Up, Up and Away

Believe it or not, there's one last "event" from our Sedona, Arizona, trip last November that needs to be shared...before I can lay that week to rest: our hot-air balloon ride (photo album).

It was my first such balloon experience in my life and is one I will never forget. It's hard to describe the feeling of 2 hours in the air at slow speed in the quiet beauty of the desert morning with the redrocks in the distance! But I'm getting ahead of myself....

Before the sun rose, we were picked up at our vacation house and taken out to the desert spot where 5 different balloons were being set up to fly together.

Part of the fun was watching all five balloons get blown up at the same time. Ours was the last (to the left out of the picture, just getting set up).

One by one, all that hot air....and then lift-off!

Then the ride! OMG! For the next two hours we watched the sun rise over the Cathedral Rock formation, one of the 7 vortexes in the Sedona area (see this post).

We even saw the San Francisco Peaks off in the distance, north of Flagstaff (below).

The rest of the trip was just as fun watching the other 4 balloons and taking pictures of where they were, either above or below us the entire ride.

Besides all that, the actual details of flying the balloon itself were so fascinating. I was enamored with all of it, from setup to navigation to takedown.

As I said, I'll never forget it.

And at the end, a celebration! Champagne, strawberries-n-cream, and a certificate of having taken a hot-air balloon ride over the upper Senoran desert! What more could we have asked for from "our beautiful, our beautiful balloon!"

Sedona and Her Vortexes

If you didn't yet get enough of it, please go back with me to Thanksgiving weekend when we were in Sedona, Arizona. Little by little I'm getting all the photos sorted and put into albums. YAAAY! Here's the Sedona Album.

We stayed at this adorable Sea Pines Resort outside Sedona where there seemed to be hundreds of these tiny "cabins," just perfect for a week's stay. From that point, it was an easy drive to anywhere we wanted to go.


We went to Sedona mainly to see/feel the vortexes for which it is known. I'll get to that in a minute but we had a chance also to visit the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village in the city. I'm always inspired by the artistic imaginations of people that create incredible pieces of art.

And as always, I'm so curious about the flora and fauna of places I'm not used to...like the desert! And even if we have our own version, like the cattails.



Now, the Sedona vortexes! There are 7 of them in the Sedona area that are considered biggies.

"In Sedona vortexes are created, not by wind or water, but from spiraling spiritual energy. The vortexes of Sedona are named because they are believed to be spiritual locations where the energy is right to facilitate prayer, mediation and healing. Vortex sites are believed to be locations having energy flow that exists on multiple dimensions. The energy of the vortexes interacts with a person’s inner self. It is not easily explained. Obviously it must be experienced."

For me, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built in 1956 between two natural red rock pinnacles was one of the best.

Inside the chapel was where we both felt calming energy. It brought tears to my eyes!

From the Airport Mesa (above) at sunrise, we climbed high enough to get a spectacular view.

Cathedral Rock (above) is probably the most well-known and photographed of all the vortexes because it's such a picturesque place along the Oak Creek.

Courthouse Butte (above).

Schnebly Hill (above).

Bell Rock (above).

Boynton Canyon is the only vortex of the 7 we didn't quite reach because, well, truth be told, you need a jeep! After trying to get there, driving about 2 mph (if that), we decided to turn back and not risk tearing up the rental car. But 6 out of 7 isn't bad, right?!

OK, now here's my theory. Spiritual energy is within us. Sometimes we feel it more than at other times. That's my take on the Sedona vortexes. It's become quite a tourist business, of course, which diminishes some of the effect. But if/when we are in tune to Spirit, I believe the vortex can be wherever we are. Some places, especially those in Nature, like what you see in these images, can definitely make us more receptive to spiritual powers. I believe it.

Do I second-guess the trip? Not for one second. It was a very beautiful and powerful place on many levels, for which I am thankful and still in awe.

Looking Ahead

When we left Phoenix, Arizona, for Sedona, the day after Thanksgiving, we decided to drive the long way via Prescott and Jerome. That's also when we saw Tuzigoot (from my last post).

I told Donica I couldn't imagine being that close to Prescott and not at least driving through it. When I think of Arizona, I think of the biggies: Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, Prescott....

So, we drove to Prescott's Courthouse Plaza, got out, took pictures and...basically decided not to waste any more time. It wasn't what we expected.


However, besides the few moments of sun shining on the courthouse (above), I loved this bronze statue that stood in its wings: "Cowboy at Rest." It's a replica of a miniature done by Solon Borglum in 1903 and was so soulful to me as I stared at his face.








As we look ahead to this New Year, 2009, I wish for us all to be "at rest," regardless of what happens. My own personal mantra will be:

"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."
(Isaiah 30:15)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(from Ruth and Don's farm)

Home for the Holidays

This is the same image I have up on my Hart & Soul blog for Christmas tomorrow. Can you imagine this being the home you go to for Christmas each year!

While on our Sedona trip over Thanksgiving weekend, we had the privilege of visiting Montezuma Castle (above) near Camp Verde, Arizona. Talk about breath-taking! I'm still trying to get my head around cliff-dwelling. What happens to people who are afraid of heights...or does that just not happen, at 100 feet above the valley floor! (Montezuma Castle photo album)

Now segue to another dwelling, Tuzigoot (pronounced two-zee-gute), approximately 15 miles west of Montezuma Castle, as the eagle flies.


This isn't a cliff dwelling but it has a similar kind of amazing feel to what it would be like to go "home for the holidays." Its summit is 120 feet above the Verde Valley. Both places were dwellings of the Southern Sinagua farmers in the 1100-1400s CE and both had clusters of rooms where individual families lived. (Tuzigoot photo album)

Hopefully you're home for the holidays, wherever home is for you this year. We had a wonderful celebration with our kids (Amy, Mark and Nicholas) this past Sunday. Donica is with her extended family south of Atlanta tomorrow. And I will be with my dear sister Ruth and hubby Don in Michigan starting next week, over the New Year. Maybe I'll get my fill of snow?! I sure hope so.

In case I don't post again before January...

Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!

Let's count our blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving

This is the same image I have on my Hart & Soul post as a way of saying Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Actually, it's the same image but in full color, instead of muted.

I was lucky enough to see this Münster reformed protestant church in Basel, Switzerland, when we were there a couple weeks ago. I was amazed at how accurate the time was on the sundial. I took the picture at 10:45 a.m. (click image to enlarge)!

Anyway, Thanksgiving best wishes to one and all! It's ALWAYS time to give thanks, no matter what our situation. Isn't that the key to happiness?!

Donica and I fly to Phoenix early tomorrow morning and then will drive to Sedona on Friday for a long weekend in the Red Rocks till Tuesday. We've always wanted to experience the vortexes there! I'll let you know if we come back as new/renewed women. :)