ArizTravel.com » arizonachrissy

Sedona Film Festival Tickets On Sale Now

arizonachrissy — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:10:54 +0000

Individual tickets for shows in the Sedona Film Festival went on sale today, Monday February 15, 2010. Over 125 films will be featured this week with special guest speakers like Michael Moore in addition to Festival favorites like the screenwriting workshops and Sedona Green Event.

Show tickets are selling out quickly, so make sure to check the Sedona Film Festival screening schedule and purchase them immediately. General admission tickets are $12. If the show you would like to attend is already sold out or says “RUSH” in the schedule block, it’s worth going to theater and seeing if you can purchase a ticket last minute.

Top 10 List of recommended Sedona Film Festival movies:

1) Burma VJ – documentary by Anders Østergaard

2) Garbage Dreams – documentary by Mai Iskander

3) Which Way Home – documentary by Rebecca Cammisa

4) Sergio – feature by Greg Barker

5) Kavi – Live Action Short by Gregg Helvey

6) A Shine of Rainbows - Feature Drama by Vic Sarin

7) The Greatest – Narrative Feature by Shana Feste

8) Polliwood – by Barry Levinson (director of Rain Man)

9) Saving Grace B. Jones – Feature Drama by Connie Stevens

10) Blood Into Wine – documentary by Ryan Page & Christopher Pomerenke

* Since this is and Arizona Travel blog, we highly recommend “Blood Into Wine” for many reasons, one of them being that this is about the Page Springs Winery here in Arizona. The vineyard is ran by winemakers Eric Glomlski and Maynard James Keenan (Tool). The vineyard is gorgeous and worth a wine-tasting visit. Imagine watching the Blood Into Wine then stopping over at the Page Springs Vineyard to experience what you just saw in the theater! 3D films? Sheesh…that’s for fakers. Head over to the vineyard itself located about 25 minutes from the movie theater…really. You won’t regret it. Page Spring’s petite sirrahs are going to put Arizona wineries on the wine vacation destination map. Here is a video of Eric Glomski giving a wine tour; a little taste if you will. If you’re thinking about staying in town for multiple nights, you can find Sedona hotels and bed & breakfasts, some with special film festival rates on Sedona.net.

Sedona Film Festival Information

Where: Harkins 8

2081 W. Highway 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
928-282-2221

(Hwy 89A & Sunset Dr.)

From Phoenix
Start: Phoenix, Arizona
End: Sedona, Arizona
Total Distance: 113.4 Miles
Estimated Total Time: 2 hours

Directions / Miles
Start: Depart Phoenix, Arizona
1: Take I-17 North / Flagstaff 98.4 Miles
2: At exit 298, Exit Ramp 0.2 Miles
3: Turn LEFT (West) onto SR-179 [FR-618 Rd] 0.1 Miles
4: Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-179 14.2 Miles
5: Turn Left (West) onto SR-89A [N HWY-89A] 2 Miles
End: Arrive Harkins Theatres, Sedona, Arizona

When: February 21-28, 2010

Ticket Price: $12 per showing

Official Website: http://sedonafilm.org/

Arizona Snowbowl: Ski & Snowboard Rentals & Peaks Card Discounts in Flagstaff

arizonachrissy — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:39:55 +0000

Flagstaff, Arizona during ski and snowboarding season is a great time to experience a different side of Arizona from what most visitors expect. Flagstaff is one of the few places in Arizona where Christmas, pine trees, scarves, beanies, mittens, sledding, tobogganing, hot cocoa and snowball fights are truly part of the season. Though it’s wonderful to be able to play golf in 68 degree weather in Phoenix in December, there’s something very invigorating about playing in the snow during the winter.

The slopes at Snowbowl opened on December 17, 2009 this season, and you better believe we were there to test the snow out! As Arizona residents know and accept, Snowbowl is great for a quick snowboarding fix. If driving from Phoenix, it’s a two-hour drive into a Winter Wonderland. For those who are avid boarders or skiers who are used to Colorado or Utah slopes, please realize that Flagstaff is located in a state that is primarily a desert. We’re just happy to have decent slopes.

Having said that, the conditions at the beginning of 2010 are looking great. It’s packed powder; all 4 lifts are in full operation (that means Agassiz to the top!); 9 boxes, 2 rails and 4 hits. You can check out the current conditions and any updated slope/rate info at ArizonaSnowbowl.com

Over the last few years, we’ve collected a few favorite places to make part of our snowboarding ritual. In addition, we’ve learned a few tricks to make our adventures a little more budget friendly and/or painless.

Peaks Card

For a multiple visit skiers and snowboarders – but not often enough to justify purchasing a season pass:

The Peaks Card is $50, which discounts your lift tickets for five days throughout the season and gives you one of those days for free. Not bad! Card holders can buy lift tickets Mondays through Fridays for $10 off, while weekend and holiday tickets are available at $5 off. These Peaks Cards are available for adult passes only and can only be used by one person per day.

A full day lift ticket at Snowbowl is $49, so basically, it is a $1 to purchase the ability to have your next four lift tickets discounted. The cards may be purchased online or at the Guest Services office in Hart Prairie Lodge when you visit Snowbowl for the first time. A picture ID is required to purchase the discounted lift tickets with the card.

Mid-Week Discount Coupon

This has specific dates, so just click here on Flagstaff Snowbowl Mid-Week Discount Coupon to see if the dates match up for you.

Ski & Snowboard Rentals

Peace Surplus Tel: 928-779-4521
14 West Route 66
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Email: info@peacesurplus.com

Snowboard and Ski Rental Packages: $21.00 out the door

Ski Haus
Tel: 928-774-7671
204 West Sullivan (800 Block of North Humphrey’s)
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Basic Snowboard Package: $22 +tax
Premium Snowboard Package: $27 + tax (newer demo Burton setups)

Basic Ski Package: $20 + tax Premium Ski Package: $28 + tax (Rossignol Bandits, Head Cybers, Rossignol RocX, or dealer demo)

Best Place to Warm Your Aching Bones:

Macy’s European Coffeehouse, Bakery & Vegetarian Restaurant
Tel: (928) 774-2243
14 Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5502

Best Place to Drink Away Your Sore Behind:

Beaver Street Brewery
Tel: (928) 779-0079
11 Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5500

Snowbowl’s Last Day This Season

arizonachrissy — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:14:18 +0000

Last Day’s “Last Run” is Just Straight-up Fun.

Flagstaff, Arizona’s Snowbowl ski resort was able to keep their lifts open for just one more weekend thanks to Friday’s freshly fallen snow. Most ski resorts enjoy the tradition of getting a little crazy on the last day of the of the season, and Snowbowl was no different. From skiers dressed as Superman to EXTREME! snowboarding babes in bikinis, the Last Day’s Last Run, is a spectacle, and maybe even an event (if you’re not afraid to show some skin), you won’t want to miss next year.

The vibe simply could not possibly be anything but crazy when the chairlift guy is dressed as a pirate who has a steering wheel fastened to the fly of his knickers. “Aargh, yer drivin’ me nuts!” says he as he steers the wheel. My personal favorite as the eight foot banana snowboarding down the mountain. I can’t count how many times I heard different people sing “Peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time!” as he walked by.

As for the actual conditions of Snowbowl, they weren’t half bad for the first part of the day. What should we really expect for April in Arizona? In fact, I’m just grateful we had one more opportunity to get out there! The Agassiz was the only lift open and that is the one that goes up to the top of mountain, therefore the runs were decently long. You could find fresh snow off the trails in the woods that were pretty nice as well. While the chairlift lines were about a ten minute wait, people didn’t seem to mind as everyone was happy and pretty entertained by each other. As they day went on, as expected, the runs were mostly icy, then very slushy towards the bottom, but by that point, it was time to sit back and enjoy the hilarious “Last Run” spectacle consisting of guys in their britches and ladies dropping trou, snowboarding with their pants around their knees, showing off their bikinis -welcoming spring.

Grand Canyon View from a Jetpack?

arizonachrissy — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:46:51 +0000

Cheers to Christina for always writing some very helpful, useful and enjoyable information, thus allowing me to chime in with some random and maybe pointless information. Thanks, Christina! With gas prices on the up and up, travel destinations like the Grand Canyon are taking a hit. Maybe a different point of view is in order? Here’s another type of transportation on the up and up…JETPACKS! Guaranteed to give us a fresh view of things, without having to drive anywhere to go sightseeing! Granted, jetpacks won’t save us any money on gas right now considering these used jet fuel, which is much more expensive. But nevermind that! The long awaited James Bond and Rocketeer type jetpacks that have been in the works (in a manner of speaking) for the last century are finally materializing in a way that can be used by almost anyone. In the last few years, there have been mass improvements from several companies seeking to takeoff without wings. Jet Pack International has some great video clips, one being of a flight over a canyon! Though I’m not sure where this took place exactly, I think this would be a thrilling new way to experience the Grand Canyon! Check out this video of a canyon flight.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRCn0dvbDFc]

What’s really exciting is the much anticipated release of the Martin Jetpack on Tuesday, July 29, 2008. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will launch the personal jetpack from Aeroshell Square at 9:30am. According to a release, the creators are calling it “the most eagerly awaited personal aircraft man ever dreamed about.” I don’t know about you, but I am beyond excited to see this baby and what it can and will do to the way we travel and experience the world. Maybe they found a way to fly without having to use jet fuel. Who knows? “Someday” just might be sooner than we think.

Top 4 Reasons Why the Time is Right to Buy a Home in Sedona

arizonachrissy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:25:55 +0000

Have you been visiting Arizona for many years now and have been on the fence about buying a second home, vacation home, or a place to retire? Arizona’s real estate market is falling almost as fast is it sky-rocketed. If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Arizona, and you have means to buy without getting caught in a loan that will turn you upside down, now might be the best time to catch yourself a great deal. Between foreclosures of houses (even houses once valued at $600,000+) short sales, auctions and other schemes that the banks come up with, you could just land yourself one heck of a deal on a very nice home. We’re all familiar with the events that led to this economic situation, but a local real esate agent in Sedona offers his insight and explains why now might be one of the best times to buy a home in Sedona and other Arizona cities:

In today’s buyers market, timing is everything. Many homes are priced to sell right now. Knowing when, what and where to buy real estate can be intimidating. There is no doubt that the real estate market in Sedona has changed dramatically in recent history. Depending on who you talk to, there are several reasons why the market is where it is today, here are a few possible factors:

Home prices were rising to fast and the market could not keep up.

The lending industry loaned money to consumers who were not qualified.

The supply of homes did not meet the short term demand.

The economy, politics, job market etc…

All we have to do is turn on the evening news for another report on real estate and the housing situation we face today. Whatever reason you decide to believe, the bottom line is that we are currently in a period of correction. While this correction period is not the best news for sellers, buyers are in an excellent position to purchase property at a fair price…”

Snowboarding in Flagstaff – Great Views and Powder Snow!

arizonachrissy — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:01:50 +0000

This has been one of the best snow seasons for Arizona in many years. It would be a sin for me not to test out the fresh layers of powder snow blessing the sacred mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona. Sometimes living in Arizona, especially The Valley (Metro Phoenix), can feel a bit monotonous and even look monochromatic without the apparent changes of seasons. But really, Arizona’s best characteristic is its outdoor adventure potential.

A few weeks ago, I was posting the Flagstaff snow report on this blog and noticed that we were expecting another 4-7 inches of fresh snow. All right, for you Utah and Colorado ski elitists, that is nothing. But for us Zonie snowboarders, it means packing up the snowboard and heading up to the mountains immediately. I would have gone that night, except every place I called was completely booked already! When you only live less than a couple of hours away (again, the beauty of Arizona is being only a short road trip away from everything like beaches in Mexico, Las Vegas, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World – Grand Canyon) everyone gets a move on real quick.

A couple of my roommates and I stayed in that Friday night and rested up for the early drive to Flagstaff Saturday morning. The drive was a sight to see; the rain had brought the desert to life with blooming cacti, wild flowers and grass lining the highway. It was strange to see so much color across the horizon leading into the now green hills of the desert. I do love the aromas that come with desert rain. If you are visiting Arizona and happen to be here when it’s raining, don’t curse because your golf game was ruined. Consider yourself lucky to be experiencing something uncommon for the area and enjoy the rare scent the desert exudes just after the rain stops. It truly is unlike any other.

After climbing into the hills on I-17, we reached the scenic stretch that descends into the Cottonwood area, only to find the whole town hidden by a low, ocean of clouds.

Snowboarding at Snowbowl

To be honest, I had a great time snowboarding at Snowbowl. This place gets a lot of mixed reviews, but here are a few things to keep in mind so you know what to expect.

1) Snowbowl is great for families.Big Bear borders will not find the same “hell yeah” music being blasted from the lodge, nor Red Bulls being passed out like nudie fliers in Vegas. There is a college-age population though, being that Northern Arizona University is right there. But for the most part, this place is good family fun.

2)Black slopes are more like blue slopes & blue slopes are short. There are a few really great runs. This is a very good place to take yourself to the next level if you are still learning to snowboard. If you are experienced, you will find yourself at the top portion of the mountain the whole day with not a ton of options. But as snowboarders, I bet you can find a way to entertain yourself.

3) Ski lifts could be better. The green ski lift is a 2-person ride, so the line is slower if you go on a busy weekend. If you can handle it, go to the blue ski lifts. Those are 3-person and they haul ass. If you are going to the black slopes, you have to get off the blue lift and catch a black lift, which means you have to wait in another line. There is no express lift to the top. My suggestion, bring a flask, turn up your i-pod and relax. The sooner you accept the lift issues, the better your experience will be.

4) Training Park is good for beginners. In other words, it’s a pretty sad set up for boarders who have the slightest idea of what they are doing. There are a couple of boxes, no rails if I remember correctly, and maybe a couple of other obstacles. My suggestion, bring a flask and turn up your i-pod.

5) Book your hotel and rent your snowboards right away if there is new snow. Great snowboarding seasons can be rare. So if you hear that there is going to be new snow in Flagstaff, the chances are that everyone else in Arizona has heard the same. Book your Flagstaff hotel right away.

Starlight Fire Ceremony – A Sacred Vortex Journey in Sedona

arizonachrissy — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:43:57 +0000

As many of you know, Sedona offers a spiritually rejuvenating atmosphere full of healers, guides and unique meditation opportunities. Guest writer, Masti from the Mystical Bazaar in Sedona, AZ, writes about a special healing experience worth checking out:

Out in the desert under the stars, a spiritual and healing experience happens around a campfire. A group gathers to share a sacred space in the beauty of Sedona’s landscape and they intend to have fun while participating in an evening of self-realization and creation. Some people have their favorite musical instruments and ritual objects with them and these things will become part of the Ceremony. They may stop by the Medicine Wheel or the underground kiva for a meditative moment or to set intentions.

For thousands of years, indigenous people from as far away as Canada and Mexico have held the land and areas in Sedona as Sacred. Tribal members made pilgrimages to Sedona for their ritual and ceremonial time and to revitalize their energy for the times ahead. Shaman’s, healers, indigenous people, wisdom keepers, and others still visit Sedona for the express purpose of making this profound earth connection. The earth is sacred – and connecting with the sacred land in Sedona is still a multidimensional healing and spiritual experience.

Full Article on this Sacred Sedona Vortex Journey

Super Bowl XLII Event and Travel Information

arizonachrissy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:07:47 +0000

It’s going to be a mad house! In what state other than Arizona would there be full-blown Super Bowl parties and events hosted in at least four different cities? Between Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, & Tempe, Super Bowl XLII is going to be one massive 30 x 30 mile party. Let’s not forget the oh so popular Phoenix Open (aka FBR Open) happening on the same weekend. With literally thousands of good-looking cougars on the prowl, ASU hotties, and many a Hawaiian shirt wearing yuppies wearing spikes just in case Phil Mickelson decides to call out into the crowd for a substitute…ah, you’ve gotta love the Open. Everyone, I have an announcement to make:

ARIZONA IS GOING TO BE ONE, GIGANTIC PARTY

What to Expect: Super Bowl in Arizona

(once you accept these few facts and move on, the better your Super Bowl experience will be)

1. Prices are going to be exceptionally high for everything
The term price gouging has been thrown around a lot.

2. Metro Phoenix is very spread out
Although the actual game is in Glendale, the real Super Bowl parties are in Scottsdale, Tempe & Downtown Phoenix respectively. All of these places are no less than 15 miles away from each other.

3. Metro Phoenix is a up-and-coming area
Meaning, there is not a lot of character unless you define character as the usual Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Borders and Starbucks strip malls. But, it is a very clean city and our freeways are pretty with cool kokopelli and iguana designs.

4. University of Phoenix stadium is out in the middle of nowhere
As much as the city of Glendale is trying to grow, please don’t mistake that type of growth with the crops surrounding the stadium.

5. Transportation/travel will be a b*t#h
A GPS in the rental car would be well worth it; cabs, town cars, limos will be expensive but less stress for you.
Note: Good luck with public transportation because it is almost non-existent for now.

6. The University of Phoenix stadium is NOT a space ship
I know…I wish is was, too. It’s actually a giant, metal rattlesnake. Go figure.

7. Yes, the rumors you’ve heard about Arizona ladies are for the most part true
The concentration of that population is about 20+ miles east of the Stadium, which is Scottsdale & Tempe.

Super Bowl XLII Event Calender

2008 Arizona Indian Festival
Jan 18-20, 2008 10:00am – 6:00pm
Tickets : $8 adults, $5 Children 12-18, $5 seniors
Steele Indian School Park
300 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85012

Super Construction
Jan 31, 2008 Tickets:
Tickets:Canned food donation

Arrowhead Towne Center 75^thAve &Bell Rd.
Glendale AZ 85308

Chandler Fashion Center
Chandler Blvd. & Loop 101
Chandler, AZ 85226

Downtown End Zone Party
January 31 – Feb 2, 2008 4:00pm -2:00am
Tickets: $20 per day $10 Thursday with a Phoenix Suns game ticket
Downtown Phoenix – 2nd st between Washington and Jefferson

NFL Experience
Saturday Jan 26: 10am – 10pm
Sunday Jan 27: 11am – 8pm
Thursday: Jan 31: 3pm – 10pm
Friday: Feb 1: 3pm -10 pm
Saturday Feb 2: 10am -10pm
Sunday, Feb 3: Open to Super Bowl XLII ticket holders only
Location: West Parking Lot adjacent to the University of Phoenix Stadium Tickets: $17.50 for adults – $12.50 for children 12 and under

Taste of the NFL
6:00 pm VIP 7:00 pm
Main Event 9:45pm Live Entertainment
Tickets: $500 Guest Ticket VIP – $600

The Big Ticket Experience
Wednesday Jan 30 2008 6:00 – 10:00pm
Contact Sallie Sargent 480-362-4232
ssargent@azsuperbowl.com
The Phoenician
6000 E. Camelback Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Featuring:
Emcee, Chris Berman, Host of ESPN Sports Center
NLF Commissioner Roger Goodell
20 NFL Hall of Fame inductees
Special performance by Jay Leno
Silent and live auctions – All proceeds benefit the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee and the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Corporate table for 10 with VIP amenities $6,000

Scottsdale Super Artwalk
February 2, 2008
12:00 – 5:00pm FREE
Scottsdale Arts District www.scottsdalegalleries.com/artwalks2.html

944 Super Village
February 2, 2008
5 Days/Nights
www.944.com/az superbowl

PEPSI Super Bowl Bash
Thursday Jan. 31 – Friday Feb1 2008 6:00pm
Tickets: $40 per show
Jobing.com Arena 9400 W. Maryland Ave
Glendale AZ 85305
www.nfl.com/Superbowl

Superbowl Saturday Night
Feb 2, 2008 6:00 – 10:00pm FREE
Tempe Town Lake 85281

Unique family event commemorating a year of NFL football and celebrating the arrival of Super Bowl XLII.
Thousands of fans will join in the festivities at Tempe Town Lake, nestled in the hear of downtown Tempe. The event will feature a live headliner concert in the park followed by a spectacular Super Bowl fireworks show over the lake

NLF Youth Football Clinic
Clinics will teach basic football skills, good sportsmanship and healthy lifestyle lessons
Clinics will be led by current and former NFL players and volunteer coaches
All participants receive free NFL merchandise, courtesy of the Host Committee
Community outreach section www.azsuperbowl.com

Getting Around Metro Phoenix for the Super Bowl XLII

So let’s all try to be efficient about this and try to do a little planning. After all, I’m not kidding when I say that this is going to be 30 x 30 mile party. Having the Super Bowl here is actually quite ridiculous, simply because Metro Phoenix is so spread out. You’ll have to plan accordingly if you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on transportation and if you don’t want to get killed. Let’s just say that Arizona is known for having a lot of DUIs and that’s never good for anyone.

My advice is to get an idea of where the events are taking place (which part of Metro Phoenix you want to be in for the day or night) and arrange some type of transportation. Trust me, don’t try to hit multiple cities in one night. Yes, I said cities because they’re not just different parts of town. This is the desert, people, and the builders/city planners here have succeeded in sprawling out as much as possible.

Airport Information:

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
www.phoenix.gov/skyharborairport/index.html
602.273.3300

Glendale Airport (GEU)
www.glendaleaz.com/airport
623.930.2188

Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
www.scottsdaleaz.gov/airport
480.312.2321

SuperShuttle
Provides 24-hour door-to-door service from Sky harbor International Airport with no advanced reservation required. Once you have claimed your luggage proceed to a uniformed SuperShuttle Guest Service Representative will arrange transportation to your destination.
602.244.9000
800 Blue-Van

Town Cars & Cabs

Getting to the University of Phoenix Stadium

From the North
South on loop 101
Exit Northern Ave
Left on Northern Ave
Right on 91st Ave
Right on Coyotes Blvd

From the South
North on Loop 101
Exit Glendale Ave
Right on Glendale
Right on 95th Ave

On Superbowl XLII Game Day:
Please follow the instruction s on your parking pass. There will be no designated bus, limo, sedan or shuttle drop offs or pick ups areas at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday so please plan your transportation accordingly.

Printable Maps and Driving Tips

Metro Phoenix Map
Phoenix Map
Scottsdale Map
University of Phoenix Stadium Area Map

Mobile Google Maps – if you don’t have a GPS or you are drunk at 3am not knowing where you are, I suggest downloading Google Maps onto your cell phone because is a great way to locate yourself and where you want to go ; )

All of this information and more can be found on the Official Arizona Super Bowl XLII website or you could print out or take a look at an interactive Super Bowl XLII Event Guide which, so kindly, provided me with most of this information.

Local Watering Holes and Places Worth Seeing

Feel free to ask us about the places to hit up while you are here in Arizona or to leave your recommendations for others. There are quite a few places to see and drink at depending on what you are looking for. And remember, you’re only a few hours away from one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon, as well as Sedona,”The Most Beautiful Place in the World” according to USA Today. Consider making a stop.

A Bright Angel Loop

arizonachrissy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:23:36 +0000

January happens to be the time of year that many people begin planning their trips to the Grand Canyon. Who better to ask for a recommendation than someone who treks The Canyon for a living! Rob Sewell, an avid outdoors man who owns his own Grand Canyon guided tour company, wrote a small article that provides some insight as to what we can expect when exploring the Grand Canyon…

“Backpacking through the depths of this vast labyrinth, from the Canyon’s Rim to the Colorado River, reveals a truly enlightened look at one of the wonders of the natural world. On a recent trip to the Grand Canyon, Delores Miller, accompanied by Hydros Adventures, set out on the world renowned Bright Angel Loop.

This hike is the classic Grand Canyon loop hike and a great backpack for first time Canyon hikers. Using the South Kaibab Trail, a route built by the park service for its expansive views, one walks through the geologic past, making their way to the mighty Colorado River and Bright Angel Campground. Adjacent to the Bright Angel Creek, this is a great base to fish, hike, explore, and relax while taking in the splendor of the inner gorge. Making your ascent out of the Canyon, you will hike through Devil’s Corkscrew and along Garden Creek, through some beautiful sandstone narrows before reaching Indian Gardens. Here, in this desert oasis of ancient cottonwoods, you can set out to observe ancient ruins or take a hike to Plateau Point, one of the most amazing views in the inner canyon. After Indian Gardens, you will hike up Jacob’s Ladder, past stunning vistas and ancient pictographs (rock art) to the end of your journey…”

Read full article about the Bright Angel Loop at the Grand Canyon

Desert Pilgrims – Urban Cowboys: Thanksgiving 2007

arizonachrissy — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:36:19 +0000

This year my mother and I joined my long-time Main Squeeze’s family for a Thanksgiving just east of Scottsdale along the Verde River. I have lived here for over 20 years and never knew that there was a beautiful river about 30 minutes away from my backyard!

My parents moved to Arizona in the 1970’s from the Philippines and have always enjoyed the tales of the Wild West as children. I call them my Desert Pilgrims. It so happens that Mr. Main Squeeze comes from a deep rooted ranching family in northern California. His parents moved to Arizona in 1983 to an area in the middle of Phoenix, which was surrounded by Arabian horse stables at the time. They look like what you would expect business professionals to look like, but they still love the outdoors just as much. Well, needless to say, our two families often bond over the love of Cowboy Cookouts and stories told around campfires – and that’s exactly how I spend this Thanksgiving.

The Verde River was a easy drive east along Dynamite Road and a bit of optional off-roading for some extra seclusion. We chose a spot on a moderately high cliff overlooking the river with tall reeds growing along the banks, while expansive hills spread into the distance. Although I have enjoyed most of my Thanksgivings in the past, being outside in the middle of nature made me feel a little closer to the real meaning of the holiday.

We created a little dining room with an Easy-up to help provide some shade, but it was a beautiful 72 degrees. We had a little portable gas stove to cook all the fixings, and even set up a full wet bar for the whiskey, vodka, and assorted beers! We pre-cooked the turkey this year, but usually they smoke it at the campsite. While we cooked, we played games and told stories, and enjoyed a few cocktails in the process while inhaling the fresh air surrounding us. It was just the break I needed from the construction and rapid growth of metro Phoenix.

Often times I get bored living in Arizona – but that’s absolutely ridiculous! With a Natural Wonder of the World just a handful of hours away and a river just down the street with golf courses and small artist communities everywhere…It’s time for me to be thankful.