The romantic sentiment that comes with castles didn’t get left behind as early settlers traveled to the Wild West. The open land, pink sunsets, beautiful land formations and free spirit invited the opportunity for dreams to come true. Just as medieval castles were built to provide family protection, comfort and luxury, while making a statement to those outside the walls; these selected castles in Arizona are no different. Behind each castle wall is a story of the love, labor and an aspiration to make a dream come true.

1. Mystery Castle

Mystery Castle, Phoenix AZ Photo by Kaila White

In the 1930′s, Seattle native, Boyce Gully, moved out to Arizona without his family after being diagnosed with tuberculosis in effort to save  them from the suffering all would endure due to his illness. He was told he only had six months to live, which turned out to be 15 years. Gully was sad about having left his family and had decided to built a castle for the daughter hoping to show her how much he really loved her. Using recycled building materials and random objects like wheels and spokes, Gully had successfully built his “little princess” a castle stone by stone. This castle consists of 18 rooms, 13 fireplaces and is over 8,000 square feet. A year after news of his death, his wife and daughter, Mary Lou, moved into the castle. To this day, Mary Lou still lives in the castle built by the father who loved her so much. Visitors can take a tour of the castle, though tours times are lessening as she now in her 70′s. This grandeur statement of affection holds intimations of a father who wanted his daughter to know him; yet the need to protect her from his illness was greater.

2. Montezuma Castle

This well-preserved cliff dwelling was once the home to the Pre-Columbian Sinagua people dating back to about 700AD. Located on the way to Sedona near Camp Verde, Montezuma Castle has been a home to many for generations. This five-story stone and mortar homestead contains 20 rooms and would house about 50 people at a time. Its high postition in the cliffs offered the cliff dwellers protection from both enemies and the elements. Though it is believed that the area was briefly abandoned due to the ash form the Sunset Crater Volcano. It was last occupied in 1425AD and the reasons for abandonment of their habitation sites are not yet known; but warfare, drought, and clashes with the newly-arrived Yavapai people have been suggested.

Follow I-17 to exit 293 (4 miles north of the exit for Montezuma Castle). Continue through the towns of McGuireville and Rimrock, following the signs for four miles to the entrance to the Well. There is no fee to enter Montezuma Well.

 3.  Copenhaver Castle

This castle is a private resident located on the south side of Camelback Mountain, a popular place for residents to hike as it is a beautiful mountain located in the heart of the city.It was modeled after an old Moorish fortress in Spain that the designer and builder had remembered seeing in a movie when he was a child. The castle was built over a twelve-year period by Phoenix orthodontist, Dr. Mort Copenhaver.
Dr. Copenhaver was known to have donated money to missions in Mexico, and in exchange some of the Hispanic missionaries had come and helped him with building the castle. Dental patients also bartered construction projects for dental services. The interior of the 7,000 square foot castle was built using eight levels, with ten balconies providing a great view of the valley. It has twenty rooms, including five bedrooms, seven and one half bathrooms, four fireplaces, and three garages and carports. The living room has a seventeen foot waterfall that cascades above the fireplace. The Great room features a spa that seats twenty people. Above it is a retractable roof for views of the famous Arizona blue sky, or a wonderful view of the stars. The dungeon can be accessed through one of the many secret passageways in the home, and a helicopter pad is located on the roof for easier travel to the airport. There is a drawbridge, and a moat, and almost everything one would expect from a moorish castle. There’s even slots to shoot arrows through. The massive stone walls and solid construction of the building is a guarantee of its ability to still be standing on Camelback Mountain centuries from now.

5050 E. Red Rock Road Phoenix, Arizona

4. Sibley Castle

Sibley Castle located in the Galiuro Mountains of Arizona, About 100 miles southeast of Phoenix in what was once a old mining camp called Copper Creek. The castle is a two story structure which was built around 1908. The home once contained 20 rooms and polished oak floors. E. Roy Sibley was the manager of the Copper Creek Mine and his wife, Belle, was the postmaster at the post office  that was estableished on March 6, 1907. The town consisted of about 500 people, which included a physician, stage line, mansion, and many other buildings, much of which was built on tiers as the town was in a canyon. Today much of the town site remains and can be explored.

Copper Creek, Arizona – Take the road from town up the creek. Accessible by walking.

5. Agua Verde

This castle is a private residence built by Duane Durham. He built this castle for his wife and daughters in Vail, Arizona, which is about southeast of Tucson. Very few people have actually been inside this castle, but it is rumored to have extraordinary decor as each room has a differnt theme. There is a train that travels around the perimeter that the children once rode on. Though this house is not one visitors can tour, it is quite beautiful to see. It’s perched at the top of a hill, mysterious and ripe for legendary tales to be made.

6. Castles -n- Coasters

Alright, so maybe this isn’t a real castle, but this is a favorite among the kiddos. Castles and Coasters is located in central Phoenix and is a great place for the kids to have an afternoon doing their thing. From miniature golf and bumper boats to rides and even a full scale roller coaster, Castles -n- Coasters is sure to be a good time for the whole family.

9445 Metro Parkway East
Phoenix, AZ 85051
602-997-7575

Thanks to http://www.dupontcastle.com/ for the collection of castles and information.

Basic Beginnings

General Information

Lay of the Land

Getting to Flagstaff
Most Flagstaff visitors fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport because it is the closest major international airport to Flagstaff. From there, it’s best to rent a car and drive yourself to Flagstaff via I-17,  which is about a 2.5 hour drive. There are a limited amount of flights from Sky Harbor Airport to Flagstaff Airport available, but that is an option. There are shuttle companies that offer daily scheduled trips for about $38 per person each way, while Amtrak has a train station in heart of town as does Greyhound bus service.

Lodging

Flagstaff experiences an influx of Phoenicians trying to beat the summer heat during the months of July – August. Grand Canyon visitors start coming around in May and keep flowing in all the way through October. Then the snow players take it from there during the months of December – February. This town has plenty of hotels, motels, cabins and bed and breakfasts, but it gets booked pretty quickly on holiday weekends, days following a good snow storm or extra hot days in The Valley.  Making plans in advance is recommended especially if you, your family or travel friends have accommodation preferences. Even the hostels get booked up regularly!

Hotels and Motels

A variety of hotels and motels are available all over greater Flagstaff. You’ll find both familiar brand hotel chains and independent properties. Prices range from $75 – $250 per night in the peak months and $50 to $200+ per night in the off-season.

Cabins
Flagstaff is the perfect place to rent a cabin. Flagstaff’s four season weather makes it inviting year round. Cool off  and relax in a summer cabin surrounded by wildflowers with picturesque mountains in the distance. Better yet, stay warm by a crackling fire with a cup of hot cocoa after a day of skiing or sledding in the winter wonderland. Cabins tend to be visitors’ first choice in Flagstaff lodging, so book early if possible.

Bed & Breakfasts

Flagstaff’s charming mountain home atmosphere makes it a perfect place to enjoy staying at a bed and breakfast. Rates vary widely based on the size, amenities offered and demand for these charming inns, but you’ll find anything from $125 per night to $350 per night, based on the season and the style, from simple to luxurious.

Pet-Friendly
Flagstaff is certainly pet-friendly. Several Flagstaff bed & breakfasts, inns, cabins and hotels cater to four-legged family members. Check out this list of dog friendly hotels in Flagstaff, which may or may not be complete, so don’t be afraid to call your hotel or bed & breakfast and ask if Spike or Fluffy can come along.

Dining

How to See Flagstaff…

“Is everyone here young and cool? Even that old man with a white beard acts like he’s 35.” – overheard at Charly’s Pub at the Weatherford Hotel

It’s true. Flagstaff tends to attract people who are looking for adventure. The vibrant spirit often appears as being young at heart – and it’s everywhere. It can’t be helped. From hiking, snowboarding and rock-climbing to Grand Canyon helicopter tours and Colorado River rafting, it all starts in Flagstaff. How do you want to see Flagstaff?

…on a Bicycle Ride Around Town

If you’re planning on staying in town, a bicycle is the perfect way to get around Downtown Flagstaff. That’s what the locals do! There are bike racks everywhere and nothing is far enough to actually need to hop in a car to get to.  In fact, finding a spot to part a vehicle can be quite the chore in this part of town. Rent a bike. You’ll be able to see, experience and interact with more  of everything, guaranteed. There are people from all over the world and all walks of life in the mountain town that you won’t want to miss.

…on a Guided Tour

You won’t want to miss a guided tour of Lowell Observatory. This was where the once so-called planet, Pluto, was discovered. Flagstaff’s fresh mountain air and clear skies make it a wonderful place to explore the Beyond. Other guided tours include the Museum of Northern Arizona, which features a wealth of geological and cultural information about the Southwest; then there is the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, a five-acre park showcasing an extraordinary early 1900s mansion owned by the Riordan family who logged Flagstaff in the city it is today.

Other tours that depart from Flagstaff are tours to the Grand Canyon. Many tours to the Grand Canyon leave from Flagstaff since it is the biggest city near the canyon. Visitors often take helicopter tours, jeep tours, bus tours, river trips or guided hikes. See Flagstaff.com‘s tour guide to get more information and pricing.

…On Foot (Hiking)

Flagstaff offers both easy and challenging hiking, and the reward for those willing to make the effort is a chance to marvel at the beauty of Flagstaff from above,

• Must-Do – Humphrey’s Peak

Humphrey’s is located 14.5 miles northwest to Flagstaff, Arizona. Take US 180 north for 7 miles, then Snowbowl Road (FR 516) for 7.4 miles to the Snowbowl lower parking lot. Find the Humphrey’s trailhead at the north end of the parking lot. All roads are paved.The trail is very well marked until you reach the saddle. The first 3 miles the trail gradually climbs the mountain, then the last 1 3/4 miles it gets steeper and more difficult. There are posts added on the last 3/4 of a mile to help mark the trail. It is very rocky and loose above 12,000 feet. The trail ascends 3 false summits before reaching the true summit. The trail is moderate to difficult, but anybody in some sort of shape can make it without consideration to elevation sickness. Total mileage is approximately 4 3/4 miles.

Trail Length:4.5 miles one way.
Elevation Range: 9,300 to 12,633 feet.
Elevation Gain: 3,333 feet.
Summit Peak: 12,633 feet.
Trail Rating: Strenuous.
Hiking Time: 3 hours one way.
Hiking Season: Late spring to fall.
Winter Permits: Required
Camping:No camping above tree line.

• Local Favorite – Mt. Elden Trails

The summit of Mt. Elden is a 9,299-foot peak on the north edge of Flagstaff. You can hike any of several good trails or drive up a rough road. Wildflowers, a variety of forests, and panoramic views reward those who ascend even part way. A fire-lookout tower marks the summit. Climb the tower, if it’s open, for the best views. On a clear day you’ll see much of north-central Arizona: Oak Creek Canyon and Mormon Lake to the south; the Painted Desert to the east; Humphrey’s Peak, Sunset Crater, and other volcanoes to the north; and Bill Williams Mountain to the west. Flagstaff lies directly below. An eruption of thick, sticky lava created Mt. Elden.
The hiking season runs from May to October, a bit longer for the drier eastern slope. You’ll need to carry water.  Allow at least half a day for a hike to the summit and back; elevation change is 1,300–2,400 feet, depending on the trailhead. Horseback riders and mountain bicyclists can use most of the trail system.

Rating: Moderate
Distance: 2.5 – 3.5 miles
Map and Information: Mt. Elden Trail Guide

 …On a Wall (Rock Climbing)

The Pit (Le Petit Verdon) is one of Flagstaff’s most accessible rock climbing areas for people of all skill levels. Most of the routes are sport but there are a handful of trad routes.

Take I-17 towards Flagstaff. Take the Lake Mary Road Exit. Turn right onto Lake Mary Road, then follow this road approximately 6 miles down. On your left, you will see “Canyon Vista” campground. This is where we are camped at the trailhead to the Pit. Park in the parking lot, trail starts at the end. Go down the small trail, take a right at the fork. You can see the crag from the parking lot and trail. Follow the trail to the other side, there you will see the bolts and pitches.

Flagstaff Temperatures and Precipitation:

Flagstaff receives an average annual snowfall of 99.5 inches
based on the 1st day of each month

Flagstaff Average Clear, Partly Cloudy and Cloudy Days by Month Annual Total

So, there you go! That’s our primer all the basics of visiting Flagstaff. Did we leave anything out? What else would you like to know? Feel fee to comment and we will reply!

Flagstaff, Arizona during ski and snowboarding season is a great time to experience a different side of Arizona from what most visitors expect. Flagstaff is one of the few places in Arizona where Christmas, pine trees, scarves, beanies, mittens, sledding, tobogganing, hot cocoa and snowball fights are truly part of the season. Though it’s wonderful to be able to play golf in 68 degree weather in Phoenix in December, there’s something very invigorating about playing in the snow during the winter.  

The slopes at Snowbowl opened on December 17, 2009 this season, and you better believe we were there to test the snow out! As Arizona residents know and accept, Snowbowl is great for a quick snowboarding fix. If driving from Phoenix, it’s a two-hour drive into a Winter Wonderland. For those who are avid boarders or skiers who are used to Colorado or Utah slopes, please realize that Flagstaff is located in a state that is primarily a desert. We’re just happy to have decent slopes.

Having said that, the conditions at the beginning of 2010 are looking great. It’s packed powder; all 4 lifts are in full operation (that means Agassiz to the top!); 9 boxes, 2 rails and 4 hits.  You can check out the current conditions and any updated slope/rate info at ArizonaSnowbowl.com

Over the last few years, we’ve collected a few favorite places to make part of our snowboarding ritual. In addition, we’ve learned a few tricks to make our adventures a little more budget friendly and/or painless.

Peaks Card

For a multiple visit skiers and snowboarders – but not often enough to justify purchasing a season pass:

The Peaks Card is $50, which discounts your lift tickets for five days throughout the season and gives you one of those days for free. Not bad!  Card holders can buy lift tickets Mondays through Fridays for $10 off, while weekend and holiday tickets are available at $5 off. These Peaks Cards are available for adult passes only and can only be used by one person per day.

A full day lift ticket at Snowbowl is $49, so basically, it is a $1 to purchase the ability to have your next four lift tickets discounted. The cards may be purchased online or at the Guest Services office in Hart Prairie Lodge when you visit Snowbowl for the first time. A picture ID is required to purchase the discounted lift tickets with the card.

Mid-Week Discount Coupon

This has specific dates, so just click here on Flagstaff Snowbowl Mid-Week Discount Coupon to see if the dates match up for you.
  

Ski & Snowboard Rentals

Peace Surplus  Tel: 928-779-4521
 14 West Route 66
 Flagstaff, AZ 86001
 Email: info@peacesurplus.com

Snowboard and Ski Rental Packages: $21.00 out the door

Ski Haus
Tel: 928-774-7671
204 West Sullivan (800 Block of North Humphrey’s)
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Basic Snowboard Package: $22 +tax
Premium Snowboard Package: $27 + tax (newer demo Burton setups)

Basic Ski Package: $20 + tax Premium Ski Package: $28 + tax (Rossignol Bandits, Head Cybers, Rossignol RocX, or dealer demo)

Best Place to Warm Your Aching Bones: 

Macy’s European Coffeehouse, Bakery & Vegetarian Restaurant 
Tel: (928) 774-2243
14 Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5502

Best Place to Drink Away Your Sore Behind:

Beaver Street Brewery 
Tel: (928) 779-0079
11 Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5500

Photo: Arizona Office of Tourism

On a recent Diane Rehm Show broadcast on National Public Radio, guest host Susan Page spoke with historian, Douglas Brinkley, and Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, about President Theodore Roosevelt’s vision for preserving America’s wilderness and the future of our national parks and monuments.

The national park system will celebrate its centennial in 2016 and national parks like the Grand Canyon continue to top the list of desired vacation destinations. When asked in a 2009 survey¹, over 66% of respondents expressed interest in vacationing to a National Park destination; the number one answer.

Table: Arizona Office of Tourism

How important are the national parks to the nation? According to Secretary Salazar,

[National Parks] play a very major role in terms of the economy and jobs for America. They also play a very major role in the health of our communities and, they are…what connects up the people of this country to our lands, our soils, our air, our wildlife. They’re very special places.

Special places, indeed. The National Park System received over 400 million visitors last year. That’s more visitors than people who attended Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA and NASCAR events combined².  But even so, that’s fewer visitors that in previous years.  So what has happened?  Again, Secretary Salazar:

I think the nation and the nation’s population is suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder. That is, that we have fewer and fewer people getting out into the outdoors… Today, on average, young people are spending 4 minutes a day in the outdoors, and, it is said, 6 hours a day in front of a television or a computer. So one of our challenges of these times is really to reverse that and to get young people – all people – out into the outdoors, as part of a healthy Americans agenda.

Writer Douglas Brinkley agreed.

Young people no longer know the difference between an oak or a maple. We’ve lost their sense of…the difference between birds. Or just getting that fresh air for your health and clearing your mind.

Source: Library of Congress

Here in Arizona, we’re lucky that the antidote to Nature Deficit Disorder is right in our very own backyard. Visit a national park. Check out a national monument, a state park, or a wildlife refuge. Make an annual trip to the Grand Canyon.  Why not hop in the car and take your family out for a day of kayaking on Watson Lake in Prescott? Or horseback riding in Mayer? Or whitewater rafting on the Upper Salt River? Teddy Roosevelt would certainly approve. Said Brinkley,

[Teddy Roosevelt]…loved the American West. And he liked…urban centers – where you’re within a day’s reach of…wilderness areas. Just a weekend in the woods or on a lake or canoeing or by a stream could replenish the spirit and get you back to your work grind… But to just tune out our natural surroundings, Roosevelt thought was not just a mistake, but…unpatriotic.

In preparation for the 2016 centennial of the national park system, make a resolution to make the outdoors a part of your life and your kids’ life every day. Turn off the TV, grab a camera, a magnifying glass for bug inspection and a field guide to local birds and wildlife and engage your family in curing their Nature Deficit Disorder.

¹Arizona Office of Tourism – Ypartnership/Yankelovich National Leisure Travel Monitor

²National Public Radio

Our group. That's me in the pink hat on the far right.

“Was it scary?” my friend and co-blogger, Chrissy, asked me when I returned to the office on Monday after a weekend whitewater river rafting trip down the Class III/Class IV Upper Salt River.  “Nope. Not scary at all.  It was thrilling!”

Thrilling, exhilarating, heart-pounding; these are the words I use to describe my first-ever river rafting experience.  It’s fitting, then, that the adventure company with which I did this trip is called Exuberance Events.  Rafting on the Upper Salt River, about 45 minutes north of Globe, Arizona (about 2.5 hours east of Scottsdale) was not only a day filled with unrestrained joy, it left me with a hangover of happiness for the day or two following.

Thirteen Exuberance participants hopped in a van and drove from Tempe to the Upper Salt River around 6 am. Our Exuberance trip guide, owner Ann Mullins Bulka, had healthy, gourmet homemade breakfast treats laid out for us before we departed – a great touch and one of her signatures.  The van was abuzz with anticipation as we began our 2.5 hour drive in great spirits.

After a beautiful scenic drive up highway 60 past Globe, toward Showlow, we crossed a large bridge over the Salt River and arrived at our destination.  We met with our trip guides from Wilderness Aware Rafting, and our Trip Leader, AJ, led us through a thorough safety talk and the other guides got us fitted with life jackets and helmets.  Soon after, we headed down to the put-in spot and met with our individual guides. Our group took two boats, adeptly guided by Miles and Glenn, two of the country’s best and most accomplished river guides.

A quick paddling lesson and we were off! Photos: exuberanceevents.com

Under clear blue skies and bright sun, we got a few lessons in paddling “Forward 1! Forward 2!” and then we were off! The Upper Salt River Canyon meanders through over a dozen Class III rapids; our group’s favorites included Maytag Chute, Mother Rock, and the powerful waves of Exhibition Rapid and Mescal Rapid.

At midday, we pulled off to the side of the river to our lunch spot. A shaded ramada, hors d’ouevres and a hot lunch of delicious sizzling fajitas made for a tasty and satisfying reprieve. Our guide, Glenn, offered to take our group on a short hike to Travertine Falls, a beautiful shaded oasis tucked into the cliffs the preside over the Salt River. We all enjoyed this leg-stretching hike and were eager to return to the river.

The second half of our day on the river included thrilling rapids, some fancy maneuvering and heart-pounding “surfing” on an eddy in the midst of the powerful Mescal Rapid. All too soon, our day had come to an end and it was time to head back on the bus to our starting point. We climbed aboard the Wilderness Aware “vintage” bus ending our day that was, as described by the guides,  “a Class III river trip with a Class V ride home.”

I’m really looking forward to doing this trip again next year.  If you’re interested in this kind of trip or even this specific trip for Spring 2010, check out Exuberance Events for more information about their outdoor adventures, hikes and yoga events in the Phoenix area.

Last Day’s “Last Run” is Just Straight-up Fun.

When the opportunity presented itself for the three female staffers at Sedona.net to hold a company “retreat” of sorts in Sedona this month, you can bet your bottom dollar that we jumped at the chance. Left to design our ultimate two-day female-bonding getaway in Sedona, we immediately agreed that our two-day trip had to be filled with golf, photography and a spa experience. Read on for our unbiased-yet-glowing reviews of the Sedona Golf Resort, Sedona’s New Day Spa and the Sedona Real Inn & Suites.

The Two Christinas (Christina & Chrissy) and De loaded up the car and headed out from Cave Creek to the Village of Oak Creek, just south of Sedona. Our first “appointment” on this oh-so-tough work trip was a mid-morning tee time at the Sedona Golf Resort. With perfect sunny mild weather, friendly golf-pros and ideal course conditions, our day of golf was so enjoyable we three gals couldn’t even get mad when we made some bad shots. The course wasn’t jam-packed so we were able to play at a leisurely, resort pace and we even had time to take some terrific photos of the red rock vistas from nearly every tee on the course. The staff at Sedona Golf Resort met us after our last hole, eager to help us clean our clubs and they even took our car keys and loaded our bags into our car.

Next, we made tracks for our apres-golf destination, the Sedona Real Inn & Suites located in West Sedona. We were each treated to upgraded suites; these oversized guestrooms feature ample living & sleeping space and giant in-room jacuzzi tubs perfect for soothing tired golf muscles.

After an active day, the three of us were hungry for a satisfying dinner. We chose Szechuan Restaurant located at the Old Marketplace in West Sedona. With its adjacent Martini Bar and traditional Asian menu, we ordered a smorgasboard of dishes to share and washed them down with sake and their specialty Pomatini (pomegranate martini – yum!)

After a comfortable night’s sleep and complimentary breakfast, we three gals headed into Uptown Sedona for some shopping at Tlaquepaque followed by lunch at the Wildflower Bread Company and Cold Stone Creamery, both located at the Shops at Pinon Pointe in Uptown Sedona.

Then we geared up for the “toughest” part of our retreat: our spa day at Sedona’s New Day Spa. Our afternoon at Sedona’s New Day Spa, an upscale day spa in the heart of Sedona, would be hard-spent relaxing and luxuriating with a facial and massage treatments.

Christina had been dying to try Hot Stone Massage Therapy. De opted for Sedona’s New Day Spa’s “Le Grande Classique” 90-minute facial. Chrissy requested a 90-minute session of Cranial-Sacral bodywork. This was, by far, one of the best day-spa massage experiences the three of us had ever had. The combination of our therapists’ skills, the extra-long 90 minute sessions and trying out some new techniques made for an unforgettable experience.

Relaxed and refreshed, we almost-regrettably hit the road for home, taking with us our photographs and memories of an ultimate girls’ getaway.

Visit Sedona in November for myriad "Red Rock Canvas" events

For three days this November, the arts and culture of Sedona will be celebrated as never before. “Red Rock Canvas,” a destination event, is a beacon to art lovers, visitors, residents and part-time residents alike.

“Red Rock Canvas” guests can fully customize their Sedona weekend getaway from November 7 through 9, 2008 with art talks and demonstrations, wine tastings, outdoor or spa adventures, and much more as all of Sedona bursts with opportunities.

Sponsored by the City of Sedona and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and presented by the Sedona Gallery Association, visual arts will be the heart of “Red Rock Canvas.” The city comes alive on Friday night with receptions at participating art galleries, then an exclusive Saturday evening ticketed gala and tribute auction for charity – with art, an array of hors d’ouevres, cocktails and dancing. This year’s “Red Rock Canvas” honoree will be artist John Henry Waddell, a former head of the Art Education Department at Arizona State University. Best known for his stunning bronze sculptures of female nudes, Waddell has been an intrinsic part of the Arizona art world for more than forty years.

Sedona is surrounded by red rocks so magnificent, so stunningly breathtaking, that artists and those who appreciate true beauty have found themselves drawn here. World-class art galleries, award-winning spas and endless possibilities for recreation have evolved to accommodate all.

The inaugural “Red Rock Canvas” event draws upon the best Sedona has to offer. Art lovers who arrive in wonder at the area’s beauty will find themselves equally surrounded by superior art galleries. This will be an art event like none other – everywhere you look. For more information visit: RedRockCanvas.com.

Northern Arizona University’s Lumberjacks football team may have lost their homecoming game to Montana this past weekend, but my Saturday stay in Flagstaff was a winner.

My husband and I drove the scenic two-hour drive from our home in Scottsdale to Flagstaff on Saturday morning. As an NAU alum, he was jazzed to return to his college town and relive his glory days… twenty years later. After a quick lunch at Buster’s Restaurant & Bar – our traditional spot for watching football and good eats in Flag – we checked into the Little America Hotel, our lodging for the night.

The Little America is an elegant, upscale hotel located minutes from the downtown Flagstaff area. Although clearly an older hotel, this classic fixture of Flagstaff lodging has been nicely updated with flat-screen TVs, elegant decor, large bathrooms & guestrooms. I’ve stayed at the Little America about half a dozen times and I’m never disappointed. The staff is friendly, polite and thorough; the front desk and concierge consistently deliver four-star service. The hotel is immaculate and very reasonably priced – a tremendous value for the dollar.

After the homecoming game, our Little America concierge made reservations for us at Pasto, a fine-dining Italian restaurant in downtown Flagstaff. The perfect romantic dinner spot for my husband and me, Pasto’s exposed brick walls and simply candlelit decor fits in well with the Flagstaff downtown vibe. Pasto’s upscale and ecelectic menu of traditional Italian fare mixed with a selection of artisan cheeses & breads, game birds & other unusual proteins, and appealing flavor profiles made browsing the menu like watching an episode of “Top Chef.” While we fancy ourselved “foodies,” my husband and I were in the mood for a fairly light dinner, so we settled on a “create-your-own” antipasto to start and had house specialty entrees of portebello mushroom ravioli and jumbo prawns in a tomato-cream sauce. A nice wine list and desserts (we shared the chocolate & volipicello crema… essentially a rich chocolate pudding infused with red wine – divine and rich!) topped off our night.

Sunday morning, we headed for home early. After a quick stop at Starbucks on Milton Road, we hit the highway leaving behind another set of good memories to add to my husband’s college-days nostalgia and my Arizona travel mental scrapbook.

A San Francisco Chronicle reader shares her Sedona, Arizona recommendations

Fleeing to Sedona for some heat and art

Following weeks of spring rain in California, we decided to go to Sedona, Ariz., to warm up at the Casa Sedona Bed and Breakfast Inn. The lovely 16-room inn was designed by a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright.

We stayed in the Trickster’s Den, a whimsical, art-filled room created by Robert Shields, the former San Francisco mime. It featured a fireplace, a whirlpool tub for two and a private patio overlooking lush gardens and an outdoor hot tub. We also had a view of the monumental red-rock formations that surround Sedona and glow in amazing colors at sunset.

Breakfasts served in the garden were delicious (quiche verde, poached pears, banana pecan French toast), and hors d’oeuvres were available every afternoon. The inn charges $180 to $295 per night.

Contact: Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn, 55 Hozoni Drive, Sedona AZ 86336. (800) 525-3756, www.casasedona.com.

We bought $20 day passes for the nearby Sedona Spa at Los Abrigados Resort, where we swam in the large pool where you float effortlessly in its saltwater (no chlorine). The Spa also offers a full gym and a wide range of treatments.

Contact: Sedona Spa, 160 Portal Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336. (928) 282-1777.

We also made a day trip west to the ghost town-turned-art colony of Jerome (founded 1876). We felt as if we were back in the 19th century as we rode into the hills in a horse-drawn carriage and learned about local history from our amusing driver, cowboy poet Wyoming Bob.

The Sedona area also features jeep tours, nearby Native American ruins, art galleries and plenty of opportunities for mountain biking and hiking.

Deborah Dallinger -Lafayette, CA

Check out sedona.net for information on where to stay and what to do in Sedona, Arizona.