It was easy to take in the golden colors, calling sounds, and beautiful vistas of Sedona. As I ventured further away from the city, I wanted to maintain that connection to the world around me.

One way I immersed myself in the space was booking a Sky Gazing Tour.  While I am able to see the stars at home, being close to several cities means that I don’t see all of what the sky has to offer.  The Village of Oak Creek, just outside of Sedona, was designated an IDA International Dark Sky Community in 2014; this means that the community has worked hard to make sure that any outdoor lighting equipment is dark sky friendly.  The Sedona Stargazing Company hires professional astronomers to talk about the constellations, planets and other celestial bodies we can see through their telescopes during their one hour tour. 

I am also drawn to towns, communities, and experiences that are windows to the past; so when I heard about the mining town turned artist haven of Jerome, I knew I was adding it to my itinerary.  Founded in 1876, Jerome was once the fourth largest city in Arizona.  People settled here for copper mining; thus, when the mining operation slowed down after World War II and the main mine (Phelps Dodge Mine) closed in 1953, Jerome went from a population of over 15,000 to a population under 100.  In 1967, Jerome became a National Historic District, so even though the population has grown as artists and musicians have moved into the town, it still maintains the feel of a ghost town and the relics of the mining history that once was.

I parked on Main Street and made my way around the small center on foot. Jerome center boasts local art galleries – including the Jerome Artists Co-Op – gift shops, cafes, and even The Jerome Historical Society and Mine Museum. Old buildings have been repurposed without losing their connection to the past; for instance, the New State Motor Building has been turned into a retail center, but still holds machinery and other historical artifacts from its heyday.

Walking around the town brought me to the ruins of buildings that represented the thriving population that once was, like the Bartlett Hotel and the Sliding Jail. It was a cold afternoon when I visited, so I ended my exploration with a tasting at one of the winery tasting rooms – Jerome has several winery tasting rooms and wine bars. Because it is set into the hillside, any wine bar or restaurant with a window has a lovely view of the Verde Valley and Sedona in the distance.

To go further into the past, I stopped by Montezuma Castle National Monument. Believed to once have been the home of the Sinagua people back in the 1100s to 1400s, Montezuma Castle is the third largest national monument honoring Native American culture. The site consists of a five story dwelling carved into the face of a limestone cliff 100 feet above the valley.  It’s awe inspiring to be able to see structures from so long ago and to think about how they were constructed. 

My parents raised me in the architecture world. I remember on Sundays we would drive around towns to look at houses.  When I mentioned I was planning a trip to Arizona, they insisted that I add Arcosanti to the list. After looking into it, I not only made this a stop on my list, but I booked a room to stay there for the night. 

Designed by Italian architect Paolo Soleri, Arcosanti opened its doors in the 1970s as a reimagined urban community. While the current structure is only 5% of the size that Soleri first envisioned, the parent company, Cosanti Foundation, is still working on constructing buildings and spaces to create a sustainable and resilient community.  The concrete archways and rounded walls give the site an otherworldly quality. Interesting fact: the concrete roofs were actually the first part of the buildings constructed. Once they were made, the dirt underneath was excavated and the dirt remaining became the structure’s walls. 

Since most of the structures have been designed to maximize the sun as a heat and light source, the light changes the experience as it moves through the day. I enjoyed spending some time on the roof with the resident cats and witnessing the play of light on the space. During my stay I appreciated having the time to explore the space, talk to the residents about their experiences, and think about what it would be like to live in a community like this.  

Cosanti is also known for their bronze bells, Each one is cast in one of the original 32 molds before being embellished by hand by one of the artists on site. This gives each one its own unique look, and the patina on the bronze only gets better with age. I can hear the beautiful sound of the one I bought while I was out there right now as I write this.