Planning a Trip to Sedona, AZ

November is a magical time to visit Sedona, Arizona, especially for photographers. Cooler temperatures, fewer tourists, and stunning seasonal colors create perfect conditions for capturing the famous red rocks, mystical landscapes, and crisp autumn light.

While the red rocks are striking year-round, November’s soft autumn light adds an extra layer of beauty, making Sedona’s scenery even more vibrant. The cooler weather also makes exploring different locations more comfortable, and while Sedona doesn’t have dense forests, there’s enough fall color around Oak Creek and surrounding areas to add splashes of yellow and orange to your shots. Clear skies and spectacular sunrises, sunsets, and starry nights make it ideal for a range of photography styles. And with a bit of luck, a few clouds may add dramatic touches to the landscape shots.

Here are some top photography spots in Sedona that I’ve found:

Cathedral Rock
Best Time to Shoot: Sunset
Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most photographed landmarks. Late afternoon light casts a warm glow over the rocks, and reflections in the nearby creek create stunning compositions. Try capturing it from Red Rock Crossing for that perfect mirrored shot.

Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte
Best Time to Shoot: Early Morning
Near Sedona’s entrance, these formations look beautiful at sunrise. The early light brings out their unique shapes and casts a soft glow across the landscape.

Devil’s Bridge
Best Time to Shoot: Early Morning
A popular hike leads to Devil’s Bridge, a natural sandstone arch offering a dramatic view of the valley below. Early morning light enhances the scene and helps avoid the crowds.

Airport Mesa
Best Time to Shoot: Sunset
Known for its panoramic views, Airport Mesa is perfect for capturing the rich colors of the red rocks against an evening sky. This spot is also accessible by car, making it a convenient location for sweeping landscape shots.

Oak Creek Canyon
Best Time to Shoot: Morning or Late Afternoon
In November, Oak Creek Canyon becomes a haven for fall colors. The creek, framed by autumn foliage, offers beautiful reflections. The West Fork Trail is especially good for capturing vibrant colors and unique compositions.

Chapel of the Holy Cross
Best Time to Shoot: Late Afternoon
Built into the red rocks, this iconic chapel creates a powerful contrast against its rugged backdrop, especially in afternoon light.

Slide Rock State Park
Best Time to Shoot: Early Morning
Known for its natural water slide, Slide Rock State Park offers scenic fall colors and beautiful creek shots. The sandstone pairs beautifully with autumn leaves, creating rich, earthy tones.

I don’t have a set itinerary while I’m there, as I’ll be with a group that includes locals as well as newcomers, so I’m sure it will be an amazing getaway regardless. Can’t wait to see what Sedona has to offer this time of year!

I think I am going Crazy

I think I might be losing it a little… why, you ask? Well, I’ve gone ahead and started another blog! Yes, I know, I already have this one, and I’ve even moved it over to a system I have here at home. I get it—I don’t update it as often as I should, so why on earth would I start a whole new blog if I can’t even keep up with this one?

The new blog, however, is solely focused on photography, which is a bit more niche compared to the broad, all-encompassing nature of this one. My hope is that by dedicating a space entirely to photography, I’ll be more motivated to post regularly on both blogs. Plus, if I can grow an audience for the photography blog, it might give me the push I need to be more consistent with updates here too.

I know, I know—just adding another project to my already long list. But hey, it’s all part of the journey, right?

General Update

It’s been a while since my last general update—since March, actually—so here’s a look at what’s been keeping me busy. With work, photography, camping, coding, and more, I never realized how much I had on my plate!

Coding:
I’m still learning Swift, and as the weather cools down and I spend more time indoors, I expect to dive deeper into it. I’ve got a few app ideas in mind, but mastering Swift’s fundamentals is my first priority. The language evolves quickly, and I find myself working hard to keep up. YouTube has been a great resource; I’m constantly watching tutorials and learning what I can when I have time.

Photography:
I’ve recently rediscovered my love for photography, and it feels fantastic to be behind the lens again. I’m eager for any chance to get out and shoot. I’m even building a list of places I want to visit specifically for photography. Who knows, maybe I’ll create an app with these locations to bring my coding and photography projects together!

RV Life:
Although I haven’t taken the RV out in the past couple of weekends due to other commitments, I’m still committed to this adventure. I’ve even thought about taking the RV out for a full week, working remotely from a campsite close to home. It would be a nice change of pace and a great way to make use of the RV without going too far.

So, that’s a quick overview of everything going on. I’ll keep updating as I move forward in each area!

Transitioning to Mirrorless with Canon R5 Mark II

After a lot of back and forth, I finally decided to pull the trigger on upgrading to a mirrorless system! This was a hefty $8K investment, so I’m committed to getting back out there and creating more. Since I already had Canon gear, I went with the Canon R5 Mark II—a beast of a camera with 20 fps shooting capability.

Here’s what I picked up to complete the setup:

 • Canon R5 Mark II Full Frame Camera
 • Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM – a fantastic all-around lens
 • Canon Mount Adaptor EF-EOS R – so I can still use my EF lenses
 • Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery – for some extra power
 • SanDisk 512GB Extreme Pro CFExpress Card Type B – to keep up with the R5’s speed

With this setup, I’ll be able to shoot high-speed frames without worrying about storage lag. I’m especially looking forward to testing out the RF lens at f/2.8 for versatile shots and, of course, slowly building up my RF lens collection over time.

I’ll be posting updates as I get out there and start putting this new gear to work. Stay tuned!

Weekend Trip to Texas Wine Country

A friend and his wife are in Texas for the weekend, and while we were catching up earlier this week, the question came up—what are we doing this weekend? Naturally, Fredericksburg came up since it’s right in the heart of Texas Wine Country. So, we made hotel reservations, and we’re heading down this evening. They’ll be joining us tomorrow, and it’s shaping up to be a great weekend of wine tasting and exploring the area.

Getting Back Into Photography

One thing I haven’t talked much about is my love for photography. When I lived in North Carolina, I was really active in it. Living on the coast meant I could capture beautiful seascapes whenever I wanted. However, since moving to Texas, I’ve struggled to find areas nearby that are quite as photogenic.

That said, I’ve set a goal for 2025 to get back into photography—a lot more of it! I’ve been using a traditional DSLR for years, but with most manufacturers now going mirrorless, it’s time for an upgrade. Unfortunately, my current lenses aren’t fully compatible with the new systems without using adapters, which can reduce image quality.

I’m currently looking into upgrading to the Canon R5 Mk II along with three lenses: the 15-35mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm. This is a big investment, though, so I’m weighing my options. In the meantime, I’m planning a few more trips this year to get back into the swing of things with my current gear before making any major purchases.

I’ll be sure to update the blog with any progress on this front!

RV Adventures Update & Starlink Mini

It’s been a while since my last post (I really need to get better at staying on top of this), but I’ve now taken the RV out three times. The first couple of trips were mainly to ensure I had everything needed for weekend camping. The gear list has grown a bit, but I think the best investment so far has been getting Starlink.

After some consideration, I decided to go with the Starlink Mini versus the standard version. The portability and having everything integrated into one unit made the Mini more appealing to me, especially since I didn’t want to deal with additional equipment. However, it does come with a pretty hefty monthly price tag. I’m currently paying $170 per month for unlimited data, but I’m tracking my usage closely. If I don’t end up using more than 170GB per month, I’ll probably switch to the $50/month plan and just pay $1 per GB over that, which could lower my bill significantly.

I also don’t plan on pausing the service, even during months I’m not camping, because it’s a great backup option in case I lose internet at home. It gives me peace of mind knowing I can still work and stay connected when needed.

One of the other things I’m working on is getting the Starlink Mini set up for use in my Jeep. I’ve seen people online using Starlink inside their Jeeps, saying that it works through the roof. So, I’ve ordered the mounting hardware needed to install the dish in the back of the Jeep. I’ll post more updates as that project unfolds—should be in the next few days!

Camping Gear List

Here is my gear list.  I will update it when I add new items.

Water:
Camco TastePURE 25-Ft Water Hose – RV Drinking Water Hose ( https://amzn.to/47whaNe )
RVGUARD RV Water Pressure Regulator Valve, Brass Lead-Free Adjustable. ( https://amzn.to/47qUEFb )
Water Bottle Pump 5 Gallon Water bottle dispenser ( https://amzn.to/4gq3yH9 )
COSORI Electric Kettle ( https://amzn.to/4eliZ1o )

Camp Ground Communication:
Retevis RB48 2 Way Radio Long Range, IP67 Waterproof Walkie Talkies. ( https://amzn.to/3MFBjXo )

Sewer:
Camco RhinoFLEX 20-Ft Camper/RV Sewer Hose Kit ( https://amzn.to/4ej1u1Z )
Walex Porta-Pak RV Marine Black Holding Tank Deodorizer Drop-Ins ( https://amzn.to/3B2lKGI )

Tools:
DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench ( https://amzn.to/3Xi1s3s )
Outdoor Garden Hose Silicone Washer Gasket ( https://amzn.to/4d0QHIB )

Electrical:
RV Surge Protector 50 Amp ( https://amzn.to/47n7R20 )
Outlet Extender with Night Light, Multi Plug Outlet ( https://amzn.to/3MJpcsi )
Cruise Essentials, USB C Travel Power Strip ( https://amzn.to/3BaF5Fz )

Misc:
Magnetic Curtain Tiebacks ( https://amzn.to/4dXYXu9 )

Learning the RV Life

This is a bit of a late post, but I wanted to make sure to share it.

Driving a Class A motorhome definitely has a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, everything starts to fall into place. After I picked up my RV, I made a quick stop at home to grab some supplies like a new water hose and a few essentials. Then, I headed straight to a local campsite to begin my first weekend trip.

For these first few outings, I’m still working on outfitting the RV with everything I’ll need—especially since I don’t plan on towing a vehicle behind. Setting up the RV at the campsite was more straightforward than I expected. I backed it into the spot and hooked everything up with ease, which was a pleasant surprise for a first-time RV owner.

During the first weekend out, I met some fantastic people who shared some valuable tips. One of the most important pieces of advice? Always have a water pressure regulator. The water pressure at many campsites can be extremely strong, and without a regulator, you run the risk of damaging your RV’s pipes. Luckily, another camper let me borrow one for the weekend, and now I’ve made sure to have two in my RV at all times.

One other tip for beginners: for your first few trips, it’s best to camp close to home and bring along a vehicle to make any quick runs for supplies. Trust me, you’ll end up needing things you didn’t even think about. For example, on my first weekend, I picked up a folding outdoor table that’s been perfect for cooking and storage. I’m actually planning to get another one, as one just wasn’t enough!

Another great addition was an ice maker—this has been a total game changer. It keeps drinks cold without needing to store them in a cooler. For now, I’m using bottled water in it because I’m not entirely sure about the quality of campsite water, and I want to make sure the machine stays in top condition.

I’ll be making a recommended gear list here on LoneStarRVLife.com for anyone interested in what I’m using. I’m heading out for another camping trip this weekend, and I’ll keep posting updates here as much as I can.

Today is the Day

Well, today is the day! I’m finally picking up the Class A Motorhome/RV. It’s about a 2 ½ hour drive away, and I’m excited to get on the road and bring it back. This weekend, I’ve already booked a spot at a local campsite, so the plan is to head straight there after picking it up and kick off my first camping trip.

The seller messaged me earlier today, letting me know he’s taken the day off so I can pick it up whenever I’m ready. Now, I’m just waiting for the bank to open, and once that’s sorted, I’ll be hitting the road to bring home the new RV. Looking forward to this new adventure!