Arizona - Sedona, Boynton trail vista/vortex

I started my morning at the adults only hot tub. The resort has 3 of these "spas", one at the pool, this one and one at the laundry facility. Throw your wash in a machine and sit yourself in warm, swirling water until its done - brilliant!

  Each year Sedona is more and more known for "The Vortexes." What are they, where are they, and is there any science that explains them? The Vortexes are geographical/topographical sites on the Coconino National Forest that can enhance prayer, meditation, mind/body vitalization, stress reduction, healing hurts from your past, and outside-the-box creative thinking and problem solving. from verdevalleynatgeo.com

Chris was curious about the vortexes, one website said that all of Sedona was a vortex, and one of the things she wanted to do while here was go to one. After her usual internet research she decided that the Boynton vista vortex was the easiest to get to and should also have good views.

It was a Sunday and the parking lot was full so we joined the many cars parked on the side of the road and walked in to the trail area. It was a busy section with lots of jeep tours, atv tours, license plates from all over and other walkers on the road.

Even from the road, beautiful views.

I think there were way to many people for any self respecting bear to stick around.

The first section was through a valley and busy with people setting out on the other trails as well.

Then we took a right hand fork

and started to climb.

That was our goal

but plenty of views along the way.

This is the vista and most people scrambled up to that rock, got their selfee and then moved on. Some tried to climb it and others sat and enjoyed the views

up Boynton Canyon in one direction

and off towards Cathedral Rock in the other.

 

 Chris, Jason and Cigi headed back down as those dark clouds produced some hail, but it didn't last for long and I sat enjoying the expanse of country laid out before me (trying to feel the effects of the "vortex").

Sedona, Arizona has been called “America’s New-Age Capital.” People often talk about Sedona’s energy, healing powers and vortexes, but are these energetic centers legit? 

Some of the Sedona vortexes, as well as other places known by spiritual teachers around the world to hold energetic power, were or still are sacred sites of native populations. Although not specifically referred to as vortexes, these sites were sacred to Native Americans in the area and were used to perform rituals and ceremonies.  

In 1980, a psychic named Page Bryant said a spiritual being named Albion told her about the vortexes in an audio recording called “The Earth Changes Survival Handbook.” Seven years later, 10,000 people came together in Sedona for a spiritual gathering, welcoming a time of transition noted on the Mayan Calendar. After that event, the Verde Valley would never be the same. 

From those original claims by Bryant, the myths have grown. From the theory that aliens have installed a giant crystal under the Sedona red rocks to the idea that the formations are spaceships and transdimensional portals, the stories are colorful and push past cultural norms. 

As these meditative sites grew in popularity, so did the spiritual community of Sedona, with people moving from across the nation to be near these energy centers. Sedona is now a destination for spiritual tourism, with various retreats, tours and meditation experiences to provide a pathway to spiritual enlightenment for thousands annually.

Are the Sedona Vortexes legitimate scientific phenomena? Scientists say no. There is no evidence that Sedona or any sites pinpointed as vortexes of swirling energy entering or exiting the Earth are real. No measurable magnetic or electric energetic field is found in these areas. Does that stop people from visiting these sites and having transformative experiences? Not at all. 

MIT Honors Graduate and Sedona vortex expert Pete A. Sanders identifies these vortexes more as meditative sites. The beautiful red rock sites with higher elevations help individuals in meditation to embrace a viewpoint that is wider and encompasses more of the universe. In contrast, lower-elevation places like canyons and caves encourage introspection. Being in beautiful natural spaces may be the true secret to the power of these vortex sites. from thesanctuaryatsacredmesa.com

This higher elevation site certainly invited taking a wide view and it was easy to sit and enjoy.

I read also that the vortexes are said to cause the juniper trees to twist.

A shout for below and the other half of the family had caught up, led by Maya.

Even River enjoyed the view.

Looking back up at Maya and Mike as more weather started to roll in.

 Before coming on the hike they had been to Slide Rock State Park to do something that is usually done in the summer months, swim in Oak Creek. Chris corrected me...they were late to the hike as River was napping. The Slide Rock swimming occurred the next day.

Maya did end up taking a quick dip but so fast that Aimee couldn't get a video. Mike stayed in a bit longer and said it would have been fun to do if the weather was warmer.

That night Chris and Jason had a date night....dinner out and star gazing at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. I was on babysitting duty and after the 5 bedtime books, took Cigi outside to look at the sky her Mum and Dad would be looking at via telescopes. She was sad for the moon as it looked "broken", used to the round moon depicted in her "Goodnight Moon" book.

An Emission Nebula, from Rick. He is getting the hang of the astrophotography.