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Take home … Red Rock Fever
On my very first visit to Sedona, all the way back in 2000, I stopped at Crescent Moon Ranch, otherwise known as Red Rock Crossing, and my fate was sealed. Locals told me I had caught “Red Rock Fever,” something that frequently happens the first time visitors spot the towering red rocks, green forests, gurgling creek and endless blue skies. You are suddenly possessed by an overwhelming desire to be in Sedona – permanently. Ask many residents why they moved here, and they will tell you it was Sedona that brought them here. Symptoms of Red Rock Fever include decorating your office with photos of our landscape, wearing the turquoise bracelet you bought on your trip 24-7, checking various webcams to spy on the weather. And, of course, always planning your next trip. The only known cure? Residency.
Take time … To Blend Your Own Lotion
Jacie Ann Crowell, an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribe, grew up near her reservation in northern Idaho where she was taught that plants and herbs are medicine. Jacie went on to study aromatherapy. She opened Sedona Skin in Uptown in January. At the charming boutique, shoppers have the opportunity to blend their own lotions by choosing from 114 essential oils (14 are local).
“Our goal is empowerment,” says Jacie. “We want to give people an avenue to blend their own lotions according to how they want to smell – not how a company tells them they should smell. We also want to inform people about aromatherapy so that they can take that knowledge and apply it to their own self-healing.”
Call 425-802-5390 or visit www.my-lips-are-sealed.com.
Take a nap … at Sedona’s New Day Spa
When was the last time someone gave you permission to take a nap? Kindergarten? Sedona’s New Day Spa has changed the naptime rules with its tranquil spa garden – an oasis in the middle of West Sedona. Inside the garden you’ll find tall bamboo plants, water features, a hot tub, an outdoor shower, sails that shield you from the sun and four wooden chaise lounges with plush white cushions. Slip on your robe and before or after your treatment (or both), plan on spending some time in the garden. Sedona’s New Day Spa keeps healthy snacks on hand, so you can stay awhile.
“The garden is part of the experience,” says Jill Galea, managing partner. “We’ve been hosting a lot of anniversaries, weddings and girlfriend getaways where you can have exclusive time at the spa and in the garden. We put a lot of energy into creating a restorative, peaceful experience for our guests.
The garden is open to clients receiving manicures and pedicures, too. In fact, there’s a secret garden off the main outdoor area where you can elect to have your mani or pedi in the fresh air. And if you doze off, no one will complain. Visit www.sedonanewdayspa.com or call 928-282-7502.
Take a picture … at Sedona Center
Selfies are so 2014. Wander around Sedona Center in Uptown, and you’ll quickly see the latest Instagram craze: inserting yourself into murals or “face in the hole standups.” (No joke – that’s the official name.) See if you can locate all five of them. There’s one depicting cowboy and cowgirl outlaws and another that features pizza makers. There are also Peanuts-inspired cartoon characters, a cowboy and cowgirl with a javelina and a roadrunner, and a cowboy riding a javelina with Coffee Pot Rock in the background. Local artist Gary Rubin is responsible for three of the five, which he installed in the fall of 2014. Say cheese!
Take a class … at The Melting Point
The Melting Point in West Sedona isn’t just a glass gallery. It also boasts a hot shop and a torch studio where students with varying levels of skill can take classes. In the torch studio, which is used for beads and small sculptures, beginners start with a six-hour lampworking class ($140). From there, they can rent torches and studio space to hone their skills or they can take classes from visiting artists. You can work with visiting artists in the hot shop, too. That’s where the bigger sculptures are created. Hot-shop classes range from Blow-Your-Own courses that last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour ($45 to $150) all the way to two-day sessions with visiting instructors.
“We’ve had a lot of local beginners as well as more experienced students from as far as Flagstaff, Tucson, Prescott and all across the U.S.,” says Danielle Hook, torch studio manager. “We host visiting artists from all over the world. We had a teacher here from South Africa in June. It was the first time she had taught a class in the U.S., and her classes sold out in an hour.”
Plan on booking your class at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, visit www.the-melting-point.com or call 928-554-4754.
Take a Walk … at V Bar V Heritage Site
Too hot to hike? You can still get out and enjoy the summer by taking a leisurely stroll at V Bar V Heritage Site southeast of Sedona. The petroglyph site sits along Wet Beaver Creek and has been known to archaeologists since 1945. It was obtained by the U.S. Forest Service through a land trade in 1994. The site was opened to the public in 1996, taking its name from the V-V Cattle Company, former owner of the property. Make your first stop the visitors center where you can learn about the rock art and the surrounding riparian habitat. From there, it’s a flat 1/3-mile walk to the petroglyphs.
Officially, more than 1,000 petroglyphs have been identified at the site. It is believed the Sinagua people who lived along Beaver Creek from 1100 to 1400 are the artists responsible for V Bar V. For more information, visit www.sedonaredrocktrails.com or call 928-203-2900.
Take a Bow … at Vino di Sedona’s Open Mic Night
Think you could be the next American Idol? Let the audience at Vino di Sedona be the judge of that during the wine-and-craft-beer bar’s Open Mic Night every Tuesday, 7-10 p.m. Vino di Sedona owner Wes Schemmer says it’s mostly singer-songwriters who take the stage, though it’s open to anyone, including comedy acts.
“We get a lot of songwriters playing original music,” says Wes. “It’s such a supportive community and crowd. Many of the guys have known each other for years, but we also get out-of-towners. Last week, we had a guy from Germany.”
Local musician Dan Rice hosts Open Mic Night. Artists usually perform five or six songs each. There is no cover charge. For details, visit www.vinodisedona.com or call 928-554-4682.
MORE THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN SEDONA: Sedona rock ‘n’ roll, Sedona festivals, secret Sedona, Sedona Bluegrass Festival, four-wheeling, kayaking, hang gliding and skydiving, Sedona confidential, wine tasting rooms, best pizza in Sedona, Sedona calendar of events, Sedona skygazing, Sedona dance classes
