One of the biggest misconceptions about Arizona is that it is all desert. Ask someone who doesn't live here about our Southwestern home and they will conjure images of tumbleweed, cactus and Wyatt Earp. While it is true that the greater Phoenix Valley features some of the most beautiful desert vistas that you will ever see, the diverse terrain of Arizona is as rich as our colorful history.
One of the primary reasons that this native son continues to call Arizona home after 32 years is the immediate access to wonderfully divergent topography. Here in the Valley, we are treated to (spoiled by) 8 months of perfect weather. It is November 26th as I write this, and I could go play a round of golf here in Scottsdale in shorts and a polo shirt. "Glorious" is the term I would use to describe our winter weather.
However, when we test the constitution of the thermometer in the summertime, or if we simply want to go play in the snow for an afternoon in the winter, it is imperative that a haven be readily accessible.
My family owns a cabin in such a place. In an hour and 45 minutes door to door, I can trade a day in Scottsdale for a day in the mountains. Saguaro cacti and creosote yield to magnificent Ponderosa pine trees as the quick jaunt North sees a significant climb in elevation. By the time we reach our place in Mund's Park, just 20 miles south of Flagstaff, we are at nearly 7000 feet.
We made the short trip this past holiday weekend. With overnight lows in the neighborhood of 15 degrees, we were treated to the taste of the season.
On this particular pilgrimage, we planned an additional excursion. We made the 30-minute trek into Sedona on Saturday night for a special evening of viewing the holiday light displays. A local resort and timeshare, Los Abrigados Resort & Spa, puts on an annual display with over a million total lights for the public to view for a small fee ($6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children ages 4-12, free for children under 4). We had seen this display years ago, and were anxious to compare this year's effort to our memories.
The drive into Sedona is one of the prettiest stretches of road that you will ever encounter. The only more scenic route that comes to mind is the southbound exit out of Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon. The renowned red rocks are always magnificent, and the color of the rock was as resplendent as I have ever seen it. Awash in the last sinking vestiges of the sun as it dipped below the horizon, the rock almost seemed to chide me for the length of time that had passed since my last visit. Cathedral Rock and other favorites absolutely sparkled.
We found parking just as the natural wonder of our surroundings yielded to the man-made marvels of illumination.
As the little ones sipped hot cocoa, and the adults coffee, we thoroughly enjoyed these works of art. I am pleased to say that this was one of those rare occurrences in life where the present actually outdistanced the sepia tone memories of the past. We could not have had a better time ... despite the stoicism on display by the little ones in these photos!
For those Valley residents who are looking for a unique experience this year when planning an evening out to look at holiday lights, or for our out of town visitors who have never experienced the magic that is Sedona, it is well worth the short drive. Make a weekend out of it, and continue on to Prescott or Flagstaff for a taste of the season that many do not think exists in the Grand Canyon State.
Happy Holidays to all from the Slaybaughs!
Paul Slaybaugh is your Scottsdale AZ Realtor. Proudly serving the Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley AZ Real Estate market since 1999.
Your source for Scottsdale Real Estate since the dawn of time ... or thereabouts.
Launch your Scottsdale Home Search now!
I could swear you're describing Mommie's place! She's way up there too and lives in the largest stand of Ponderosa's in the world. I never sleep at her house, I just stare up in the sky out the window at night and try to catch stars!! I love stars....
[hah! the word, perfectly enough, is 'cactus'!]
It really is, Vicky. And I really am. Thank you for reading.
Incidentally, a few of those "beautiful" photos were taken on a camera phone at 60 MPH!
It doesn't seem possible for so many stars to fit in the sky does it, Jennifer? My favorite part about getting above the rim country is sitting around a fire at night under those stars with a gritty cup of cowboy coffee. Nothing to be heard except the crackle of the fire.
You are correct. I have been to Arizona a few times and there really are some beautiful sights to see! Thanks for educating us!
Paul,
My family and I have spent two vacations in Sedona (one week each) and it still calls us back. The first time was two years ago and then again this summer. I had never enjoyed hiking or climbing until I got there. The trails are amazing and climbing the rocks (Cathedral and Bell Rock) were simply amazing. My daughter took her first helicopter ride through and over the Sedona area (she is 4) and still talks about it. I agree with you and highly recommend to anyone wishing for a great place to relax, go to Sedona.
Now why does this just make me want to sing...There is no Arizona.... ;-p
Beautiful pics, Paul...the family is pretty good looking too! Are you sure those kids are yours? (JK)
Hi Paul,
What a great post! Sedona looks like an awesome place to visit, great photos and what a beautiful family you have! :)
Paul,
That looks like Heaven!! The kids are beautiful. I wish I had a realxing place like where you live.
Great Post!
Thomas: Thank you. It is truly a magical place. And I tend to agree on how the boys are turning out!
Suzanne: Thanks so much. The family does tend to make me look better in pictures. Maybe I'll start using them on all of my promotional materials to give people something better to look at other than my mug!
Missy: Thank you for reading this, and for the kind words as well.
Chris: That's great! I'm sure I'll be back up at the cabin at some point, so maybe we'll cross paths in the high country! I hope you have a great visit.
Roberta: Exactly right. They were really wiped out because they hadn't been feeling well, but they were laughing the whole time until we passed the point of no return of bed time. We took those pics as we were leaving, and they were definitely partied out.
Jason: That means a lot to me coming from you. I know you have read just about everything I have ever written, so I really appreciate it. If you ever head out this way, we'll have to take the families up. That's an open invitation, by the way.
Katerina: You have more layers than an onion. 2nd degree black belt in TKD? Belated congratulations on that accomplishment! I can't think of a better place to be in tune with yourself and your surroundings, as would be necessary for such physical feats. Thanks for reading and sharing, Katerina.
Lisa: LOL! We actually borrowed those kids for the photo from a nice family from Omaha! ;) I am very fortunate that the boys are turning out to be the spitting images of their mother.
David and Kristin: Thank you for saying so. I'll try to keep it coming!
Danial: I appreciate you seconding my opinion! Sounds like you don't need any convincing, so thanks for sharing your experiences with my readers. I hope you are able to make it back sometime soon for another helicopter ride with your daughter.
Dan: Thanks for adding your thoughts. Hope you get the chance to visit again.
Tom: Thank you, sir. Even my clumsy photography skills (in a moving vehicle) were no match for Mother Nature's splendor.
Chris: My pleasure. Thanks for reading.
Jennifer: Good to hear from a Lumberjack! I didn't attend NAU, but I stayed in the dorms over several summers for soccer camps. I love it up there. Scottsdale is a great place to live and work, but my spirit truly soars when I'm amongst the pines. Thanks for sharing your AZ connection.
Kelly: You know who to call if the family ever plans a return trip! Thanks for adding your thoughts and compliments of the family unit.
Paul... Oh yes... Learned the "2nd wind" lesson quite well... I actually spent a significant amount of time trying to figure out how to keep my son awake in the car...worked some...not others. He caught on...just decided he was going to stay up ALL the time...sure fixed my wagon!!! lol
You'd think, by now, somebody would have come up with Crib Benadryl... No side effects...guaranteed to knock those little boogers out as soon as they hit the mattress. They'd be rich!
Hi Paul -- How did I not see this before? This is really beautiful. You family is SO cute!
My husband and I just reached our 20th anniversary on the 7th. We were supposed to celebrate in Sedona! We had reservations and I was so looking forward to it. I've always wanted to go there. We had just lost a lot of time, what with a major brush fire in our area, our cars packed up to evacuate, so I just didn't feel that we would be able to relax. So, I cancelled. I don't want to let it go, though. We're thinking of coming out there in February, if we can.
Thanks for sharing your family and your state.
Jason: I really appreciate the inclusion. Thanks, my man!
Martin: I know it, Martin. Sometimes I take it for granted, but only when I am down in the Valley. When I do actually commit myself to going, I am never disappointed. Whether you have seen the rocks once or a hundred times, they always dazzle. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Paul for opening my eyes to the beauty of Arizona. I did think it was all desert, that's all I recalled seeing in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Love the family pictures by the way, the kids lool adorable in the red hats!