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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

An Arabian “Tail” ~ Arizona’s Moroccan Mirage

Mirages, caused by the intensity of the desert’s heat,  are those shimmering images of things that don’t really exist.

Los Cedros USA, (pronounced los said-rows) could be – for the unsuspecting anyway-- thought of as a mirage in the expansive Sonoran desert north of Scottsdale, Arizona between Cave Creek and Pinnacle Peak.

Up until June the word ‘Scottsdale’ conjured up images of  the Old West: blue jeans, checked shirts and tablecloths, boots, and cowboys and cowgirls and work horses, of course.

Those cowboys and cowgirls these days are most likely behind the wheel of a late-model over-sized pickup and as for those horses. . . let us tell you. . .

Scottsdale2013 041One heat-draped afternoon, during our Scottsdale stay we visited Los Cedros USA; a visit that felt as if we’d walked into one of Scheherazade’s stories from 1001 Arabian Nights.

As we stepped through the enormous intricately carved entry doorway we found ourselves in. . .well, a modern replica of some 2,500 year old  Moroccan citadel right there in Arizona USA.












PicMonkey Collage

We’d sought out this Moroccan ‘mirage’ after seeing a cover photo of it on Experience Scottsdale’s tourist publication.  The small print “about the cover” told us it was open to the public – free of charge, in fact. Yet, we were  the only visitors on the week day we visited.

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The entryway led us to an enormous (15,000 square-foot ) courtyard.

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There wasn’t a sound to be heard as we continued our explorations, but it didn’t take long to realize that’s because the Los Cedros ‘residents’ were resting . . . they took little note of their visitors.

PicMonkey Collage

Los Cedros USA is an elegant multi-purpose development,  first and foremost, a luxurious home for performance  horses. Those large open spaces when not being used by horses and their trainers, are cleaned up and used for  hosting human events that can range in size from 50 – 500 people. 

PicMonkey Collage

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We were winding down our self-guided tour of the horses (petting is allowed) and their ultra-luxe accommodations which include a modern spa-like shower room and therapy pool, (pictured to the right) when we went in search of someone who could tell us about the place.

Dawn M. Green, the general manager, upon learning that I planned to write about Los Cedros USA, said, “Well, then you need to see the Throne Room!” and led us down a hall, to this: 







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I couldn’t help but think as I wrote today’s post, just what Scheherazade could have done with this Arabian ‘tail’! 

That’s it for this week’s Travel Photo Thursday; check out Budget Travelers Sandbox for more photo journeys.  And thanks for your visit – we appreciate the time you spend with us and hope you’ll be regulars here!

Scottsdale2013 037If You Go:
Los Cedros USA, 8700 East Black Mountain Road, Scottsdale, www.loscedros.com

33 comments:

  1. Jackie, I am speechless. Who would have imagined finding something like this in Arizona. I wouldn't mind doing a bit of lounging in the throne room!!

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    1. It is certainly a different view of the American West, that's for sure.

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  2. What with London Bridge, and all the... well, everything, in Las Vegas - seems like they want to recreate the world out there in the desert.

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    1. They have plenty of space for doing just that! Thanks for the visit, Sophie.

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  3. This was fascinating; I loved the big reveal about it being a fancy stable!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today Jennie. It was a most interesting place!

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  4. I've never heard of this place, beautiful it does feel like Morocco, they must have loved that country

    thanks for the tour

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    1. And thanks Noel for taking the tour today. I'll be taking one with you soon!

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  5. That art work is amazing and my jaw dropped seeing the throne room! :)

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    1. The throne room was pretty amazing Mike. . .what am I saying? The whole place was pretty amazing! Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. We visited Scottsdale several years ago and I had no idea that this existed - what an amazing place!

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    1. Definitely add this one to your 'future's' list, Lisa. It is a great outing.

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  7. This is indeed an unusual place. I think I would like to be one of those horses. Just as well you told them you were going to write about it, otherwise we would never have seen the throne room!

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    1. The Throne Room is available for viewing by all visitors - it is just down a hallway I might have missed if Dawn hadn't pointed it out. The horses are absolutely stunning creatures - would have loved seeing them practice!

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  8. WOW!!! That place is absolutely stunning! :-) I loved driving through Arizona and it would've been so nice to pull into a place like this. :-)

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    1. It was so beautiful that it could have been a mirage. I would love to attend an event there in the evening when it is all lit up. Thanks for the visit today!

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  9. It's nice when there are not many (in this case no one else) present so you can take your time and enjoy the place. Every piece has so much detail. Great photos!

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    1. It was nice in a way to have the place to ourselves but I kept thinking that maybe we were going through the stables that were supposed to be off limits. But we saw several workers and they just smiled and greeted us. . .so, we did have a great tour.

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  10. I keep going back to the Throne Room...oh my gosh. That is incredible!
    Los Cedros USA is one building that would be hard to leave behind, the luxury in every room, every part of the building can be felt through the pictures, can only imagine what you must have been feeling while standing there with the horses and the decor.
    It would almost be a moment of "pinch me because this doesn't feel real"

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    1. Yes, it was like, 'pinch me' this can't be Arizona! Thanks for the visit Lisa!

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  11. This certainly isn't the Scottsdale I know.I'll have to check it out when I next visit my father.
    I could hang out in the throne room for awhile - especially if someone brought drinks and foods and attended to my every wish - which is what I should expect happens in a throne room.

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    1. Yes, I could envision myself draped in some gauzy outfit with my bangles jangling as I reached for food or drink that had been brought to me here. . .great imaginations we have, Leigh! Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. Looks a wonderful trip! the interior area of rooms designed very nicely. such a great post.
    thanks for sharing with us.

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    1. And thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Look forward to seeing you again!

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  13. It looks wonderful, and not one I would associate with the USA :D Are there no other people there aside from you? It looks so empty.

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    1. There were a couple of guys cleaning in the back stable and the office manager - otherwise, we had the place to ourselves (and several dozen horses)!

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  14. Here I thought I knew that area. Never heard of Los Cedros. I'll have to ask my relatives there about it. It certainly does look like you're walking into Arabian Nights.

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    1. You'll have to drop by for a visit when you next visit your relatives. We've had several who live in the area tell us they knew nothing about Los Cedros until reading this post. One of those "insider tip" kind of places I guess, despite the pr from the tourism assn. Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!

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  15. We were just in Scottsdale last April. How sad that we didn't know about this hidden gem. What a beautiful and unexpected surprise. I want to lounge around in that throne room too. It's gorgeous and looks so authentic.

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    1. If you get back to Scottsdale, Mary, make sure you visit this place. No better entertainment around and all for free!

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    1. You've got that right, Andrew! An amazing place - designers and architects would love it here as much as horse lovers!

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