Aug 2007
I won a trip to Enchantment Resort in Sedona!
Monday, August13, 2007 In:Personal
Musings
Last year, as I was getting ready for work, I heard
our local jazz radio station talking about giving
away tickets to the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks. They
were giving out their last set of tickets. They
called out for ‘Denise McClain of Queen Creek’. OK. I
haven’t lived in QC for at least 1 1/2 years. I can’t
imagine there was another resident with my name, but
hey, stranger things have happened. So I called in.
They asked me to verify my DOB, and then said that, yes, it was me they were talking about. Wow, concert tickets. I hadn’t won anything in a while, so this was a pleasant surprise. But I was cautioned to not come in to the radio station until at least Monday, when they’d be drawing their grand prize. What was it? A weekend getaway to The Enchantment Resort. OOOOK. The likelihood of that happening was slim. But, sure, I’ll wait. ~snort~ Fast forward to Monday, when lo! I got an email from the station mgr. stating that I did indeed win the grand prize drawing. You have GOT to be kidding!
I get to the station and have to sign a 1099! How much ARE these rooms anyway!? Fast forward again to last weekend. I finally ask my friend Deb to come with me to the resort. We both had Friday off and we head up there, with Diva in tow (that’s the puppy). We drop her off at the doggie hotel and head out of town into National Forest area, in Boynton Canyon were the resort was located. We crest the last turn leading into the canyon and there was the resort. It took my breath away. How can something like this be so beautiful? We had to give our name to the guard at the gate to even be let on property, and drove to the front desk area, where the notice of our arrival was called ahead. After checking in, we followed our bellman to the parking area just below our casita, where he then loaded our bags onto his cart and drove us to the room. Unreal. Our beautiful room even had a skylight in the bathroom to view all the stars. Since our casita was at the top of the property, we had an unimpeded view from our balcony AND the front door. The pictures on my picture page will show those views. I can’t believe I won this! It truly was the best views of Sedona I’d seen yet, and I’ve been going there for years! Nestled in the canyon, away from the tourist traffic and noise, pitch black at night where you can count all the stars. Unbelievable. A slice of heaven.
OJ and newspapers left on the doorstep every morning. Inspirational cards and plush robes left on our turned down beds in the evening, with filled ice buckets. It was unparalleled service.
Our first night included an exclusive invitation to Mii Amo (which means ‘one’s journey’ in a Native American dialect) Spa for a book signing by Perry Garfinkel, National Geographic journalist who wrote the book ‘Buddha or Bust’. Then we enjoyed a wine and cheese party. The spa itself is listed in several books as one of the top spas in the world. I can see why. From their immense array of services to the meditation ashram and medicine wheel garden, it really is a place to behold.
We spent our time on the grounds, as well as in town where we found fun books on the paranormal, crystals, clothes and amazing food, like Picazzo’s and the Cowboy Club, which had a filet mignon among the best I’ve ever tasted. We also went on a 3 hour hike to various vortex/rock sites, like Coffeepot, Cathedral rock, Thunder Mountain and Airport Mesa. Sunday came way too fast, and an exhausted Deb and Denise picked up the Diva and headed home. It was a journey I’ll not forget any time soon. I can’t wait to go back!
They asked me to verify my DOB, and then said that, yes, it was me they were talking about. Wow, concert tickets. I hadn’t won anything in a while, so this was a pleasant surprise. But I was cautioned to not come in to the radio station until at least Monday, when they’d be drawing their grand prize. What was it? A weekend getaway to The Enchantment Resort. OOOOK. The likelihood of that happening was slim. But, sure, I’ll wait. ~snort~ Fast forward to Monday, when lo! I got an email from the station mgr. stating that I did indeed win the grand prize drawing. You have GOT to be kidding!
I get to the station and have to sign a 1099! How much ARE these rooms anyway!? Fast forward again to last weekend. I finally ask my friend Deb to come with me to the resort. We both had Friday off and we head up there, with Diva in tow (that’s the puppy). We drop her off at the doggie hotel and head out of town into National Forest area, in Boynton Canyon were the resort was located. We crest the last turn leading into the canyon and there was the resort. It took my breath away. How can something like this be so beautiful? We had to give our name to the guard at the gate to even be let on property, and drove to the front desk area, where the notice of our arrival was called ahead. After checking in, we followed our bellman to the parking area just below our casita, where he then loaded our bags onto his cart and drove us to the room. Unreal. Our beautiful room even had a skylight in the bathroom to view all the stars. Since our casita was at the top of the property, we had an unimpeded view from our balcony AND the front door. The pictures on my picture page will show those views. I can’t believe I won this! It truly was the best views of Sedona I’d seen yet, and I’ve been going there for years! Nestled in the canyon, away from the tourist traffic and noise, pitch black at night where you can count all the stars. Unbelievable. A slice of heaven.
OJ and newspapers left on the doorstep every morning. Inspirational cards and plush robes left on our turned down beds in the evening, with filled ice buckets. It was unparalleled service.
Our first night included an exclusive invitation to Mii Amo (which means ‘one’s journey’ in a Native American dialect) Spa for a book signing by Perry Garfinkel, National Geographic journalist who wrote the book ‘Buddha or Bust’. Then we enjoyed a wine and cheese party. The spa itself is listed in several books as one of the top spas in the world. I can see why. From their immense array of services to the meditation ashram and medicine wheel garden, it really is a place to behold.
We spent our time on the grounds, as well as in town where we found fun books on the paranormal, crystals, clothes and amazing food, like Picazzo’s and the Cowboy Club, which had a filet mignon among the best I’ve ever tasted. We also went on a 3 hour hike to various vortex/rock sites, like Coffeepot, Cathedral rock, Thunder Mountain and Airport Mesa. Sunday came way too fast, and an exhausted Deb and Denise picked up the Diva and headed home. It was a journey I’ll not forget any time soon. I can’t wait to go back!
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