Rahelio, Your Guide for Sedona Nature Excursions [Mystic Tours]

I laid on the mountaintop feeling the warmth of the sandstone rise through my back to meet the vibration of the drumbeat pounding through my mid-section above. Listening to the Indian prayer chant, the knot in my lower back that had bothered me for 30 years suddenly relaxed and I somehow knew that it would trouble me no more. I opened my eyes to the views of Airport Mesa, the other participants in our group and Rahelio quietly standing beside.

Rahelio is a Toltec Wisdom Teacher making his home in Sedona, AZ. He takes people on tours of a very special nature, enjoying the beauty of Red Rock Country while exploring the spiritual vistas within themselves. Rahelio came to Sedona to live in 1987 after being a guide on Maui, Hawaii. His desire to help people connect with the land was the impetus for working as a guide here.

Toltec Wisdom Teacher, Rahelio                                       ©Marcia Mauskopf 2011

Anyone can hike on the land on their own, but a guided outing by Rahelio brings in the spiritual aspect  that so many miss. Rahelio helps you to experience the magic of ancient sacred land. You will hike, you will learn about the land and a quieter life but more than anything you will experience a quietness of spirit that is unlike anything in your daily life. This is not your Mother's off - road tour, this is a journey into your own connection with Mother Earth. There are many things that have to be experienced...not analyzed or lectured about. While some of the other tours in the valley will give you an education in Spirit, Rahelio helps you experience it in a way that will transform your life.

My experience with Rahelio taught me that when one is open to Spirit there is no need for mood altering chemicals, there is a natural high that comes from a connection to the Earth. He helps bridge the gap from external to internal offering an experience that is as unique as the red land he helps you explore.


For Excursion Information contact Rahelio at:  
Phone: (928) 282-6735 
Email: rahelio@msn.com 
Website: www.rahelio.com

Sunday Surfing - Haunted Canyon

A Word About Dehydration

I bet you thought that I was going to remind you [like everyone else does this time of year] to drink your water...Actually, we're talking about the other kind of dehydraton and how very easy it is to do your own stuff for trail and camp.

I got my dehydrator a lifetime ago...I had the mistaken idea that I would save money with it and quickly realized that there isn't a savings over grocery bought dried fruits unless you have trees. But there is a much better reason to drying your own than saving money. Drying your own gives you access to fruit and veggies with no preservatives and saves a ton of space as you will see in the attached photos.

Of course the fruit can be eaten right out of the bag, but no one really tells you how to use fruit and veggies to cook. Here's what I do. Mid day I figure out how much I'm going to need for the dish that I am making, put it in a nalgene and cover with water. check and shake gently every couple of hours to make sure that the water is absorbed and if you need more water in it. If you are hiking the very act of walking will gently agitate. By dinner time your recipe addition will be re-hydrated and ready to cook.


Home dehydrated foods that are properly stored will last 6 months and if frozen a couple of years. Your main danger is mold. Always examine your dehydrated food for mold issues and dispose if it gets hit. Otherwise, Bon Appetit!

Drying can reduce storage size to 1/4 of original packaging.   ©Marcia Mauskopf 2011

#10 cans of peaches are less than $4 at Costco and peas are on sale for as little as 33¢     ©Marcia Mauskopf 2011

You can even dry lemons to flavor your fresh caught trout! This is 11 lemons from my tree. ©Marcia Mauskopf @2011

Field Test - The Master of Faster Low Omni-Tech, Columbia Sportswear

About to climb around Cliff Palace in my Master of Faster Low Omni-Tech's       ©Marcia Mauskopf 2011

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Columbia Sportswear with an offer to try their new The Master of Faster Low Omni-Tech:

"The revolutionary and (super-freakin’-fast) design bridges the gap between a running and multi-sport shoe to keep you light on your feet through all sorts of trail conditions. The breathable mesh upper features Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable technology for protection against the elements, welded seams for minimal-yet-strong support, and a Techlite collar and tongue for a comfortable fit. A three-part Techlite midsole with multiple density settings provides cushioning and support where you need it most, and a high-traction outsole boasts a built-in independent suspension system for great grip no matter what you’re cruising on.  We think you’ll be impressed with its performance and really want to know what you have to say about it.  So…"

....so, here's what I did over a couple week period and how they performed. I found them very lightweight and (almost more importantly) cool in our arid AZ summer temps. Using them the first week I had them as my walking shoe just around town breaking them in. At this point what I found was that for me, they were a little loose in the heel and one tongue did dig into my ankle until they softened up, so this would have been a concern if I were in a store trying them on instead having them sent to me untried. They did, however,  break in very well.

Week two found me on vacation and here is where the fun began. The Master of Faster Low Omni-Tech's traction was good and held on wet sandstone and gravel alike. In Colorado this time of year it rains every afternoon and true to their word my feet stayed dry. Support was good even with my heels feeling loose in the shoes thanks to the design that runs laces all the way to the top of your ankle. But it was the silliest thing that impressed me the most; eight hours of driving and my feet were comfortable. I'm one of those flip flop travelers...you know what I mean...I wear flip flops so I can be barefoot in the car and truly comfortable and I didn't really notice any discomfort with these.

I like The Master of Faster Low Omni-Tech shoes. You will, too.

FTC regulation disclosure: I'm getting 'em for free for testing purposes.