9/27/2018 – Sedona

Well, today was one crazy day! We drove south through the very scenic Oak Creek Canyon and got into Sedona about 10am. We headed straight for the Visitor Information Center to get a recommendation for a nice hike. We used the GPS to get us there. After we parked and approached what we thought was the Sedona Visitor Center, we were greeted by a very pleasant lady that promptly told us about the great tour specials they had going today. There were jeep tours, UTV rentals, and helicopter rides all at reduced rates. We really just planned to take a hike but felt we should at least consider the special deals. Nancy and I were talking about what we might want to do (if anything other than a free hike) when the lady told us we could get a free $75 meal voucher and a free helicopter ride if we were willing to take a 1 1/2 tour of the Hyatt Residence Club property in Sedona.  What?! We just wanted to take a hike!  Little did we know that the Chamber’s visitor center was right next to the Hyatt Vacation Club sales center……we were actually talking to one of the Hyatt’s front people that basically bribes people to take the tour. Well, guess what? We took the bait and agreed to take the tour in exchange for the freebies. We figured we’d be out by 12:30 and would take the helicopter ride, eat an early dinner and head home.

We listened to the pitch, negotiated a little to see what we could get if we actually bought in, and told them we’d come back after lunch……2 hours later, we owned a Hyatt Residence Club membership!  It’s a point based system and I have to say by the time we were done negotiating we had a heckuva deal. I just kept saying I couldn’t get Nancy “on board” (which was true, as those of you that know Nancy can imagine) and they just kept adding more benefits. Ultimately, we both agreed that the options, flexibility and cost that was offered to join the program was an excellent value.  I had looked at the Marriott Club over the years and Nancy and I explored it a couple of years ago and we hesitated due to the requirement to be “owners” at a specific club with option to trade. The Hyatt point system is much more flexible than the old traditional “time share” plans.

The helicopter ride was awesome! Neither of us had ever been in a helicopter so it was quite a thrill.  It was a 5 passenger Bell helicopter. We flew over and around most of the key rock formations that  Sedona is known for and, of course,  took lots of pictures. The flight was about 20 minutes and it was a blast.  It was difficult for Nancy and I to keep our iPhone camera’s steady enough to take good pics.  Many were only partially in focus.

So, needless to say, this day turned out a whole lot different than we planned. But we have no regrets…..it was an awesome day! Sedona is only about a 20  minute drive from our next home base in Camp Verde, AZ, so we plan to come back one day next week to hike and explore the art studios and shops.

Oak Creek Canyon on morning drive (taken thru the window). It was a super clear morning

…..and on way home this evening. Some of the clouds are actually smoke from a new fire

Helicopter ride