Wednesday, December 11, 2024

SEDONA Red Rock Country

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You are now free to move about the country, and we took the opportunity and made our way to Sedona. Knowing that Southwest Airlines would follow all precautions and guidelines making our safety their priority, GB Magazine publishers Danitza and Esteban Villanueva made their way to San Diego Airport.

We easily parked and walked to the Southwest Airlines check-in counter. We maintained our distance, wore our masks and easily checked in effortlessly and proceeded to TSA where we were also greeted with a smile. Quickly through security, it was on to our airplane with the added benefit of no middle seats occupied through September 30.

Of course, this meant only two people in our row and we happily used the extra space in flight for our snacks and iPad, but with only a one hour and fifteen-minute direct flight to Phoenix, we were there before we knew it. The flight was safe, the crew welcoming and friendly, and the destination welcomed.

From Phoenix, we drove two hours to Sedona where the awe-inspiring Red Rock Scenic Byway slowly evolved from a barren desert landscape to red rocks, buttes and mesas with canyons and cacti. Our goal was to go hiking and the area offers many trails from beginner to advanced. We hiked the Coconino National Forest and despite the arid desert landscape, the breeze through the pines was fresh and invigorating.

We also visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a non-denominational church built out of the imposing red rocks of the valley wall. All of Sedona is known for the energy sourced from vortexes, and this church is built on one of them creating a serene and relaxing experience.

No trip to Sedona would be complete without shopping at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village which houses over 50 luxurious specialty shops and galleries. We wandered the shady courtyards of this Mexican-styled village with trees, shaded walkways and arched entryways.

We have all followed our government’s request to flatten the peak, now it is time to regain our independence, freedom, and ability to travel throughout this great nation.

www.southwest.com

www.visitsedona.com

Esteban Villanueva
Esteban Villanueva
Esteban Villanueva was born in Washington D.C. and raised in La Jolla. He attended both Francis Parker and The Bishop’s School locally before going to Dartmouth College where he received his B.S. in Biology and Pepperdine School of Law where he received his J.D. focusing Entertainment Law. He worked in the Latin music industry where his projects went on to win 14 Grammy Awards for artists including Ricky Martin and Carlos Santana. After starting GB Magazine with Danitza Villanueva in 2007, he has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for his support of helping raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Air & Space Museum and resides in East County in San Diego where he and his wife Danitza run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

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