Travel Tips & Adventures

Even if you are not a student or employed by Arizona State University, ASU has a presence in Tempe, Arizona.  Many large buildings in Tempe sport the ASU name, but the campus is accessible to visitors as well.

Shops and the atmosphere cater to students and their families.  There is also a community feel that the downtown has cultivated where individual shops, not usually part of national chains, create a fun shopping experience.  There are places to eat, like Rula Bula (a pub), Chompie’s Deli, and House of Tricks that offer unique dining experiences from easy on the budget to upscale (definitely House of Cards).

For an evening out, there is Gammage Auditorium, part of ASU’s campus.  National tours of shows like Wicked and Jersey Boys give the locals a chance to see great theater. Crowd pleasers like Phantom of the Opera and Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins and Annie join more serious fare like award-winning August: Osage County.  Prices are typically more reasonable than a Broadway show and the actors are equally talented.  (One note: sound quality may suffer in the upper regions of the theater in the last few rows.  We struggled to hear the fabulous solos of “Wicked.”)

http://www.asugammage.com/

Eating in Tempe

We wandered into the second day of a new chain restaurant in Tempe on Mill Avenue, Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  While it is a chain, it has a very homemade feel to the food.  They do not have freezers and everything is fresh. It also offers more menu choices than the popular In ‘n Out Burger chain.  Five Guys promotes their fries’ potato source as being from Shelley, Idaho, so we just had to try them.  (I am named Shelley, remember.)

A lot more than five guys were prepping burgers and fries in Tempe

They had quite a crowd on their second day due to the Festival of the Arts, but were moving things along very briskly. The place was mobbed, but the red-shirted staff handled it all with aplomb.

In addition to the aforementioned burgers and fries, their menu also includes grilled cheese, hot dogs and many toppings, like grilled mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, A-1 sauce, all free.  The 2-person fries order was GIGANTIC – and that was the small size.  My small bacon burger was a large serving.  Considering that all of the toppings are free and the food is freshly made (“never frozen”), the price tag is very reasonable when compared with other chains.  They also have peanuts available for free that you can scoop out and eat – as much as you like. We spent $16 for our burgers (One large and one small), small fries, one drink and water.

http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx

Another chain, but a local one, is Chompie’s Deli, which will fulfill anyone’s craving for deli food.  The bagels are good –chewy and flavorful – and the enormous menu offers so many choices that your biggest issue will be making a decision on what to order.  Old family favorites like giant deli sandwiches and stuffed cabbage, plus new twists like a brisket served in tortillas make it possible for every family member to find something they’ll enjoy. The quality and quantity definitely go hand in hand at Chompie’s, which has been around for 30 years.  You won’t leave hungry!

http://www.chompies.com/

In the heart of downtown Tempe is House of Tricks, definitely an upscale menu with white tablecloth service.  The food service is excellent and the presentations very appealing.  Their restaurant has been around for over 20 years and it is apparent why: exotic and unusual twists on culinary efforts that incorporate the best of many cuisines. One entrée was: Lemon Honey Braised Grouper with Sautéed Watercress, Parsnip Pear Puree and Whole Grain Mustard Buerre Blanc.  An appetizer, “Miso Marinated Foie Gras with Ginger Snap and Warm Black Mission Fig Chutney,” put a homemade touch on what could be something served anywhere.   Their chef is obviously inventive and committed to using fresh, seasonal ingredients, a quality we very much encourage. 

http://www.houseoftricks.com/

So, now you won’t go hungry while in Tempe.  We’ve tried other restaurants as well, but these three are worth a trip.

Now that we’ve given you places to eat, sleep and entertain yourself, we’ll continue our “Wacky Wednesday” tomorrow with a visit to a casino.  You’ll need some luck to win and a means of transportation to get there.

Less than 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport heading east are three attractions well worth seeing when you’re visiting in the Phoenix area.  Bring your camera, because you will want to record your views – they are unique!  All are around the area called Papago Park. (more…)

We’re back with things to do at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino – besides gaming.

If you’ve exhausted your roll of pennies, nickels and quarters and are tired of standing in line at the ATM for more money, there are other distractions within and outside of the casino that are part of the Gila River Indian Community. (more…)

There’s something about a college town. I’m not talking about New York City, Boston, or Los Angeles, but rather those small to mid-sized towns that cater to, or are intricately involved with, the day–to-day operations of the campus.

Virginia has several such towns, Lexington (Washington & Lee University), Williamsburg (College of William & Mary), Blacksburg (Virginia Poly Tech), Radford (Radford University), even Farmville (Longwood University) are a few of the ten such towns that are labeled “college towns.”

But, my pick for this article is Charlottesville.

Home to the University of Virginia, designed by United States President and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville is just over an hour from Richmond, and easily accessible by car or plane. Current population of just under 50,000 makes this a small college town with amenities that you might not find in other towns of this size. (more…)

If we seem to be in rhapsodies over Corvallis, you’re right – and we have another activity to share. We happened into an event that features local vineyards paired with local stores. Great idea, right? Well, it was! (more…)

A crowd of us had decided to spend the evening celebrating – a bachelorette party the night before a wedding. Our destination: Lips, a restaurant with a twist. “Female impersonators” both served and entertained. And, what a show! (more…)

Portland’s Saturday Market is misnamed – it is also open on Sunday. Unlike most craft fairs that come and go, the Portland Saturday Market is open from the end of February through December 24.

Portland Saturday Market - or part of it

And, this is one of those places that is a must-see if you’re coming to Portland. The array of hand-crafted items to see and purchase is dizzying. Creativity abounds! (more…)

One of the best things about Portland, Oregon is just getting around!  Especially if you are in the downtown zone  – “Fareless Square,” where you ride for free, Portland is one of the most accessible cities in which we’ve traveled. (more…)

Last Friday we went Old School in Portland to McMenamins Kennedy School, now it’s time to go Rogue!  

Rogue Ales

Unlike someone who recently wrote a book entitled, Going Rogue, I actually had the opportunity to go to the Rogue Distillery & Public House, one of the many pubs that are scattered throughout the city of Portland, Oregon. (more…)

Proprietor Joanne Gemmill knows about a true English tea since she grew up in the south of England. Once she transplanted herself to Arizona, it was natural for her to continue her tradition of tea and share that with people so they would

Proprietor Joanne Gemmill

“ Take time out from their busy lives and wallow in tea and tranquility.”
These days, everyone can use some tranquility. (more…)