Over the course of many trips I have fallen in love with the idea of the “trip within a trip”. A day trip plunked down in the middle of the longer voyage is something that almost always brings me awe and rejuvenation. Going back to the first time my wife and I traveled to Europe, an expedition to Bruges in the middle of a two city trip to Amsterdam and Belgium is something that got this concept planted firmly in most of the plans I make to this day.

So, a spring training trip to Arizona for a week needed a day trip in the middle of it and after looking at some maps and talking to some friends, I landed on getting out of the Phoenix area for some hiking, exploring and even some wine tasting (yes!) in the general vicinity of Sedona. As I was battling morning rush hour traffic through what seemed like an endless Phoenix urban landscape I briefly doubted the intelligence of my plans. But soon enough, the the number of traffic lanes got down to a reasonable number and the landscape opened up to wider vistas and I felt myself easing into the day.

My first stop was just outside of Oak Creek. I had a spectacularly beautiful day for a morning hike…. the kind of day that gives you shivers of excitement. If I was hoping to feel awe, I had definitely found the place and day for that.

Granted, this was not going to be a hardcore hike. My goal wasn’t to get a workout, it was just to be out in nature, far from a city. Under expansive skies with the red earth beneath my feet, I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful setting.

Walking around Bell Rock will remain one of my favourite experiences of my Arizona trip. The quiet. The fresh air. That combination of walking leading to feeling my mind free up that is so much easier away from home. All of that made the morning a special time and worthy of skipping an extra day of baseball back in the Phoenix area.

I think the smile tells most of the story of this hike and how it made me feel….

With my batteries recharged as only nature can do, I drove north along a lovely twisting road, first through nature, then through quaint villages onto Sedona. My next stop was the Sedona Airport Overlook and I lingered for some time. The view from here was incredible.

By that point I had worked up quite an appetite and through some exceptional fortune or maybe good planning, at the base of the mountain was a cozy Mexican restaurant called Tamaliza. The owner of the restaurant and head cook founded the place on the principle that her husband loved the food she made for him everyday he went off to work, so others would too. She was right! My lunch was outstanding – humble, delicious and made with love. Pork tacos, rice and beans with a hibiscus iced tea was the best thing I ate in Arizona over the week.

Making this lunch even more special was the location. The hushed conversations of a few other diners on this shaded patio, a pleasant breeze taking the edge off of what was becoming a warm afternoon, a view out to the mountains…. complete bliss.

While I had read a bit about wineries in Arizona, I really didn’t expect to be that impressed with the product. I stopped in for a tasting at Page Springs Cellars and had my mind blown…. first, by this rose which kind of reminded me of a paloma cocktail with its notes of grapefruit. A perfect summer sipper that would pair beautifully with long evenings on my back deck back at home.

And my final wine, which would have been a scene stealer in just about any tasting flight, a Syrah that I enjoyed while overlooking the vineyard where these grapes grew not 100 feet away from my spot at the bar. Colour me impressed – it had finesse, a soft mouth feel; was fruity and a smoothness that masked the alcohol in a deadly way… a truly exceptional wine from Arizona!

I lingered for a bit at Page Cellars, enjoying the view, knowing that I faced a long drive back to the city and would be battling Phoenix rush hour traffic again in a couple of hours. An idea came to mind as a way to cap this great day…. a stop at a highly reviewed craft brewery on the north end of Phoenix where I could enjoy a few tasters of delicious beers while waiting out the worst of the traffic. Roses by the Stairs Brewing became the beacon for the end of what was a perfect day.

As I sat in their tap room thinking back over this trip within a trip, I was glad I decided to give up one day of spring training baseball for all that I got to experience. Natural beauty, delicious food, wine, a scenic drive… it was an amazing day.