Coconino, Arizona

Sedona is a tourist haven, offering panoramic views like few other locations. At an elevation of 4,500 feet, the average year-round temperature is about 74 degrees. Appealing to visitors from all over the world, this town is the second most popular attraction in Arizona, right behind the Grand Canyon National Park.

Sedona's earliest history was written upon the face of the land with tremendous earthly upheavals, intense heat and incredible elemental force. Seas once covered the entire Verde Valley and the withdrawal of these waters created dynamic geological changes. Erosion and time have designed fanciful rock formations in memorable hues of red and orange that erupt in vivid color at day's end.

The earliest human remnants were left in Sedona by ancient peoples referred to collectively as the Desert Culture, from which sprang the Anasazi and Hohokam groups, among others. Anasazi is a Navajo name, which translates as "the ancient ones who are not us." Some researchers believe that the Hopi tribes are direct descendants of this culture.

The Sinagua, whose Spanish name means 'without water', were a hardy agrarian society that dry farmed and traded extensively in the area from about 1100-1400 AD. Commerce was not limited to nearby tribes, but flourished as a hub, trading with groups from the Pacific coastal regions as well as from South America. Salt and copper were major exported items, while imports included exotic bird feathers from South America and shells from the West Coast. There are indications that tribes put aside differences for celebrations and religious ceremonies that took place in this region. Traces of these ancient civilizations can be found hidden in the remains of the great pueblos that once housed them. The Palatki ruin, constructed by the Sinagua and located between Sedona and Clarkdale, offers glimpses of the past depicted through charcoal rock drawings of snakes and Kokopelli. Researchers believe that some of these pictographs were actually the identifying symbols of a particular family or clan. It is believed that as many as 50 people may have once resided in these two pueblos. Honanki, another nearby Sinaguan ruin, held as many as 60 rooms and the structure quality is considered world class.

Southeast of Sedona is Montezuma's Castle and nearby Montezuma's Well, fabulous examples of cliff dwellings that were also built by the Sinagua people in the same time period. The area was originally occupied by the Hohokam, who farmed the bottomland using a unique irrigation system that extended for more than a mile from the fresh springs of Montezuma's Well.

When the volcanic ash remains from an eruption farther north drew the Hohokam to more fertile lands, the Sinagua people settled in. Many changes took place for the people at this point; some theorize that they borrowed masonry techniques from the Anasazi to the north, building above ground dwellings for the first time. The Sinagua also began using the irrigation techniques of the Hohokam. Early in the 15th century, these people vanished from the area for reasons unknown today.

These early cultures left traces etched and painted on the surfaces of immoveable rocks. These renderings are referred to as 'rock art' and consist of petroglyphs, which are designs etched or scratched into the rock, as well as pictographs, where symbols are painted or drawn on. Canyon walls are also decorated with the artistic creations of these people. One Anasazi figure believed to represent fertility repeats throughout Pueblo Indian ruins in the four corners region and is called Kokopelli. This image appears as a humpbacked flute player and is a common figure found on local pottery and jewelry. Native American stories describe him as a traveling musician and scoundrel, who carried blankets, babies and seeds in his back, which he used to seduce maidens.

Europeans first arrived in this region in 1583, with a group of Spanish explorers, in search of legendary native mines in the 16th century. By the early 20th century there were about 20 families squatting here, and one of these first settlers was T.C. Schnebly and his wife. Schnebly recognized the need for mail service and petitioned the first post office, recommending several names. The Postmaster General rejected these due to the length, and Schnebly's brother suggested that he use his wife's first name. At this point the area officially became known as Sedona.

Abundant apples and peaches were Sedona's first industry, soon to be surpassed by tourism as awareness of the area's breathtaking panorama increased. Artists, including Max Ernst and others, started moving into the area by the middle of the 20th century, drawn like magnets by the region's dramatic scenery and incomparable views.

The frenetic color, scenery and open spaces here fairly scream to be captured and recorded on film. More than 70 movies have been filmed in this area over the years. More than 40 of these were filmed at A Territorial House, a local bed-and-breakfast. Red Rock Crossing's film history includes many titles like the 1950s Broken Arrow, starring James Stewart and Johnny Guitar with Joan Crawford.

More recently, tourism accounts for the local economic base. Major visitor attractions here include world-class resorts, fine dining and four Energy Vortexes, which are purported to have spiritual healing properties. Estimations show more than four million visitors come annually.

Choose to listen to the quiet whisperings of the past as you gaze at ancient ruins, or raise your awareness in the throes of spiritual energies at the vortexes. You may be altered forever by the quiet unfolding drama of the canyon and creek below, and the ebullient colors, which shout and echo from the rocks above.