Arizona

Story and Photos by: John Russo

Beautiful landscapes, food and great history equal a great time.

This could be the last frontier to be explored in North America, at least on the west side of the USA. More than just red rocks and hot rays Sedona, Arizona, is a spot to visit and maybe live.

Located in the upper Sonoran Desert of Northern Arizona, Sedona is the perfect vacation spot for any time of the year. For those who live in the north and don’t want to spend most of their vacation funds this winter on the usual Florida getaway, then Sedona, Arizona, is an alternate move. With mild winters and summer, you don’t have to worry about choosing the right time for a visit either, making it an obvious pick. Sedona is a wonderful place and is famous for its red rocks known as the the Schnebly Hill Formation. The red and mixed orange sandstone only found in Sedona is a spectacular sight to behold and because of this, these rocks have landmarks that every new visitor must take time out to go see. Many of the rock sights seem to resemble things that are common to us in everyday life and so they are given names such as Coffepot, Cathedral, Cow pies, and Rabbit Ears Rock. There are even two other rocks that are said to resemble Snoopy and Lucy from the “Peanuts” comic strip.

Along with the rocks, Sedona is also rich in history, of which we are always reminded by the first people of Sedona, native Americans called the Yavapai. Said to be decendants of the first lady, referring to the daughter of the Lady of the Pearl, the Yavapai retell the creation story of how they came to Sedona. It is said that the Lady of the Pearl was somehow sealed in a log with a woodpecker and sent to a huge well at the beginning of the great flood. It was said that for forty days and nights it rained continuously and the log was set to drift on water until it hit the lands of Sedona. With the help of the imprisoned woodpecker the lady was set free. Guided by the bird, she was led to a summit in the Mingus Mountains. The young lady carried with her a stone that was given to her by her people which attracted the sun who fell in love with her. Returning to Sedona, she gave birth to a girl who became the first lady of Sedona and the mother of the Yavapai people. It is sad to say that such a great story is just one remnant of few that are left to show the vast of a people who at one time inhabited the area largely. Today only forty- five percent of people in Sedona are Native American. In 1879 the first white settlers moved into Sedona where they were able to grow apples, becoming Sedona’s first farmers and ranchers.

The Sedona Mii amo is located at a cool altitude of 4,600 feet, surrounded by Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. Within the grounds of the world-famous Enchantment Resort are fourteen spa guest rooms and two deluxe spa suites.

With its historic past, there is another past that the Sedonians are quite proud of, their cinematic link to Hollywood. Because of the vast rocky landscape, in the middle of nowhere, it seems that in the fifties it became the perfect spot for western films. Even Robert De Niro has visited this place in a little film called “Midnight Run” where he participated in an intriguing scene of cat and mouse. Whether before Hollywood or during, Sedona is a spectacular place to catch up on some new art and other special events.

The Sedona International Film Festival is one of these events that is held every year. This fiveday event features more than 130 films. Get your fill of foreign films, shorts, documentaries, and of course animation. Founded in 1997, it has grown into an event that hosts workshops to teach and share knowledge to aspiring filmmakers of the next generation. If you are a film enthusiast or someone interested in putting something out there for the world to see, then it would be a good idea to look the festival up. Many of the films from this festival have gone on to gain Academy Award nominations with films such as “Spellbound”. Don’t be suprised to catch a glance at guests such as Ted Danson and Andrew Mc- Carthy.

If you aren’t into spending a vacation sitting in a dark room watching films all day, then there are plenty of other activities to get those vacation juices flowing. Founded in 1982, The Sedona Jazz and Rocks Festival is held at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort for four days in September. Bringing the greatest names in jazz to Arizona, it is a treat to drown yourself in. Held this year from September 23rd to the 28th, catch acts such as Tony Monaco and Cinco de Moio & Salome.

Music and film would seem to be enough for this small town, but along with these great events is the GumptionFest. This is a fairly new event that was founded in 2006, but has only gotten better with each passing year. A local street festival, the GumptionFest gets down to the nitty gritty of things. It spotlights everything from graffiti to poetry with open mic nights. Sorry readers, you won’t get to catch this festival again until next June, but it is something to seriously look into on your next visit. What is open all year round is the Sedona Arts Center, which is one of the oldest art centers in northern Arizona. Holding events and exhibits hosted by the center’s school it not only supports the town, but artists on their way up.

There is just so much to see and enjoy in Sedona. Along with the festivals check out the beautiful Sedona Mii amo resort. Just don’t get carried away within the luxury of the four walls you pay for. It’s very easy to do. Get out and enjoy this beautiful area. At sunset take a walk to the red rocks and watch the sunset in an array of colors fascinating for any true sightseers. At the Sinagua Plaza there is a beautiful sculpture of a native American man and woman called the Sinagua Fountain that is a must see. Finally, you can’t leave Sedona without going and admiring Devils Bridge. Take in the sights of land still untouched. There are still many places to discover and explore. This area gives the visitor the choice of being creative in their travels.