Sedona, AZ - Talaquepaque

On a picture-perfect day, we enjoyed another spectacular view of the Sedona Red Rock scenery during the approach and landing to the KSEZ airport. Located atop a windy plateau, the approach is tricky - especially with the VASI/PAPI lights out of service. Friends (left) met us there for lunch.

The destination was the shops and restaurants at the Telaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village (te-la-keh-pa-keh). Located next to Oak Creek which runs through the heart of Sedona, the Village includes 4 restaurants and a candy shop along with dozens of stores with jewelry, rugs, southwestern collectibles, clothing, galleries and gifts.

Outdoor sculptures surround the gardens and patio dining areas. Behind the Village is The Inn at Los Abrigados. While we didn't stay there, friends who have enjoyed it very much. Naturally they have a full-service Spa and plenty of dining and nightlife alternatives. The accomodations range from cottages that start at $110 per night to the Morris House master bedroom at $775 per night.

Personally, after lunch on the patio at the Oak Creek Brewery & Grill, I enjoyed the candy shop called "How Sweet it is." I cleaned them out of red vines and even brought home a Harry Potter Chocolate Frog as a gift.

Airport services from Red Rock Aviation (fuel $4.34) and Sedona Car Rental were efficient as usual. The Sedona Car Rental has a $10 per hour pilot special that worked out very well for us. They are also the folks who will rent you an off-road jeep for 4 wheeling. We very much enjoyed that last time.

Wynn Las Vegas

Just some quick comments on my first visit to the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas. A relatively new hotel with a smaller footprint than many other Las Vegas mega-hotels, the design and layout are pretty much as you would expect. On our trip we didn't see anything that would distinguish this hotel as anything but an above-average place to visit and gamble. Lunch at the casual cafe Terrace Pointe overlooking the pool was also above average, although as with many Las Vegas hotels, the service was on the "relaxed" side.

On the day we visited, early October, the weather for outside dining was perfect and there was a good crowd by the pool. Later we moved to the Cabana Lounge which surrounds the "European style bathing" pool at the Wynn. While we didn't witness any of the aforementioned bathing going on, the pool bar is nicely situated and even has outdoor craps, blackjack and other table games right next to the pool bar. Losing money en plein air might make it more palatable; who knows. One drawback of the European pool, however, is that being surrounded by the towers, the sun disappears by about 2:30 to 3pm, as do the pool guests. So get your tan-line-less sunbathing in before curfew!

Another tip for the time challenged is to arrive and depart at the "south tower" entrance. You'll avoid the taxi lines and there is a town car typically standing by that will take 1 to 6 passengers back to the airport, Signature Flight Support in our case, for only $60. By the way, while the ramp fee at Signature is a hefty $150 even for a smaller plane, they will waive it for a minimum 50 gallon purchase of $6.50/gallon avgas. Even though both FBO's are expensive, you can't beat the service at Las Vegas-McCarran airport.