Greetings! I'm back from a wonderful and fantastic trip to Arizona for Creativation 2020!! It was such a good trip - I am happy and renewed and inspired by all the sights and lovely people. My whole trip went smoothly and was super fun. My flights were on time and smooth. I rented an Air bnb for the first time and loved it! The Creativation Show was pretty quiet this year. It seems to get smaller every year. I saw so many of my crafty friends and got so many hugs and had so many laughs. My feet hurt, but my heart is very full!! No big product reveals this show... More beautiful new products from my favorite companies - but nothing that was the "IT" thing or tool. All my photos from the Creativation show are saved in my Instagram Stories Highlights! There are two folders (PHX1 and PHX2) and I think it's about 150 photos and short videos if you want to check it out!
I've been to Arizona several times, but always for the show or for work. And I've never rented a car or been able to sight see. This trip, I rented a car and went on a road trip the day before the Creativation Show started. I'm SO GLAD I did! I drove from Phoenix to Sedona on Highway 17 through the heart of Arizona. It was a magical, gorgeous day filled with beauty like I've never seen before. I wanted to share it all with you. Only a few times in my life have I seen a place so cool that it took my breath away. The Red Rocks in Sedona is now on that list! It made me feel small, and I felt the hand of God in creating His earthly masterpiece for our delight! It was a nice day for a drive - big puffy clouds and perfect temps. Hardly any people out. Just me and the cacti. LOL!
WARNING: Lots of pictures ahead!
Here is the first view of the Red Rocks... It's a strange place, Arizona. You drive and drive and drive and see basically nothing. Then you come around a bend in the road and you see THIS! Like these giant rocks appeared out of nowhere! It was so cool.
It's hard to capture the scale of this place. If you look at the bottom corner of the photo, those are houses...that gives you some idea. I've really never seen anything like this before. I love to travel and see new things. It always changes you as a person...
These beautiful Saguaro Cacti are 100-200 years old!!!
I saw so many interesting plants!!!
This is up at the helicopter airport looking down over the entire Sedona valley...
This is the front side of the Chapel of the Holy Cross! It was SO beautiful! Built right into the side of the Red Rocks!! It was amazing and I'm so happy I was able to see it.
Once you park your car, you walk up this cool ramp through the rocks and end up at the back of the chapel (the entrance). I just stood there in awe.
And this is the way into the Chapel.
THAT VIEW!
This is the inside of the Chapel. It literally brought tears to my eyes. It's very small inside with a few benches to pray at and lots of candles. I sat down and rested and said some prayers of gratitude for this journey and for all the blessings of this magical day.
I pulled off to the side of the road to take this shot. One of my favorites of the day.
So that's my recap of my road trip to Sedona! If you're in Arizona, I highly recommend making this drive! The town of Sedona was quaint and pretty also. I stopped at a few souvenir shops and got some snacks for my drive. There's a lot of shopping there and many resorts to stay at. I wish I had a few days, but I made the most of the time I had. I hope you're having a blessed and happy week! I'll be back on Friday with two crafty posts! XOXO
Wow ...what a beautiful trip. I am a amazed at the beauty God has given us. Thank you for sharing these really amazing pictures.
Posted by: Mary-Anne V | 02/13/2020 at 04:13 PM
Hi Wanda! I’ve lived in Arizona since I was a kid and we moved here from buffalo New York, quite the change in climate, lol! I’m so glad that you took the time to sightsee and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the world. I remember when my parents took us to that church when I was about ten years old, it’s not something that you ever forget.
I also wanted to take a moment to thank you for your amazing inspiration. All of your cards always inspire me and your designs are just so amazing, I don’t know how you manage to come up with multiple designs that are just so,perfect. I can understand why multiple companies reach out to you to design with their products, you’re amazing! Thanks for all you do!
Posted by: Shawn Wenrich | 02/03/2020 at 02:39 PM
Your photos are awesome.....like looking at National Geographic...
This is a place I would like to visit. Thanks fir sharing with us.
Posted by: Geneva | 01/29/2020 at 08:49 PM
You captured Sedona beautifully in your pictures Wanda, thank you so much for sharing them! We were there last year and saw that jaw-dropping beauty. Doesn't it just change you thinking about how God created that landscape? It is so magnificent.
Posted by: Carol | 01/23/2020 at 04:43 AM
Oh, thank you for sharing your beautiful trip. I imagine that you have all kinds of ideas floating around in your head. I would like to say that I would be happy to go with you on your next trip. You don't know me but I am lots of fun and really admire your art!
Posted by: Cynthia Evanoff | 01/22/2020 at 11:09 AM
Glad you enjoyed your visit to AZ! There is so much to see and do here and you came at a perfect time! Hopefully you can come back and stay longer at some point!
Posted by: Renee Cassidy | 01/22/2020 at 08:38 AM
Love all your amazing pictures, thanks for sharing. Stopped by Instagram to check out the rest!
Posted by: Susan McRae | 01/22/2020 at 08:07 AM
Thanks for sharing Wanda! Your photography is breathtaking! I have been to AZ several times and now wish I had taken time as you did to explore. Glad your trip was so enjoyable and worthwhile!
Posted by: Julie L | 01/22/2020 at 07:54 AM
Love your pictures! I have been to Sedona with my hubby and loved it, too. So much to see and do. Glad you had a great trip.
Posted by: Janet Sisk | 01/22/2020 at 07:35 AM
Thank you for sharing these AMAZING pictures!!! I only got to "see" Sedona one time, and that was when we were on our way to the Grand Canyon, and then it was only in a small park to have a picnic lunch!!! There was sooooooo much here we missed, but your pictures showed us how beautiful this place really is!!!!
Posted by: Donna Sherman | 01/22/2020 at 07:01 AM
Absolutely stunning! I hope to make it there sometime.
Posted by: Amy Johnson | 01/22/2020 at 05:30 AM
Glad you enjoyed your trip . Beautiful photos. You never know, you may just find yourself living in Arizona one day! Never thought I would leave the midwest for the desert. But it is beautiful here in Arizona.
Posted by: JOAN VANCOURT | 01/22/2020 at 05:06 AM
Gorgeous photography Wanda!! Thank you for taking us all along on your wonderful trip.
Posted by: Teresa C | 01/22/2020 at 04:57 AM
Thanks so much for the great pictures. Breathtaking indeed. Wow!
Posted by: Sara | 01/22/2020 at 04:12 AM
How lucky are you Wanda to have the opportunity to get to see all these beautiful places and the red rocks are something amazing, never seen anything like it myself. Well, not yet anyway. If I won the lottery then I would be travelling the world and Arizona would be one of the places on my bucket list. Thank you for showing us your amazing photos !
Has a week away myself to Austria, as living in the UK not so far to go. We love the mountains, snow and good food. Not have to cook and clean for a week is also very nice Lol
Looking forward to see your cards again. Happy new year to you and your family x
Posted by: Maria Alder | 01/22/2020 at 02:45 AM