Sedona AZ

Dear Blog

 

Day Five Grand Canyon Trip

 

 

This morning we decided to stick with two easy walks right in Sedona. There are countless hiking options in the area, but we didn’t feel like moving the car, fighting for parking, or tackling anything strenuous — especially with temperatures heading into the high‑80s before noon.

 

Our first walk was the Los Abrigados walking route. It’s a gentle, scenic, creek side stroll that winds through landscaped paths, small bridges, and shaded areas along Oak Creek. It connects the resort area to Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village and offers pretty red‑rock glimpses without feeling like a wilderness hike. It’s about a half‑mile and very peaceful.

 

The second walk was the Sedona Outlook Trail. This one is also about a half‑mile — a short, gently sloping path that leads to a wide, open overlook with sweeping views of Sedona’s major rock formations. It’s the kind of spot where people pause to take photos, breathe in the air, and just soak in the panorama. A friend suggested the Pink Jeep Tour so we strolled over to check it out but the moment we saw a jeep pulling out stuffed with eight people on bench seats, we opted out, anticipating 94 degree heat played heavily in that decision.

 

In the afternoon we did some winetasting.  We walked to the Art of Wine. It is said to be a trendy and lively place, but we wound up being the only ones there. The Sommelier instantly felt like an old friend sharing her travel stories with us. We ended up staying two hours.

 

In Sedona you’re never short on dinner options, but we decided to try our luck at Hideaway House. Since it was Father’s Day, we headed over early. The restaurant sits on a hillside with big open‑air patios that look straight out toward the red rocks — not a dramatic cliff‑top view, but something more intimate, cozy, and close to the canyon walls. We managed to snag a patio table around 5pm, just as the warm canyon glow started settling in. Sunset hits around 6:30, so the timing was perfect for those soft golden views Sedona does so well.

 

The menu at Hideaway House leans into comfort‑forward Italian with a home‑style twist — fresh‑made breads, hearty pastas, vibrant salads, and creative specialty pizzas, all served with those relaxed Sedona views. But honestly, we realized we didn’t need the whole menu. We decided to share the Garlic Cheese Bread Blossom, the meatballs, and a glass of red wine — and that was perfect. The bread blossom comes out as a warm, fresh‑baked loaf packed with garlic, melted mozzarella, and parmesan, served with their house‑made marinara for dipping. The meatballs were juicy, tender, and cheesy, exactly the kind of comfort food that fits the setting. That’s it.

 

Tomorrow it’s supposed to hit 97 degrees so the odds of doing a lot of walking are slim. We’ll probably hit the pool instead.