Travel Tales from The Hub

In and Around Sedona Arizona

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By Ken Hubbard


Cathedral Rock: Tamron 35-150mm Di 1/400 Sec, f/8, ISO 200 @ 140mm
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Surrounded by colorful sandstone buttes of tan, orange and red, Sedona Arizona sits in the Verde Valley approximately 2 ½ hours north of Phoenix and 1 hour south of Flagstaff. This quirky little town has become a destination for every type of person from outdoor activity buffs to people searching for “New Age” healing techniques. No matter what the reason you go to Sedona, you will immediately fall in love with its beauty and grandeur. Make sure you get up early for a few sunrises and go on a few hikes staying out till sunset, these are the times the colors of the wonderful buttes explode.


Pink Jeep Tour Tamron 35-150mm Di 1/80 Sec, f/11, ISO 100 @ 44mm
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Touristy things that are a must. I am a true believer of when you go to a new city or town, try to take a tour that encompasses the location. This way you can get your baring of how big it is and some of the highlights around the location. It may seem they are touristy and too big to be good because you see so many “pink jeeps” around, but Pink Jeep Tours is well worth the trip they take you on. Their drivers are very knowledgeable and professional, let alone fantastic off-road drivers. They have plenty of tours to choose from, archeological themed to more extreme 4x4 driving. We chose a combination tour that took us on an off road tour describing how the buttes were formed and the history of the area, then challenged our wills with some death-defying driving through the sandy rocky landscape. Both thrilling and educational, a fun morning of amazing views and fun facts.


Chapel of the Holy Cross: Tamron SP 15-30mm 1/125 Sec, f/16, ISO 200 @ 26mm
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Chapel of the Holy Cross completed in 1956 was originally commissioned by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude in 1932. She was originally inspired by the Empire State Building and wanted to work with Lloyd Wright and build the structure in Budapest. Due to the break out of World War II the Chapel ended up being built in Arizona by architects Richard Hein and August K. Strotz. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is another of the must sees in Sedona, try to get there early before the crowds since parking is somewhat limited. Fortunately, even if you do have to park on the lower part of the roadway, they do have golf cart service to bring you up and down the hill.


Devils Bridge: Tamron SP 15-30mm 1/200 Sec, f/11, ISO 200 @ 15mm

Hiking in Sedona is plentiful. You can take a leisurely stroll along the Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing or a more difficult scramble up Cathedral Rock Trail. One of the more popular hikes is to Devil’s Bridge, a natural arch at the end of the trail. This is an easy to moderate trail that will meander through the Pinion Pine trees with a steep final climb to the arch. It’s a popular trail that is exposed to the sun throughout the day, so start your hike early and bring plenty of water.


Caduceus Cellars: Tamron 35-150mm 1/15 Sec, f/3.2, ISO 1600 @ 50mm
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There is more to Sedona and the neighboring towns than hiking, trail rides and vortex’s, they also have a budding wine culture growing in the valley. With a dry arid climate, perfect soil conditions and warm days with cool nights, the Verde Valley allows the grapes to produce juices that are similar to other well-known regions around the world. Even hard rock singer Maynard James Keenan of the band Tool and A Perfect Circle has found a home here for his Caduceus Cellars which was founded in 2004.


The Gold King Mine: Tamron 35-150mm 1/2500 Sec, f/2.8, ISO 400 @ 35mm
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Finally, there is The Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, a true throw back of Americana tourist stops that have faded away from most other parts of the United States. The town of Haynes, just outside of Jerome Arizona, is where this gold mine and ghost town reside. The town started accidently in 1901 when they where mining for copper, but instead found gold. Eventually the gold ran out and the mine eventually closed. Many years later Terry and Don Robertson had the idea to reopen the area but with relics of the American industrial revolution. You will find everything from old mining equipment, rebuilt race cars from the 1920’s, motorcycles and a replica ghost town through-out the property. So, bring your camera and be prepared to see automobiles, machinery and many other “things” that you haven’t seen in years or may never have seen at all.

Lenses Used:
SP 15-30mm Di VC USD G2
35-150mm DI VC OSD



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