Vortex With Us or Without Us
by Pasadena Adjacent
have your aura read
burn down the house
walk the plank
dress like Stevie Nicks
Driving with Mary in the land of the turquoise arches. Poor Mary, disappointed in the abundance of boutique Gypsy chic settles on rocks (crystals). I channel Lucille Ball. It’s weird here. It’s beautiful here. Here is Sedona Arizona. Here at the Chapel of the Holy Cross gift shop. Here, next to a vortex.
Driving with Mary
Episode One
Episode Two
Pasadena Adjacent 
Episode three: Driving with Mary Sedona Arizona
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Got any pictures of Mile High Town?
Our Editor Responds: Jerome? darn it, we wanted to but ran out of time. I was there in 1970 and loved it.
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That pic of gypsy chic is hysterical–it’s all Stevie Nicks in Sedona. Boy those were beautiful days though and I love how these posts bring it back–
Our Editor Responds: Stevie Nicks is from Arizona. This might explain her fashion sensibilities.
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How did you get a penguin to carry your camera all the way down that ramp (flap, flap, flap, flap. I love it)?
Our Editor Responds: I’m the typical tacky tourist in Flip Flops. A point of pride
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I love this slice of Sedona. It does look weird and beautiful. I’ve never been but I’ve heard about the mystique. So did you feel anything from the vortex? The plank walk gave me vertigo.
Our Editor Responds: Hard to say. I had recently flung Tova over the rainbow bridge (remember, I was blind sided on that one) so I was looking for anything that would connect our energy. Magical thinking.
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Here I am again with my tendency to see things as being in-between.
So how about… somewhere in between walking the labyrinth and touring the Guggenheim Museum in N.Y….
Our Editor Responds: In-between is the best, and I agree with your comparison. Frank Lloyd Wright is also here. His student, Marguerite Brunswig Staude was the commissioned architect.
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Couldn’t access the video. I think it got vortexed.
I’ve never been there, but I’m interested. I’ve never met anyone who saw it and didn’t like it. Of course that’s also true of Alaska, and I ain’t goin’ where it’s colder, grayer, and more nocturnal than Michigan.
Our Editor Responds: It’s my first time visiting. I hadn’t done any research so I had no expectations. It is extraordinary. You come out of a forest that opens up into this desert floor of red mesas. I plan on returning in the fall and using the mountain campgrounds as a base to explore. Many trails yet to explore.
btw: I’ve been to Alaska. There’s a tram in Juneau that takes you to the top of a ridge (on the edge of glaciers while overlooking the Pacific) that you can take off hiking from. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.
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That obelisk-like thing is a chapel? How unique.
Our Editor Responds: It’s worth the stop. The numbers for the stations of the cross are done with railroad ties. And of course, there is a gift shop.
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What an odd thing to find in the desert mountains. Looks like it came from outter space. Out of place or perfectly placed? Never having been there, I can’t tell, what’s your take on it’s location? FLW taught his acolytes never build on the top of a hill. That way you don’t lose the hill.
Our Editor Responds: I wish Pasadena would listen to FLW. They allow developers to top off hillsides with the ugliest of the big. Chapel of the Holy Cross is actually on forest land. Barry Goldwater had a hand in getting it over the hurdles.
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Am I a bad person if that chapel horrifies me? God or nature already built something gorgeous, and some idiot went and slapped cement all over it. It’s ghastly. But I love your flip-flop video. Talk about in-between.
Our Editor Responds: It’s rather stunning in person (although my photo gives the impression of a wedged ax head.) The ramp is similar to the FLW Guggenheim. What I don’t like is the idea that, with the right political connections, one can get a tax exempt church past the roadblocks in order to build on (the Coconino National) Forest land. Supposedly your not allowed to build on forest land. Then again, this is Arizona
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Nothing like a good vortex to muck up a good day. You’re lucky you weren’t sucked right out of your flip-flops …
I sure wish I had a pair. Sandals, even. Dogs want to go out, slip into your flip-flops. Socks are a drag, man.
Our Editor Responds: I hear your smothering right now. Triple digits and high humidity can make a vortex look appealing
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One of the hymns I loved singing as a child (at English schools, we had a religious service at the start of each day – Catholic children went into the basement for theirs, or something, I never did find out what happened to them during that half hour) has the line “Rock of Ages, cleft for me.”) I guess some church thought this rock was cleft for them. I’m with Petrea on this one, but the natural beauty of the area tempts me to visit. I’ll have to ask you how to get there.
Our Editor Responds: Ah, the ax reference! yes. Well, location, location, location…I’m between a rock and a hard space on this (pun intended). It’s magnificent architecture. Interesting form and function choices plus it does what you want good architecture to do. It elevates, literally (pun intended). Plus, we were here early and off season. Lots of elbow room.
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No offense but it’s kinda hot in Arizona this time of year…should tuck into the oak creek canyon eh? I think the vynal siding homes north of moab off the river are the most obseine reality check ever. So energy efficient. nice church and the walk would be great in a down pour.
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