather be at a theme park or doing something active. You took very nice pictures though and I'm sure Tiffany appreciates them.
I've never even considered visiting Arizona but the scenery sounds beautiful and maybe one day I will decide to go. That sounds rather unfortunate that they're starting to turn the town into a tourist place, it sounds like the nature is what makes it so unique.
Last summer, I went with my family to Mexico. The first few days, we stayed in an eco-village near the ocean called Tulum. We stayed in a solar powered cabana type place where all power went out at 11 at night. Near this was the ancient Mayan city of Tulum. The ruins were at the top of a limestone cliff that overlooked the most gorgeous turquoise waters, it was stunning.
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Recently, I hiked the Grand Canyon. Although I don’t care too much for Arizona and the lack of greenery, I loved the Canyon. My father thinks that every vacation should be spent in an active way, and he obviously doesn’t understand the meaning of R and R time. So my family and I did some intense hiking of the canyon and although it ended up snowing feeling like I was locked in icebox, and the next two days I was too sore to feel my legs, I loved every minute of it. I like to think I have a pretty wild imagination and for each part of the hike I pretended I was different person. I didn’t act it out load or make it seem like the cold had got to me and I was turning psychotic. I would just imagine the life of a person in a different era coming to this mystical place. The land was held so many stories and I couldn’t help myself. The person I imagined the most was a true Native American. What a life it would be to live off that land everyday.
Well I did get a very a good look at nature when I went to Africa when I get a picture of the falmingo gathering which happens every so often a year. The tribe Chiefstain told us we were lucky to see such a marvelous evemt. This view was composed of almost 300 flamingos with a lonesome crane going through the water as I barely managed to take the picture. When I saw this site I realized how fragile nature can be since the smallest ripple in the water caused by one of the tourist in y group made all the peace of the flamingos suddedly disappear.
I've never been to Arizona, not even close. One day I'd like to visit, though. I'm afraid I might become afraid of the height of being on the Grand Canyon, especially that clear glass that sits right above the cliffs. I'd freak out!
I visit Tennessee yearly and always have the priveledge of driving through the Rocky Mountains as we travel. I think Tennessee is one of the most gorgeous states to observe mountains and the fact that these mountains stand with such significence is incredible.
The Natural Beauty of it all will just capture you the minute to stand beneath one. I stare in awe out my window every time and it never seems to get old.
I used to have pictures, but have since deleted numerous off my computer.
I've never even thought of visiting Arizona but the scenery sounds beautiful and maybe one day I will decide to go. That sounds interesting that they're starting to turn the town into a tourist place, it sounds like the nature is what makes it so unique.
Sounds incredible! You must have had a blast there with all that beautiful landscape and scenery. I never thought of Arizona like that, in contrast I've thought of it more like a dusty old desert. Curiously enough, you're my third teacher that went to Arizona during Spring Break?!!Conspiracy?>
I've never been to Arizona but based on your pictures it looks like an amazing place to visit! I hope the town you mentioned, Sedona, keeps its artsy town vibe. Whenever little towns get torn apart because of all the tourist's activities going on there it makes me mad. Why can't the tourist activities be limited so that they can still get a real feel for the town instead of changing scenery and places to make the town a more desirable place to visit.
A natural wonder I saw that I thought was awesome was the first time I saw mountains. I saw mountains in North Carolina and they were awesome! I never thought they'd be as huge as they were. One day I'm hoping to go skiing but since my mom hates the cold that might not be happening for a while.
I have never had the chance to go out west so I'm sure it would have been interesting. I would like the chance one day to travel very far like Arizona or California. I've never really witnessed any natural wonders except the rainforest I guess. I have walked through it many times when I go to Panama in the summer. I guess I take it for granted because I see it every year. I have been through the rugged parts of it where the tour guides never take you. I have seen monkeys, sloths, and pythons up close. But I guess I'm used to it already.
I'd like to go sometime
I've always desired to go and visit the Grand Crayon, hearing that its truely a breathtaking sight. My godmother is really much like you. She loves to travel and enjoy mother nature's creations. Recently, she came back from her trip to Brazil,Argentina, and Chile. She brought a numerous photos of her within the jungles of Brazil. It was beautiful. I've seen sights as beautiful, such as the train ride from Paris to Barcelona. Its was amazing mind bottling.
I want to visit Arizona so bad. A friend of mine used to live in Arizona and he would always talk about the Grand Canyon. One time he showed me pictures of the Grand Canyon and it looked beautiful.
I REALLY AM NOT THAT BIG ON TRAVELING. I RATHER STAY IN FLORIDA IN THE HOT SUN. FLORIDA HAS EVERY THING SUCH AS BEACHES, AMUSEMENT PARKS, AND NATIONAL PARKS. WHY ALSO WE GET HURRICANES, THOSE ARE WILD I LIVED THREW TWO SO FAR, ANDREW AND WILMA. I AM GLAD YOU HAD FUN, GREAT PICTURES.
I've never actually been to Arizona to visit, just a stop at the airport waiting for the second flight. I've heard it's a very nice place. The grand Canyon must be breathe taking also. I would visit if there was something to do then look at canyons and cactuses and tumbleweed roll by.
So i dont know if ill be visiting Arizona. But if i do, i'd definetly go see the Grand Cayon.
As I shared with you last semester, I travel a lot as well. I've been to many of the (more beautiful) states, as well as many other countries. I'm not so much of a guy who just likes to look, I choose to experience. I have hiked and camped in several of our major national parks, including the Smokey Mountains, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. I've also been lucky enough to experience some of the best that the oceans have to offer, scuba diving in places like Tahiti and Hawaii.
For me, there's just something about getting away from society. Cars, T.V.s, radios, they're all lovely commodities, but we can't forget what this Nation was founded on: rugged individualism. It's important to step out, look around, and take in not what man has made but was already here for us.
Well I never seen the Grand Canyon, but every year I go to North Carolina with my best friend and when we drive up to the house there is the most incredible view of the mountains covered in snow. It's the most beautiful thing I ever seen, and everytime it takes my breathe away.
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