ARCOSANTI

Arcosanti is an experimental town that began construction in 1970 in central Arizona, just outside of Phoenix on the way to Sedona.  Architect Paolo Soleri, using a concept he calls arcology (a portmanteau of architecture and ecology), started the town to demonstrate how urban conditions could be improved while minimizing the destructive impact on the earth.The goal of Arcosanti is to explore the concept of arcology, which combines architecture and ecology. The town aims to combine the social interaction and accessibility of an urban environment with sound environmental principles such as minimal resource use and access to the natural environment. To accomplish this, the project is building an experimental town on 25 acres of a 4,060 acre land preserve.

An Arcosanti apse

Having begun construction in 1970, the town is still very much a work in progress. The population varies between 50 and 150 people, based on the number of students and volunteers on the site. Ultimately the town is intended to hold 5,000 people^. Currently there are 13 major structures on the site, of at most several stories in height. The master plan envisions a massive complex, called Arcosanti 5000, that would dwarf the current buildings.
Most of the buildings are oriented toward the south to capture the sun's light and heat — with roof designs that admit the maximum amount of sun in the winter and a minimal amount during the summer. For example, the bronze-casting apse is built in the form of a quarter sphere or semi-dome. The layout of the buildings is intricate and organic, rather than a typical city grid, with a goal of maximum accessibility to all of the elements, increased social interaction and bonds, and a sense of privacy for the residents.
Existing structures at Arcosanti have a variety of different purposes to provide for the complete needs of the community. They include a five-story visitors' center/cafe/gift shop, a bronze-casting apse, a ceramics apse, two large barrel vaults, a ring of apartment residences and storefronts around an outdoor amphitheater, a community swimming pool, an office complex, and Soleri's suite. A two-bedroom "Sky Suite" occupies the highest point in the complex and is available for overnight guests. Most of the buildings have accessible roofs.

The Arcos

Visitor's centre and residence

At present, the town is primarily an education centre, with students from around the world visiting to attend workshops, classes, and continue construction. It is also a tourist attraction with 50,000 visitors a year.
Some of the funding for Arcosanti comes from the sale of metal and ceramic bells that are made and cast from bronze on site.These bells are incredible (see photos).  Additional funding comes from donations and fees for workshops which run up to five weeks long. Much of the present construction at Arcosanti is done by workshop participants and volunteers.

AMITABHA STUPA

 A must-visit place for spiritual seekers the world over. Since 2004, such visitors have been flocking to Sedona’s Amitabha Stupa. (Some call it Sedona’s newest vortex.) Sitting majestically among the pinion and juniper pines, and surrounded by a landscape of stunning crimson spires, it is a jewel to behold. 

On any given day in beautiful Sedona, dozens of visitors trek up the short winding trails to the 36 foot Amitabha Stupa and the smaller Tara Stupa for prayer, meditation, healing, and the experience of peace in a sacred place. Sacred stupas have graced the earth for over 2,600 years.  Studpas are the physical embodiment of the Buddha's enlightened mind.  You see stupas on the Travel Chanel when they visit Tibet and you see all the prayer flags flying.  I truly felt like I was in Tibet, if not for a moment in time!  Stupas blessings are immeasurable.  Their presence, extremely rare in the West, extremely!  It is believed that once you have envisioned a Stupa, you are blessed and connected with enlightenment.  It is said to walk clockwise 3 times around the Stupa and pray.  So, thus, I did.  It was very spiritual for me.  Vortex winds, blew and I felt blessed and peaceful. . . .   I took lots of pictures!

OH, SAW A SNAKE ON THE ROAD ON THE WAY THERE, 5 FT. LONG!

ART AND RED ROCKS. THEY GO TOGETHER. . .

Almost everyone in Sedona is an artist.  Art is everywhere not only in the natural beauty of Sedona's mountains but also in all the thousands and thousands of statues and sculptures throughout Sedona.  Grabbing a coffee at Starbucks, you can't imagine the beauty around you!

AMERICA'S MOST VERTICAL CITY & LARGEST GHOST TOWN".

Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. Once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community. Four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its early history, resulting in the incorporation of the City of Jerome in 1899.

Founded in 1876, Jerome was once the fourth largest city in the Arizona Territory. The population peaked at 15,000 in the 1920's. The Depression of the 1930's slowed the mining operation and the claim went to Phelps Dodge, who holds the claim today. World War II brought increased demand for copper, but after the war, demand slowed. Dependant on the copper market, Phelps Dodge Mine closed in 1953. The remaining 50 to 100 hardy souls promoted the town as a historic ghost town. In 1967 Jerome was designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today Jerome is a thriving tourist and artist community with a population of about 450.

Jerome sits above what was the largest copper mine in Arizona and produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month. Men and women from all over the world made their way to Arizona to find work and maybe a new way of life. Today the mines are silent, and Jerome has become the largest ghost town in America.

Jerome's personality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Once a thriving mining camp between the late-1880s and early 1950s, Jerome is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450. It includes a modicum of artists, craft people, over 30 galleries, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and fallen-down-building landlords.

First Saturday Art Walk began in 2006, and has become a popular monthly event. In 2007, Jerome became a sponsor of The Sedona Plein Air Festival, and hosted some of the best-known plein artists in the world.
I ate at the Haunted Hamburger up high on the hill with a view of the valley below.  Daryl and I love this place.

SUNSET ON THE HOUSE ON BREWER

It was a busy day with an advanced flow yoga class with Cheryl followed by a water aerobics class (pilates style) with Jan.  Got a call from my step daughter, Lori~how wonderful.  Called my mom and dad also. Checked out Weber's IGA in the VOC (Village of Oak Creek, which is a part of Sedona), a few gallaries and then home for dinner on the back deck comprised of a glass of chardonnay, stilton cheese with lemon zest, grilled pita, pears from the Sedona Farmer's Market and organic carrots-yummmmm.  I could be a vegetarian again and again. . .

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Neighbor's rooftop on Brewer




Neighbor's House on Brewer

 

View in the back of the house!  OMG

What I know about Sedona:
1.  No matter how hot it is, Sedonian's always have their coffee.
2.  Be a pro with a round-a-bouts, the system they have for their roads here and person to the left always
     goes first.
3.  Sedona is the friendliest place and the people love, and I mean love to live here.
4.  Everyone is artistic and was born some where else in the world.
5.  People are new-agers and love to exercise and value their health.
6.  Every type of faith/religion is here except for Muslim.  Even ones I never heard of and I have heard of
     them all.
7.  Your home is either a home with views (of the mountains/red rocks) or a house down the street from a  
      view.  This greatly determines your house value.
8.  VOC means Village of Oak Creek.
9.  The best coffee is at Red Rock Coffee.  They create this design in my coffee.  True barristas.  Sorry      
       Starbuck.
10.  People north of Uptown Sedona have a shorter day due to their elevation.  They may even have snow!11.  Never leave your ipod out by the pool.  It gets so darn hot you can't touch the thing.  Sedona is up
       4,000 ft in elevation and the sun is pretty darn hot!!
12.  Wear your sun block.
13.  No one cares about makeup or clothes here, at all. 
14.  Great food at low prices CAN BE FOUND!
15.  Great wineries and more on the way!
16.  I never see the police or county sheriffs.  I did see paramedics though (coffee break only).
17.  Flagstaff Airport is the smallest airport I have ever been in.  35 minutes away and 3 security guards (all
       on a break watching a game on the TV in the bar).  Arrival and departure doors right in  
       front of the bar.  Same person checks you in, puts your bags on the plane and checks you through
       security.
18.  Road Runners don't run in flocks (is that the term)?  Where is the coyote?
19.  Carry water when you hike, always, even short hikes.
20.  More mediums here than anywhere, period.  Vortex central. 
21.  I LOVE SEDONA . . .  I  LOVE MY HUSBAND.  . . .



Oak Creek Vineyard & The Grasshopper Grille & Bar in Cornville

With other tasters at Oak Creek Vineyards



<> Bartender/Waiter at the Grasshopper Bar & Grille,                               nice guy . . .

Danielle, our Wine Gal at Oak Creek Vineyards

 Originally drove out to Canyon Creek Vineyards about 25 minutes from my house, only to find out that they didn't have a tasting room, only vineyards.  OK, I ended up on a rough, really rough dirt road out to no where, turned around and went to Oak Creek  Vineyard followed by Page Springs Vineyard and then a drove out to Cornville to The Grasshopper Grille & Bar.  The wine at Oak Creek was delicious.  Their reds are the best I have tasted so far. . .  Well, at $35 a bottle for the one I really liked, what can I say.  Met a couple from Denver who originally grew up in Avon Lake, Ohio.  They were on bicycles and had ridden 39 miles from Cottonwood and Sedona!  They followed me to Page Spring Cellars, where I had  shirah that was really great.  They recommended The Grasshopper Grille & Bar.  It was a cowboy-type of place but had a great sandwich and drink at the bar.  Met some fun people!  John McCain lives in Page Springs, which is remote with a few huge estates surrounded by horse ranches. . .