This blog prefers not to render adverse judgments, especially on entire communities. But the members of the tour were decidedly unimpressed with Sedona, AZ. Julia felt carsick as soon as we crossed the city limit. Marty got to the essence: “retail, retirees, and red sandstone!”

The red rock formations that surround the city are spectacular as was the drive through Oak Creek Canyon from Flagstaff, 35 miles to the north. And Bob liked the plentiful outside tables at the various coffee places, always a plus as far as he is concerned. But there is something entirely too self-congratulatory about this small place, which has seen a significant inflow of wealth in the past 15 years, but now has a serious housing crisis with new construction halted and a large inventory of unsold homes on the market. Can bus tours stopping on the way to Grand Canyon keep the place afloat?