Verde Valley Thousand Trails

Posted on September 2, 2015 by azgilstrap

As highlighted in our most recent post, Mary and I have spent a portion of the summer at three RV resorts that are located in cooler country about an hour north of our Anthem, AZ home. All of the attractions and scenery in this series can be easily accessed from any of the the three campgrounds, which are roughly located 20-30 miles from each other.

In this post, we focus on Verde Valley Thousand Trails.

Verde Valley RV Resort

From Thousand Trails, we targeted sightseeing and photoremedy in three primary areas.

Cottonwood, AZ

Alacantara Vineyard – near Cottonwood, AZ

Near Verde Valley Thousand Trails and Cottonwood

Summer Storm – near Cottonwood, AZ

Immaculate Conception Church – Cottonwood, AZ

Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Bing’s Burger Station – Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Larry’s Antiques & Things – Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Firehouse Donuts – near Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

West Sedona – From Airport

West Sedona from Airport

Chapel of the Holy Cross – Sedona, AZ

Jerome, AZ

Jerome, AZ

When our Arizona summer series continues, we’ll feature photoremedy from Camp Verde, Pine & Strawberry, and the farmer’s markets of the Verde Valley.

Photoremedy is primarily based on the role that photography has played in helping Greg W. Gilstrap attempt to combat ongoing chronic pain issues that stem from his degenerative cervical and lumbar spine challenges. It is designed to encourage others fighting chronic pain (and other illnesses) to consider pursuing the benefits associated with what is popularly known as art therapy. It’s important to note that many of the photos Greg takes and develops frequently blur the lines between traditional art and contemporary photography, much as art therapy often blurs the lines between traditional and alternative forms of medicine.

The Heat is On

Posted on August 11, 2015 by azgilstrap

Mary and I have adopted a new approach this year to combating Arizona’s annual ‘fry your hands (among other things) on the steering wheel’ season. We’ve been ‘Rving it,’ alternating between roughly two weeks in the mountains about an hour to the north of our Anthem, AZ home and then approximately two weeks back home. It’s an ideal situation, as the temperatures generally drop significantly as we head north and we are close enough to make day trips back for medical appointments (there have been a bunch this year) and family matters.

Not only has it helped us beat (and appreciate) the heat, it has also provided awesome photoremedy opportunities.

Clear Creek Church - Near Camp Verde, AZ

Clear Creek Church – Camp Verde, AZ

We have at stayed three different campgrounds and are happy to report they all have a lot to offer.

Quail Ridge http://www.quailridgervpark.com/

Quail Ridge RV Park

Zane Grey RV Park http://zanegreyrvpark.com/

Zane Grey RV Park

Clear Creek Trail – At Zane Grey RV Park

Clear Creek – Near Zane Grey RV Park

Verde Valley Thousand Trails http://www.thousandtrails.com/arizona/verde-valley

Verde Valley RV Resort

Each of these parks are located no more than 20 minutes or so from Camp Verde. Even better, they are also a short drive from several awesome visitor destinations and extremely photogenic areas. Over the next few weeks, many of the photographs captured during our in-state summer pursuits will be featured. Stay cool and stay tuned.

Summer Storm – Near Verde Valley Thousand Trails RV Resort

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Great Tavern Food

Posted on June 16, 2015 by azgilstrap

Last June, we featured the rapidly growing, cool-country vacation and retirement centers of Pine and Strawberry in north-central Arizona. Mary and I enjoyed the heat-beating benefits of the historic region so much that we’ve already found our way back there this year for a little more photoremedy and food.

Pine, Arizona

Our recent visit provided us with the added benefit of allowing us to catch up with our old friend, Maher Hazine.

Maher Hazine

We’ve known Maher, and his wife Kim, since we all began attending the same Anthem-area church many years ago. Both Maher and Kim were tireless volunteers, with Maher frequently seen flipping burgers or dogs at many church festivals and feasts. At the time, we did not know just how much he loved feeding people good food in a friendly environment. Today, the Hazines are the proprietors of Sidewinders Tavern and Grill in Pine.

Sidewinders – Pine, Arizona

It’s an awesome fit. Great food and friends is just another reason for us to keep returning to Pine, Arizona.

Sidewinders – Pine, Arizona

Sidewinders’ Habanero Wings

Sidewinders’ Sliders

Sidewinders’ Pastrami Burger

Sidewinders – Pine, Arizona

Hippies – Now and Then

Posted on May 25, 2015 by azgilstrap

Last summer, Mary and I stumbled upon a “Hippie Vehicle” that stimulated a lot of response here on Photoremedy.

Two Hippies Beach House – 501 East Camelback Rd., Phoenix

I’m happy to report that, courtesy of Main Street in Camp Verde, Arizona, this year we have found what appears to be the four wheeled forefather of the great American Hippie Bus.

Main Street – Camp Verde, AZ

This should dispel the notion that any one decade or generation has a corner on producing colorful, unforgettable times. What can you do to make other people smile or to ensure your generation is memorable? Let’s commit to making this the best, most momentous summer of our lives – one that history will never forget!

Louisiana Thingamabobs and Baton Rouge

Posted on May 12, 2015 by azgilstrap

Our long and winding Louisiana photoremedy tour–featuring photos collected during a short January trip to Cajun and Creole Country–winds down today with a quick look at the Baton Rouge area and with a hodgepodge collection of items that I affectionately call “thingamabobs.”

Baton Rouge, located on the Mississippi River in central Louisiana, is a college town full of bright colors, rich history, cool trees, and deep religious roots. I was able to capture a bit of this during our all-too-short trip through the city.

Corsair II Jet at the Louisiana Memorial Plaza

USS KIDD at Louisiana Memorial Plaza

LSU Campus

LSU Barnes and Noble Store

LSU Campus Trees

Paul M. Hebert Law Center building on LSU’s campus

LSU Tree Lined Streets

LSU Campus

LSU Christ the King Church

LSU Christ the King Church

Our final collection for the Louisiana series features many of the colorful and interesting items–I affectionately call thingamabobs–captured when I zoomed in and took a closer look at items most people generally walk by without noticing. I’m not sure I’m using thingamabobs correctly, but it was how Mary and I referred to these items as we traveled along. We primarily used the word when I coaxed Mary into looking at photos on my Canon viewfinder. At this point, I’d say something like, “Hey, check out this thingamabob!” In this case, the focus of my thingamabob search was door-related items that, in a small–but significant–way, represented the color and culture of their communities.

I love “looking for thingamabobs-style photoremedy” because it always serves as a reminder of my belief that God does not overlook the little details that make each person, creation, and place special. How many potential thingamabobs can you find in the photo below?

Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie, Louisiana

We hope you enjoyed a few tales of our photoremedy Louisiana pursuits – Mary and I were thrilled to experience the bright colors, fiery spices, historic places, unique people, and unbridled fun so often featured in the Pelican State.

Houmas House Plantation

Posted on May 4, 2015 by azgilstrap

Located along one of the many scenic Mississippi River curves south of Baton Rouge lies what is often referred to as the Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road. The Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is a destination for both tourists and locals.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

The one time sugar plantation, originally owned by the indigenous Houmas Indians when they were given a land grant to occupy the fertile plain between the river and Lake Maurepas to the north, now features a myriad of attributes that keep visitors coming (and coming back). On its grounds are an historic inn, beautiful gardens and statues, spectacular oaks trees, several themed restaurants, wedding amenities, guided tours, and motion picture history.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

There are even rumors of a couple of ghostly spirits that have reportedly been witnessed by mature, sober adults.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Houmas House proved to be one of our top Louisiana photoremedy destinations. We didn’t encounter any ghosts, but we saw enough to understand why someone would want to return to this magnificent destination.