Last weekend, I went to Sedona for a couple of days to regroup and get a bunch of computer work done – the stuff that doesn’t get done when there’s a sewing machine to play with! The fresh air was wonderful, the scenery breath-taking – and I got a ton of work done!
I’d like to share with you some photos of my trip. I’m thinking that it would be fun to host a Quilt Retreat in Sedona at some point. What do you think? I’ve got lots of questions, and I’m hoping that if you’re reading this, you’ll have some answers for me. Here are a few questions to get started:
- How many days would you want to stay? 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7?
- Would you want to spend the whole time quilting, or include some time for sight seeing?
- Do you prefer rustic or luxury accomodations?
- Would you want to work on your own project totally independently, work on a project with guidance from me, take some specific classes? Or maybe a combination?
I approach Sedona from the south, taking I-17 north to AZ-179. My first stop is usually the Red Rock Ranger Station, with the visitor center for the Coconino National Forest. If you want to park by any of the hiking trails, you need to have a pass. This is an excellent place to buy one!
One of the first red rocks that Sedona is famous for - Bell Rock – can be seen in all it’s glory from the Ranger Station parking lot.
I came to the conclusion that it would be much easier to take photos of the scenery if someone else was driving! So more scenic photos next time I head up to Sedona!
My next stop was Tlaquepaque, an arts and crafts village.
Boutiques and galleries abound. Clothing, gifts, gorgeous glass work, statues in all kinds of different mediums. Here is a sample of what’s on display as you walk around.
“The Kiss” by Kim Kori. One of my favorite pieces!
Golden Eagle
“Mustang Pride” by Chris Navarro. This glorious, lifesize bronze will cost you $96,000 if you want to take it home with you.
“Autums Challenge” by Chris Navarro. Another lifesize bronze, this one only $63,000 to take it home with you.
My photography skills really don’t do these birds justice. 8 birds taking flight from the fountain below. Amazing detail in bronze.
“Some men only dream Others make dreams come true.”
“Changing Woman” by Susan Kliewer. The plaque below tells the story of the Changing Woman:
‘In the Navajo origin myth the Holy People lived below the surface of the earth. They moved through twelve lower worlds until a great flood drove them through a reed to the upper, present world. At this time, Changing Woman, the principle figure among them was created.
After puberty, she was magically impregnated by the rays of the sun and bore twin sons. These “Hero Twins” journeyed to the home of their father, the sun.
“Changing Woman,” ever young, ever radiant in beauty, lives in a marvelous dwelling on western waters.’
“Where Buffalo Roam” by Vic Payne. The detail on this bronze is amazing.
This statue made me laugh! “Eat More Beef” by Sandy Scott.
After wandering around Tlaquepaque for a while, I headed out to my “hotel”. I had two criteria for where I wanted to stay – reasonably priced + able to sit outside to work. The Junipine Resort fit the bill very well. About 8 miles north of Uptown Sedona on State Route 89a, the Junipine Resort is on the banks of Oak Creek, down in the canyon.
Junipine Resort is a collection of privately owned condos that are rented out for most of the year. The one that I stayed in was a 2 bedroom – with the bedroom I wasn’t using shut off so I didn’t have to pay for it!
The kitchen is nicer than the kitchen in my home! Fully equiped with just about everything you need for gourmet cooking – not that I am a gourmet cook by any stretch of the imagination!
Dining area and living room open onto the kitchen – with sliding doors onto a fairly large patio with forest views and a tiny glimpse of the creek.
I opted for the bedroom with a king bed, also with sliding doors out to a continuation of the patio. The second bedroom was upstairs with 2 queen beds. So you could quite comfortably sleep 6 people if you wanted to.
This is the patio outside the living room where I did most of my work, wrapped up in a blanket. Sedona in February is a little chilly, but the air is so fresh and clean.
The cabin I was in had an assortment of various types of artwork, including a needlepoint “Welcome” and even a quilt!
Everything needed to start a fire was available – including instructions on how to do it! It wasn’t until I was in bed on the last night of my stay that I realized I had completely forgotten to light it. Maybe next time…
The bank of Oak Creek was a hop, skip and a jump away down a winding path.
The Log Gazebo, just a few yards from the creek, would be a wonderful place to sit in the summer.
Driving back down State Route 89a is one gorgeous view after another.
I passed by Slide Rock State Park – definitely a place to come back to in warmer weather.
Midgely Bridge is an impressive piece of engineering, spanning Oak Creek Canyon. Not the kind of place I would want to stand on and look over the edge!
Viewing it from underneath is preferable! Only you have to be a bit nimble to get down the path.
I stopped by to visit with a friend on my way home. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live amongst the red rocks – shown here in the village of Oak Creek, a few miles south of Sedona?
I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse of this beautiful place. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the possibilities of a Quilt Retreat in Sedona, so leave me a comment down below!
