Why can't you find our car? Book Excerpt
I expected a great hike in Sedona Arizona but I never could have predicted the rest of the Tuesday evening that was to ensue. I hope you enjoy my “Why can’t you find our car book excerpt!”
The following is an excerpt from the now released book “Life in the Rogue on America’s Open Road” by our co-founder Mike R! Make sure you sign up for the newsletter in the footer for your free PDF copy!
It all started with a hike on the Templeton Trail in the Red Rocks of Sedona. The destination was Cathedral Rock. I headed out to the trailhead after work in the late afternoon and the hike started normally enough. As I wound my way around a large bend connecting the Templeton Trail and started on to the Cathedral Rock Trail, I began to hear the noise. I heard drums and chanting. As someone who enjoys a good Kirtan Yoga chanting circle and has been to many of Bonnaroo’s late night dance shows, I was intrigued. I was certain I heard live music somewhere in the Red Rocks that resembled the sounds of a 2am EDM concert at Bonnaroo.
Eventually, I weaved around the bend and low and behold it was a group of about sixty people dancing, drumming, and having a good old time.
It turns out that perched below Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most famous “vortexes” and every Tuesday night there is a gathering of music and dancing on the vortex. People come to tune in with the energy waves the vortex gives out. It’s one of the major draws to the Sedona, Arizona region beyond its hiking trails.
I decided I would finish the journey I had left to get to the top of Cathedral Rock then come back down to enjoy the tunes and the dancing. The final ascent to Cathedral Rock earns you epic views. The bouldering and slick rock maneuvers last less than a mile but come with a gain of 700 feet in elevation along the way. I just happened to reach the top in time for sunset and it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever witnessed.
I didn’t want to loiter too long because bouldering back down in the dark wasn’t high on my priority list. As I made my way down towards the “Vortex Rave” I stumbled upon a group of about thirty Orthodox Jews bowing and praying to Cathedral Rock. They also believed that this place’s spiritual energy had cleansing powers. It was beautiful to witness the backpackers on the hiking trail, the drum circle dancers, and the Orthodox group all coming together this Tuesday night in Sedona. It was a wide assortment of people and it brought a smile to my face.
After a while of meditating and jamming to the tunes, I decided to head back to the car before it was pitch black.
About a mile from my car I came across a family of four, with two little kids, who seemed to be lost and considering fording a creek. They asked me about a parking lot location which I had never heard of. I told them that my car was close by so, at the very least, they could follow me out to my car. The dad told me they had been lost for about an hour and that this was their first hike ever! I looked at his wife and kids and begged them to not give up hiking based on this less-than-ideal first try.
They had no water or blankets with them and would surely have been stranded after dark if I hadn’t come upon them. When we made it back to my car, the dad said that he believed the parking lot where their car was located was a forty-five minute drive from us — it seemed impossible they could have hiked that far on their first hike ever with two little kids and no water. I offered them a ride to their hotel and the Dad quickly confirmed that it would be amazing.
The younger son, who couldn’t have been more than four, quietly looked at me as they crammed into the back of my car. He asked, “if you can find your car, why can’t you find our car?” I could have both cried and laughed at this little boy’s sweet-natured, honest question. I told him that I would get him back to his hotel room safely for the night.
The boys and the Mom didn’t speak much english and were a little shell shocked by the whole experience but the Dad and myself had a great chat as we drove.
He told me I saved their lives and he had no idea what they would have done if I hadn’t stumbled upon them. I doubt they would have died but at the very least it could have been a miserable experience sleeping in the desert at forty-five degrees with no blankets.
As I dropped them off at the hotel they said many “thank yous.” I was grateful that they got home safely and I encouraged them once again not to give up on hiking but let this be their last one without The Ten Essentials and a map!
I was thankful for all of the random circumstances that led me to find this family as I was one of the last people, if not the very last person, on the Templeton Trail that night after dusk. If the sunset had been less gorgeous, I might not have lingered at the top. If the vortex rave hadn’t been happening, I would have been back to my car an hour earlier. If the Orthodox Sect hadn’t been giving a reading from the Torah, I might have left earlier. If, if, if… so many random circumstances in life.
It was a Tuesday night I’ll never forget. I’m sure the family that I drove home will be talking about it for years to come and the little boy was right, it would have been nice if I had been able to find his car as well!
Cathedral Rock & Templeton Trail, Sedona, Arizona Itinerary
Adventure Recommendation: There are too many incredible hikes to list in the area! Two of my favorites are 1) lugging yourself up Bear Mountain and 2) channeling into the Vortex Energy Waves inside Boynton Canyon.
Record to Spin: “Lake of Fire” by The Meat Puppets.
These Phoenix locals were shown to millions during Nirvana’s famous 1993 MTV Unplugged in New York Performance when they shared the stage with Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl. This song was theirs and Nirvana covered it at the show. Their ties began in the desert!
Local Tip: Head for a day to explore the cool funky town of Jerome Arizona. Swing by the record store owned by Tool singer Maynard. He also owns and runs nearby Merkin Vineyards, a pizza and gelato truck, and works out at a kickboxing gym I visited; he is a man of many talents and interests!
Recipe: Southwestern Style Veggie Burgers.
Boil your quinoa, saute and mash your pinto beans, and mix with all below ingredients. Mold into patties and bake in the oven for six minutes per side at 400 degrees.
Ingredients: Pinto Beans, Quinoa, Hemp Powder or Almond Flour, Eggs, Chili Powder, Avocado, Verde.
Optional Ingredients: Pepper Jack Cheese, Fresh Jalapenos, Mushrooms, Onion.