sedona legend helen frye

"Wings of the Wind"

Helen Frye's former Sedona hilltop home

from 1962 to 1979

Sedona Legend Landmark Series

The Wings of the Wind, at one time rested on nearly 50 acres of some of Sedona's most valuable real estate adjoining the 700 acre Frye Ranch. Subsequent land sales have reduced the parcel to a little over 12 acres. The estate is very inaccessible reached only by a long winding road and massive electric gate with elaborate scroll work that reads: "Smoke Trail Ranch". The villa overlooks the valley on 4 sides and lords over Smoke Trail Ranch (now Red Rock State Park) as does the House of Apache Fires. Helen Frye was heard to say that the Wings of the Wind house was not ideally designed as it was integrated into the contour of the natural red rock outcrops of the building site. The contractor (Elmer Purtyman) who built House of Apache Fires is said to have built Wings of the Wind as well. The interior features many unusual elements such as a natural "red rock ledge-sofa" with cushions. There are several large kiva fireplaces. It is local Sedona lore that the surfaces of the bathrooms were sprinkled with real "gold dust" this it seems is unfounded however. As with the design of the House of Apache Fires, Helen Vanderbilt Frye used her innate ingenuity to design many unique features. For instance: built in planter sitting areas with water spigots for easy watering. Access was never favorable in light of Red Rock Loop Road being unpaved at the entrance to the property however this element insured privacy. The villa-like home rests on one of the best knoll view sites in Sedona. Much of what one views from the grand picture windows of this house were once the exclusive domain (property) of Jack and Helen Frye. Million dollar Sedona views were enjoyed by Helen Frye for nearly 20 years; from Smoke Trail Ranch for nearly 40 years. To the north is spectacular Oak Creek Canyon, to the east is Cathedral Rock and Sky Mountain, and you can almost see all the way to where Helen built another home in the 1970's called Sky Fires House, at the Ridge, in the Village of Oak Creek. To the south is Red Rock State Park, Oak Creek, House of Apache Fires, Cross Creek Ranch, (formerly Jack and Helen Frye's Deerlick Ranch) and Helen's Cup of Gold Estates. If the Frye Smoke Trail Ranch had remained entirely intact throughout the years it would now be worth well over 350 million dollars! Absolutely mind boggling!

The property on which the Wings of the Wind rests was not originally part of the Frye Smoke Trail Ranch. However it was obtained through a forest service land trade with the Frye Sunshine Ranch and was initiated by Jack Frye. The trade did not finalize until after the Frye divorce. From a 1974 Frye newspaper interview we learn the following:

Helen secured the purchase of an adjoining parcel of land (to Smoke Trail Ranch) through the divorce settlement. It was an impending Forest Service land trade with their Sunshine Ranch, setup by Jack Frye. This parcel is where she eventually built the Wings of Wind estate in 1961-1962 time period. Helen stated that the house was named in regard to the winds of the valley that carried the soaring birds. Helen also related that the name "Smoke Trail Ranch" was derived from the old Indian Trail down adjoining Oak Creek. "You can still see evidences of their campfires and find artifacts", said Helen.

This Frye house was decorated with rare and priceless Native American art objects, some gifts from the Hopi People to this remarkable woman of whom they adored. Helen Frye was invited to attend many Native American ceremonies many of which were never attended by the general public. In turn the Hopis, Yavapais, and Navajos were often entertained at the Frye Ranch. The decor of the home was a combination of furnishings from Helen and Jack's- Apache Fire's house, their Overland Park Tudor, and the famous Washington D.C. estate, the "Doubleday Mansion". On the walls of the Frye homes were said to hang priceless original masters rarely seen outside of national art museums. This was attributed to Jack and Helen their entire lives being avid art patrons. As well, it is likely Helen was influenced by her aunt Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, founder of the famous Whitney Museum in New York City.
In Sedona, Helen Frye helped found the Sedona Arts Center.

Wings of the Wind
Storm of '67

Written By Helen Varner Frye

The following text was adapted from a story Helen wrote in the mid 1970's.

Because I believed in "far out" spiritual teachings and began living them, even proving their worth in my life- I often found myself the laughingstock of the town's jeers....never that it mattered, only that it induced a strange kind of loneliness and simply because there was no one, no where, to share my joys.
What a tremendous memorable and gratifying period in that winter of '67. Awakening one morning to a heavy snow storm swirling over the red rock country, and six inches of white slick freezing powder already on the ground making the down-hill and back up-hill jaunt to the barn a hazardous trip....but Malbrouk had to be fed twice a day. However I did put off going down the road to my rural post box for the mail that morning. Soon after the winds calmed but the volume of the snow only increased....and day after day it never slackened....enormous flakes falling heavily and steadily....closing and holding down visibility to zero-zero.

Every minute of that storm was soothing to me. After that recent terrifying and hellish experience there came a definite change in the atmosphere. It was being cleansed by the great white snows....my space was getting an ethereal bath of Love.
Radio news about the necessity for hay-lifts to stranded and starving cattle to Northern Arizona brought me out of a one-tract thought pattern of only myself. The wild animals-- WHO would feed them? The snow had to stop! My private telephone line seemed the only one working on the Red Rock Loop....so I phoned far and wide asking only those whom I knew would really in their hearts pray with me for the snows to cease. Next morn the skies were clear and burning blue with blinding sunshine on a dazzling white world. Not a red rock showed! It was so beautiful I could only think of the old one by the name of Harvy who one afternoon had stopped by the Wings of the Wind house to point a gnarled forefinger and say, "Out yonder, there between here and the canyons lays a spiritual city that's been there since before time".

I did not doubt the old man with his bleary eyes and his awesome words. Yet neither did I believe him, then. Not until the skies cleared after the great '67 snow storm and deep blue shadows formed their pattern of contrasting magic upon the dazzling silver that lay deep on the entire canyon hiding the total reality of all its identifying color....then and there manifested in silent grandeur was the proof of the old man's enchanting vision!
The "Wings of the Wind" house snowbound for two moon quarters began catering to wild feathered guests of great variety. Feasting on horse-chow, dog chow, and popcorn under the sheltered veranda on the cliffs above Oak Creek. Their songs thrilled from dawn till twilight, echoing through the hushed stillness.
A few days of warm sunshine and the four feet of packed snow on the flat roof of the Wings of the Wind house began to melt. The weight had damaged the roof and I began the constant job of emptying buckets and pans, trying to keep the house dry inside. At this phase I suddenly felt compelled to go down below the sheer cliff on which the house is built, to search for my German Shepherd who had strangely been missing for the last 18 hours.

My struggle to get across the steep slopes of fallen boulders studded with cacti and buried deep within the crusted snow with a solid topping of sparkling ice, was rougher going than I had anticipated. Slender and physically strong though I was in those days I found it an exhausting trick to sink a foot through the crust of ice and be let down to the crotch then lean forward somehow managing to drag the other leg up and pull out through the same hole it went down.
To move from one end of the 500 foot terrain to the other side took hours. The short cut back through the terrain wasn't easy but I managed to make it. Puffing and blowing I topped out with a heavy sadness dragging at my heels. No Silver-dog and no sign of her tracks. Suddenly I heard a voice calling to me from a distance and when I reached the road area I not only found the County's heavy equipment had been there freeing me from ten days of isolation, but I had visiting car tracks. It turned out to be my thoughtful neighbor, Genie, who lived a couple miles away....He had followed the blade in his four-wheel drive and brought my mail which had lain in the rural post box for nine days.

Genie was startled at the sight of my fiery red eye....I busted a blood vessel in my struggle up the cliff, however I assured him it didn't hurt and that it would clear up....soon. I told him my concern was for my missing dog. He consoled me with the only positive statement I have ever heard him express, "Ah, she's all right, and she'll be coming home anytime now". He handed over the mail and pulled away. As I turned toward the Wings of the Wind, Silver- bounded out of no where-- happy, enthusiast and in good health. Never to this day have I solved the mystery of her long night out with the snow too deep for her legs to travel....Note: This is one of the worst snow storms to ever hit Sedona. Not only did it severely damage the Apache Fires house partially collasping the roof, but it destroyed many cabins in the region as well.

For more photos and stories of Helen Frye's
life at Smoke Trail Ranch, please see:

Life at Smoke Trail Ranch from 1962 to 1979

The Wings of the Wind house
in our current time frame of 2007

The estate's custom "Smoke Trail Ranch" flag is hoisted once again signifying the "Wings of the Wind" is under proud new ownership!

The new owners of the Wings of the Wind, with a deep respect for history, realize the value of this Sedona landmark and fully intend to restore the property to its original design and intent.

Sedona views are priceless! The Wings of the Wind house- without a doubt- offers one of the top five most spectacular views in the Sedona area. The views are enhanced by the fact that 286 undeveloped acres of the original Frye Ranch remains intact as the Red Rock State Park.

As seen from the valley floor of Jack and Helen Frye's Smoke Trail Ranch, the "Wings of the Wind" stands sentinel over this Sedona valley, high on the right, with the "Willow House" below and center.

Helen Frye's former showplace has remained virtually unaltered for over 40 years, and shows close
to the original expression.

The former Frye estate at nearly 13 acres, sits on a sheer cliff high above the valley floor, with a number of multi-leveled entertaining terraces. The "outdoor living" element of this house, and the forever views are truly it's greatest asset. Many thnaks to the new owners of the Wings property for allowing me access to capture the above images.

The sun sets on the enchanted
Wings of the Wind in August of 2006.

The incredible Native American music, titled "Earth Mother, is performed by Elan Michaels. It not only enhances this page, but perfectedly highlights Helen Frye, her relationship with the Navajos and Hopis, and her walk on this planet. Thank you Elan, for your wonderful contribution to this work.

Please click on the link to the left, for examples of Elan's beautiful work.

Helen's journey of soul and heart, deep into the most forbidden ceremonies and secrets of the Navajos and Hopis. Helen was a true friend to these sacred tribes and they showered her with appreciation and love. Please see Journey into Spirit.

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Sedona Legend Helen Frye is most grateful to Rosie Armijo and Bob Bradshaw,
for the permission to use some of the materials found on this page.

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