Curiosity is the lust of the mind. – Thomas Hobbes
Legend tells us of a secret hideaway of bandits and bootleggers in the hills southeast of Sedona. Getting there is as much of a mystery as the discovery. The unmarked trail takes you into a ravine and through a dry river wash, and the cairns offer reassurance that you are on the right path.
While the views are mesmerizing, the narrow, slick-rock cliff is an intimidating long way down. Waiting will invite hesitation, so we don’t stop. We shimmy around the edge with carefully placed hands and feet and continue until a glimpse of the cave offers a nudge to keep going.
I imagine the smell of a campfire and the scuffle of cowboy boots from those who keep guard. I picture money bags against the cave walls, crumbled wanted posters for the fire, and bottles empty of moonshine. There is a lookout to the east in addition to the unobstructed view of Sedona and the valley between.
It is a perfect vantage point in the event of a sting from bounty hunters and sheriffs. And it is breathtaking!
True or not true, its fun to let the imagination recreate a time we are familiar with because of novels and marathons of western movies.
In retrospect, evidence will lead you to understand a greater story to ponder. The natives call it Shaman’s Cave as it was a place of spirituality and healing. Healing bandits? Ha. The irony convinces me that maybe it just comes down to harmony, and a place is what you make it.
For me, it is an unexplained spirituality where my presence is woven into the stories past. I walk quietly and listen to the wind that speaks and search for messages to help me tell their stories.
And that he in my we?
Always an attempt at a getaway.
Opposites DO attract…
Humbled again by this beautiful place I also call home.
The Daily Post: LegendRecreate Sting Continue
WPC: Waiting
Love the images!
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Thank you. I was so overwhelmed, with the chance to walk in the footsteps of the past. It was beautiful. Thanks for stopping by.
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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Beautiful. So much to explore right here in AZ. Thanks for taking us along
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Thank you. I think this ranks up there with one of the most interesting hikes we have taken. Thanks for stopping in again.
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Wonderful to see all that natural space, great post
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Beautiful shots. The wide open spaces are evocative.
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Nice compliment. Thanks tom. I was completely taken back. I thought O knew what I was going to see, but to actually be there was fantastic.
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just amazing shots….so much beauty all around….one need to capture in the eyes….
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Thanks definitely a cool place…and character building at the same time. I’m not afraid of heights, but I am afraid of falling down them. haha. thanks again.
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Hahaha…..great….regards…..
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We just don’t have wilderness like that anymore here in the UK. Too small a country and it’s hard to get away from people. Great set of photographs.
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Thanks Mike. It’s interesting to hear you say that. Whenever I have friends and family visit from the east coast they always comment on “the eyes travel so much further here”. It’s a very beautiful place, Sedona.
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Beautiful place and shots! Loved the angles from which you have taken the pics!
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Thank you. It’s an amazing place. It was a fun place to experiment with photography. Thanks for swinging by. Donna.
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Beautiful pictures Wind Kisses. I just put this place on my list of must see!!!
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Hey thanks for popping in Patricia. Do go! I just visited your site. I don’t think I knew you did massage. ☺️
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Amazing place and photos 🙂
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Thank you. A favorite of mine.
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Beautiful post!
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Thank you. It’s a beautiful place. Those kind of places “write” themselves
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