Making Arizona Memories part 2


Art enthusiasts will be pleased by the abundance of wonderful and unique art to be found throughout Sedona, home to more than 300 artists and 80 galleries -- quite an amazing figure for a small city of just 10,000 people. My favourite is the Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art on Highway 179, an amazing place to visit even if you arenít in the market to buy.

This is the largest art gallery in all of Arizona. In the front yard, you'll be wowed by an example of master sculptor, Bill Worrellís work. "The Prophecy" is a 78 foot high bronze statue that welcomes you to the gallery. (You will also see a smaller variation of Worrell's work at the Westin Kierland.) In back of the gallery, there are also many interesting pieces of art, so take time to stroll the grounds in addition to the fabulous gallery indoors.

If you happen to be in the Sedona area during the holiday season (mid-November through January 1st), be sure to take in the "Red Rock Fantasy," a celebration of Christmas that consists of about one million lights with all sorts of different scenes to lift your holiday spirit. A nominal admittance fee is charged to get on the grounds, and in addition to the light show, you can also visit some craft and food booths on site. Dress warmly, as it gets cool at night.

In the event you are looking to dine out while in the area, you're in luck. Sedona has some great restaurants, and some are quite reasonably priced. You'll find the best deals in town at the Coffee Pot Restaurant, located on Highway 89A (Sedona's business loop.) This place has been serving up great meals at even greater prices for more than 50 years and itís easy to have a meal for under $10. They boast 101 varieties of omelettes, so the Coffee Pot is a terrific place to go for breakfast. If you're looking for a more sophisticated ambiance, I'd recommend Reds, the trendy restaurant at the very chic Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, also located on Highway 89A.

In my opinion, no visit to Sedona would be complete without a visit to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. This tiny church was built in 1956 (maybe it's special to me because I was born in that year.) Located just a few miles out of town, the chapel is carved into the side of a rocky cliff and offers breath-taking views of Sedona and its natural surroundings. The chapel is open to travellers and is one of the stops on the Trolley Tour A if you'd prefer to let someone else do the driving.

There are also plenty of wilderness areas to explore around Sedona. Coconino National Forest is comprised of 1.8 million acres. You will find deciduous trees (which you won't find in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area) so you will see lovely fall foliage if you happen to visit in late fall. And there are towering ponderosa pines to provide the warmth of year-round greenery.

I wish we'd had more time to spend in the Sedona area. If you're fortunate, and you have lots of time, you will make many wonderful memories while here. I can think of no better place to park the RV, breath the crisp fresh air - and just chill.


Useful websites to visit:

For an Arizona Visitor's Guide: www.arizonaguide.com

For detailed information about camping in Arizona: www.azrvparks.com

To book a Hummer tour of the Sonoran Desert: www.roadrunnerdesertadventures.com

For information about Sedona: www.visitsedona.com