What is a vortex — and can you actually find one in Sedona?
The Colorado River, running through it for approximately six million years, has established breathtaking layers of sediment and erosion that is unlike anything else on Earth. Arizona is the Grand Canyon state after all.
There's another place in Arizona that feels this way. That, of course, is Sedona. It's an easy one-liner to say there are places in the desert that make you feel like you're on Mars, but the bright red rocks and unique formations in Sedona do feel like you're on another planet.
In the last few decades, Sedona has gotten attention from visitors as one of the premiere places to go for spiritual healing. The new age movement brought flocks of people to its buttes, canyons and trails. This is because of its four famed vortexes.
But what even are they and does Sedona really have them?
This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we explore the world of vortexes, if Sedona's claim to fame is real and how it's all impacted longtime Arizona travel writer Roger Naylor.
Listen to Valley 101 on your favorite podcast app or stream the full episode below.
Submit your questions to us about metro Phoenix and Arizona for a chance to be chosen for the podcast.
Note: Valley 101 is intended to be heard, but we offer an AI transcript of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.
Subscribe to Valley 101 : Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher
Follow Valley 101 and all azcentral podcasts on X, formerly Twitter, and on Instagram.
Reach the producer Amanda Luberto at aluberto@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @amandaluberto and on Bluesky @amandaluberto.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sedona vortexes and where to find them
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Travel + Leisure
6 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
An Italian Fashion Designer Told Me Exactly How to Look Effortlessly Stylish in Italy—Shop 8 Must-have Styles
Every summer since moving to Italy, my Instagram direct messages are filled with American friends asking me, 'What should I pack?' before their upcoming European vacations. But the truth is, the answer varies depending on where you're headed. What I pack in my weekender bag for visiting Tuscany differs greatly from what I'd be taking on a holiday in Sardinia. And, there's the matter of personal style to address—I like to think I take a little bit of Italian summer style and make it my own. Still, there are timeless Italian style pieces that will work for all wardrobes and destinations—and to determine the Italian summer style must-haves, I turned to my most fashionable Italian friend, fashion designer Stella Jean. I've been a huge fan of Stella's work since the early days of her brand; a protege of Giorgio Armani, Stella Jean has dressed global style icons like Rihanna, Beyonce, Zendaya, and Sandra Bullock. In that oh-so-romantic Italian way, Jean not only gave me packing tips, but life tips on how to channel Italian style: 'Don't just pack clothes—pack attitude ,' she told me. For her, the hallmark of Italian summer style is ' disinvoltura studiata ,' which translates literally to 'studied ease' but to Jean, is defined as, 'That elusive mix of ease and intention—where linen is always slightly crumpled (but never careless), and sandals are custom-made, possibly in a fishing village with no Wi-Fi but generational savoir-faire.' Hallmarks of Jean's collection, like her striped button-down shirt and bold patterned skirts, channel that disinvoltura studiata . To help you put together your own summer travel wardrobe, read on for eight Italian style tips based on Jean's advice. My linen wardrobe has dramatically increased since moving to Italy, strongly inspired by my husband and his full linen summer wardrobe that certainly caught my eye during our first summer dating. I learned from him how to wear and style linen, and now I love the fabric, particularly in the form of a matching set. Currently, I have three linen sets in my suitcase! Jean attests to donning linen in the summer as well, saying, 'It's slightly crumpled, but never careless.' I selected a few of my favorite looks, including a matching square-neck tank and skirt set from Madewell and a sleek cropped vest and high-rise pant from Gap. I've always appreciated the ease of the summer button-down shirt. Tied at the waist or tossed over a swimsuit, button-downs are a versatile style I've worn for decades. There's a beautiful familiarity to the style of a striped cotton poplin shirt I've seen worn in Italy. For Jean, a striped cotton poplin shirt is 'a quiet staple of the Italian summer, beloved by philosophers, fishermen, and flâneurs alike.' Stella Jean's striped shirts in a beautiful blue and white have always caught my eye, especially paired with eye-catching skirts, proving a striped shirt is not only a staple but also a neutral! I also found an oversized option from Madewell and a bright vermilion hue from Gap's partnership with Dôen that will definitely stand out. Beautiful wide-leg trousers and palazzo pants have always been a hallmark of great Italian style to me, and it's true for Jean, as well. After all, 'palazzo' pants are Italian (hence the Italian name), and are one of my oft-mentioned style staples. These comfortable, flowy bottoms are just as fitting for swanning through an Italian city's palazzo as they are for exploring small, tucked-away Italian towns and villages. Check out the best-selling Madewell Harlow Trousers for a more polished look or the white Quince wide-leg chino pants that are practically made for summer. One of Jean's top non-negotiables for Italian summer style is a pair of leather Capri sandals. 'For me, it's never really been summer without them,' she says. 'I started wearing them around 14, when my mother and I would have them made to measure in Positano or Capri. They're the kind of sandals that work [24/7]—from breakfast in linen to evening in a flowing dress.' She adds that she probably has 20 pairs by now, 'bought out of pure loyalty and frequent overuse.' But, if you can't make it to Capri or Positano for your fitting, get your pair from my husband's family's company—I'll ask my father-in-law to sprinkle in a little Italian sunshine into your package! You can also shop similar-looking leather sandals, like this strappy pair from Bernardo or this Cole Haan fisherman sandal. Pieces that work for day-to-night wear feel elusive, but Jean manages to master the art in her gorgeous dresses that you can put on for almost any occasion. 'Ask yourself: Would this look out of place at a café at noon or in a piazza at midnight? ' she says. If it suits both locales, then it's ready to go. Some of her most iconic dresses, like this striped floral midi dress with its striped cotton poplin shirt and full skirt featuring a bold colorful print, are reminiscent of the Caribbean, reminding me of Jean's cultural heritage as half Haitian. As seen with a pair of flats on style star Luna de Casanova or with heeled sandals on Jean herself, a versatile dress that blends styles is elegant for both day and night. Other dresses that capture a similar day-to-night feel are this gingham number from Gap x Dôen and this lightweight pinstripe Quince dress made of European linen. One of Jean's packing recommendations is a bold printed skirt, especially in a beautiful tropical print. A few years ago, while styling a photoshoot on the cliffs of Ravello along the Amalfi Coast, I used a cobalt blue painted draped linen skirt. I styled it with a crisp white button-down, and it's still one of my favorite looks. This Stella Jean Midi Wrap Skirt reminds me of that shoot and that beautiful summer day, and I can imagine packing it along with a crisp button-down or tank. I found a few more eye-catching skirts to pack for an instant outfit upgrade, like a colorful midi linen skirt from Banana Republic and a forest green printed skirt on sale for $25 at Amazon. The Italian pinstripes! While casually naming things to punctuate an outfit, Jean suggested adding pinstripes to your packing list. It's a hallmark of classic Italian style, beloved by everyone from bankers in Milan to politicians in Rome. There's a huge variety of pinstripe looks, like these wide-leg yellow linen pants from Mango or these Everlane barrel-leg pants with a dark denim pinstripe. I recently said to my husband, while packing for our vacation in Sardinia, 'I'm going to pack a scarf. There might be a breeze at night.' Have I become Italian? As Jean joked when suggesting a light scarf on her packing list, 'Italians will forever believe that il colpo d'aria is a real and present danger.' You'll get a cough with your throat exposed! But a scarf can be worn in several ways, making it a genius accessory to pack with you. For instance, Jean styles a head scarf impeccably well. When meeting her for lunch in Rome once, I was in awe of her striking figure in a beautiful head scarf and trench coat; I promptly styled a similar scarf for my flight to Nice the next day! One of these silky numbers will work overtime on an Italian holiday, whether you're tying this linen scarf around your neck or this parrot-patterned one over your head or tied to your purse. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Los Angeles Times
A nomadic bear journeyed throughout Southern California. Now she may be settling down — with her cubs
The travel pattern resembled a Southern California hiker's dream. The journey began in Angeles National Forest above Glendora in May 2024 and progressed south into Azusa. There were stops, stays and starts from Monrovia and Sierra Madre, then northeast into La Cañada Flintridge, Tujunga and, eventually, the Santa Clarita Valley. The route then turned southward into the Santa Susana Mountains, Simi Hills and then the Santa Monica Mountains before a couple of beach days and a return trip home. But this trek — at least 100 miles — wasn't some bucket list excursion or 'only in L.A.' Instagram story. It was completed not by a hiker, but a roughly 175-pound female black bear known as Yellow 2291. The 5- to 7-year-old with a penchant for media coverage was recently spotted by Topanga residents with three cubs, making the quartet the first black bear family to reside in the Santa Monica Mountains in years. Whether the arrival of her cubs will stanch the bear's wanderlust is anyone's guess. But nearby residents have expressed questions — and concerns — at their unfamiliar ursine neighbors. 'Occasionally a bear ends up in someone's backyard, a pool, up in a tree, but very [rarely] in the Santa Monica Mountains,' Jeff Sikich, a wildlife biologist with the National Park Service, said at a Topanga Town Council meeting earlier this week. The bear is known by two designations: Yellow 2291, due to a tracking tag applied to her by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and BB-14, used by the National Park Service to indicate that she's the 14th black bear the agency has captured, tracked or collared since 2005. Most previous bears were located in the Santa Susana Mountains as the park service trapped them while studying mountain lions. What makes Yellow 2291 remarkable is her extensive wandering, according to Jessica West, a human-wildlife conflict specialist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bear initially gained attention when she wandered into a trap in Claremont on May 31, 2024. At the time, wildlife officials estimated she was between 3 and 5 years old and weighed 175 pounds. She was given an ear tag and a GPS collar, West said, and moved into Angeles National Forest. That's when her prolific journey began. By June 2024, she had been documented traveling along the 210 Freeway corridor and crossing four major highways between the Santa Susana Mountains, Simi Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains. She was spotted at Cheeseboro Canyon Park outside Agoura Hills before crossing major highways again and finding herself stuck in a tree in Chatsworth in July 2024. 'For whatever reason, she took a wrong turn, it seemed like, and ended up in very urban Chatsworth where she had no immediate access route back to her habitat,' West said. Wildlife officials again placed her back into Angeles National Forest, where West believes she likely met her mate. West said Fish and Wildlife was unaware of any male black bears in the Santa Monica Mountains. Between August and September, the bear was spotted in Sylmar before returning to the Santa Susana Mountains and eventually traipsing into Malibu, where she was captured on Pepperdine University campus security footage. She returned to an area near Topanga Canyon, where she denned for months, beginning in October. In January, she birthed three cubs — two male and one female. Since about April, she and the cubs have been spotted wandering around the Topanga area by residents. West classified Yellow 2291's travels as 'extensive movement,' but said the department does not know why she's traveled so much. Sikich, the wildlife biologist, noted another bear with a large travel range: BB-12, a 4-year-old male who roamed 138 square miles over three months in 2023 before being struck and killed by a vehicle on the 101 Freeway. He said BB-14 has traveled 47 square miles through seven months in the Santa Monica Mountains alone. 'We were not expecting to see this when we captured this non-target bear in Claremont,' she said. 'So it's been really incredible to see this range of movement, especially for a female bear.'
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Woman Films Her Last Night in Maldives, Disaster Ensues: 'Still Recovering'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A woman on her final night in the Maldives found herself diving into rough waters to retrieve her phone after it was swept into the sea while trying to film for TikTok. The clip, shared on July 13 by TikTok user @georginagrigg88, has amassed more than 96,000 views and captures the moment a relaxing vacation turned into a search mission. "It's my last night in the Maldives, I've been there two weeks," she says in a voiceover in the video. "Every time I left the villa, I have set my tripod that I can record a video of me leaving the villa for my TikTok [video], that I'm gonna make when I get back, of me every time I leave the villa." The video shows the woman wearing a dress and walking away from the camera before a sudden shift in weather changes the mood. "There'd been a storm that afternoon, it was a bit windy but no windier than it had been earlier in the week, so I thought it was fine," she says. Moments later, she adds: "Just as I'm opening the door, I see the tripod fall into the sea, next to my villa." What follows is a chaotic realization as she sees that her "phone's become detached from the tripod. The tripod and light [on it] had been swept out to sea—God knows where they are now." Faced with the possibility of losing her phone on the last night of the trip, the woman remained calm but aware of the stakes. "I tried not to panic. It's my last night. I'm flying home the next day. I've got no way of contacting the taxi man. I've got work the day all on my phone," she said. She later spotted a "glimpse" of the phone in the water beside the villa and thought "that looks like it's settled on the sand." So, she "stripped off" and "shoved a bikini" on as well as a life jacket and jumped into the sea, swimming around where she thought she saw the phone. Despite the rough conditions, she didn't give up. "I'm feeling around with my foot. I can't find it. I'm about to give up and like a miracle, I find it," she says. Remarkably, the phone was still functioning. "I feel it underneath my foot and I grab it with my toes and pull it up. As I'm pulling it up, I hear an Instagram notification. I can't believe it is still working. I literally can't believe my luck," she said. While the brand of the woman's phone is unknown, the durability of her device echoes broader market trends. The global market for waterproof and rugged smartphones was valued at $993 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $1319 billion by 2031, according to QYResearch, a market research firm founded in California. The report said that such phones are built to higher standards than conventional smartphones, with more rigorous structural designs and sealing technologies. The report also noted that these some high-end models "comply with military-grade stable performance under extreme conditions such as high/low temperatures, humidity, and vibration." In a caption shared alongside the TikTok video, the woman said: "Still recovering from the trauma to be honest. P.S. I can swim, but the sea was so rough from the storm that I was worried I might get swept out to sea and no one would know I was I was trying to save the glam." The woman remained astounded not just by the successful rescue of her phone, but the condition she emerged in. "If ever I believe there was someone looking down on me, it would be now," she said. "I didn't even get my hair and makeup wet, which was a miracle in itself." She ended the night on a high note: "I got out of the sea and put my dress on and I went for dinner and I had a lovely last night in the Maldives." Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified. A stock image of a woman sitting on the deck near a villa at a Maldives resort. A stock image of a woman sitting on the deck near a villa at a Maldives resort. Getty Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
