When we last left Sedona, we found ourselves completely renewed and recharged. We may have physically left the red rocks behind, but certainly kept their spirit alive as we returned to LA. We were thrilled to be invited back for one of the biggest events of the year, the 14th Annual Sedona Taste event, which featured some of the finest restaurants we've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. There's something about this magical place that pulls you towards it, and each time we've discovered even more reasons to return.

After taking a trolly to a sublime creek-side setting, we grabbed some picnic-style plates and wine glasses and prepared to embark on our Tour De Taste. We got to sample selections from Sedona's most spectacular and innovative restaurants. From the delicious discovery that was Fork In The Road American Bistro's tasty pork tenderloin, Jamaican-infused jerk-style sliders, to embracing the excellent Chef's choice selections at Taco Del Mar and of course, our favorite, the Michael Chiklis Ribs which fell off their bones and into our mouths, courtesy of Greer Siegel and the gang at the Barking Frog Restaurant. All of Sedona's finest bites were washed down with beer samplings from its own Oak Creek Brewery, followed by a champagne campaign from Barefoot Wines.

The event also served as a ‘welcome home' of sorts, as the event gave us a chance to catch up with some friends from our first visit, such as the sassy Heather Hermen from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.

The President of the Chamber herself, Jennifer Wesselhoff, told us that "It was exciting to see Sedona Taste, one of the community's signature events, sell so many tickets, entertain a vivacious group, and remain strong even in the face of some economic tough times. It has become an event we all look forward to. We love the food, wine, mingling and the opportunity to support a great cause. It's easy to see that Sedona Taste remains a signature event in Sedona and is here to stay."

Speaking of stays, ours was at the Sedona Rouge Hotel, which showcased the true essence of the Sedona lifestyle perfectly. The love that we felt in town had transferred into our hotel as well, as the staff really went out of their way to ensure that we had a good time. Representative Patti Todd even offered to drive to Prescott to pick us up from the airport, and certainly made sure we had plenty of photos with the stunning Arizona Cardinals cheerleading squad.

One morning, we had just hit the REDS Lounge Restaurant in between meals but they insisted on preparing us some eggs. We were also pleasantly surprised to find a mixologist residing right in our own hotel. We concocted a special cocktail with her, the "Break Me Gently," which proved such a hit that we soon had other guests ordering them poolside. We all enjoyed a one-act play performed by a particularly rambunctious ten-year-old who taunted us because our drinks were "too weak." Thanks, ten-year-old.

After days by the pool, a night at the Sedona Taste and some time with the cheerleaders, of course, we were exhausted. We continued our journey to the spa, where we found new levels of relaxation than what we'd imagined possible.

R: I met with Lorrie Lawrence, an Ayurvedic practitioner, who set out to get my energy flowing through my body, as it I had told her it had been sapped considerably during a stressful week. She went to work and by the time she hit my neck, it was as if a rush of energy hit and all my stress vanished. Not only was she a true talent, she is deep beyond words and when speaking with her, you can literally feel her soothing nature wash over you.

A: There's something about bodywork that you can't explain. You're bent and stretched in all ways, and somehow at the end of it all, you wake up in some new place that you've never been before. I'm aware that I saw people and things just after my massage was done, but I couldn't possibly tell you who or what. My mind hadn't come back from wherever it was that it went off to.

We also got to experience Chinese cuisine like you couldn't imagine at the Red Chopstick restaurant, courtesy of master chef and owner, Simon Ho. We dined on delicious BBQ pork dumplings, chicken buns (which are also served for breakfast and are delicious) and perhaps some of the finest sweet and sour chicken our mouths have ever met.

This being Sedona, our journey wouldn't have been complete without indulging in our spiritual sides. We had our Astrology Charts read by Toni Siegel, who served us up with so much information that our heads and souls were spinning (in the best way possible) by the end. She has had her "gift" for most of her life, and has helped guide both celebrities and a large percentage of Sedona's population down the road of spiritual enlightenment. She even provided us with a personalized MP3 of our session with her, so we would be able to reflect back on and also combined both of our readings into one handy "Karma Chart," as we found out that we had "served battle together in many lifetimes."

Toni has a unique talent and she really had a special ability to peel back the many layers of our lives, simply by consulting with the stars above.

We also visited our good friends at Mystical Bazaar, Sedona's metaphysical store, where we picked up some more chakra balancing bracelets and we all got so swept up in the excitement and enchantment of the store, we didn't even realize they stayed open an extra twenty minutes just for us!

Once again, we left Sedona with a feeling of renewed hope, both for ourselves and humanity. If we could bottle up the endless energy and giving nature of every person in Sedona, then we could truly change the world. Until then, just hop on Horizon Air and head to Sedona for your own spiritual awakening. We'll see you there.

THE DETAILS:

Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa
2250 W Hwy 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336

Red Chopstick
65 Bell Rock Plz
Sedona, AZ 86351-8804

Mystical Bazaar
1449 West SR 89a
Sedona, AZ 86336

Toni Siegel
http://babyboomerbrat.blogspot.com/

Story by Alex Storch and Ryan Simoneau.