Melissa N. Burnett's Blog, page 3

Visions of Adobe Grand Villas

While planning a solo trip to Sedona, AZ I spent a lot of time thinking about the beauty of this lovely city. I’ve seen photographs, read magazine spreads, and surfed websites that marveled over this magnificent city so I knew I had to experience it firsthand.

Once I made my airline, car rental and tour reservations I thought about where I would lay my head for the few days of my visit. I really had my heart set on a place that said ‘Sedona”. I envisioned someplace quaint, funky and edgy with a southwestern flair! While browsing through hotels on TripAdvisor I came across a lovely B&B called Adobe Grand Villas. I fell in love! It was the perfect place and very close to activities I was interested in doing, so I booked it.

The room had two fireplaces (in the sitting area and the bathroom), I enjoyed fresh bread every morning via the bread making machine in the room, the oversize jetted tub was so relaxing, the king size bed was comfortable, the small private patio was a nice touch, the tiny corner daybed was the perfect spot for a quick nap or to catch up on your favorite novel, and at night beautiful lighting was displayed on the walls and underneath the bed.

Overall I was very satisfied with my stay; the grounds were pretty, the staff were friendly, the food was delicious and my room (which was called ‘Visions”) was absolutely beautiful! My Visions of Adobe Grand Villas was everything I expected and more!

Enjoy the photos of this beautiful B&B resort!

The Beauty in Life

I enjoy the smallest, simplest wonders in life. I’m easily entertained and I believe whole-heartedly in the old cliché, ‘stop and smell the roses’. I smell the roses quite frequently because life has a way of taking you down to your weakest points. I’ve learned that the best way to keep my heart happy and smiling is to appreciate the small things we take for granted:

I can drive down the highway on an autumn day and be dazzled by the colorful trees before me.

I can sit by a warm, cozy fireplace and be comforted by the crackle of the flames.

I can look out at majestic mountains and immediately feel a sense of peace.

I can sit on the beach and fall asleep listening to the sounds of the ocean lapping the shore.

I can marvel over the beautiful hues of a rainbow on a warm, rainy day.

And I can stare out for miles at a magnificent ‘hole in the ground’, witnessing the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon, while at the same time appreciating the beauty in life!

Victory Dance on Devil’s Bridge

Each time I travel I have to do one of three things; get a relaxing massage, do something I’ve never done before, or face one of my fears. I killed two birds with one stone in Sedona - I drove an ATV through the city to a hiking trail head, and the Devil’s Bridge hiking trail was the best place to face my fear of heights. This hike involved a lot of steep climbing, narrow paths with cliffs on the other side, and a narrow bridge (should you dare to walk over it).

I still can’t believe I made it to the top of the bridge. If you read my blog last week you’ll remember that I took a nasty fall down a hill on the trail. Most people would have left after that fall; but I’m so glad I persevered. While the fall was quite scary the climb up the hill was symbolic. It made me realize that I could do whatever I set my mind to. I was determined more than ever to conquer this fear.

The hike was a delightful journey! The views were amazing and the bridge wasn’t as scary or as narrow as it seemed. It was actually very peaceful at the top. The narrow pathway to the bridge could have resulted in a slip and fall if you didn’t place your hands, knees and feet in the right spots. I took my time and with the guidance of a great lady named Jean that I met on the trail, I made it to the bridge. With a pounding heart and shaky hands I cried tears of joy as I faced one of my biggest fears.

I was so happy! While the tears flowed the first thing that came to my mind was to dance – so I did a victory dance across the Devil’s Bridge!

I am one step closer to my journey to mental tranquility.

A symbolic hike in Sedona, AZ

I went hiking for the first time in my life in Sedona, Arizona. I hiked Devil’s Bridge. Initially the walk from the trail head was pleasant. The path was bumpy, but the lovely scenery of the mountains made the walk pleasant.  Every now and then I’d run into kind, smiling people who had just experienced the thrill of the bridge. I was excited and ready to conquer my fear of heights.

Soon the pleasant trail began to incline and I found myself in the middle of a workout. I was sweating and a little out of breath, which I found humorous because I worked out five to six days a week. I stopped to rest and enjoyed the view of the majestic mountains. I took a few pictures then continued my journey. 15 minutes in I heard laughter and people talking so I knew I was near, I looked up and realized I was underneath the bridge. I tried going back the way I came but didn’t recognize the path. I called out to people across the way; they said they were going up. I needed to figure out how to get to that side of the trail. I took a couple of steps, lost my footing and fell on my bottom down a steep hill.

The moment was intense. Every little plant or small tree I grabbed for leverage was too weak to hold my 130 pound frame. I didn’t scream out but I panicked on the inside. My heart was pounding, and a few tears fell from my eyes. I heard strangers running over, yelling for me to try to hold on to something; but the only voice I truly paid attention to was my inner voice praying for strength and the chance to see my family again. I managed to steady myself on a small tree so I sat there contemplating a plan, telling myself that I had to get off that hill and get home safe to my family. Against the strangers advice I started moving again. I turned over and managed to climb up the hill on all fours. I don’t quite remember climbing. What I do remember is complete silence from above. I remember whispering words to myself like, “Stay calm.” “Your family needs you.” “You can do this.”

When I reached the top of the hill the strangers told me I was very brave. I had scratches and bruised skin, broken fingernails, tiny thorns stuck in my skin, dirt on my face and inside my nostril,s and I lost two bottles of water from my portable cooler. None of that bothered me because I did it – I made it up the hill and I’d see my family again.

I learned something significant on that 92 degree day on a steep hill in the middle of the desert. I learned that we all fall down in life but if we just keep climbing; even though we may get hurt, dirty, broken and lost with annoying thorns stuck in our sides; eventually we’ll make it to the top and our journey will be as symbolic as a hike in Sedona, Arizona.

It’s My Time in Sedona, Arizona

I arrived in Sedona, Arizona for the first time the morning of May 27, 2014. The drive in was absolutely breath-taking! I was in complete awe of the beautiful red mountains that had a hazy appearance, due to the smoke from the wildfire near Flagstaff. The air smelled of burning wood but it didn’t bother me. In some strange way, the burning smell wafting through the air seemed to fit in with the beautiful, picturesque backdrop of the red rock mountains.

As I drove down 179 North looking at the mountains and heading to my resort (Adobe Grand Villa); Kelly Price’s song “It’s My Time” played on the radio. I smiled as I sang the lyrics to her song because I knew my journey to peace and mental tranquility was getting ready to begin.

“It’s my time to rise, it’s my time to shine, it’s my time to live, it’s my time to fly, it’s my time … it’s my time!”