Sedona: Indian Crafts and Honanki
May 10, 2021 02:45 pm
Sedona: May 10th
It was day 2 with the Jeep, and we decided to break it up with some off road trails, and some winding roads. About 12 miles north of Sedona, on Route 89A, there is a lookout point on the right side.
The ride up is beautiful through the forest. It was a winding drive and the temperature definitely climbed as we rose to our destination. Of course, we had to stop at this little country coffee place about halfway up to get a cup of java, The Indian Gardens Café and Market. The two people running the place were a young man and woman who were very friendly. We had cappuccinos that were really good, as well as a homemade Macadamia Nut, chocolate chip cookie. It was a fun little place. So if you’re in for a coffee or a homemade snack stop by.
Our next stop was lookout point, as we were told by the locals that this is where you will find the Navajo Indian custom jewelry and crafts made by the Navajo. There were several tents lined up on the sidewalk on the way to the lookout. The Navajo women (they were authentic) were there with all their custom made jewelry and artifacts. We looked it over closely and decided it was actually made by the Navajo and even signed on the bottom by the Navajo designer. We purchased a beautiful double vase for our daughter in law. We also purchased a carved figurine of a grizzly bear for our home as it has great meaning, as we had an encounter with a grizzly, 3 years ago…a story for the future.
We then proceeded to the overlook where we found amazing views of the valley below. You could see trees and mountains for miles. It is definitely a stop over spot even if just for the views.
If you want authentic Indian Jewelry or crafts this is the spot.
Our trip continued to find Honanki. Take 89a from Sedona to Forest Road FR525 a very long bumpy dusty off road ride. Our suggestion is a 4wd vehicle for his trip. Honanki was one of the largest prehistoric pueblos in the Verde Valley. The Sinagua, ancestors of the Hopi, lived at Honanki from about 1100 AD to 1300 AD. The name means “Bear House” in the Hopi language. Pictographs are a key feature of the site and most were created when the Sinagua inhabited the area, although some date as far back as 2,000 B.C. The location was later home to the Yavapai and Apache who also left artwork on the stone walls between 1400 AD and 1875 AD. While living in the shade of the high red cliffs the Sinagua made tools from stone, leather and wood; hunted deer and rabbit; and tended crops and gathered edible wild plants.
It was definitely an American Indian themed day.
