Robert Sechrengost gathers stones to share with others

By Lu Stitt

Robert Sechrengost likes to give away his hearts.

They are not really his but small stones in the shape of hearts he finds as he hikes the trails around Sedona. He hikes nearly every day and picks them up when he sees them, but only the small ones he can put in his pocket.

“They actually find me. Once I started picking them up they started appearing more often,” Sechrengost said. “I give them away to whoever it feels right to give them to.”

Being in the Arizona sunshine is obviously something Sechrengost does a lot proven by the tan on his face and arms, and his hiking shoes as he enjoyed some breakfast at a West Sedona restaurant.

However, the tan is not only from being in Sedona the past four years. He spent a lot of his life outdoors. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for 31 years climbing poles Just shy of 50, he decided to retire much earlier than most.

“I’m very much into keeping healthy and learning about nutrition. I started in the 1990s about eating right, holistic medicine and staying healthy. Hiking is part of my routine.” Sechrengost said. He is tall and thin, and walks with a youthful lift to his step.

Sechrengost said he has always thought and lived his life outside of the box. In fact, he does not agree with the box. It’s too confining for him.

“For instance there are natural agents that can help heal but mainstream medicine doesn’t acknowledge them,” he said.

Another example, while most people are calling 2010 the start of a new decade, he thinks it isi actually ending the last one. It is the 10th year. He even chooses not to have a cell phone. He doesn’t see a need. 

“What I’ve actually tried to do especially since I retired is roll with life. The only thing I can do is change myself. 

That way I just put out love — unconditional love — to everybody.” Sechrengost said and stretched out his arms. “You just send it out and don’t expect anything back. That takes away from it at least a little.”

Sometimes Sechrengost hikes alone, other times he looks for people on the trail especially in Boynton Canyon to show them the way to the ruins.

“It’s peaceful and magical at the ruins. Sometimes I’ll play my flute,” he said.

He plays the American Indian flute because he enjoys making music and playing by ea.

“I play what feels right. Sitting there among the red rocks playing is spiritual. There’s a cave up off Coffee Pot [Drive]. I went up there and played. It was so magical.” Sechrengost said and closed his eyes as he smiled “I love to be out in nature and soak up its energy. It clears my mind.”

He likes to like Bear Mounam particularly for the views which change as a person ascends.

 “It’s spectacular up on Bear Mountain and the view is different at different times of the year,” he said.

Most of the heart-shaped slopes Sechrengost finds are red rock but he has found volcanic stones, grayish and whitish ones and one in a while he finds a piece of jasper. 

“It depends on where you’re at when you see. It’s all beautiful, he said. 

He stated then he never takes stones from wilderness or protected areas, only what he sees near the trail.