Anastasia Shipanova continues to tell about his travels and creative discoveries in different parts of the world. In the new review, the artist shares the impressions about a trip to one of the most mysterious and inspiring places where nature and art merge together.
Among all my many travels around the world most memorable for me was a trip to Arizona, the valley and the small town of Sedona. This is an unpopular position among European and Russian tourists, known only through word of mouth and recommendations of friends, but the Americans have long chosen it for their holidays. Unlike my previous stories about cities with a rich and vibrant cultural life in this review I’m going to shift the focus from man-made art created by nature itself.
Nestled among the crimson cliffs and winding canyons in Central Arizona, the city attracts tourists and artists with its stunning views and landscapes. Going on this trip, take into account a long flight and dry and hot climate, so the makeup I advise you to collect in the first place. Outfits from the latest collections, especially haute couture, save for other occasions, as and pins. In Arizona you will be more useful jeans, shirts, t-shirts, maybe loose dress and of course a pair of comfortable shoes to go low and sneakers – all kagalnoe and sports. Many Hollywood stars who have residences here, prefer this free style in clothes.
Better to fly through Phoenix and then by car on Highway 179 through village of oak Creek to Sedona. If you have a license, the easiest way to get a suitable crossover to rent, it will help to move freely on the terrain, besides in the States away from the big cities with taxis and other transport can be a problem.
The song Ocean Drive is an excellent choice for this trip, though, instead of the ocean you are surrounded by a desert plain with thorns and cacti. Sedona is the one-storey America smoothly with the current time. The city centre is located in the Eastern part, where many good hotels to suit every taste. L’auberge de Sedona is one of them, with excellent service and restaurant is located in a cozy green oasis along a small river OK Creek. Enjoy this cool water on the terrace with a glass of California wine and delicious local dishes. From the balcony of each cottage offers scenic views of the red stone mountains and river, framed by green trees.
Don’t waste time walking around the city, the architecture is quite simple and austere, especially integrated into the desert, it becomes like an extension of it, so as not to distract the attention of tourists from the main attractions of the nature. The only interesting building is the chapel of the Holy cross in the South part of the city. Stretched to the sky, she embedded between two rocks and becomes part of them, towering on a cliff several tens of meters. And mirrored Windows reflect red stone and gold of the setting sun or lead low storm clouds as much luck with the weather. Besides, the entrance is an observation deck overlooking the South valley, erected by nature crimson towers of Cathedral Rock.
Buy to your collection this landscape of the Wild West in the local contemporary art galleries, of which there are about a hundred (and that’s for 10 000 inhabitants!). Some of them are very conveniently located, just on the 179 route, so you can go to several: James Ratliff Gallery, Lanning Gallery and Exposures International Gallery, which is considered one of the largest in Sedona and is a member of the top 25 galleries in the USA. It presents the work of diverse artists inspired by the local environment and culture of the Yavapai Indians. A lot of variations of rock art in a modern way, sculptures with abstract and animal forms. The center works mainly orange-bloody rock monoliths, which are a symbol of Sedona, the Golden circle of the sun, the Indians and the skull of a horned animal. Feature of decorative art considered as glassware, from a huge eclectic bowls and vases to sculptures.
Exposures International Gallery
Opposite Exposures there is a whole cultural complex, which the inhabitants of the plain called the village of arts and crafts Tlaquepaque (Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village) where about eight galleries. For example, in the Rowe Gallery features interesting works of the artist with Latvian roots, writing landscapes of Sedona bright colors in a style reminiscent of David Hockney. An intriguing collection at Renee Taylor Gallery, which is in addition to all the wind sculptures, and Mountain Trails Gallery most of the works dedicated to the local population, the influence of their culture on the formation of the Wild West. Many impressive portraits of charismatic Indians, at the same time harsh and immediate.
Enriched culturally there can be a tasty snack. Suggest a restaurant and a bar Rene with a great menu of American and European cuisine a short rest from the heat in a garden terrace. Special taste of local dishes lends ketchup mango. Be sure to come back here for dinner, main dishes from the chef delicious, exotic, you can try clipping antelope.
Restaurant Rene
Incredibly surreal landscapes of Sedona seem to take you in a completely different world, on a distant Mars or in another dimension. In order to get enough impressions and find the most fascinating places, we suggest you contact local professionals. Choice of tour or a personal guide on the most fascinating routes is very large. From jeeps with a master of extreme driving (just don’t take the pink car, they are best left for the visitors from new York, Miami or LA) and horses to the helicopter and balloon. I chose the latter.
The pictures are stunning, and no distractions from enjoying the incredible spectacle. An indescribable combination of the bright blue sky with white feathers, clouds on the background Kranich mountains and rocks, cast copper, overshadowed any picture. Alas, even the most talented artist to convey a range of emotions. But this does not mean that you should not try! On the contrary. The first European artist who settled here and praised the beauty of the brown bare rocks, was surrealist, Max Ernst, if there is a desire to see where and how he lived, then you need to turn on brewer road, parallel to the main road. The house, built by his hands, it is difficult to find, and once it was preceded by the most famous and controversial of the sculptures of “Capricorn”.
Among Hiking popular trails in Oak Creek canyon, Coconino national Park and the valley of the river Verde, where in season you can swim in the cool refreshing water. And Northern directions, in a Soldier arch with beautiful crevices and sandy-brown grottoes or the gates of the Devil between two huge hills. The Parking areas are very quickly clogged with tourists, it is necessary to consider admission to any walking route or viewpoint is moderate and the view at the end of the road deserves. A nice bonus when choosing a a walk on the jeep except the impressions of spirited riding over rough terrain will be pictures of the beautiful places on the edge of the canyon. If you are in the company of friends, shots where you catch each other or not allowed to fall off a cliff, will delight your followers in Instagram. To remove the physical strain after unaccustomed mountain ascents can help a good massage and relaxing treatments at the Spa, which in Sedona enough. Although it would seem, where in the desert a first-class Spa services? It turns out that deep underground there is a large water layer, it also helps to develop and prosper the valley.
Fantastic nature and unusually strong energy to attract to Sedona and those who believe in the supernatural. They say that to feel the cosmic power in several points around the city. As a person, who is sensitive to energy of the world, I can only say that the inspiration for new achievements and incredible feats I pojiratelei. And is it related to energy points or the unique atmosphere of a valley, surrounded by the copper canyons, I will not judge.
For dinner I chose the Latin grill restaurant Mariposa, among tourists it is prized not only food, but also stunning panoramic views of the entire valley. That’s why at least once to meet the sunset and to observe how evident the milky way, paving his way from one canyon to another, suggest here. That dress will be useful. I tell you a secret that the restaurant still love and star cinema, Directors and producers, because the district constantly are shooting a film and fashion magazines in the pursuit of elegant locations. Offer seafood menu will not leave anyone indifferent. Just be careful, much of the menu abounds with pepper. You should not indulge in dessert because of the strange name, such as “Mouth of death”, it’s chocolate cake pudding with creamy ice cream. Very tasty!
Despite the lack of any fundamental cultural monuments, the popularity of the Sedona proves that the main Creator in our world is nature and its masterpieces not much compares. It is our main inspiration. And we are only spectators, sometimes too pretentious, but still continue to enjoy and admire all of her creations. Take care of nature and love art!
