07/30/2025
We just returned from a brief vacation to Sedona, AZ, one of my favorite places to unwind and absorb the natural beauty of the most amazing red rocks on the planet. It’s a strange combination of beliefs including Native American spiritism, New Age philosophies, and hippie nonsense that dominate the social scene and business merchandising. But there is an inescapable beauty of God’s handiwork that trumps all of it. We’ve made more than one trip there and always find a presence of the Holy Spirit of the one true God, the Creator of the universe.
It’s a place to appreciate not only the natural beauty of the area, but also some of the finest cuisines representing the true southwest. On a humorous note, there are very few fast-food restaurants but as expected there is a McDonalds. The story behind its presence is unique. When the McDonalds organization first approached the city they found there would be no place for a giant “Golden Arches” sign. There are ordinances regarding the size and colors of commercial attachments to a business. Of course, court battles ensued, etc., but in order to do business there, it would be imperative for McDonalds to comply. The result is the only McDonald’s restaurant in the world to have arches at ground level and are not golden. They are turquoise.
The McDonalds Corporation was initially unhappy with the decision but as time moved forward it just so happens that this particular restaurant is the most photographed property in the McDonald’s worldwide empire.
Sedona is uniquely represented by some extremely wealthy people including business tycoons, Hollywood elite, and the like. Homes are generally valued in the millions of dollars for the permanent residents. A recent study revealed that the average homeowner there is age 65 and over, retired, and their home there is only one of three they occupy at certain times of the year. The wealth represented there is borderline incalculable. This probably explains the pristine condition of the community as a whole.
I highly recommend a visit to Sedona, Arizona. If you can afford to stay awhile there are numerous hotels/motels/resorts from which to choose. Otherwise it makes a great day trip although only one day will hardly give you the opportunity to experience the many wonders Sedona has to offer.