We departed The Phoenix area for a few days’ R&R in Sedona. Our campground at Dead Horse Ranch State Park is actually located along the Verde River in Cottonwood, about 20 minutes south of the famous Red Rocks for which Sedona is famous, and where we spent most of our time. The state park was named after a ranch owned by the family who originally bought the land here, and turned it over to the state for a park.
While in Sedona, we met our favorite stalkers, Brenda and Lynette, who had driven up from Phoenix for the day. We arranged to meet in a restaurant parking lot with a fabulous view (more on that later).
While Suzanne gave several readings, I got out on several hikes. The Soldiers’ Pass and Brins Mesa trails are two of my favorites. The next four photos give you a flavor of the dramatic scenery in Sedona. And yes, My Lovely Bride did get out once or twice to hike with me…
We did take time out to have a delicious dinner out one night at Sedona’s fabulous new restaurant, Mariposa, whose owner and chef Lisa Dahl has had a reading with Suzanne. Lisa’s son Justin has come through with stunning evidence for Lisa on several occasions, and this evening was no exception. The view from the restaurant is stunning, undoubtedly the best in town, and the menu even better.
After our Sedona R&R, we moved on to Prescott Valley, AZ, for Suzanne’s next event. Shortly after we arrived, we met up with Rita and Chris Wuermann, who took us to dinner at the Iron Springs Cafe, a former railroad station. We had a great meal and enjoyable conversation with them, and learned a lot about their charming community. Rita would be attending Suzanne’s Serving Spirit workshop the next day…
The meeting room in Prescott Valley was full for Suzanne’s weekend workshop, and by all accounts it was one of her best. Many of the attendees were not planning on becoming mediums, but did want to learn how to connect with higher consciousness. Suzanne also had the opportunity to channel her guides Sanaya on Saturday, which was a favorite part of the weekend event.
Dr. Amit Batheji, an oral surgeon, had flown in from California for the event. He was a very nice guy who specializes in root canals, and asked us to schedule a stop in Southern California on next summer’s tour. I’m hoping his request was for Suzanne to give a talk on spiritual topics, rather than to get me into a dental chair on a professional basis!
We had a splendid dinner with Elizabeth Boisson and her parents Judy and Jim at the Prescott Resort. Jim is a retired university health professor and has excellent taste in wine; he chose a great Argentinian Malbec that I was singularly impressed with. 
As the weekend ended, Diane Calderon presented us with Sedona “Red Dirt” tee shirts. “Arizona Guard Dog” was the design on Suzanne’s immensely appropriate shirt, but it was really a diamondback rattlesnake; mine read “Old Guys Rock”… what Old Guys are you taking about, Diane???
On Monday, we moved the coach from Prescott Valley to Prescott’s Point of Rocks campground, in an area called the Granite Dells. These Precambrian boulders have been carbon-dated to 1.4 billion years of age, and have an unusually high uranium content. One advantage: after four nights camping there, I don’t need a reading light…
After two full days on her feet, Suzanne was grateful for the opportunity to get out in the fresh air for hikes and mountain bike rides. She made me promise to take her on “mellow” trails. I selected the Watson Loop Trail, and thought I was doing the right thing until we got to this sign; it pointed to a fork in the trail, with “Steep” and “Steeper” being the choices… “Ty, what were you thinking???”
This beautiful, twisted fallen tree appeared to have been sculpted by human hands, but of course wasn’t. It was also a pleasure to observe that it hadn’t been defaced by anyone carving their initials into the wood. 
We hiked down to the outlet of Watson Dam, where the outflow release appeared to be quite similar to the waterfall design on this lovely hiker’s shirt.
In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I would be sending My Lovely Bride to check out the vicinity for rattlesnakes before I headed to the campground showers, for which I received more grief from some “friends” than I expected. I suppose I may have made another tactical error in suggesting that Suzanne ride ahead of me on the mountain bike trails, in this case on the relatively mellow Embry Riddle – Jan Alfano Trail near Prescott. I was a bit miffed as we were screaming down a winding trail when MLB screeched to a halt without a word. “Love of My Life, what the heck did you stop for?” I asked petulantly. She replied in a calm voice, “Ty, I didn’t want to run over that huge, five foot long snake lying across the trail 20 feet ahead of me.” I smiled and said, “Oh. Well, of course, that would have been unkind, wouldn’t it?” She’s actually gotten much better about snakes since we arrived in Arizona; I think this was her fourth in the past two weeks…
On our last day in Prescott, I went for a hike in the Granite Dells while Suzanne gave a reading. On my route I came upon this search and rescue team setting up a simulated cliff face rescue. This team was made up of 12 very fit young men, most likely all volunteers, who often risk their lives saving some unfortunate hiker who was injured or had a heart attack, or a rock climber who selected the wrong route and got into trouble.
After a 24-hour delay to avoid 50-60 knot winds that could be dangerous to high profile vehicles like our coach, we hooked up and headed north through central Arizona. While on the road, we heard from Terri of the Frozen North in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, which is the only really important suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Terri was gloating that winter was gone in the Far North, and advised us that her state had actually recorded the highest temperatures in the entire United States that day, 20 degrees warmer than Phoenix and Death Valley. The weather news from Minnesnowta was not nearly as good as that of Terri’s official “coming out” as an evidential spiritual medium. You can find out more information about Terri on her web site, www.terrihorsmann.com. 
We arrived in Page, AZ, for a BSF. Aboard Navy ships, that’s an acronym for a Brief Stop for Fuel. In this case, it meant a Brief Stop for Friends, in the form of George Hardeen, a Board Member of the Internet radio show Buddha at the Gas Pump (BATGAP). Suzanne had been interviewed on BATGAP by its founder, Rick Archer. George and Rick are close friends, and when George found out we would be passing through Page, he asked if we could meet for dinner. George is a thoroughly charming, engaging gentleman, and two hours and a delicious meal flew by in the blink of an eye. One of the most interesting people we’ve ever met, George is a public relations consultant, horse trainer, hiker, 40-year meditator and an expert in Transcendental Meditation (TM). Our visit with him was a fitting end to our delightful (but too short) month in Arizona. We are now headed for Zion National Park in Utah, but look forward to returning to Arizona next Spring for a longer visit.
1 Comment
Lynette
What a great update. And how about those rocks?? Over a billion years old. Isn't that cool? As a devoted stalker, I am sad that you are leaving AZ. Brenda and I will be back on the job next year. xoxo lynette