PhoenixToSedona

Sedona Arizona

The Trip from Phoenix to Sedona

Rock Springs Café and General Store – best pie in the West!

A trip north from Phoenix would never be complete without a mid-way stop at this century old institution. Rock Springs, for close to a hundred years, has been an Indian encampment, a bivouac, and the watering stop for miners, cattle drivers and sheepherders during the western expansion of the US, as well as a stage stop for the Black Canyon Stage from 1884 until 1917.

Also noted, it has THE best homemade pies in the region – worth the drive from anywhere!

Arcosanti – Paolo Soleri – and Wind Bells

When you take the “road less traveled” you discover some wonderful experiences. Arcosanti is one of them, an experiment in Arcology – the concept of architecture and ecology working as one integral process to produce new urban habitats.

North of Phoenix, at Cordes Junction, this concept by architect, Paolo Soleri, is a project of the Cosanti Foundation, that when completed will house 5,000 people by combining compact urban structure with large-scale solar greenhouses on 25 acres of a 4,000 acre preserve.

I was fortunate to visit it in the early 70’s when it was started, and at this time (almost 20 year’s later), it is only 4% completed but still moving forward. A Paolo Soleri cast wind bell is a real collector’s item.

Arcosonti Overview

ArcosantiKem

Jerome, Arizona – A Ghost Town Re-born

Jerome was built on Cleopatra Hill above a vast deposit of copper. The first mining claim were staked in the area in 1876, United Verde mining operations began in 1883, followed by the Little Daisy claim.

In 1910 Jerome was labeled ‘the wickedest town in America” with gambling, prostitution, saloons and gunfights a common sight. Fires ravaged the clapboard town again and again.

Landslides destroyed whole sections of the town. Jerome was always rebuilt. Dependent on the ups and downs of copper prices, labor unrest, depressions and wars, Jerome’s mines finally closed in 1953.

The population dropped from 15,000 to 50 or less, and Jerome became a national Historic Landmark in 1976. Today, it is home to writer, artists, artisans, musicians, historians and families.

A great place to get a cold beer and wash down that copper road dust!

JeromeTwinBlding

JeromeMovieProjectorBob

Sensory Overload!

On the trek from Phoenix to Sedona, the landscape changes radically – from desert, to pine tree covered mountains, to the radiant red rock formations. It’s not only a feast of sight, but your entire being takes in changes in climate and environment.

All of the changes are gradual until you round one single bend in the road, and the red rock is there to great you – welcoming you to Sedona. And always there are the ever dramatic sunsets!

Schnelby road took us to a great view above Sedona and provided the best of the best sunsets just after raining. I was set... wife, fresh cigar and scotch. Life is good.

KemBobMengusMtn

KemChapel

Sunset Bob Cigar

Sedona Arizona The Trip from Phoenix to Sedona
Rock Springs Café and General Store – best pie in the West! A trip north from Phoenix would never be complete without a mid-way stop at this century old institution. Rock Springs, for close to a hundred years, has been an Indian encampment, a bivouac, and the watering stop for miners, cattle drivers and sheepherders during the western expansion of the US, as well as a stage stop for the Black Canyon Stage from 1884 until 1917. Also noted, it has THE best homemade pies in the region – worth the drive from anywhere!
Arcosanti – Paolo Soleri – and Wind Bells When you take the “road less traveled” you discover some wonderful experiences. Arcosanti is one of them, an experiment in Arcology – the concept of architecture and ecology working as one integral process to produce new urban habitats. North of Phoenix, at Cordes Junction, this concept by architect, Paolo Soleri, is a project of the Cosanti Foundation, that when completed will house 5,000 people by combining compact urban structure with large-scale solar greenhouses on 25 acres of a 4,000 acre preserve. I was fortunate to visit it in the early 70’s when it was started, and at this time (almost 20 year’s later), it is only 4% completed but still moving forward. A Paolo Soleri cast wind bell is a real collector’s item.
Jerome, Arizona – A Ghost Town Re-born Jerome was built on Cleopatra Hill above a vast deposit of copper. The first mining claim were staked in the area in 1876, United Verde mining operations began in 1883, followed by the Little Daisy claim. In 1910 Jerome was labeled ‘the wickedest town in America” with gambling, prostitution, saloons and gunfights a common sight. Fires ravaged the clapboard town again and again. Landslides destroyed whole sections of the town. Jerome was always rebuilt. Dependent on the ups and downs of copper prices, labor unrest, depressions and wars, Jerome’s mines finally closed in 1953. The population dropped from 15,000 to 50 or less, and Jerome became a national Historic Landmark in 1976. Today, it is home to writer, artists, artisans, musicians, historians and families. A great place to get a cold beer and wash down that copper road dust!
Sensory Overload! On the trek from Phoenix to Sedona, the landscape changes radically – from desert, to pine tree covered mountains, to the radiant red rock formations. It’s not only a feast of sight, but your entire being takes in changes in climate and environment. All of the changes are gradual until you round one single bend in the road, and the red rock is there to great you – welcoming you to Sedona. And always there are the ever dramatic sunsets! Schnelby road took us to a great view above Sedona and provided the best of the best sunsets just after raining. I was set... wife, fresh cigar and scotch. Life is good.