Ghosted by the Sedona Vortex

 November 3-4, 2025

We woke up at our new campsite to a beautiful sunrise and a brisk 37 degrees—basically a full 50-degree drop from the “toasty desert lizard” temperatures we’d gotten used to.

Since the repair bill on our car was going to be $8,000 (if you don't know what I'm talking about, you obviously haven't read my previous posts), George decided it couldn’t hurt to take it to the dealer and see if the warranty fairy might swoop in and cover something. Anything. Even a sympathy bolt.

Turned out the true perk of bringing it to the dealer? Free loaner car. Which meant we could return Dana and Glade’s truck so we could stop feeling like freeloaders. Of course, when we returned the truck, we didn’t leave empty-handed. Dana and Glade sent us off with home-grown key limes and pomegranates—so yes, we were still freeloaders. But dang, those key limes were refreshing in my water. 

On the way back to camp we stopped to hike Bell Rock in Sedona, one of the four major Sedona “vortexes” known for its swirling spiritual energy. People come from all over to meditate, heal, and feel the universe hug them. I felt… nothing. Not a tingle. Not a cosmic whisper. Well, that's not entirely true. I did feel some irritation that my white Hoka's were slowly turning a light shade of red. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I’m the kind of person who can’t be hypnotized either. My brain is like, “Nope. We don’t do magic.”  

Although—full confession—when George’s water bottle started vibrating and making this bizarre buzzing noise, for one tiny dramatic second I thought, Maybe the vortex is real. Then I remembered that’s just what happens when air pressure changes. So much for enlightenment.

But maybe there is something to the vortex theory after all, because while we were perched up on Bell Rock enjoying the view, the dealer called and told us that nothing was actually wrong with our car. It just needed its computer cleared and recalibrated, which they did as a courtesy. A FREE fix. I just might concede the vortex works in mysterious ways.

Relieved, but spiritually unchanged, we took the scenic route back to camp—which is redundant, because everything in Arizona is scenic. I think I like Arizona. In the fall. Plus they know about zipper merges!