One night in Sedona
The Arizona desert was bathed in moonlight that cool November night in 1985 as I descended upon Sedona.The long drive down the steep mountain road from Flagstaff reminded me of the winding road from Willits to Fort Bragg.
I had been traveling for three days, just kind of meandering around Utah and Arizona by myself, checking out places I had never seen before. I had read about the vortex of spiritual energies that supposedly existed at Sedona, especially the area of Red Rock. I had read stories of UFO sightings as well as people having spiritual experiences just from being there. Red Rock was a special place to the Indians who had lived in the area as well. It was a must see on this trip.
I didn't get checked into a room until 10 PM. My plan was to drive out to Red Rock the next day and see for myself what all the who-ha was. By 11:30, I knew I wasn't going to sleep until I experienced Red Rock. So at midnight I was out driving around looking for the beautiful rock formation. I didn't know where it was but I knew it would reveal itself to me in the light of the full moon once I got to the right area.
A few miles south of town I came upon the unmistakable rock formations. I had seen them on Calendars, maps, and in magazines all of my life. And now they stood before me in the bright Autumn night, like a giant alter in a church. And like an empty church, it was quiet, except for the sounds of the soft desert breeze that rustled the cotton woods along Oak Creek.
I walked a little ways up the creek. Even though it was the middle of the night, there was enough moonlight to see where I was stepping. Soon I found a large rock and decided to relax and meditate for a few minutes. When I opened my eyes, the night air seemed especially energized, everything was glowing. I hadn't noticed this before but on top of Red Rock there was a small blue cloud, just hanging there. I had never seen a blue cloud before, but I figured it was an effect of the light of the full moon. However, what I witnessed next, I had no explanation for.
About a quarter mile up the creek I saw a white light. It was very dim at first but as it came closer it got brighter. At first I thought it was a coyote or maybe a wild white horse running along the creek. Soon I could see that it wasn't running, it was floating, and right over the top of the creek. My heart raced as I watched for a few moments, hoping it would veer off course and disappear into the desert. But it didn't, it kept coming closer, straight down the creek towards me. And the closer it got, the brighter it got and the brighter it got, the more I could see that it was floating, not running.
I wish I could say that I was more curious than afraid. I wish I could say that I had a personal encounter that night with a ghost, or an alien, or the spirit of a holy Indian. But I can't say that because survival instinct took over and I ran....straight to my car. As I got in, I could see the light was still approaching, so off I drove into the night. About halfway back to town, curiosity did get the best of me so I drove back to the same spot. Staying close to the car, I got out and looked around, but there was nothing there, no white light anywhere. The blue cloud however, was still hanging over Red Rock.
The next day as I drove away from Sedona, into the southern desert of Arizona, I was listening to the local news on the radio. They mentioned that several people had witnessed some type of UFO in the area of Red Rock the night before. My heart raced as I pondered the possibilities. What if I didn't run? What would I have experienced in the desert that night? I will probably be wondering that for the rest of my life. And I also have to ask myself, what would I do now, 22 years later if I could have the same opportunity. Would I run? I like to think that I wouldn't, but then again, you never know what you will do in a unique situation like that until you experience it. Someday I am going to go back to Sedona and I will venture out to the same spot I was at 22 years ago. If a white light comes floating down the creek towards me, I'll probaly split, but maybe not....but probably.