 Welcome!
Thank you all for your responses and feedback to the first Living Your Intention newsletter.
You'll remember last time I wrote that we attributed our friend's painful encounter with a cactus to the energy of a Sedona vortex. One of my favorite reactions to the newsletter came from a friend who shared a personal story about her own trip to Sedona. She, too, had a disconcerting vortex experience: "The last time my husband and I visited Sedona we fought like cats and dogs. We were actually glad to get out of there since we kept 'needling' each other!" The Living Your Intention Newsletter will continue to share thoughts and experiences about striving to live an intentional life in the face of the inevitable daily distractions. Your comments and ideas are always welcome and appreciated!
Hinda
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Savoring Sedona - Part 2 of a Series
 The
Canyon is actually a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River that, recent evidence suggests, established its
course through the canyon at least 17 million years ago! Spanning 277 miles, the Grand Canyon ranges in
elevation from 2,400 feet to over 7,000 feet above sea level, is over 1 mile
deep, 4 to18 miles wide, and more than 200 miles long. Try taking a picture of that! The beautifully
preserved and exposed ancient rock layers are geologically significant, as they record much of the early history of the North American continent.
We can thank U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid outdoorsman and
staunch conservationist, who first visited the Grand Canyon in 1903, for
subsequently designating it as a U.S. National Monument. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed a law establishing it as our 17th National Park.
There are many
ways to tour the Canyon including hiking, river rafting, helicopter, jeep,
train or mule. I'm willing to trek, but have my limitations. Riding a mule,
river rafting or touring by helicopter were not options! Nowhere did I see
"limousine" in that list. But that is what we did, based on the recommendation
of a friend who had been there some months earlier. Why drive yourself when you
have the opportunity to have a guide and the luxury of riding in a chauffeur-driven
limousine?!
We were able to see and learn more and no one in our group was
responsible for watching the road. The Mercedes Limo from Silver Spur Tours took us
everywhere in high style! Our guide, Dwayne, was delightful. Because of his experience and knowledge, we
went to special places we wouldn't have known about had we been on our own. A memorable stop was in a beautiful wooded area with a natural stream fountain
where we filled our complimentary metal water jugs with bubbling, cold stream water.
The Grand Canyon
can be accessed from either the South Rim or the North Rim. While the South Rim
is most visited, the North Rim is said to have the most stunning views and best
hiking. For hearty souls, one can hike arduous trails from rim to rim on a
steep and strenuous trek of at least 21 miles. This takes you through five of North America's seven life zones. From Sedona, our approach was to the
South Rim.
Attempting to
take in and process the sheer magnitude of the Grand Canyon is mind-boggling. Words
and photos become inadequate when in the presence of nature at her most
beautiful, profound and powerful. Standing at the rim provides its own sense of
wonder. Some of our group suffer from acrophobia; let's just say it was the
women who took a hike down the canyon. We felt minuscule in comparison with
such grandeur.
 There are a number of historic buildings located along the South Rim.
Touring them introduced us to architect Mary Jane Colter,
(1869-1958), one of a few female architects of her time. She is referred to as the official
architect of the Grand Canyon. The Mary Jane Colter Buildings, as a group,
are listed as a National Historic Landmark. Hopi House was designed by Colter in 1905 and is based on structures that were
built in an ancient Hopi settlement called Old Oraibi, located in
eastern Arizona.
 Lookout Studio is a 1914 stone building that currently operates as a gift shopand observation station for visitors. Here you can see Mary Coltor's signature
rustic style of using jagged native rocks to imitate indigenous structures of the
region and to blend in with the environment. It reminded me of Frank Lloyd Wright's work, as well as the Feng
Shui principle of imitating and blending with nature when designing and
building.
My favorite building of Coltor's was the 70-foot Desert View Watchtower(built in 1932). It sits on a 7,400 foot promontory, offering one of the few
opportunities to view both the bottom of the Canyon and the Colorado River. Her
intention was to build
a structure that provides the widest possible view of Grand Canyon yet
harmonizes with its setting.
 From a distance the
building's silhouette looks like an Anasazi kiva. The tower's interior is just as architecturally impressive. The
space is an open shaft surrounded by circular balconies edging the walls and
small staircases that lead up to subsequent levels. The steel and concrete
structure of this space is entirely plastered and all of the walls are covered
with murals. Images painted by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie depict
various aspects of Hopi mythology and religious ceremonies. Other murals done
by Fred Greer are copies of prehistoric pictographs and
petroglyphs. The tiny windows of the tower let in a minimal amount of light,
adding to the cave-like, mystical atmosphere of the space. Experiencing the
combination of multiple levels, circular balconies and hundreds of prehistoric
images provides a rich visual experience of ancient southwestern culture.
The camera technology we have today is amazing, making it is so easy to
snap a photo "on the run." I was fascinated by the story and photos of the Kolb brothers. They were photographers who made a living by photographing
visitors walking or riding down the canyon. Before a pipeline was installed, they would descend 3,000
feet daily to get water for developing their prints. This is an example of the jaw-dropping risks they took in
perilous places to get the perfect photo!
 On our return to Sedona, we had an opportunity to glimpse at the Painted Desert. This is a 146 square mile area of badland hills and buttes
covering 93,500 acres and stretching over 160 miles. It took millions upon
millions of years for nature to create this canvas. The rainbow of colors and overall design is
described by some as a layered cake.
It was a full
eight hour day, but thoroughly relaxing and absolutely enjoyable! While
traveling to the Grand Canyon in such luxurious style made for a rather
expensive outing, we were in agreement that it provided a much richer
experience. Not having the responsibility of driving was worth every dime!
Several days later found us in the enchanting town of Jerome, AZ., about 45 miles SW of Sedona. What a treat!
In the 1920's, Jerome was a thriving copper mining town of
15,000, sitting above what was the largest copper
mine in Arizona. In its heyday it produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of
copper per month. In 1953 the last mines closed, leaving it a virtual
ghost town with about 50 remaining inhabitants. Fortunately, in 1967 Jerome was designated a
National Historic District.
Jerome
has several distinctions. It is referred to as America's
most vertical city due to
the 30-degree incline of the mountainside on which it sits. Gravity has pulled
a number of its buildings down the slope, including the town's jail - to the
delight of some.
Jerome is also referred to as the largest ghost town in
America. Reportedly there continue to be ghost sightings at some of its B&
B's and eateries. Rather than frightening people away with this reputation, it
retains historic charm and is a thriving tourist and artist community with
a population of 500. The shopping is amazing! There is more than one retail
establishment for every 10 residents!
 We had lunch at The Asylum, named in response to its past identity. It's a fun restaurant
with great food choices located in the Jerome Grand Hotel. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to eat at another recommended
restaurant, Haunted Hamburger, where "Claire," the resident ghost
is reported to hang out. While we experienced no ghost sightings, we all agreed
that a trip to Jerome was a must. We were sorry we hadn't planned more time to
explore.
All journeys come to an end. It was time to leave this
magical area. We returned home with great photos, a few mementos, but, best of
all, wonderful memories to share and re-live, the ultimate intention of any
trip!
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Thank you so much for your interest in Living Your Intention!
I would love your feedback, and look forward to hearing from you!
Please know that I am grateful for your presence.
Many blessings,
Hinda Abrahamson
"A mind that is stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
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Intention
The purpose of this newsletter is two-fold: to share ways to incorporate the art of Feng Shui in daily life and to share travel experiences. Each of these, in its own way, can support mindfulness and intentionality as we navigate our life's journey.
I hope that you might encounter a new idea, a new resource or a new viewpoint. Perhaps some small insight will answer an unspoken question, provide a helpful tip, motivate or inspire you or simply give you a moment to escape from the demands of your day.
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Let's Connect!
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Feng Shui
Garden Tip:
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Add an element of surprise in your garden to lift your chi (energy) when you (and others) come upon it. This unexpected something can be a whimsical fairy house, a totem animal peeking out from behind a tree, a small bench tucked behind some tall shrubs or a beautiful seashell.
Anything that delights your heart will work!
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| Summer Reading Recommendation
| Summer tantalizes the nose. Whiffs of flowers, vegetables in the garden, meat on the grill, freshly mown grass, the fresh, clean scent following a summer shower are among the many smells we appreciate and assume will always be available to us. But what if those smells and, in fact, all smells were lost to you forever?
Gardening writer Bonnie Blodgett lost her sense of smell in November of 2005. Remembering Smell takes us on a very different kind of journey; one through the senses, the psyche and the sciences. I found it fascinating, candid and informative.
Living an intentional life encourages gratitude. This book is a powerful reminder to be mindful of and grateful for the things we take for granted!
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About Hinda
A Feng Shui Consultant, Hinda Abrahamson is also Vice President and a founding member of the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest. Through her business, Intentional
Spaces,
Hinda consults with individuals and businesses on applying the principles of
Feng Shui to office, home and landscape. Her intention is to assist clients
in exploring ways to create a balanced and harmonious environment that reflects
individual personality and life style. Using this powerful ancient art of placement, she provides valuable
guidance for clients when they are selling, purchasing or building a home,
planning a major remodeling project or redecorating.
As a Fashion Feng Shui Consultant, Hinda assists with wardrobe choices so you can:
better reflect your authentic self, support your personal energies, and eliminate closet clutter.
For private consultation, speaking
engagements, or for customizing a workshop for your group, contact Hinda at (952)
938-0894 or email:
Hinda Abrahamson
Believing that travel expands our thinking as well as provides respite from busy lives, Hinda offers you the opportunity to plan your next trip at:
Intentional Travel |
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June, 2010
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