What) Often
called "Red Rock Country" Sedona is a four seasons playground
for everyone - whether you're into history and archaeology;
arts and culture; shopping; outdoor sports; or the spiritual
and metaphysical, imagine doing all this in a backdrop of some
of the most spectacular scenery in the world. This picturesque
city is surrounded by red-rock monoliths named Coffeepot,
Cathedral and Thunder Mountain. At the north end of the city
is the stunning Oak Creek Canyon, a breathtaking chasm that is
wildly wonderful. Natural endowments aside, you'll also find
world-class hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and a very
good variety of dining to keep you satisfied. Escape the chaos
of life, kick back and relax in Sedona. (1)
Where) Two hours north of Phoenix on Highway 17
Why)
Although this may sound strange after you consider the quality
of the images below, I remember very little about this day
trip that we took to Sedona. There was something off putting
about the place that evaporated any exploration desires or
Bucky's spirit that Pam and I may have had when we drove up.
In fact, I can tell you more about the unusual decor in the
Elks lodge (home of the Sedona Bridge Center where we escaped from
the atmosphere of Sedona for the afternoon) then I can about
the reasons why we came to Sedona or the places we stopped
while we were there.
What) The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a
Roman Catholic chapel built into the buttes of Sedona. The
chapel was inspired and commissioned by local rancher and
sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who had been inspired in
1932 by the newly constructed Empire State Building to build
such a church. After an attempt to do so in Europe was aborted
due to the outbreak of World War II, she decided to build the
church in her native region.
Richard
Hein was chosen as project architect, and the design was
executed by architect August K. Strotz. The construction
supervisor was Fred Courkos, who built the chapel in 18 months
at a cost of US$300,000. The chapel was completed in 1956. The
American Institute of Architects gave the Chapel its Award of
Honor in 1957. In the sculptor's words, “Though Catholic in
faith, as a work of art the Chapel has a universal appeal. Its
doors will ever be open to one and all, regardless of creed,
that God may come to life in the souls of all men and be a
living reality.” In 2007, Arizonans voted the Chapel to be one
of the Seven Man-Made Wonders of Arizona. (2)
Where) 780 Chapel Road
Why) Okay I
do remember that we made this Church our first scheduled stop
but it was disappointing as well. Of course when viewed in the
context of the rest of the Sedona trip, it was the least
disappointing part. 
Reading them today makes me want to visit them all over again.
On our way out of the Chapel's gift shop, I was able to take this picture of the surrounding rocks. It was the ...
