Dear Arizona Travel,
My wife and I will be visiting Sedona in April, and then will spend a few days on the South Rim.  I want to go ahead of her by a day to do some hiking and would like to find out if there is a bus or shuttle service from Sedona to the South Rim.  If so, can you please provide details on it or a web link?
Thanks,
Brian, Pennsylvania

Hi, Brian.

Sure! You can either pay for a “tour” from Sedona to the Grand Canyon and maybe not take the round trip back to Sedona, or you can take a shuttle from Sedona to Flagstaff and Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon.

For the “tour” option, we recommend All About Grand Canyon Tours (priced at $99).
For the shuttle option, we recommend Arizona Shuttle. You’ll pay $25 for Sedona to Flagstaff and $24 – $28 for Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (does not include the park entrance fee.)

Have fun!
ChristinaToo

Individual tickets for shows in the Sedona Film Festival went on sale today, Monday February 15, 2010.  Over 125 films will be featured this week with special guest speakers like Michael Moore in addition to Festival favorites like the   screenwriting workshops and Sedona Green Event.  

Show tickets are selling out quickly, so make sure to check the Sedona Film Festival screening schedule and purchase them immediately.  General admission tickets are $12. If the show you would like to attend is already sold out or says “RUSH” in the schedule block, it’s worth going to theater and seeing if you can purchase a ticket last minute.

Top 10 List of recommended Sedona Film Festival movies:

1) Burma VJ – documentary by Anders Østergaard

2) Garbage Dreams – documentary by Mai Iskander

3) Which Way Home – documentary by Rebecca Cammisa

4) Sergio – feature by Greg Barker

5) Kavi – Live Action Short by Gregg Helvey

6) A Shine of Rainbows - Feature Drama by Vic Sarin

7) The Greatest – Narrative Feature by Shana Feste

8) Polliwood – by Barry Levinson (director of Rain Man)

9) Saving Grace B. Jones – Feature Drama by Connie Stevens

10) Blood Into Wine – documentary by Ryan Page & Christopher Pomerenke

* Since this is and Arizona Travel blog, we highly recommend “Blood Into Wine” for many reasons, one of them being that this is about the Page Springs Winery here in Arizona. The vineyard is ran by winemakers Eric Glomlski and Maynard James Keenan (Tool). The vineyard is gorgeous and worth a wine-tasting visit. Imagine watching the Blood Into Wine then stopping over at the Page Springs Vineyard to experience what you just saw in the theater! 3D films? Sheesh…that’s for fakers. Head over to the vineyard itself located about 25 minutes from the movie theater…really. You won’t regret it. Page Spring’s petite sirrahs are going to put Arizona wineries on the wine vacation destination map.  Here is a video of Eric Glomski giving a wine tour; a little taste if you will. If you’re thinking about staying in town for multiple nights, you can find Sedona hotels and bed & breakfasts, some with special film festival rates on Sedona.net.

Sedona Film Festival Information

Where: Harkins 8

2081 W. Highway 89A
Sedona, AZ  86336
928-282-2221

(Hwy 89A & Sunset Dr.)

From Phoenix
Start: Phoenix, Arizona
End: Sedona, Arizona
Total Distance: 113.4 Miles
Estimated Total Time: 2 hours 

Directions / Miles
Start: Depart Phoenix, Arizona
1: Take I-17 North / Flagstaff 98.4 Miles
2: At exit 298, Exit Ramp 0.2 Miles
3: Turn LEFT (West) onto SR-179 [FR-618 Rd] 0.1 Miles
4: Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-179 14.2 Miles
5: Turn Left (West) onto SR-89A [N HWY-89A] 2 Miles
End: Arrive Harkins Theatres, Sedona, Arizona 

When: February 21-28, 2010

Ticket Price: $12 per showing

Official Website: http://sedonafilm.org/

Here are my Top 5 Reasons to Play at the Sedona Golf Resort

1. It’s really difficult to get angry with bad shots when surrounded by something so beautiful.
2. The course is well-cared for year round.
3. During the summer when it’s blazing hot in Scottsdale, Sedona is around 80-85 degrees (25-30 degree difference!)
4.  The course layout is a perfect combination of vacation, recreational, scenic and challenging golf.
5. The service and staff at the Sedona Golf Resort are warm and welcoming.

Their green fees are reasonable – you can get to their website through this Sedona golf page.

Do you know an outstanding volunteer, nonprofit organization, business or philanthropist whose efforts support nonprofits in the greater Sedona area? Honor your pick with a nomination for the 2009 Spirit of Sedona Awards, presented by the Sedona Community Foundation.

This year’s award recipients will be recognized at SCF’s 2009 Spirit of Sedona Awards and Grant Presentation, to be held on Oct. 6 at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. On behalf of each honoree, SCF will contribute $1,000 to the Sedona nonprofit of their choice. SCF will also award $165,000 in grant funding to various nonprofits, recipients of this year’s open competitive grant cycle.

Nominees for Volunteer of the Year must have demonstrated outstanding volunteer contributions towards improving the quality of life in the greater Sedona area. Similarly, the award for Nonprofit Organization of the Year must benefit individual welfare and quality of life in the Sedona community. Nonprofit nominees must be a 501(c)(3) organization, public school or municipality in existence for more than five years. The Business Benefactor of the Year award is open to any Sedona area business noteworthy for its charitable contributions and community efforts. The Philanthropist of the Year award honors a Sedona area individual or couple distinguished by charitable leadership and caring for humanity.

Last year’s honorees included Andrew Brearley (Volunteer), Friends of the Forest (Nonprofit), New Frontiers Natural Marketplace (Business Benefactor) and Susan N. Coleman (Philanthropist of the Year, awarded posthumously).

Download and complete the Spirit of Sedona awards nomination form at www.sedonafoundation.org, or contact Delstene Atkinson at 928-282-1058 or datkinson@azfoundation.org to request a hard copy. Completed nominations can also be e-mailed to this address, mailed to P.O. Box 558, Sedona, AZ 86339 or hand-delivered to 1835 West Highway 89A, Suite 2, Sedona, AZ 86336. All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2009.

Photo credit: JasonRogersFooDogGiraffeBee

This month, our guest spiritual contributor from Sedona, Greg Drambour, shares some of his personal experiences and muses on his relationship with the red rocks of Arizona.  If you’re local (or from nearby southern Utah like me, or one of our Four Corners area neighbors) I have a feeling you’ll totally relate to the pop-culture impetus of Greg’s post.

***

A few nights ago I was watching the movie Forrest Gump (tenth time!) and a rush of gratitude went through me during the scene where he is running through Monument Valley. The rocks there resemble many of the red rock formations here in Sedona. In that moment, I just felt so grateful to be part of this amazing place called Sedona. Suddenly, that beautiful feeling opened a door inside to many realizations about myself and my work here in the Magic Kingdom. I thought I would share them!

My relationship with the Grandfather and Grandmother Rock People (as I refer to them in the Native American tradition) really started when I moved to Sedona seven years ago. But when I look back over the years, I notice whenever I had the chance I was always scaling and scrambling over some rocks. It just made me feel good to be close to them. I felt they were friends.
At first here in Sedona my relationship to the Rock People grew without me noticing it. Every day, I would find some new boulder field or dry creek bed to explore. I felt at home among the rocks. I just kept following my heart and discovering incredible places. I saw how in a few tight situations the rocks saved me. People will ask what do you mean, “Saved you?” I can’t explain that in words, only that I always seem to be guided over them to the safest route or one boulder was exactly where I needed it to be. It was a feeling that they were supporting me. I started thanking them for this help on hikes and climbs. I would stop and talk to them, asking how they were. And soon I began to hear them speak to me. My trust deepened that they would support me on tricky scrambles or boulder-hopping. The Rock People are strong and solid. They have much wisdom they want to offer you if you are open to listening.
On Sedona Vortex experiences, I always feel their support of the mission here in Sedona. I honor their wisdom during Experiences by asking for guidance; they always see the big picture. If I accidentally kick a small rock, I bend down and apologize, asking if it wants to return to its original location or begin a new journey. I always tell clients when we are boulder dancing, “Don’t worry, you are in my personal power and I’ve never had anyone fall.” Perhaps what I really mean is the Grandfather and Grandmother Rock People honor my intent of trust and faith and will not let you stumble or fall. I have never had a client fall nor have I fallen myself in all these years.

When I saw that scene of the Red Rocks in Forrest Gump, I heard myself whispering, “That’s my place, my place.” I felt so honored to be in a relationship with these grand rock formations. To have a place in my life which I am deeply committed too and that commitment is honored. My gratitude for these feelings is overwhelming. I have waited so many years to be able to have these rich feelings and to open myself and take these relationships to a deeper level. Perhaps most of all I am grateful to be who I am. I know many of you, know what I mean. And if you don’t, come to Sedona and I will do whatever I can to guide you back to yourself on a Sedona retreat.

If you show your heart, my friends, if you acknowledge that everything has life, if you trust—you can experience these deep feelings of gratitude and honor.

So on this day in the Magic Kingdom, “I humbly thank all the Rock People and the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks for becoming my friend. I am honored to be kin to you, to be your grandson and brother. My heart is full. I am standing before you. I go, you go. A Ho. A Ho.”

*Dedicated to my beloved, Shyheart.
Greg (the guide)
Come Follow Me on Twitter!

Photo credit: cogdogblog on flickr

Have you ever gone on vacation and experienced a great spa treatment, exhilarating hike or profound relaxation?  If you’re like me, you’ve said, “I could totally LIVE here.  I feel so good.  I am going to continue _________ (hiking, relaxing, taking care of my skin/body/health) when I get home.”  And I’ll bet you felt this way especially after visiting Sedona, Prescott, the Grand Canyon, Scottsdale or Flagstaff.  But when you got home, that commitment to living like you’re on vacation got put on the back burner, didn’t it?  Yep, me too.

Today, our guest contributor Greg Drambour has a solution for making your “commitment to self” last well after your bags are unpacked.

Finding Out What You’re Willing To Do In Arizona

My clients on Sedona retreats know this question all to well! Any healing, whether emotional or physical, requires two components for success: One, do you have a desire to heal? Two, what are you willing to do about it? What you are willing to do about it when you are here with me on retreat is one thing but what you are willing to do when you get home each and every day is another thing entirely! That’s why I encourage clients to enroll in my 4-week follow-up program after they return home.

People come to Sedona and have powerful experiences. Then they get back to their life and within a few days or weeks their world overwhelms them and that wonderful feeling is lost. My follow-up program helps to keep the momentum going and to anchor those insights you received here in on your Sedona retreat.

As I am nearing my 29th sobriety anniversary, I have taken some time to look back over the last 29 years. I have noticed two important things: One, when I was in a “doing” place, I was moving forward very fast in my personal growth. And two, when I was working with a coach, mentor, therapist or one of the Holy Men, I was also moving forward at an accelerated rate. I’m with Tony Robbins–we all needs coaches! If not me, then I encourage you to seek someone out. Work with someone for 4 weeks and see if it makes a difference. See if you move forward, even a few inches.  Also, check in with that person every few months at the very least—it’s a win-win!

Sometimes, we have to take small steps into what we are willing to do. As long as it’s not too many small steps that go on forever as way to put off the big step!

Doing equals victory! I have complete confidence in the power of your human spirit and your ability to accomplish the impossible. I have seen it happen too many times, not to believe it.  The act of having faith in this inner power can create miracles.  Don’t underestimate the simple power of faith.  Pick a goal and have faith in it happening.  The impossible being accomplished from faith is just not written about in books, brothers and sisters!  But you have to try to see it work!

So, get into a “doing” place-even its 5 minutes a day but each and every day–see what happens. I think you will be surprised. This column is my “doing”!

A Ho,
Greg

photo credit: kathycsus on flickr.com

The Verde Valley Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society announced that tickets are
now available for films and concerts during its first annual Festival of Native American
Culture to be held from June 5 through 13, 2009, at the Red Rock District Visitor Center, south
of the Village of Oak Creek and at the Sedona Visitor Center in Uptown.

In association with the Sedona International Film Festival, activities begin with a Native
American Film Festival featuring documentaries, fiction and music videos by Native
American filmmakers.

Here’s the line-up of events:

Friday, June 5: two Navajo films entitled Turquoise Rose and A Gift From Talking God: The Story
of the Navajo Churro.  At the Clarkdale Memorial Clubhouse. 7:00 pm.

Saturday, June 6: The Radisson Poco Diablo Resort will host a Dinner Theatre, with special guest Michael Blake, the Academy Award® winning screenwriter and author of Dances With Wolves, who will show and discuss his film The
American West: On The Road With Michael Blake. 6:00 pm.

Film Festival at the Harkins Theatre in Sedona
Sunday, June 7:

• 6:30 pm show – the Canadian Inuit film Before Tomorrow, which will be preceded by Sandpainting Healing with Walking Thunder.
• 9:00 pm show – brings back two highly popular films from the Sedona International Film Festival earlier this year, American Outrage and CHE AH CHI: The History of Boynton Canyon.

Film Festival at the Canyon Moon Theatre in The Village of Oak Creek (VOC) Two unique events never before held in Arizona.

Monday, June 8: Films by indigenous filmmakers from Latin America.

• 3:00 pm matinee – Films from Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador.
• 7:00 pm show – Films from Guatemala and Bolivia.

Tuesday, June 9 – The Film Festival concludes on  with a series of short
subjects by members of the Native American Producers Alliance. 7:00 pm.

The Festival ends with a Celebration of Native American Music and Dance.

Friday, June 12: Canyon Records recording artist Gabriel Ayala will perform in concert at St. John Vianney Church, Sedona, of Classical, Tango, Flamenco and Contemporary guitar. 7:00 pm.

Saturday, June 13: An Evening of Native Dance will close the Festival  in the Sedona
Hilton Tequa Ballroom. The Halau Hula Napuaokalei’ilima troupe will perform Hawaiian
dances as performed for the Heard Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. They will be
followed by the internationally-known Dancing Earth, a collective of performance artists
representing the First Nations who create experimental yet elemental dances that reflect their
rich cultural heritage to explore their identity as contemporary Native peoples.  7:00 pm

Tickets can also be purchased online. Other ticket outlets are being added. Details of the Festival events are available at www.festivalofnativeamericanculture.org, or by
calling 928-284-4764.

Eclectic 3.0: The Roads Less Traveled from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

Check out this in-FREAKING-credible video.  The time-lapse photography is mind-blowing and the whole viewing experience is so neat, I just had to share it.  Definitely hit the view full screen icon and turn up the volume on your speakers… the music is great and the film is available in HD.

Big ups of course go to Ross Ching, the photographer/filmmaker. See him and read his excellent description and added photos and map at his site: rossching.com/eclectic30. And another shout-out to Maria Langer and her website/blog… I stumbled upon Maria Langer when searching for other Arizona bloggers and I can barely peel myself away from her posts.

photo credit: HA! Designs - artbyheather on flickr.com

Looking for a place to honor your mom this weekend?  Check out these Mother’s Day Weekend activities around Arizona.

Sedona

Mother’s Day Brunch at Joey Bistro:

May 10
“Mama mia”… those will be the only two words you’ll be able to speak after celebrating an incredible Mother’s Day at Joey Bistro, thanks to an exquisite menu planned and prepared for “Felice Festa, Cara Mama” by Los Abrigados Resort & Spa Chef de Cuisine Mike Kenyon. Make your reservations now, to Northern Arizona’s finest dining establishment specializing in Southern Italian Cuisine, a retreat away from the ordinary and detour towards delightful delicacies. Trust us, mom is worth it!

For a modest price of $36 per adult, $15 kids 5 through 12, and complimentary under 5, visit the extravagance and taste the culture of Italy at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa’s Joey Bistro. Experience “Felice Festa, Cara Mama,” during one of six seating times: 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1 p.m., or 1:15 p.m., show your love with class and dine on food “ta die for!”

For reservations call Los Abrigados Resort & Spa Concierge Staff at 282-0189. Joey Bistro, located at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa at 160 Portal Lane adjacent to Tlaquepaque, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. For more information, call 204-JOEY (5639).

Prescott

Granite Creek Vineyards 5th Annual Mother’s day Wine & Art Fair

May 09 to May 10
This Mother’s Day treat Mom to tastes of award-winning wines, live music, fresh and barbequed foods, and handcrafted local art, all part of the festivities taking place at the Vineyards. The extraordinary Dublin Soul, with traditional and original Irish music will be performing Saturday; Sunday will feature outstanding vocalist Vyktoria Pratt-Keating. Admission is $8.00 ($3.00 for case club members) and includes wine tasting, a souvenir wine glass, and entry to a memorable day with family and friends.
www.granitecreekvineyards.com

Flagstaff

Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Little America Hotel

May 10
Come celebrate Mother’s Day at The Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. Our Mother’s Day brunch brings the whole family together to help celebrate one of the most important days of the year.

Here, a sample of the culinary selections that will be presented:

• Belgian Waffles and Omelets Prepared to Order
• Hot and Cold Seafood
• Carving Stations
• Hot Entrees & Side Dishes
• Chocolate Fountain and Assorted Desserts

Champagne included! Adults are $36.95, Children 7 -11 are $16.95. Children 6 and under are free.

Open seating, no reservations will be taken.

You can even stay the night on May 9 or 10 and receive a coupon for 15% off the Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch!

Visit our website for full menu and more information. Or call 928.779.7979.

Scottsdale

Mother’s Day Concert with Esteban

May 10

Join the Desert Botanical Garden for an annual tradition by bringing mom and the family to enjoy the incredible sounds of Estéban in Concert. Two shows available / 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. OR 4 – 6 p.m. Tickets are $65 for the concert and lunch, or $45 for the concert only.

www.dbg.org
or call (480) 481-8188.

photo credit: lanuiop on flickr.com

Okay, that sounds like a mother’s advice.  And maybe that’s fitting, with Mother’s Day approaching this weekend.

But what this post, another installment from guest blogger, Gregory Drambour, is  encouraging locals and Sedona visitors to do is learn from all the great messages we’ve heard in our lives – our mothers’ lectures (”Be responsible!”), the Golden Rule (”Honor them and they will honor you”), the Boy Scouts’ motto (”Be prepared!”), the inner voice that is Fear (”Something’s not right here, proceed with caution!”), the voice of Reason (”Sun is setting in the West + Trailhead was West = Head West”), and our own positive self-talk (”You CAN do this, stay focused!”).

Greg’s post is, on its surface,  a warning and a checklist for safe hiking in Sedona.  As an experienced orienteer and guide in this area, Greg gives great pointers on staying calm, minding your trail and being prepared.  But on a deeper level, Greg reminds us to both see Fear as a healthy and helpful instinct, and also to use positive self-talk to help guide us to workable and successful solutions in our lives.  Remember that even though you may not be on the path you thought you were on, you can safely see your way to your destination.

Enjoy, and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms and people who have moms.

###

Sedona Can Be A Teacher – Confronting Fear

photo credit: heyjohngreen on flickr.com

Yesterday in the early evening I went hiking and climbing for a few hours by myself in the big red rocks above Sedona. I climbed up further then I’ve ever been.
I stopped at a red rock plateau way above the town—what a view of Sedona! I could see all the way to Court House Rock. I felt something pushing me to go further–so up I went—the degree of steepness and danger increased with each ten meters. I was scrambling on a lot of loose rocks which were unstable. I hesitated for a moment but then as always I kept following that gut feeling that has served me so well and kept climbing. I could see that I was nearing a towering red rock face–something kept pulling me towards it.
When I got to the cliff face, I sat down and went into that place of stillness, trusting that there was something that Spirit wanted me to feel or see. After about five minutes nothing came and then I felt inside it was time to descend. I wondered what this inner guidance was all about. As you can probably tell this is a very dangerous place (I would never take clients here—no worries!)
The decent was steep and again a lot of unstable little rocks underfoot. I felt myself being pulled to the left and questioned briefly if that’s why I was drawn to the cliff face. I would not have descended this way but it was only 100 feet from the way I had come up. So I went down and down—always being very careful—talking to myself, “Easy Greg, careful, stay focused”.
I stopped to get some water and looked around. The area I was standing in looked totally unfamiliar and I could not see the way I had come up. As I climb I always make sure I can retreat on the same line. I didn’t see that line! So I could be descending into a cliff drop! A wave of fear ran through my body and I could feel that sinking feeling on the edge of my emotions, ready to sweep in. Having hiked a lot off-trail in the Sedona area, I know how easily you can get yourself into serious trouble very fast. Fifty-foot cliff drops have a way of appearing out of nowhere.
My experience hiking off-trail has taught me a great deal and it really served me well on this beautiful Sedona evening. Now instead of panicking, I sat still for a few moments and do what all good climbers and hikers should do: situation assessment and equipment inventory. I had about one hour max until twilight set in and enough water for at least three hours plus a cell phone that was operational. I just went quieter listening for my inner guidance. After a few moments it guided me to explore the line of descent I was making another a few hundred meters and if nothing appeared to show me a clear way down I would back-track to the cliff face. The fear inside me has eased considerably. I made sure I greeted the little plants along the descent, “A Ho, brothers, A Ho sisters.” Always remembering–if you honor them, they will honor you, which is always my intention with the plant, rock and tree people when I guide clients on Sedona Vortex experiences.
I kept talking to myself as I took one step at a time over the unstable gravel and pebbles, “Easy, brother, one step at a time.” When I got to the distance I had marked, I could see that the topography (finally got to use this word!) appeared to be transitioning into the base of the mountain. Let me stress the word “appeared”. It’s not always as it looks. But my inner guidance said go for it and I did. Within about ten minutes I was safely down at the base!
I was unsure of how far I was from the trail head I had veered off to start the climb but I knew it was the in “that” direction. Again, first stopping to check how much light I had left and to make sure every five hundred meters I was heading the right way, not getting over confident. After about twenty minutes I found the trail and stopped and offered my deepest thanks to the Old Ones and the Rock and Plant People for watching over me.
Why tell this story? I have seen this kind of scenarios end up badly. I saw clearly how I didn’t let fear get me un-centered. I felt the fear and didn’t try and run from it. I let it motivate me to slow down and quiet down even more than I was. I gave my experience a chance to form itself. I was patient and did not get ahead of myself. And I was grateful for my experience to lead me down the mountain safely. I saw that I have truly learned something over the years and was proud of myself.
Ultimately, I was grateful that I followed my inner guidance to climb as high as I did—I wouldn’t have learned as much about myself and trust and using emotions if I hadn’t.
That’s part of living here in the Magic Kingdom called Sedona—you never quite know what a little early evening stroll will bring!
A Ho,
Greg