We have people email us often asking us what they can do with kids in Sedona, Arizona. Well, there is a lot more than most people can even imagine. Yesterday we featured Slide Rock Park and you can check out another video right here if you missed it. It will cost you between $10-$20 per vehicle for a fun filled day at a natural water park. Go as early as you can as the parking lot will fill up quickly.
Slide Rock Park Video
Another great idea is take them biking. There are trails for hiking and biking everywhere and if you didn't bring your bikes, don't worry. You can rent them and have a biking adventure that you will never forget.
Is you want to plan out your bike trips, here is a good site that has biking trails in Sedona. There will be trails for the inexperienced as well as the experienced trail riders.
Also, if you would prefer to take a guided tour with an experienced guide, Hermosa Tours offers a variety of tours to fit your life style and needs. Check them out!
Many people want to plan a trip to Sedona but are worried about what to do to keep their kids occupied. Well, there is a lot to do for kids, especially if your kids love hiking and exploring the canyons and forests.
You can take them for a trip to Oak Creek Canyon to hike, picnic and cool off on a hot day. Oak Creek Canyon is known for Slide Rock Park and I guarantee every body will have fun spending a day at Slide Rock Park! It's about $10 per vehicle to get in for the day. Where else can you spend the day with your entire family having a picnic and at a natural water park for $10?
Come back often for the live Sedona Red Rock Web Cam. I keep this on my tool bar so I can checkout the views. If it's black, it is because it is still night in Arizona. Come back during day light and you can see the beautiful red rocks, live.
These colorful Javelina's are celebrating their 9th birthday!
They were first introduced in 2005 as an answer to Chicago's Cows on Parade. They were to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Sedona's Art Festival but were also used as a distraction to the road work that was beginning at the time.
Local companies were asked to donate $2,000 and would be able to decorate the Mom and baby and display them outside their offices or stores. There are 50 of these delightful little Javelina pairs in Sedona and they have been dedicated as an "Arizona Treasure".
Here is some more info on the Javelina's on Parade.
Javelina's are a little mammal that are actually a peccary. They normally come out at night to look around for seeds and berries,etc. eat. They have bad vision but their sense of smell is what guides them.
They are a herding animal and stick with their family. I have never noticed them to be aggressive but if cornered, I am sure they would be aggressive for sure.
I found this video with great up close pictures. It is good to be able to see them at this close range but you might have to ignore the lady taking the video. She is admittedly talking in a made up language and after while it gets quite annoying.
Not everyone who visits Sedona, Arizona wants to stay in a hotel, a resort or a bed and breakfast. Some want to get closer to nature and camp.
Camping can be pitching a tent or it can mean staying in a luxurious RV but no matter which form of camping is right for you, Sedona and Verde Valley can satisfy everyone.
Since hotels and resorts can get a bit pricey at times, camping might be a good option for large families or just frugal campers.
I've gathered some links for camping information for you and there is a video by travel experts Nikki and Jason Wynn who will take you on a tour of the Verde Valley Campgrounds & RV Park.
If you've never been to Sedona or if it's been awhile since you traveled there, here is a great video to see or remind you of how beautiful Sedona is. This Sedona video highlights places of importance so you could plan your trip to Sedona and where you'll want to go and do there.
The Sedona Arts Center is located in Uptown Sedona. It is a haven for artists, future artists and art-lovers alike. Here you can attend one of the annual festivals, take classes, attend art retreats and much more.
The art center is the only school of the arts in Sedona. It is a not-for-profit institution that locals and visitors can come and enjoy the work from local as well as international artists or become one of those artists!
Since 1958, it has become a popular destination in Sedona and hosts over 60,000 visitors each year! Many internationally known artists have found their roots at the Sedona Arts Center.
Some come on! Let the Sedona Arts Center open the door to the artist in you!
Located uptown Sedona at 15 Art Barn Rd. Their phone # is 928-282-3809 and you can email them at: sac@sedonaartscenter.com
Looking for something to do in the evening while in Sedona? If fine dining, a great wine selection of wine and relaxing live entertainment, then you might want to plan a night at Rene's in Tlaquepaque.
Vibhas Kendzia plays Native American Flutes and East Indian Bamboo Flutes every Friday & Saturday from 6 to 9pm at "Rene" in Tlaquepaque, Sedona Arizona.
As you drive through Sedona, if you are like me, you can't help but wonder who are the people who live in this beautiful area. What stories could they share?
I wish someone would write a book and open the door to the plethora of stories that Sedona rocks could share.
One of the recent celebrities to share her story is Janet Fontaine. During the 50's and the 60's she worked for Joseph Kennedy and then went on to work for President Kennedy.
In 1983 Mrs. Fontaine moved to Sedona after traveling the world.She said in the interview that she loved to read books so now she volunteers at the Sedona Public Library.
If you would like to read about this woman's exciting life, you can read the full article by clicking on the above title.
While in Sedona you will probably want to take in some of it's natural beauty. Just keep in mind that when you are hiking, you are in areas that most likely are the home to many snakes. You probably won't see any but just in case, here is some info that will hopefully keep you safe.
The best thing you can do is learn to identify the snakes so if you do see one, you will know it's behavior. Just remember that they are very shy and never attack for no reason. If they hear you coming they will slither away. They love the heat so avoid putting your foot or hand on a rock without scanning it first. They are very good for the environment and keep the rodent population under control. Don't be afraid of them because they are very afraid of you.
I've been hiking thousands of times and STILL have a problem spotting a coiled up snake! While they're easy to spot when they're moving, trying to spot one that is lying in wait is very tricky, especially if you're walking briskly or running!
Just remember that snakes blend into their environment perfectly, especially in wooded areas, making them VERY hard to spot when they're sitting still. If you're running or hiking a trail and are expecting to be able to spot rattlesnakes, you've got another thing coming.
Rules to help keep you safe:
1) If you hear a rattle/noise stop immediately identify where the rattle/noise is coming from.
2) Take 2 big steps back from the snake.
3) Find another way around.
4) NEVER attempt to tease or play with the snake. This is the #1 reason people get bit.
There are 3 main snake populations in Sedona. The Rattler, the Gopher and the King Snake. There are others but these are the main Sedona resident snakes.
Gopher Snake
Gopher snakes are constrictor snakes and are non venomous. They help keep Sedona's rodents under control. A large, cream-colored to yellowish brown snake with dark brown, black, or reddish brown blotches along top and sides of body. Head has a dark line crossing the eyes. Because of their behavior when cornered, they are sometimes mistaken for Rattlers.
If you want to listen to the hiss of a gopher snake, go to this site and look on the left hand side an you will see the link to listen to the audio of the hiss.
This snake is sometimes confused with the Sonoran Coral Snake which is a venomous snake and the Arizona King snake is not. Here is a rhyme that can help you identify these two snakes.
Red touches yellow, kill a fellow. (coral snake) Red touches black, venom lack. (anything else w/ same colors)
Here's another one: Red touches yellow, dangerous fellow. Red touches black, friend to Jack.
The good thing about King Snakes is that they love to snack on Rattlers. So just think of them it as a way of control the rattlesnake population in Sedona.
They can be found in mountainous habitat between 2800 and 8800 feet above sea level, especially in brushy areas or conifer forest with nearby water. A mixture of rocks, tree trunks, and undergrowth provides concealment.
They are a subspecies of the Sonora Mountain King Snake. Has bands of red, white, and black. Head is wide and flat. Closely resembles, and is often mistaken for the poisonous coral snake.
The King Snake is a constrictor. Seizes its prey, encircles it in its body coils until the prey suffocates, then swallows the prey whole.
They are often killed because they mimic the venomous coral snake.
King snakes provide a valuable service to humans by consuming large amounts of rodents that could be spoiling stored food, fouling buildings with feces and urine and spreading diseases to humans such as hantavirus.
Rattle Snakes usually come out in the early AM or late afternoon to warm up by sunbathing on the warm rocks. During the heat of summer they hide under cool brush or fallen trees and such outta sight.
First off, Rattler snakes don't chase people. Many people see a snake heading towards them and immediately think they're "chasing" them. Snakes are passive, and definitely defensive, but not aggressive (at least not in the states). What's nice about snakes is that they'll let you know they're there with a rattle or two. If you continue to pester them they'll assume their coiled strike pose. That is your last warning that they don't want to be messed with. If people continue to fuss with the snake they will get bit. Not many animals on earth give you a warning that they're about to attack, which is what makes snakes rather forgiving if you ask me.
As for a Rattle snake bite, make sure you get to the hospital IMMEDIATELY, neurotoxin act fast. Especially on those with weaker immune systems and low body weight.
.jpg/320px-Pituophis_catenifer_catenifer_(Carrizo_Plain).jpg)
