Boynton Canyon Vortex in Sedona

August 30, 2011 By 4 Comments
Boynton Canyon Spire, Kachina Woman

Famed for its stunning red rock cliffs, Sedona is one of those Arizona cities you simply can’t get enough of. People travel from around the world to catch a glimpse of the crimson landscape sitting in our backyard.

Yet the red rocks alone aren’t drawing tourists. Many flock to Sedona to feel the power of energy vortexes dotting the region. In this sense, a vortex is a spiraling, tornado-like force of spiritual energy emanating from the center of the Earth. Many believe these places are ideal for prayer, meditation and healing, as the energy is said to interact with one’s inner self. Vortexes are also known to increase psychic energy and make you more self aware.

The Boynton Canyon Vortex is one of several main vortexes in the area. It’s located just west of Enchantment Resort. Some vortexes are said to have either masculine or feminine energies. The Boynton Canyon vortex has both, which is supposedly ideal for balancing energy within oneself and with relationships.

Filed Under: Natural Surroundings, Northern Arizona, Odd Observations, Recreation Tagged With: , ,

Time Stands Still In Florence

August 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Pinal County Courthouse

FLORENCE — All four faces of the clock on the old Pinal County Courthouse say 11:44 regardless of what time of day it is. This is a good thing because most people look at the clock during the daylight hours, so no matter what time it is, the clock says it’s almost time for lunch.

The clock has been stuck at 11:44 ever since the building opened in 1891, and it will always be 11:44 because the hands never move. This is because they’re painted on. It was originally an economic move, but now it’s tradition. There has never been a real clock in the tower. The architect wanted one, and that’s why the tower was erected.

Filed Under: Odd Observations Tagged With: , ,

Face in the Rocks Along Tom’s Thumb Trail, McDowell Mountains

July 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
tom rock close

Tom’s Thumb Trail, on the north side of the McDowell Mountains, is dotted with curious rock formations, especially this particular boulder bearing a striking resemblance to one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs.

Could this be Tom? Perhaps. The figure appears near one of the final bends leading to the summit (aka Tom’s Thumb). What do you think?

Want to see it for yourself? Tom’s Thumb Trail is ideal for hikers seeking a bit of a challenge. The trail kicks off with a series of steep, somewhat slippery switchbacks. It levels off among classic Sonoran Preserve beauty – granite boulders, numerous cacti species and lots of lizards that liven up the neatly manicured trail. Views of Scottsdale’s urban sprawl are visible at the peak.

Filed Under: Odd Observations, Recreation, Valley of the Sun Tagged With: , , , ,

Do Valley Homes Have Fewer Basements?

June 10, 2011 By 2 Comments
Basement

Q:My wife says there are no basements here because there are no tornadoes, so we don’t need a place to hide. I say it’s because the ground is too hard. Who’s right?

A: First of all, your question is flawed by asserting there are no basements around here. Granted, there aren’t many, but there are some, especially in older homes. They’re relatively plentiful in the Encanto neighborhood of Phoenix and in some scattered pockets of pre-World War II homes around the Valley.

They’re not the pine-paneled rumpus-room basements you recall from your split level back in Moline, Ill., but they’re basements nonetheless.

And, as we shall see, basements have made somewhat of a comeback in recent years in upper-end new housing.

But the vast majority of Phoenix-area houses are squatting on concrete slabs, meaning that if we ever really did have a tornado, your best bet would be a merciful God.

Filed Under: Odd Observations, Valley of the Sun Tagged With: ,

Use Water Bags to Repel Flies

May 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Fly

Q: A couple of years ago we were sitting on our porch enjoying some beers, but not enjoying all the flies. A friend suggested hanging up plastic bags of water to repel the flies.We tried it, and it works, but we have never known
why. What’s the deal?

A: My first thought was that this was just about the most cockamamie idea I had ever heard, but then I looked at my pay stub and decided the water-bags thing didn’t sound so weird after all.

Apparently there is something to this, but no one seems to know why.

The idea is this

Filed Under: Natural Surroundings, Odd Observations Tagged With: ,
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