All content & photos: Copyright© 2008,
Jan Hight. All rights reserved.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Sedona, Arizona
and The Graham Inn Bed & Breakfast  Mysterious and dramatic red rock formations, backlit by a cobalt sky,
highlighted by emerald pines...that's what the first glimpse of Sedona brings to
amazed eyes. Linger awhile, and more sensations of wonderment begin to
fill hearts and rouse spirits. For the two years that we lived in Phoenix in the early 90s, Sedona was our favorite spot in the entire state.
So it was with great delight that we finally returned for a long-overdue dose
of red-rock magic. We brought along our dear friends Tim and Nancy (who have shared several of our previous
journeys), with the happy anticipation of
introducing them to this unique and extra-special area.
Adobe Village was built next to the Graham Inn in the late 90s...adding four 850 square-foot luxury "casitas" to the Bed & Breakfast property. Burt gave us a quick tour before the guests checked in, and we made a silent vow to stay in one of these gorgeous cottages (the word "room" doesn't do them justice!) on a future Sedona journey.
As timeless as the red rocks of Sedona are, they also change by the minute. With the day's varying light reflecting on their facets, the rich colors and subtle shades shift and transform. As dusk approaches, the rocks mirror the sun's final fire. Then you can stop wherever you are - roaming around Sedona or relaxing at the Graham Inn - and exult in the splendor!
You may contact the Graham Inn/Adobe Village at (800) 228-1425
or visit their website at http://www.sedonasfinest.com/
...then look forward to your own journey of the spirit among those incredible red rocks of Sedona!
Copyright © 2001 -
2008: Jan Hight
Published -- May 15, 2001 |
Our home-base for Sedona
adventuring
was the Graham Inn Bed & Breakfast, and we couldn't have selected a more perfect
setting, so totally in tune with the mood and character of Sedona! It
nestles unobtrusively into the landscape, with Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte as
its magnificent backdrops. A waterfall and fanciful sculptures provided
clues of the pleasures waiting inside.
After
ringing the bell, we received a genial welcome from
Debbie, one of the innkeepers; and we soon met her husband Burton...who was full
of personable enthusiasm, eager to make our stay happy and unforgettable.
The low-profile exterior of the Inn is well suited to its surroundings, but
there was nothing unassuming about the interior. We discovered the
beautiful and spacious common areas, impeccably decorated in southwestern style,
inviting us to stay...relax...and enjoy! The Inn was expressly built as a
B&B in the mid-1980s; in fact, it was the first in Sedona. So it
provides touches of privacy and space (not to mention soundproofing) that aren't
always found in "conversions", while still offering all
of the ambiance of a cozily inviting home...with that amazing red-rock
panorama adding another dimension of enchantment. The backyard has a
patio, fireplace, telescope (for closer observation of the nearby rock
configurations -- and star gazing), a verdant lawn, heated pool, hot tub, and even
a convenient mini-fridge for stashing outdoor refreshments....plus complimentary
mountain bikes for guests' use and my personal favorite: a massage chair -- ah,
the bliss! And, of course, those enthralling red rocks overlooked all...protective
and inspiring.
The
main building contains the common areas (living room, dining room and kitchen),
a gift shop (offering irresistible reminders of the Inn, which I,
naturally, couldn't resist!), seven individually-themed guestrooms, and an
upstairs alcove with video, CD, and reading libraries. All of the
guestrooms include a TV/VCR, CD player, fireplace, private patio or balcony with
red-rock views, and most have Jacuzzi tubs (which I found quite useful after a
day scrambling about on those
enticing red rocks!). Full - and luscious - breakfasts are the bright
beginning to each day, followed by yummy afternoon snacks and evening
cookies. These culinary extravaganzas are enhanced by conversations with
the convivial innkeepers and guests excited to discuss their Sedona
activities. Speaking of innkeepers; after our first day with Debbie and
Burt, we were turned over to the extremely capable hands of the terrific
twosome: Bob and Elaine (no, they're not married; but if you want a good
giggle, ask them if they are and wait for their reactions!). They kept us
well-fed, well-informed, well-entertained and 
John
and I made ourselves thoroughly at home in
the Southwest Room. Decorated in its namesake style, tinted in teals and
reds, featuring a hand-carved wood "Tucson" bed and artist-tiled
fireplace, with views of Courthouse Butte from its private balcony ....what a
delight it was! We quickly popped a New Age CD into the player and began
Sedona-izing ourselves, winding down with peaceful contentment.
At
the same time, Tim and Nancy
settled into the Country Room
with its Norman Rockwell style, enhanced by
family mementos from the childhood of one of the Inn's previous owners. It
featured a leaf-patterned iron bed, fireplace with oak mantle, and a Bell Rock
vista from the balcony. They certainly seemed happy with it...they always
closed their door with smiles on their faces!
In
addition to the variety of stunning rock-scapes (which I may have already
mentioned a time or two!), or perhaps because of them, Sedona is known for its
vortex sites...where the energy of the earth is thought to be closest to the
surface. These spots have been described as "magnets":
positively charged vortexes have feminine tributes (nurturing, calming or yin);
negatively charged vortexes are masculine (active,
energizing or yang). There are four vortices in Sedona: Bell Rock,
Cathedral 
Rock, Boynton Canyon and
Airport Mesa. We hiked through each, with my newly-purchased crystals
(when in Sedona, do as the Sedonans do!); and they were, indeed, places of
almost unbelievable beauty and indescribable allure. Whether you accept
the vortex theory or not, these are spectacular spots that soothe the soul and
enrich the spirit. By the way, I felt the most "power" at Bell
Rock...which is in close proximity to the Graham Inn. When we began our
climb, there were several people around. But as we reached the higher
areas, we were alone. The wind was sighing rather noisily through the clefts;
then there was total silence; just us and our thoughts....and a sense of the
mystical.
The
four of us spent a wonderful evening with friends (and former Californians) Paul
and Rose, who
now live in Sedona. Their warmly gracious hospitality, the gourmet dinner,
the perfection with which their lovely home fits into its dazzling
surroundings...all added up to a charming experience. Sorry, you
can't drop in on them; they aren't open to the public! But I am sharing a
few photos from their "backyard" - what a scene they behold with their
morning coffee!
In
addition to simply sitting, soaking up the red-rock
majesty (here are a few more photos of just that!), there's a marvelous variety
of activities available in and around Sedona. The staff at the Graham Inn
will gladly provide their expertise and guidance regarding the opportunities for
touring (by bicycle, car, jeep, helicopter, 
horseback,
motorcycle, hot air balloon, train), shopping (oh yes!!), hiking, daytripping
(such as the Grand Canyon or the ruins of ancient native dwellings), dining...and many
other options for getting to know - and love - the area. Our favorite
restaurants were: The Heartline Cafe (a "new American" bistro
with a fabulous pecan-crusted local trout that I still rave about); The Cowboy
Club (an old tavern which was the town "gathering place" 
in
the 1940s, then the host to movie stars in the 1950s, followed by artists in the
1960s); Dahl and DiLuca (delicious Italian food in a charming setting with live
music); and Shugrue's Hillside Grill (if you love ahi, as we do, you MUST have
their signature "Ruby Red Seared Ahi" - and there's a fantastic view,
too!). The Inn has menus from all of the best restaurants, so you can make
selections of those that match your tastes, then ask the innkeepers for comments
and assistance with reservations.
One
of the close-by side trips that we enjoyed was the trek to 
Jerome,
an historic copper mining town that is precariously perched on the side of a
mountain. At one time it had become virtually a ghost town (maybe that's why the place we had
lunch was called "The Haunted Hamburger"!), but it has since undergone a
renaissance of sorts as an artists' colony.
Another
enjoyable, nearby "getaway" was the trip through Oak Creek Canyon,
considered one of the most scenic drives in America. After lunch at small
inn surrounded by junipers and pines (thus its name, "Junipine"), we stopped at
West Fork for a hike through an area totally different from those red rocks of
Sedona. There are trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty, all
requiring multiple crossings of Oak Creek via rocks and/or logs. My
"fording" style might not be pretty, but at least I did manage to stay
dry! With Oak Creek bubbling through the canyon it carved in the sheer
cliffs, surrounded by tree towers, this was another setting with tremendous
grandeur and tranquility.
|
Member of the Internet Link Exchange
|
