The Arizona Experience: Sedona and the Drive-Thru Safari

Arizona is a fascinating state full of stark contrasts, with Phoenix serving as both the state capital and its largest city. You’ll experience scorching summers and mild winters. You’ll find palm trees, a variety of cacti, and beautiful wildflowers. The southern part of the state is no exception, as cities like Tucson and Yuma have even hotter summer temperatures, surrounded by a rugged and stunning landscape. But if you take a 2-3 hour drive north to Sedona and eventually Flagstaff, where you hit the east-west highway of Interstate 40, the desert scenery transforms into rolling mountains that rise to the Colorado Plateau, swapping palm trees for pine trees and offering a cooler, more alpine climate. I noticed this contrast during a work trip to the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale, Arizona, where I planned a little workation at the end of the week. Following a coworker’s suggestion, I decided to head north to check out Bearizona, a drive-thru safari and walk-through wildlife park, and sp…