1-24-24 - LAST WEEK ITALY - THIS WEEK ARIZONA - A PLACE TO EXPERIENCE & IMAGINE - PART 1!!

IT'S 2024. WE AIN'T GETTIN' ANY YOUNGER! ALL VAGABONDS NEED TO TAKE A TRIP AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY!

Several years ago, we took a relatively short trip to the state of Arizona, and it was relaxing and even stressful at times. Of course, all travel is a perfect blend of relaxation and stress. When you see or experience something that affects your heart and your head it improves your perception of life. Of course, if you travel at all, you know that airports, delayed flights or less than helpful service people can create stress when you travel.

A Trip to the Great Southwest

We landed in Phoenix just after lunch, rented a car and headed to the resort that I had reserved online for three nights. However, when we arrived at the resort, the person at the front desk could not find our reservation. Did I say something about stress? My favorite travel companion, the smartest female on the planet, Susie, looked at my Travel Notebook I had opened on the counter and said - we don't have a reservation here, we have a reservation at a condo nearby. The nice lady at the front desk gave us simple directions, we left, found the condo and it was perfect. So, we relaxed on the balcony and enjoyed a couple of glasses of vino to enjoy the view for the rest of the afternoon. 

We decided to enjoy an early dinner at the famous Biltmore Hotel's premier restaurant McArthur's. This restaurant and hotel have a unique history involving America's greatest architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The hotel and the restaurant were designed in the early 1920's by a Wright apprentice Albert Chase McArthur. However, Wright was heavily involved as a consultant for the building and the details of construction. I must confess, we were on a fairly tight budget back then, so we didn't stay at this astounding hotel. It is currently a Waldorf Astoria Resort with prices that exceed any budget that is not extravagant. Prices go from $718 for a resort room with balcony to $2,134 for a Sky Stone Suite with king-size bed. Any self-respecting Nomad simply can't pay those prices unless you are just loaded. 

After a good night's sleep, we jumped in the car and made a nice day trip north to a unique

experimental community named Arcosonti started in the1970's. This interesting experience in eccentric design remains active today. Depending on whose opinion you accept, Arcosonti is an urban laboratory for sustainable living, or a crazy idea founded by a crazy architect! The architect, Paolo Soleri, was born in Italy, studied under Frank Lloyd Wright and decided his talents would be better used to create this unique place. People live there in alternative dwellings that adhere to the concept of joining architecture and eco-friendly design to create places that honor both. Because I am an architect and my travel mate loves to see unique design, we enjoyed an entire day viewing this utterly compelling and exceptional idea expressed in stone in the desert. There are also houses that can be rented through AIRBNB or VRBO. And if you really want to step into a place of dreams to see what alternative really means, you can rent a pretty cool room at The Green House Guest Rooms. The photo is an exterior shot of this place to spend the night.

In addition to some of the most unique houses you will ever see, Arcosonti is also known for making and selling beautiful Wind Bells. We still have one hanging in our house that we purchased. If you want a nice lunch or snack, check out The Cafe' at Arcosonti open Thursday to Sunday. There are many restaurants just a few minutes outside Arcosonti as well. After a complete daytrip to this fascinating community with some of the most truly "organic" architecture spread over a very rocky landscape, we headed back to Phoenix.

Next week I will post Part 2 of our Arizona Trip to experience one of the greatest works of Frank Lloyd Wright - Taliesin West, the winter home and studio designed by Wright built in 1937. 

In the meantime, I hope all Vagabonds are enjoying the New Year. Although, I must say, I loathe cold weather. But at least I live in North Florida, not Kansas.

Get it goin' Vagabonds. Thanks!

D.L.Stafford

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