Chapter 1 - Moving In

Move in weekend arrived and I felt like a child on Christmas morning. We arrived at the realty office to pick up the key but no one could find it. I felt crushed. Didn't they know this was my moment after a 35 year wait? I guess not. It was probably just another work day for them. The key was finally located and we drove off to begin living the dream.

Well, it might have been better to not find the key because upon entering the cottage the dream quickly turned a bit nightmare-ish. While Hurricane Irene churned on the Atlantic coast, we were met by a hurricane of spiders. I've never seen so many of them living rent free in a place in all my life. They must have been there during my first tour of the house but I didn't see them then. A strange lingering smell finally went away after we ripped out the carpet and pad in a bedroom where the two resident bulldogs obviously spent most of their indoor time. There are several other projects that will keep us busy for a while, but even work in Sedona is play!

Several neighbors gave us the lowdown on the neighborhood. Even the cicadas sang its praises endlessly. As the sun quietly simmered down on day 1 we rested our tired bodies on the red rocks in Oak Creek as its cool waters soothed our tired feet.

The very cool quick shower we took to wash the day's work away was actually refreshing. Hopefully hot showers will soon be in our future when the gas gets hooked up. Sleeping on the queen size futon we brought along was very college-like and we awakened at 2:30 am. Since there's not much else to do at that ungodly hour we said hello to the billions of stars and they actually winked back. I didn't even realize those billions of stars were the Milky Way.

Day 2 found us enjoying coffee on the porch and watching the sun bathe Wilson Mountain across the way. The swift waters of the creek echoed in our ears. Deciding not to lollygag too much, we went to church at Ace Hardware and donated to their collection plate. The spiders have now signed a lease to live somewhere else courtesy of a powerful wet/dry vacuum.

The thermometer registered a steaming 100 degrees while two contractors visited during the day to advise us on some priority projects. A quick morning hike took us near an apple orchard. Yum, can't wait to try those soon.

Since there is no gas to cook, Indian Gardens Oak Creek Market, just a short walk from our place became the stomping grounds for most meals. The live music and massages also offered there will soothe body and soul during this adventure.

That darn clock kept ticking and sadly it was time to leave. Oh well, we'll be back next weekend to take down a wall in that now uncarpeted bedroom and reclaim the living room that it once was.

Oak Creek

Prologue - The Dream Begins...

I have a place in Sedona to call my own! 35 years ago when I was a mere 20 years old (yes-I'm now 55), I visited that beautiful place for the first time. I had just moved from Michigan to Arizona and a group of us visited there for the day. I remember saying, "I'd like to live here," to which someone replied, "Forget it. You'll never be able to, it's way too expensive!" She was right, it was too expensive for me, I was sad.

The years passed. I married, raised two children and became a grandmother. I grew older and more patient hoping someday I could call it home. Sedona grew too. More expensive and more populous but its beauty remained breathtaking. It continued to call to me. Each time I visited whether to shop, or camp or hike my desire to live there grew ever stronger.

A few years ago, I realized the economic downturn and falling home prices might allow me to begin living my dream. We searched 2 years for a place and the right one came along! Located in Oak Creek Canyon about 3 miles from Sedona, it is situated where the first Anglo settler, John J. Thompson, homesteaded in 1876. Someday I'll research the history of the lot and house.

We signed the papers and could barely wait for the next weekend to hold that precious key that would unlock my dream!

Good things really do come to those who wait, even if the wait is nearly half a lifetime.