Sedona Family Trip - Enjoying the Red Desert

We went to Sedona this time. The rocks were the deepest red I’ve ever seen, and they looked like giant castles rising out of the desert. Every time the sun hit them at a new angle, they seemed to change colors.

One of my favorite parts was hiking the trails. Some were steep and dusty, but the views made it worth it. From the top of a ridge, I could see the whole valley spread out below me, with cliffs and towers everywhere.

Another day we went down to the river to cool off. The water was cold and refreshing on my feet. After being in the hot sun, it felt perfect. I sat on a rock with the water rushing by and listened to the cicadas humming in the trees.

The most exciting adventure was horseback riding. I had never ridden through desert trails before, and it felt completely different than hiking. My horse stepped carefully along the path, and from up in the saddle, I had an even better view of the cliffs and the wide-open sky. The ride was bumpy sometimes, but it made me feel connected to the land in a new way, like I was exploring the desert the old-fashioned way.

At night, the stars came out brighter than I’ve ever seen. I laid on my back, trying to find constellations, and thought about how lucky I was to be outside in a place so wild and beautiful.

Sedona wasn’t about shopping or sitting inside—it was about being outdoors every single day. Hiking, swimming, riding horses, and just staring at the red rocks made me feel both small and adventurous at the same time. I’ll never forget it.