Escapees January-February 2024

eventually sold the lodge to the National Forest Service, in 1968. Tragically, in 1980, a fi re reduced it to ashes. Walking around the broken ruins of the stone fi replace in what was once the living room but is now open land, I ran my hands along the partial stone wall and glassless round window that still stand. It is hard to imagine the sounds of those Hollywood voices booming through a two-story building here, sun pouring in the large windows and glinting off a 1940’s vintage car parked out front, as portrayed in an antique photo of the lodge on a plaque nearby. A Welcomed Escape Celebrities still fl ock to Sedona, and the town has a decidedly upscale tone. Loaded with spas, high-end hotels and fi ne dining, it is both a playground for the rich and a welcomed escape for regular folks from nearby Phoenix. Although we haven’t sampled Sedona’s fi ne dining, we did discover that one of the best ways to cool off after a day outdoors is with a tasty microbrew beer at the Oak Creek Brewing Company, in West Sedona on Coffee Pot Drive. Their Nut Brown Ale has long been a favorite of ours. What fun it is to savor one right where it’s brewed! Spiritual Vortexes, Art and Whimsy Sedona is considered by many to have a strong spiritual power. Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa and a few other spots around town, are known as “vortexes” where transcendent energies are particularly concentrated and are most easily sensed. These “New Age” sentiments around the area may sound a little far fetched, but the ancient Indians felt a similar mystical inspiration here. Some modern tribes still perform sacred ceremonies in the area. I can’t say that we’ve experienced anything out of the ordinary at these vortex sites, but it is easy to believe that the majesty of the landscape surrounding all of Sedona is the work of a divine hand. Human hands, however, are respon sible for the many exquisite and whimsical works of art around town. Sedona is home to many artists and is full of galleries and art studios. There are also several lovely

EMILY AND MARK FAGAN #99408 traveled full-time by RV and sailboat for 13 years and now enjoy RVing part-time. Emily has written over 200 articles for various RV and sailing magazines, and the Fagans’ photography has appeared on magazine covers, in commercial wall calendars and even in museums! Follow their blog at roadslesstraveled.us. our favorite places. Quaint, rugged, chic and picturesque all at the same time, there is a fantastic array of things to do, and we always leave wanting to come back formore. bronze sculptures on the main street of town. An especially charming one depicts an artist standing before an easel and holding a paint pallet. He is gazing at a magni fi cent mountain view while a child by his side takes his photo. On an even more playful note, a group of oversized xylophones stands under a ramada in the center of town. The mallets resting on each xylophone tempt all pass ersby to strike the instruments a few times and listen to their deep mellow tones. Winter Wonderland While Sedona is most popular in the spring and fall when the temperatures are mild, a visit in mid-winter when the red rocks are laced with snow is unforgettable. As an added bonus, the town is much less crowded then. We hiked the Bell Rock Pathway and Courthouse Butte trails last January, right after a snowstorm, and found ourselves in a vivid red fairyland dusted with snow. A week later, a blizzard came in and blanketed the entire area in a thick white pelt, creating truly dazzling scenery at every turn. However, if shivering in your RV isn’t your idea of fun, consider staying in the warmer Sonoran Desert area around Phoenix and taking a day trip to see the red rocks when they don their winter fi nest. Just watch the Sedona weather forecast for a snowstorm! In a nutshell, Sedona, Arizona, is one of If YouGo: Here are a few RV parks and campgrounds nearby: Rancho Sedona RV Park (Sedona) - https://ranchosedona.com Rio Verde RV Resort (Cottonwood) - www.rioverdervpark.com Sedona View RV Resort (Cottonwood) - www.sedonaviewrvresort.net Distant Drums RV Park (Camp Verde) - https://ddrvresort.com Verde Ranch RV Resort (Camp Verde) - www.verderanchrvresort.com

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January/February 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine