From Castles To Churches To SNOW - Oh My! (plus Elks Lodge Info)

(Sedona, AZ) 32 degrees, gray skies and SNOW

Yesterday the view out our window looked like this-

This morning we woke up to this-

This is not a black and white photo...this is color

And this-

Elks Lodge-Sedona Arizona

And this-

Todays weather report:  Overcast with snow showers and rain showers, then snow showers after midnight. Low of 25F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 100% with accumulations up to 4 in. possible (note-so far we've had about 8 inches)

The folks in Sedona are thrilled.  They tell us this never happens here.  The tourists, however, are not as happy.  We knew this front was coming through and decided to stay. Winds were predicted to be about 40 mph along the road we planned to follow. As it turns out the highway is now closed.  Being stranded or caught out in high winds did not seem like a good idea.  Hopefully on Tuesday the weather will improve. 

When we were dreaming about full timing being caught in a snow storm really did not seem like a possibility.  One of my friends also named Carol had been full timing a year before we took off.  Her words of advice to us were "don't give away all your winter clothes".  Thanks Carol.  Today as I put on my warm winter coat, gloves, and hat I thought of her words and laughed.  Who knew?

A couple of days ago we decided to visit two National Monuments located nearby. It was a nice drive out to the Verde Valley and  Montezuma Castle. After stopping at the visitor center we walked down the trail to see the "castle" built over a hundred feet in the air sheltered by a limestone overhang.  It is a five-story, 20-room dwelling built by the peaceful Sinagua farmers in the 12th century. The Sinagua people lived here for over 300 years and  probably left due to over crowding. 

Montezuma Castle

It was mistakenly thought to be an Aztec ruin and named after the Aztec ruler Montezuma.  It is very beautiful and striking against the white rock. 

 

Jimmy was quite the "kid magnet" at the park.  They always seem so surprised by his soft coat.  He loves to be petted. 

The stark white sycamore trees do not have leaves yet.  They were so beautiful in their naked splendor.

 

 

Afterward we drove about 11 miles to visit the Montezuma Well National Monument. This is a natural limestone sinkhole where over 1.5 million gallon of water flow out each day through two underground springs. The Sinagua farmers built an elaborate irrigation system from this well to water their fields.

Montezuma Well Overlook

The sinkhole is very large and can be easily seen after a short walk from the entrance station.  There are also several dwellings in the cliff.  

Cliff Dwelling

You can also walk down to the waters edge. The stairway is rather steep.  There is a dwelling that can be viewed from this area too. 

 

 

Afterwards we drove back to Sedona and stopped beautiful Chapel of the Holy Cross.  It is built right between two red rocks on a Vortex spot. The chapel is unpretentious and sparsely decorated.  No services are held here and is open to the public.  It was designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It was built in 1956. 

It is a bit of climb from the parking lot to the church and finding a parking spot can be tricky. There are volunteers with golf carts that will drive you up if needed. 

The message of the Chapel "That the Church may come to life in the souls of men and be a living reality is renewed and observed each day. Even as we speak it invites all to come to spend time to get connected with their creator."

It is a very serene and beautiful place to visit.  I loved the simplicity of the design and the setting is perfect.  

 

The sign says "Please don't pick me we're smiling at God"

Inside the chapel

 

We had mentioned in a post a couple of days ago that we are staying at the Elks Lodge in Sedona. I had several comments inquiring about the lodge and how to join. You do have to be a member of an Elks Lodge to stay here.  Your membership (click link) can be from any Elks Lodge and all you have to do is show your membership card when arriving. There are hundreds of Elk Lodges that also offer RV parking for members. Some have hook ups, while others do not have any facilities but allow you to stay.  Rates can be anywhere from a donation to the lodge up to  $30/night.  Some lodges do not participate at all. 

Here  is a website (click on link) where you can find the lodges that have RV sites and information about their fees, directions, hook ups etc.  If you use Microsoft Streets and Trips for planning your route there is a Point of Interest pin set you can add to your map that shows their location along your route. Or, you can order guides directly from Carmichael Elks Lodge in California that has tons of information in it.  It's probably the most through guide but it cost $46 for a complete set of all four regions.  You can also order one region for $12.  I have found sometimes the website is not as accurate as our books.  

To join, I'd suggest contacting an Elks Lodge near you.  It does take some advance planning since lodges usually have a new member initiation once a quarter. We joined in Greenfield Indiana before going full time. You do have to be sponsored by a member.  However, if you stop at a lodge and talk to member they would probably be thrilled to sponsor you.  There is an initiation ceremony and annual dues of about $90.

We like to stop at the lodges whenever possible.  Meals and drinks are usually very reasonable.  The members love to tell you about their town and we have always been welcomed very warmly. 

If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me or add a comment. 

Elks Lodge Patio overlooking the red rock mountains

View outside our motorhome yesterday

and

View outside our motorhome today