Another favorite treat at Saltrock is the grilled corn. This is a crunchy treat that pairs nicely alongside the deviled eggs. The corn is served with garlic, an aoili with just a touch of spice, lime and cotija cheese. Salty, sweet and a touch of spice on every spoon.

The patio offers a front-row view of the beautiful red rocks. It is so quiet and peaceful I forgot I was in the middle of town. I let the fall breezes wash away every ounce of stress.

The rooms at Amara are a bit eclectic and I love it. Bright accent pillows and a modern décor are fun and whimsical, but the touches of local materials add a unique connection to the space outside the windows. I love that the headboards, a bit different in every room, are handcrafted from local fallen trees.

I stayed in the creekside one-bedroom suite. It is a huge room with private patios looking out on Oak Creek, meandering along just a short distance away. Sitting outside at night, I could see a million stars overhead. The pool is heated and right on the edge of the woods and Oak Creek. I spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool.

Mariposa Restaurant

As seems to be the case when I travel, I was soon thinking about food. I opted for one of Sedona’s most scenic restaurants, Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill. I grabbed the Amara shuttle, arriving just in time for happy hour and drinks on one of the most amazing patios anywhere in the world.

Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill finds its inspiration from its legendary chef’s travels to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

The setting is simply breathtaking. The restaurant’s mariposa theme (butterfly in Spanish) starts when you arrive and magnificent iron butterfly orbs greet you. After dark, fire flickers inside each one.

Once again, I discovered that food is perhaps the world’s best universal language. It reveals not only the chef’s soul, but the soul of the place. At Mariposa, I found the food so full of love and flavor that I was certain those vortexes were adding to the experience.

My favorite dishes were the Sopa de Justino (a thick, hearty soup with roasted chicken, vegetables, orzo, avocado and tortilla strips), the handmade empanadas served with a delicious house made chimichurri sauce and the Boca de Muerto, or flourless chocolate torte.

Taking a Jeep Tour of the Red Rocks 

The next day started bright and early with an off-road tour provided by Pink Jeep Tours. These iconic pink Jeeps have been taking visitors around the red rocks since 1960. Pink Jeep picked me up at the front of the hotel right on schedule and I climbed in with a handful of other passengers to head out on the company’s original Broken Arrow Tour.

The Broken Arrow trail covers about two miles in the Coconino National Forest. The two school-aged kids on the tour squealed with delight — as did the two retirees — showing it’s an outing for all ages.

The sights along the trail are magnificent. Our guide pointed out many of the most famous Sedona landmarks with fun names like Submarine Rock, Chicken Point, Bell Rock and Chapel Butte. The ride ends with a descent down The Road of No Return. Pink Jeep Tours offers an assortment of adventures from two hours to full-day excursions. You can book one here.

Are there vortexes and magical energy in Sedona? Whether you are a believer or not, you will discover some of the most natural beauty anywhere in the world. Whether you wander along Oak Creek, nibble treats on a patio, head out for an off-road excursion or simply relax and rejuvenate, you will find yourself thinking often of Sedona and that painter’s palate of red rocks and blue Arizona sky.