Solo Trip #2

Before I start living the life in my very own apartment, I need to blog about my latest, solo again, trip to Arcosanti. You may need a little background; I went to Arcosanti by myself for the first time last August, read about it here. This is my second time, and a different experience, that I'm still grateful for.

It was super cold when I arrived, which was the coldest rain/snow storm weekend of March in Arizona. I made sure to pack all my warm clothing including my lovely Tool Schism sweater. I felt pretty accomplished being able to drive through the muddy dirt roads along a couple cliff sides without dying. Due to the cold weather there was absolutely no critters at all for me to capture and remove from the my room or kill. This was very unlike the previous trip, which was nice because I was less paranoid and more relaxed. Bugs don't bother me a great deal, but I don't like not knowing what could possibly crawl into bed with me at night. It came to be around the 40's Fahrenheit which was still somewhat sufficiently warm with the little space heater. Also, this time around the wifi worked perfectly in my room so I didn't have to rely on the wifi in the cafe. I was able to regularly post photos on Instagram, that you'll see below with the original captions. I was in a different room, that I had never stayed in, so that was a little adventure of its own. It was very cloudy and a little sprinkling the first night which didn't allow much of a sunset view or star gazing. There was a lot more people around this time as well. The environment was more dull, full of graying dying leaves and grass. Still beautiful in its own way.

My first solo trip to Arcosanti was unique because I couldn't really phantom what to do with myself. Eventually I got used to it. But since that trip I had been watching my friend's apartment regularly by myself. This better prepared me for being on my own, so this recent trip wasn't so odd and I could get around to doing whatever it is I wanted to.

To celebrate my arrival to Arcosanti yet again. [The Snapping Turtle cabernet sauvignon was super tasty.]

Never quite been to Arcosanti when it was this cold. This is my favorite tree without leaves.

It's 40 degrees in Mayer, AZ. I'm doing my part in warming up with my Tool hoodie, leather jacket, and plenty of wine.

Almost looks like a mountain to a castle. [Sunset time]

The next days were a little warmer. There were plenty of snow capped mountains in the distance. I've seen these sights before, but it was so captivating to me this time. On the drive there, as I was entering higher elevations and driving along cliffsides, I passed some mountains that blocked my view, as they passed it opened up to low clouds and snowy mountains. It was so beautiful, it took my breath away. I would have loved to pull over and stand there all evening if it were possible.

Today brings a sunny cloudless day. In the distance are beautiful snow capped mountains.

I brought my current reading material with me. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. It was my first time reading it, and I was surprised that I understood the writing quite well given that I have a harder time understanding literature from older times. As I adjusted to the writing style, I became really captivated by the story. I also realized that I absolutely love reading at Arcosanti. Whether I'm reading in my room with the curtains open or in the chair outside my room. There, I can read a few pages, stop and just stare at nature for what feels an endless time. Just to do nothing but process the beauty around me and in the writing.

Peaceful reading in the sun.

More beautiful snowy mountains.

I have always loved the architecture of the ceramics apse. But today the balcony gate reminds me of Pluto symbology. Makes me happy.

The Colly Garden.

One of the many paths.

The sun sets.

Even dead, these plants have amazing detail.

Walked to my favorite cliffside spot to watch the sunset. This is what happened to my shoes.

Usually I only stay at Arcosanti for a weekend, thus have never spent a full weekday there. Finally I made it so I stay 3 days instead of 2, which was fantastic! They have a 5 week workshop where people pay to live, eat, and work here. Usually the main part of the workshop is they do the construction work. All this time I had always thought contracted workers did this work, because I've never seen them there, but just see the work and the materials. Monday morning I woke up and all the kids and adults, my age and older, were working on the site right outside my hotel door.

Arcosanti is a perpetual construction site. Since I am here on a Monday for the first time, I got to watch it.

You are here *

I just love this place.

Thee old crane.

The greenhouse construction going on outside my hotel door.

The pool sits atop this.

The strip of hotels.

A few more notes about Arcosanti that I haven't exactly mentioned in any of my Arcosanti-related posts. I love that I literally have to hike to the cafe from my hotel. So it's a workout just to get food. Burn some calories, inject some. It feels a little primitive in a way. But it's also comical because I'm out of breath when I reach the cafe, that I try to catch it before I walk in so no one will notice, heh. Also, my second night there I forgot to lock my hotel door, but nothing happened, and nothing ever does happen. It's wonderful!