SEDONA: Day 7

A sunny morning and after another lazy start we take a brisk walk around the resort property—the red rock vistas are non-stop and stunning. Wish we’d done more walking this trip, but it takes a bit of time to explore the opportunities and limitations of any new venue, and the weather really didn't cooperate most mornings so we ended up in the car.

We’ve found our pace, and are almost to the relaxed state that was the goal of this trip. I’m not convinced that Arizona and Sedona in particular will require a return visit, but we’re thoroughly enjoying this new experience.

SEDONA: Day 6

Every evening by 6:00pm we have to close the drapes shutting out the natural light due to a noticeable drop in temperature as the sun goes down. So, with the drapes closed, we've been sleeping in these mornings--it’s difficult to know how early or late in the morning it is.

We’ve become fans of Starbucks Via, essentially instant coffee, which is micro-ground. The perfect blend is 1-1/2 tubes to 16 oz of hot water. Really a good cup of coffee. Coffee and a muffin and/or half a banana has become our breakfast of choice.

SEDONA: Day 5

We sleep in this morning and are pleased to get up to sunshine! Today’s the day for the potentially cheesy galleries—Mexidona and a local Art Mart. We discover only a few interesting, but not compelling, things at the Art Mart. First, a taupe linen towel designed to hang on your frig or stove. The linen towel is nicely hemmed and then hand stitched just a bit above the hem with a same color thread. The part that buttons over the handle is a bad print (double-sided), but I’m interested in making these myself using a fantastic print with the linen, and an over-the-top button closure—either bedazzled or tortoise shell.

And, a few chunks of red rock with a lone SW figure etched into each stone—paperweights or coasters. Also, a cowgirl-print apron with faux-leather pockets and a flouncy ruffle and cute polka-dotted neck closure.

SEDONA: Day 4

It REALLY snowed last night! Yep! And the weather is very unstable, so we dally about the studio most of the morning. Mid-day we drive to Flagstaff along Rt-89A North, the scenic route. First through a gorgeous red rock canyon along Oak Creek, and then in Coconino National Forest and up, up, up to Flagstaff. The trees and mountains are snow covered and the temp is at least 10 degrees cooler up here.

SEDONA: Day 3

Friends from Phoenix call with regrets and cancel their plans to join us today, which is probably a good thing because our weather is iffy and encompasses a broad spectrum—snow when we awake, then sleet, hail, rain, and sun rotating throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

SEDONA: Day 2

I’m awake at an unearthly hour and a bit stir crazy--maybe a studio is too small for this week. I silently beg CA’s indulgence and proceed to brew a pot of Ghirardelli coffee… We’ll add a defective and incomplete coffee maker to our list of unsatisfactory amenities. The coffee brewing experience is a freaking mess, takes way too long to brew, and tastes burnt once the dripping finally stops. Can I just say that all this occurs prior to 4:00am…