Reds and oranges filled the sky as the sunrise light reflected off the clouds, a welcome sign some warmth was on the way. This morning in Sedona, Arizona was cold as we hiked to find the Subway Cave, which is said to be the home of a vortex. While I am not totally sure what a vortex is, I wanted to find one. So, down the trail we went.
My partner and I wandered down the trail, a left at the first sign, a right at the second, and then we kept our eyes peeled for a “random” turn off on our right that may, or may not, have a large arrow on the ground. This hike felt like a treasure hunt.
In the distance we could hear voices echoing off the cliff, but the trees formed a tunnel of green that we could not see through. Were we on the right path? Not sure. A quarter of a mile past. A half a mile past. Then, on our right, a big arrow, made of sticks, pointed towards the cliff. I guess this is it, I said to myself.
Within a few minutes, we were on our hands and knees scrambling up the cliff, to find the subway tunnel, all to ourselves. Silent, calm, an unfamiliar energy lingered. Maybe that was the vortex? The sun had not popped over the cliffs, but soon it would.
As the sun rose, we took some photos in the iconic locations that are all over Instagram these days. Then, put our cameras away so we could wander around the landscape, explore a few of the indigenous structures that still exist, and sit, together, on the cliff soaking in the red and green landscape.
Before we knew it, swarms of people started flooding in. Competing to stand in “the spot” a line was forming. Some wanted a selfie, others were setting up tripods. Music was blasting from speakers all around us. A different kind of energy was now present. Our morning tranquility was gone, but at the perfect time.
A friend of a friend swore they had eaten at the “best brunch spot in all of Sedona” and we had a reservation at L’Auberge de Sedona rapidly approaching, so it was time to head out.