Caught up in the vortexes of Sedona, Ariz.

[...] given that this feeling was supposed to overtake me upon reaching a "general vicinity," not a specific set of GPS coordinates, there were no technical issues around finding the right place. At Crescent Moon Ranch, along with the usual glossy brochure about the park, a forest service ranger handed over a quarter sheet of paper with a photocopied map on it. Upon visiting a vortex - a place where there is said to be a metaphysical sort of planetary energy - an open-minded visitor should feel a sense of oneness with the universe. In Sedona, you can also have your aura photographed, take a class bending spoons with your mind, or book a UFO-spotting tour ("Ask about our sighting guarantee!"). In the vacation rental my family reserved for this trip, we found books that explained the vortex concept in confusing and nonsensical language; we took turns reading from them over breakfast. The Center for the New Age is across the street from Tlaquepaque, an immaculate, open-air shopping center built to replicate a traditional Mexican village. "Voted Sedona's Best Vortex!" I followed the arrows to a chair positioned under another protective sleeve. There is no need to go hunting for inspiration or the wonders of the natural universe, you can see them from everywhere, even from the uncomfortable back bench seat of a rented minivan. From the parking lot, the view is so spectacular it is mirrored on the soda machines that stand up against the Park Service bathrooms and postcards in convenience stores. According to many of Sedona's brochures, this is the most photographed view in town. [...] I felt pretty good.