Can a tech-addict who always travels with extra battery packs for her laptop and phone survive seven days in the desert with no cell service and limited Wi-Fi access? I honestly didn't know.
I packed up and embarked on one of Mii amo's "journeys," a seven-day excursion (or in some cases, an immersion) meant to rejuvenate, relax and in many cases, help to re-frame one's focus. Located in Arizona's high desert, just 90 miles north of Phoenix and Scottsdale, Sedona is hands-down one of my favorite places in the U.S. Every time I've visited I'm equally captivated by the natural beauty that Sedona holds. There's simply something in the air here. Known by most for its majestic red-rock formations, Sedona is said to be a very spiritual place for some -- not to mention a place to enjoy the great outdoors, go for hikes, play on championship golf courses and relax in world-renowned spas.
At Mii amo, all of the above is true.
On any given day at Mii amo you'll be sharing space with Hollywood producers seeking an escape, girlfriends on getaways, couples enjoying time alone, solo travelers embracing some peace and quiet and families looking to experience something different together. Every night I scanned the Mii amo cafe, wondering what new discoveries each guest found that day. I was enthralled by the look on people's faces when they would come back from a day outside or after spending an hour learning the philosophies behind a spa treatment and how it effects their daily life.
Bottom line: these "journeys" offer a great experience for people who are looking to find some inner peace, no matter what form that takes. For me, I was looking to get some sleep, get a head start on some looming deadlines and enjoy a few spa treatments that might help realign whatever it is that keeps my back and my neck from lining up straight. What I got was some clarity and a new way of looking at life.
After a few sleepless nights, I set off on a morning hike in Boynton Canyon toward the Kachina Woman rock formation, a 20 minute hike from Mii amo's back doors. Truth be told, I was feeling a bit frustrated. With no cell phone service, I felt uncomfortably removed from the rest of the world. Yes, that makes me a tech addict, workaholic and enabler of all things electronic in our world. However, that also makes me determined, devoted and dedicated to all the possibilities that make life and work a bit easier.
But it was time to escape. Even I could go a few days without talking on the phone. With that in mind, I used my key card to enter the hiking trail behind Mii amo (a way to let the hotel know you've gone on the trail) and began my ascent to the woman who is thought to be the protector of all in Sedona and among the strongest of Sedona's spiritual powers. Sitting at the base of the Kachina Woman is said to bring peace and clarity.
I hiked to the top, sat at the base of this woman and looked out onto the vast Red Rocks that formed Sedona. I was high atop a mountain with what seemed like the whole world in front of me. And that was the clarity. Even without cell phone service, and with no access to a computer or connection to the online universe, there was still an entire world in front of me just waiting to be conquered. And just like that, as if the Kachina Woman knew what I was thinking, three bars appeared on my cell phone and I had service.
Follow Melanie Nayer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/chic_travel
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