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Sedona: Where the Rat Race Stops
Lynn Ruth Miller
Speak to the earth,
And it shall teach thee.
Job 12:8
There
is a place where the hustle and bustle of civilization
pauses and peace of mind enters in. There is an island
of serenity enclosed in majestic rock formations that
began to take form over 300 million years ago when a
shallow ocean that covered the land began to recede.
Their color comes from the red iron-oxide stains formed
when flood plain deposits of iron minerals mixed with
oxygen painting the canyons in shades of pink, red and
brown.
In the midst of these glorious geological structures,
are vortexes of energy that enhance our sense of being.
If you have never felt the force of a sacred place,
then Sedona, Arizona is the place to discover it and
change your life.
The Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon area has been sacred to
aboriginal people since prehistoric times. Indians throughout
the western hemisphere would travel to the region for
healing and learning. It was not until the 1980's that
four centers were identified as the Sedona Vortexes.
Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon and Bell
Rock are focal points for an energy that traditional
scientists cannot understand or measure, but everyone
who has experienced them, knows they are there.
Whatever the source, this amazing energy brings undeniable
results. People who come to Sedona are suddenly swept
into creative endeavors they never dreamed they would
pursue. There are endless reports of miraculous cures
from serious diseases as well. In fact, Sedona is believed
to be the most powerful sacred place in this country.
Yet, that is not its only attraction. There are a variety
of accommodations to welcome the tourist, but for this
traveler, the hands down favorite for price, good taste
and for total comfort is The Quail Ridge Resort in Oak
Creek Village, just below the ascent to the city proper.
The entire complex has no touch of the commercial about
it. It feels like a home away from home. People stay
for weeks at a time with their computers, their families
and their unfinished projects. The resort is nestled
among the red rocks of Sedona overlooking Bell Rock
and Cathedral Rock, within walking distance of the main
highway yet removed from the tourist crush that has
tarnished much of the charm of uptown Sedona. Quail
Ridge is a family place where pets are welcome and children
are loved. Each two-bedroom chalet features a complete
kitchen, air conditioning and outdoor grills. Every
cabin is private and individual. There is an unobstructed
view of Sedona's natural wonders from each window and
hiking trails are but a moment from every front door.
Sedona is a comfort zone where you can wander among
the rocks, climb mountain paths and experience nature
in its loveliest dress. The scenery is breathtaking.
The bird population sings all year round and the winding
road through Oak Creek Canyon is as scenic a highway
as you will find anywhere in the world. The climate
is ideal for hiking and horseback riding because it
never rains. Each day is a carbon copy of the one before.
In winter, the highs are in the sixties, and although
summer heat can push the thermometer into the nineties,
the nights are cool and refreshing.
The city itself is fairly new. It was not until 1902
that the community got its post office named after the
wife of its first homesteaders, Theodore and Sedona
Schnebly. The town remained unincorporated, a haven
for the individualist until the 1980's and then, as
with all lovely places, the tourist industry moved in
to exploit it with posh resorts, upscale galleries,
and a Cultural Park with a 5,000 seat amphitheater that
features jazz and Latin music festivals and an International
Film festival famous throughout the world.
The art in featured in this tiny village is immense
in variety and scope. The Scherer Gallery has wall after
wall of exciting, innovative contemporary art and displays
the world's largest collection of Kaleidoscopes, every
size, every color, some imbedded in floral arrangements
and plants, some like lamps or telescopes and all unique.
It is part of the Hillside complex, a center far enough
away from the crowded commercial uptown area, filled
with interesting galleries, wines, rugs, unusual clothing,
antique maps and fine eateries. The Hillside Grill serves
a varied, reasonably priced menu in an atmosphere that
rivals the most posh urban restaurant.
The best place to enjoy non-commercial fine art is the
Sedona Art Center. It is located in Uptown Sedona and
is as far as this visitor cares to go into that part
of the town. The members' gallery is filled with innovative
collage, lovely textural canvases and pottery, all at
possible prices. This is the center of creative activity
for the residents of this small community and the work
is astounding in quality and originality.
Tlaquepaque is another special haven, a Sedona landmark
since the 1970's. It offers a collection of galleries,
shops and fine restaurants nestled in a copse of sycamore
and cottonwood trees. There are four old-world courtyards
filled with flowers and greenery, that blend architecture
with nature. The Chapel there evokes the feeling of
Old Mexico with whitewashed stucco walls and stained
glass windows. When there is a joyous occasion held
there, the chapel bells ring out the news for all to
hear.
Sedona features many spas but fr this traveler, the
star is Fango, managed by Gerrre Grande with an eye
to customer pleasure rather than the almighty dollar.
Patrons enter a secluded cabin surrounded by a garden
of flowers, to indulge themselves in their full day
spa services. Fango is a place to relax, have a massage,
take a mud bath or luxuriate in manicures, pedicures
and special shampoos. The staff is devoted to enhancing
the whole person, and sending the customer home feeling
brand new.
Modern life is so packed with activity that we forget
to allow ourselves time to refurbish the senses. In
Sedona, one can wander quiet paths and journey up a
mountain, down into a valley or deep within himself
and return knowing once more who he is and where he
is going.
One touch of nature
Makes the whole world kin.
Shakespeare
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