Welcome to travel + explore & play with Sallee Jay, where I am your host. 👋🏾💓‼️
Lean in yall, I have a secret 🤫, I am whole 40 year old!!! 🥴😩👑😭🙌🏾❣️✨🤫🗣🌎🧘♂️💕💪🏽👏🏽
And for my birthday I went to travel + explore & play out in the middle of the desert 🌵.
I’ve always heard people describe their adventures to local travel destinations like Moab, the Grand Canyon and Sedona. With that in mind, I set out on a road trip with my besties to ultimately celebrate in Sedona, with a few stops in between.
On the way out to Sedona, our original plan was to take a more scenic route for our road trip, details are below:
Distance: 867 miles
Driving time: 15 hours and 8 minutes
Suggested length of road trip: 2 days
• Denver, CO
• Moab, UT
• Grand Canyon
• Sedona, AZ
Ultimately, we decided against the Grand Canyon for the sake of time. However, after this EPIC road trip, I’ve decided to make an exclusive trip to the Grand Canyon in the fall because I just have to see this natural wonder. Read along, as I describe my journey to 40 and all the wonderful things that I got to see and experience along the way.
Day one:
Was a super chill day as we headed out on our first leg of the trip from Denver to Moab. We stopped in Silverthorne, CO for a hearty breakfast and made it to Moab in about 5 hours. It was a very majestic, scenic and mountainous drive. The canyons and valleys going through the Rocky Mountains and then on to Utah were amazing to take in and enjoy.Once there, we checked into our hotel and went to explore Moab and what it had to offer. We quickly learned that there were several National Parks in the area with prehistoric rock formations with one of a kind arches and recreational trails for miles.
The National Parks Service recommends that you plan on spending at least a few hours in the park, exploring the scenic drive and several of the viewpoints and short trails. If time permits, longer hikes lead to many spectacular rock formations, or consider attending a ranger-led program to learn more about this special place. Guided walks and/or evening programs occur daily, spring through fall.
Entrance Fees for the park are as follows:
Private Vehicle Fee - $30.00
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.
Motorcycle Fee - $25.00
Admits a private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders.
Per Person - $15.00
Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.
Entrance Passes:
Southeast Utah Parks Pass - $55.00
Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges National Monument.🚨 Or for $80 you can get a pass for all of the National Parks in the United States, what a DEAL!!!🚨
VISIT MOAB
Check out these great National Parks and Scenic Drives the next time that you are in Moab.
If you plan to visit during peak season, Arches has some big news! From April 3 to October 3, 2022 Arches will implement a temporary, pilot timed entry system to help manage traffic and improve visitor experiences. In this video, Rangers help you plan your next trip and outline what you’ll need to enter the park.
TRAVEL HACK! We went during the off peak season. Due to this, we were able to spend as much time in the park as we wanted. We ended up spending a little over 3 hours in the park and barely scratched the surface, not to mention there are less people and crowds to contend with on the roads and trails.
There are a few national and state parks to visit in the Moab area, along with scenic byways. While we only had time to scratch the surface of Arches National Park, I cannot wait to come back and take in more of the natural beauty and scenic passes. I also want to camp, mountain bike, kayak and ATV when I return.
Day Two:
The best part of day two was traveling through Navajo Nation. According to discovernavajo.com, The Navajo Nation has a land base of 27,000 square miles, extending into the States of Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah. This area has a long history going back as far as pre-historic times & the subsequent arrival of Spanish & European settlers. This is home to the Navajo people with its array of more than a dozen national monuments, tribal parks & historical sites, and peppered with a dozen lakes and ponds – Lake Powell alone has 186 miles of Navajoland shoreline.
During World War II, the Navajo language was one of the Native American languages used to create cryptographic codes that were never broken.
The Navajo Reservation
Situated in the northeastern portion of Arizona and in the northwestern part of New Mexico is the Navajo reservation. Now the largest Indian reservation in the United States, comprising as it does nearly ten million acres, or nearly fifteen thousand square miles. The Navajo reservation spans into northern Arizona, northwest New Mexico and southeast Utah.Being equal in size to the combined areas of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
The home of the Navajo Indians has always been considered one of the most arid and barren portions of the Great American Desert.The average rainfall in this region is from ten to fourteen inches, and is usually confined to two short seasons.The valleys and lower levels are destitute of trees, save for the cottonwoods that fringe the banks of the arroyos and running streams, though the mesas.
The mountains are fairly well covered with pinion, cedar, oak, juniper, white pine, and spruce.The elevation is from four to ten thousand feet above sea level, with an attendant climate unsuited to the luxuriant growth of vegetation.
Chip Thomas
Chip Thomas, aka “jetsonorama” is a photographer, public artist, activist and physician who has been working on the Navajo Nation since 1987. Chip grew up in North Carolina where he was first exposed to the philosophy of doing the greatest good for the greatest number.
Outside of the rich history of the Navajo people, I was also intrigued by the pockets of graffiti and street style art all around. As we passed by one particular abandoned motel with colorful and soul illuminating art paired with strong messaging around social issues, I exclaimed “STOP the car!! I want to go back and see the art we just passed.” Boy am I glad that we stopped. At the time, I was mesmerized by the art and the overwhelming draw to go back, however, upon researching for this blog, I have discovered the inspiration and artist behind the art. Chip Thomas, aka “jetsonorama” is a photographer, public artist, activist and physician who has been working on the Navajo Nation since 1987. Chip grew up in North Carolina where he was first exposed to the philosophy of doing the greatest good for the greatest number.
The Painted Desert Project is a privately funded public art initiative which connects artists with communities through mural opportunities on the Navajo Nation.[1] The Painted Desert Project is the brainchild of Chip Thomas, a doctor, photographer, activist and long-time reservation resident.[2]
The Painted Desert Project began in 2012 when Chip Thomas invited several world-renowned street artists to the Navajo Nation for short-term residencies, during which the artists immersed themselves in the local communities. By requiring the artists to embed themselves within the local communities and engage in extensive research, it is hoped the artists will produce work that has relevance to the communities in which the art will remain after the artists depart.[3] This embedded short-term residency approach is intended to obviate the possibility of cultural imperialism, a charge often leveled at large street art festivals.[3] The art, primarily murals and enlarged photographs, grace water tanks, buildings, and roadside stands adjacent to the interstate highways which lace through northwestern Arizona. The installation of art pieces has encouraged the revival of previously abandoned buildings and roadside stands, thereby energizing the community and elevating economic prospects on the Navajo Nation.[3] More importantly, a dialog has begun between residents of the reservation about the work as well as between tourists passing through the area and local residents. In a small way the art brings people together and stimulates conversations that might not otherwise occur.
Artists who have been involved with the Painted Desert Project include: Tom Greyeyes, Troy Lovegates, Thomas "Breeze" Marcus, Monica Canilao, Overunder, Doodles, Labrona, Gaia, Roa, JB Snyder, Pixel Pancho, 2501, Ever, Jaz, Alexis Diaz, Hyuro, Mazatl, Stinkfish, LNY, Nanook, Jess X. Chen + Mata Ruda.[2][4]
After a full day of the Navajo Nation, we decided against heading to the Grand Canyon and went on to Sedona to check in the house and get some rest. The house that we stayed in was just outside of Sedona, located in The Village of Oak Creek. From the views to the intentialtiy of the design and function of the home, it was the perfect space for my celebration.
Day Three:
By this time all of my house guests had arrived and I had a full day of adventure and celebration planned. We all hopped in the van and drove to a trail near by recommended by the house manager, to get some exercise and take in the views of Cathedral Rock. We also found some vortexes in the area, all I can say is the ENERGY is one of a kind.
Then we went back to the house, had breakfast as a group and prepared for our next adventure. Shout out to Tonoa for saving the breakfast potatoes, she’s the real MVP!!!
Next on the agenda, an ATV tour of the West Sedona Canyon area located about 8 miles west of Sedona. We met at the Arizona ATV Adventure depot and training area in town and the 3-hour tour began when we arrived about 15 minutes later by car at the trailhead. We toured the outback of the West Sedona Valley, where over 40 movies have been filmed over the years.
There are over a hundred miles of trails to choose from, which provides Arizona ATV guides with the opportunity to customize each tour based on the age, interests, and skill levels of the group. We were awestruck by views of the Verde Valley from the top of Skeleton Bone Mountain, over 800 feet above the valley floor.
When it was my turn to drive the ATV, I did run off road into a BUSH!!! I laughed it off at the time, but that shit hurt!!! Lol. My partner was pretty shaken up as well, however, he was a trooper holding on for dear life for the rest of the ride.
We then headed back to the house for some free time and to prepare for dinner. I arranged for private Chef Nicholas Di Paolo to come and prepare my birthday feast in the home. I have one picture, of only one of the dishes, as the food as the conversation were flowing and everyone was savoring the moment and honoring my request to be present. What I can say, is that the food was delectable and Chef Nic service is worth it all! The lamb was so tender and fell off of the bone, the aromas and flavors were perfect.. Chef Nic was a true delight. He was the honorary seventh member of our party, adding his candor to the conversation. As you can imagine after a full day, great food and drinks people retired for the evening soaking in all of the events of the day.
Day Four:
The last day of our trip was also super chill. Some of our house guests had to leave in order to honor prior travel commitments. They bestie and I went for a morning hike a short distance from the house.
Later in the day, I had family come up from Scottsdale to share in my celebration with me. We indulged in leftovers for dinner and enjoyed star gazing in the jacuzzi for the final night! All in all, I had a wonderful trip. It was full of surprises and small delights. Everyone went out of there way to make me feel very special. Hands down this was one of the most peaceful trips that I have take with a group.
If this trip is any indication of what my 40’s will be like, I am headed toward building a really awesome life filled with love, movement, respect, privacy, peace, family and nature.
I am filled with gratitude for the people who took time out or their lives and schedules to spend my birthday with me. I was able to see things I’ve never seen before. Sedona is very peaceful and relaxing and I highly recommend this destination if your are looking to reconnect with yourself and your peeps.
Sallee Jay ❣️
