Sept 14-18/2008 - Heaven... I'm in Heaven

Sunday Sept 14th to Thursday Sept 18th/08

After having breakfast at La Quinta Inn we requested a late check out to make a 30 mile loop drive into Cottonwood to the “Office Max” store. We needed to find a storage solution for the many pictures on Rod’s camera so we wouldn’t lose them. Got a fantastic buy on an 8GB Toshiba flash drive for only $30.00. After some discussion, I managed to convince Rod that we should give the Amara resort another chance and called to let them know we would be checking in. They said come on by early and we’ll look after you. WHAT an understatement!!!

Situated on the tranquil banks of Oak Creek, from the moment we rode up to the front door the staff treated us like gold and we spent the next 5 days being pampered beyond belief. They felt badly about our inconvenience of the day before and upgraded us to an incredible 2 room suite that faced the creek at the back, was fully private, and we could enjoy 3 patios with tables and chairs from sliding doors from our room. In a word – it was a WOW! His ‘N Hers bathrooms meant we didn’t have to share and the main bath featured an enormous soaker tub with bubble jets as well as a separate oversized granite shower. Each day at 4:00 p.m. the on site “Hundred Rox” restaurant had a complimentary wine tasting until 5:00 and we met some very interesting guests there as well. The grounds were manicured and had a wonderful water feature with fascinating sculptures. The privacy the creek and many trees provided us meant we could indulge in leaving the back curtains and the slider open all night to enjoy the views, the sounds of the crickets and the fresh night air that drops to the low 40’s. The daytime highs each day are in the low 90’s. After having so much cold weather this trip, I am more than ready to be warm and my new mantra that Rod hears many times each day is “Have I mentioned that I really love it here”? Initially we had only planned to stay 2 nights but there is so much to see and enjoy in Sedona and the incredible views of this red rock country are absolutely stunning. There is a salt water pool as well as a salt water hot tub and one can just lie in the pool looking up at the amazing rock formations. The outside seating area of the restaurant also affords breath-taking views. I ask Rod to please work our route backward from the time we need to be back home and tell me what could be the maximum amount of time we can stay in this wonderful haven. Did I mention there is also a world class spa where one could enjoy almost any type of treatment or just benefit from a wonderful aromatic steam bath or the relaxation room with wonderful loungers, soft meditative music and amply supplied with fresh fruit and bowls of nuts. After dark, the pathways are lit with dozens of oil lamps that glow softly in interesting containers. Benches with luxurious cushions abut a fire pit. In short… this wonderful spot nourishes mind, body and spirit.

An interesting time to be here as it seems to be the ‘mating season’ for the cicadas which ‘sing’ loudly at intervals during the warmth of the day. It starts with what sounds like a small rattle in the trees and as if a maestro were conducting an orchestra the sound rises like a crescendo and then suddenly, with a downward slice of the maestro’s wand there is instantly… silence. I have never heard the likes of it.

Each day brings a new adventure… and a time of wonderful R & R – we swim, hike, walk, read, play crib, go to the gym, relax in the hot tub. ‘Paladin’ gets a rest and remains in the parking garage and I sightsee from the back of Rod’s Goldwing. I wouldn’t care for it as a steady diet, I really love the time on the road but this makes for a very relaxing change of pace.

Enjoy some of the wonderful photos.