"THE GREAT AMERICAN WEST. Part l. " a Arizona Travel Page by janicewilson

Final Take

The landscape is overwhelming. Canyons that continue to require the eras for its formation. The crater that required no more then 10 seconds. With the exception of two ridiculously outstanding contributions from the great architects Wright and Colter, the cultural offerings seemed...lacking. But I didn't come for the urban amenities, I came to revel in all the nature that Arizona had to offer. And I did.

Things To Do: Outdoors, you can't possibly get bored (but if you're sufficiently dumb to come to Arizona at the end of June as I was, you could possibly get heat stroke).

Hotels and Accommodations: The only accommodations worth mentioning, at which I stayed, was the Sedona Rouge. The other lodging during this trip was overpriced and in one instance, Comfort Inn in Flagstaff, disgusting. My deepest regret? Not staying at La Posada Hotel (I'd give my left tit for a do-over).

Restaurants: With one very much appreciated and very noted exception, The Cottage Place, dining in Arizona was downright dismal.

Nightlife: I truly enjoyed the air conditioning offered by hotels after various hikes in the canyon. After a day of Arizona heat, enjoying the AC was about all I could make happen at night.

Off the Beaten Track: A couple of nooks here and there, for example, the Behind the Scenes Tour at Taliesin West.

Transportation: All driving. I didn't see much in the way of public transportation.

Shopping: Didn't do any.

Sports Travel: A hiker's and mountain biker's paradise, provided you come when the weather's reasonable.

Warnings: You probably saw this coming. Don't go to Arizona for the cuisine offerings. Do go to Arizona in June and July if you can't get enough of thick, oppressive summer heat.

My Favorites

Dining:

The Cottage Place

Museums and Tours:

Taliesin West
La Posada Hotel

Sports Travel:

Hiking the Grand Canyon (into the belly)
Hiking Sedona's Montezuma's Castle and its vortexes

Pampering:

The massages at Sedona Lounge