I had a memorable moment on this trip: I ended up having to relieve myself on the side of a mountain. Not the typical way to start a travel story, but it’s honest—and it’s the peak moment of this trip.
We booked a last-minute getaway to Sedona, Arizona to celebrate Mark’s birthday. We’d been talking about taking an impromptu flight for a while, and this time we actually did it. After debating whether to buy tickets the morning of or the night before, we booked the night before to give ourselves time to plan for a 6 AM flight. I used Southwest Rapid Rewards points for the flights and recently secured companion status, which meant Mark was able to fly free as my companion. That made the whole surprise financially feasible.
The trip’s aim was simple: spend uninterrupted quality time together and check off a bucket-list item. Sedona made sense because it’s affordable for a quick trip and perfect for hiking, which is our favorite way to spend time together. I asked followers on Instagram for recommendations and got great restaurant and hike suggestions. For accommodations we used Priceline for the first time and, while the booking process was frustrating—the displayed price changed when we tried to purchase—we still stayed at Poco Diablo Resort. Our first room was disappointing: noisy late-night activity and a barking dog disrupted sleep, which was a problem since we were waking before dawn for hikes. The hotel corrected the situation on the second night with an upgraded room, which helped make up for the rough start.
We landed in Phoenix at 7 AM (even with the time change) and reached Sedona by 10 AM. That gave us one full day plus two half-days to explore, hike, eat, and relax. Day one was a pool and recovery day, day two was our big hike day, and day three was a shorter hike before heading home. Here are the hikes we did.
Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain was our major hike and the setting for the mountain-side mishap. The morning started with too many cups of coffee and, halfway up, I felt a serious stomach rumble. Fortunately Mark had brought toilet paper. We’d also wandered off the trail at the time, which was both embarrassing and a reminder to always carry essentials and a sense of humor on the trail.
Aside from the navigational hiccup, Bear Mountain was excellent. It’s not a mainstream Sedona hike, so we enjoyed less traffic and expansive views across the valley. AllTrails rates it as challenging, and I agree—the trail gained significant elevation and required concentration. The round-trip is roughly six miles and provided the kind of rewarding summit views we love. A lesson learned: pack more water than you think you’ll need. We had about five liters between us but would have been better off with six, especially after getting lost for about 30 minutes.
Soldier Pass
Soldier Pass was our second hike. Like Bear Mountain, the trail markings were inconsistent, and our reliance on the AllTrails map led us off course more than once. What was listed as a 4.2-mile moderate loop became closer to a 5.5–6 mile trek after detours and getting turned around. While the extra mileage wasn’t a problem, the wandering added some tense moments—especially because desert terrain can hide wildlife like snakes.
That said, Soldier Pass was a great follow-up hike for day two: scenic without being overly strenuous, and it offered a different perspective on Sedona’s red-rock landscape.
Like many travelers, I didn’t take photos of our meals. When I’m on vacation I favor landscape photography over food shots, and our main dinners were often after sunset. Still, here are the places we tried and enjoyed while in Sedona:
- 89 Agave Cantina — margaritas, chips and salsa
- Elote — the whole menu is excellent
- Wildflower Bread Company
- Coffee Pot Restaurant — pancakes and omelets
- Sedona Pizza Company — pizza
- Javelina Cantina — margaritas
- Oak Creek Brewing Company — beer and barbecue
We gravitated toward Mexican food (margaritas and chips) and hearty breakfasts. I was a bit surprised by the beer scene; craft beer options seemed less prominent than wine, which appears popular with many visitors. Still, the recommendations we received were excellent—thank you to everyone who suggested spots.
Overall, Sedona exceeded our expectations. The red-rock scenery, accessible hikes, and compact downtown made it an ideal short getaway. Most of all, we cherished the time together—good hikes, memorable views, and the kind of uninterrupted conversation that’s rare at home. If you’re planning a short Sedona trip: pack extra water, bring navigation backups, and enjoy the many nearby trails. That’s the nutshell version of our surprise Sedona trip.