A whirlwind visit to Sedona, AZ with a Lumix LX100 MkII: I saw people asking about Sedona on the forum before finally creating a profile, so wasn't able to share any of our limited...

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

I saw people asking about Sedona on the forum before finally creating a profile, so wasn't able to share any of our limited experiences. We visited over a long weekend in early May in order to see my aging stepfather in Sun City West (98 years old last month). Our primary focus was to spend some time with him but it was my first time to set foot in Arizona and I hoped to see a little of the landscape ... if possible. Our Airbnb host was a photographer in his retirement and was kind enough to make some suggestions. At least three people had mentioned Sedona, so on our last day and before catching a very late flight, we drove up there and had a skinny two hours to spend before returning to the airport in Phoenix. It was well worth it! We didn't set foot in town except to buy a sandwich, but we stopped alongside the road in a couple of places on the way up (first photo) and visited two specific locations... the Crescent Moon Ranch picnic area and the Sedona Airport Road lookout (not much time there at all).

With the short duration and focus of our trip, I decided to take only one camera and see how I did with the Lumix LX100 Mk II. While I like the quality of the photos it can take, I sure did miss an articulating screen! I've gotten spoiled. Trying to frame shots when it's impossible to hold a viewfinder to your face and in blazingly bright light... well, I'm sure I'm not alone in finding that challenging. The camera is fairly new and I've not totally bonded with it. Anyway... I'm mentioning that in case some of you have an interest in that particular camera for travel. It does have a lot to recommend it... and the viewfinder is there, as long as you able to get it up to your face while composing your shot.

The first photos are from our limited exposure to the Crescent Moon Ranch area. We didn't have time to check out all of the trails or look for alternate shots. I just loved that place... beautiful! I did a little post processing on most of them... mainly to make things look the way I remember or bring up shadowed areas. Most of the shots are from Crescent Moon Ranch... the last two from the Sedona Airport Lookout. That was quite the trail! For those who are nimble and have a bit of the mountain goat in their souls... it's kind of fun.

I didn't upload originals. If for some reason anyone wants that, just let me know. I mostly wanted to share the beauty for those who are thinking of going.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice work! You certainly got the most out of your time, Kathy.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Nice series.

harveyalt

Very nice pictures. Now you need to go back and really see the place. I suggest a Pink Jeep Tour up into the rocks. The views are amazing.

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

harveyalt wrote:

Very nice pictures. Now you need to go back and really see the place. I suggest a Pink Jeep Tour up into the rocks. The views are amazing.

If we get back there I'll keep it in mind. It was certainly beautiful and that was nowhere near enough time. I was grateful for the sampling we did get.

And thank you!

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

NMGal wrote:

Nice series.

Thank you!

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

UTMike wrote:

Very nice work! You certainly got the most out of your time, Kathy.

Thanks! We sure tried. We could have had another 30 minutes at the Airport Lookout spot if we'd gotten word of our flight delay sooner. The notification came in on the phone when we were halfway to Phoenix.

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Nice shots.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

WAstinkbug wrote:

I saw people asking about Sedona on the forum before finally creating a profile, so wasn't able to share any of our limited experiences. We visited over a long weekend in early May in order to see my aging stepfather in Sun City West (98 years old last month). Our primary focus was to spend some time with him but it was my first time to set foot in Arizona and I hoped to see a little of the landscape ... if possible. Our Airbnb host was a photographer in his retirement and was kind enough to make some suggestions. At least three people had mentioned Sedona, so on our last day and before catching a very late flight, we drove up there and had a skinny two hours to spend before returning to the airport in Phoenix. It was well worth it! We didn't set foot in town except to buy a sandwich, but we stopped alongside the road in a couple of places on the way up (first photo) and visited two specific locations... the Crescent Moon Ranch picnic area and the Sedona Airport Road lookout (not much time there at all).

With the short duration and focus of our trip, I decided to take only one camera and see how I did with the Lumix LX100 Mk II. While I like the quality of the photos it can take, I sure did miss an articulating screen! I've gotten spoiled. Trying to frame shots when it's impossible to hold a viewfinder to your face and in blazingly bright light... well, I'm sure I'm not alone in finding that challenging. The camera is fairly new and I've not totally bonded with it. Anyway... I'm mentioning that in case some of you have an interest in that particular camera for travel. It does have a lot to recommend it... and the viewfinder is there, as long as you able to get it up to your face while composing your shot.

The first photos are from our limited exposure to the Crescent Moon Ranch area. We didn't have time to check out all of the trails or look for alternate shots. I just loved that place... beautiful! I did a little post processing on most of them... mainly to make things look the way I remember or bring up shadowed areas. Most of the shots are from Crescent Moon Ranch... the last two from the Sedona Airport Lookout. That was quite the trail! For those who are nimble and have a bit of the mountain goat in their souls... it's kind of fun.

I didn't upload originals. If for some reason anyone wants that, just let me know. I mostly wanted to share the beauty for those who are thinking of going.

I saw people asking about Sedona on the forum befo... (show quote)

Nice set Kathy.

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

Doddy wrote:

Nice shots.

Thanks!

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

J-SPEIGHT wrote:

Nice set Kathy.

Thank you!

GreyOwl40 Loc: Quebec City

An attractive set of photos! You did well considering the limitations on time.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Sedona is beautiful, and you have captured it well--nice photos.

I’ve been there several times over the years, and you didn’t miss anything by not going into the town itself. It has turned, over the years, from a somewhat sleepy town with a wide road (dirt along the edges when I first visited) into a full-blown traffic-laden tourist trap. It’s still an interesting town to visit, but the real beauty is in the countryside where you were.

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Beautiful pictures

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Great set. I love the many day hikes you can take in Sedona - beautiful views around every turn!