Photo courtesy Melanie Strong Mountain biking

Rock Climbing
Rock jocks are an optimistic group, as evidenced by their utter faith in the beginner’s ability to support their body weight with a toehold in a pockmark of a boulder. But there’s no arguing with them because they’re so often right.

Garrett Bennett named his company CenterFocus after a climbing expedition in Europe, when it crystallized in his mind how much the body can achieve while totally focused. He informs us that Sedona’s signature sandstone, though scenic, is typically not ideal for rock climbing because of its tendency to, you know, disintegrate. However, he’s taking us to sturdy routes suitable for rank beginners, which many of us are.

We hike just east of Oak Creek to climb easy and moderate routes on Timmy’s Rock, then venture uphill to scale a bicep-burner dubbed (in classic rock climbing nomenclature) Pink Hot Tub.

Garrett and his sinewy assistants give us hold-by-hold instructions while belaying us with ropes, ensuring we don’t fall and lowering us down when we reach the top – or our limit. The strategy and willpower required, plus the satisfaction of achieving each hold, give us all a climber’s high. That night, even as my aching arms limply shampoo my hair, I vow to take up the sport.

ATVing
The main difference between Sedona’s Jeep tours and an ATV tour? Control. That and freedom from tour guides’ recycled jokes. Arizona ATV Adventures puts you in the driver’s seat, with the throttle at your fingertips, Sedona’s vermilion horizon as your backdrop, and random cows mooing in protest as you thunder past in a cloud of rusty dust.

Former ski and boat trip guide Charles Lutz turned to ATV tours after prolonged drought left nothing to slalom or float on, and he knows these west Sedona back roads backward and forward. Even for this ATV virgin, the driving was easy and fun, with just enough fear-factor adrenaline to spice things up.

Mountain Biking
If none of the above floats your boat, hop in the saddle of a two-wheeler to explore Sedona’s russet rockscape, which rivals Utah’s Moab as a mountain biking destination. Swing by Bike & Bean in the Village of Oak Creek to pick up a cuppa Joe, a rental bike, expert tips on trails, or a guide. With 200 miles of singletrack to choose from, the staff can personalize your trip – from Mountain Biking 101 to a technical, multi-hour crash course.

Photo by Nicole Roegner Side of elote, Elote Café

Dining
In a town cluttered with default Mexican restaurants, Elote Café – the latest venture for former Los Sombreros chef Jeff Smedstad – is a destination restaurant. The fish tacos were the most flavorful I’ve had in the state. My dining companion barely touched his lamb adobo when the meat fainted off the bone. And the not-too-sweet blood orange margarita went down as smoothly and vibrantly as a sunset.

Unlike newcomer Elote, Heartline Café has been satisfying Sedonans for 18 years. It’s tempting to keep munching on the fresh, lightly limy sweet potato chips and call them a meal. But then you’d miss the local trout, with its rich crust of pecans, breadcrumbs and Dijon.

Sadly, due to a decline in the local rattlesnake population, Cowboy Café has substituted python for its signature appetizer. But a day in which you can skydive and eat python (not to mention prickly pear fries and juicy, flavorful elk) is a day worth writing home about.

Steady your nerves and steel yourself for your next adventure with a tour of the wineries around Cornville. Page Springs Vineyards and Cellars’ fruity, nuanced reds will banish all doubts about Arizona wine, and the entertaining ladies at Alcantara Vineyards and Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery make the tasty wines even more memorable. Need a designated driver? Touch the Southwest arranges personalized tours.

GUIDEBOOK

Photo courtesy Enchantment Resort Enchantment Resort

Elevation
4,500 to 5,500 feet

Activities
• Red Rock Balloon Adventures: 105 Canyon Diablo Road, 800-258-3754, redrockballoons.com
• Red Rock Skydiving: 1003 W. Mingus Ave., Cottonwood, 928-649-8899, redrockskydiving.com
• CenterFocus Experiences: 617 Elk Ridge Drive, Camp Verde, 928-301-3211, thecenterfocus.com
• Arizona ATV Adventures: 1185 W. Highway 89A, Sedona, 800-242-6335, azatvfun.com
• Sedona Bike & Bean: 6020 Highway 179,
928-284-0210, bike-bean.com
• Touch the Southwest: 2401 W. Coronado Ave., Flagstaff, 928-213-9085, touchthesouthwest.com

Accommodations
• Amara Hotel, Restaurant & Spa: 100 Amara Lane, Sedona, 928-282-4828, amararesort.com
• Enchantment Resort: 525 Boynton Canyon Road, Sedona, 928-282-2900, enchantmentresort.com

Dining
• Elote Café: 771 Highway 179, Sedona, 928-203-0105, elotecafe.com
• Heartline Café: 1600 & 1610 W. Highway 89A, Sedona, 928-282-0785, heartlinecafe.com
• Cowboy Club: 241 N. Highway 89A, Sedona, 928-282-4200, cowboyclub.com
• Alcantara Vineyards: 3445 S. Grapevine Way, Verde Valley, 928-649-8463, alcantaravineyard.com
• Page Springs Vineyards and Cellars: 1500 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville, 928-639-3004, pagespringscellars.com
• Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery: 1555 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville, 928-649-0290, oakcreekvineyards.net

Information
•Sedona Tourism Bureau: 331 Forest Road, Sedona, 800-288-7336, visitsedona.com