Travel Tips & Adventures

We spent two terrific days in Boise, Idaho and wished we had more time.  After starting in West Yellowstone and driving west on Interstate 86, then Interstate 84, and contending with construction traffic, we finally arrived.

Hyatt Place

We checked into the Hyatt Place Boise on North Milwaukee Street not too far from the highway, our first experience at a Hyatt Place.  We were impressed!

The friendly staff was smiling and efficient.  If we hadn’t had so many questions as first-timers, we could actually have used the automated check in.  However, our host was eager to show us around in the lobby.  Everything is easy to access.

The décor is sleek and inviting.  We really liked the room, too.  Technology is very much accounted for- you can use the free wireless Internet connections or dock your iPod. The bed is in an alcove-like arrangement so there is a feeling of a suite.  The “living room” has a fabulous couch that wraps around with an ottoman.  In the “office area” a desk with connections faces away from a small fridge with a wet sink and a coffee maker. http://boisetownesquaremall.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/place/index.jsp

Great space!

Boise Farmers Market

If you’ve been reading the blogs, you know that we wouldn’t miss a Farmers’ Market.  Boise’s Farmers Market is certainly worth seeing!  Such fun – and four blocks worth of scrumptious fresh produce, hand made items and entertainment in downtown Boise every Saturday, from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.

Boise Farmers Market

A fun way to spend a Saturday

The atmosphere is entertaining and everyone seems to be in a festive mood.

Entertainers at Boise Downtown Farmers Market

Fresh cheese, delicious brittle pine nut candy, and some hand-carved wooden items were some of the great items we purchased.  If we had lived there, we would have chosen fresh eggs, meats, flowers and – well, it would be hard to hold us back!

Boise Farmers Market has almost everything everyone would ever want to eat - cheese, eggs, meats, fresh produce, candy - and crafts

Then, we decided on a fun café/pub-like restaurant, the Brick Oven Bistro, at 801 Main Street.  After review of an enormous menu of soups, salads, main dishes with so many choices I had trouble choosing, I had some terrific food.  The portions were enormous and the staff was competent, efficient and friendly.  I spilled my soup as I sat down and a staffer was so nice about cleaning up my messy spot at the table. Reasonable prices, great food, fun atmosphere – we recommend Brick Oven Bistro! http://www.brickovenbistro.com/

Come back next week when we take a jaunt to a penitentiary where they cultivate flowers!

Once you’ve settled down after your dinner (see previous blog), you’re ready for even more fun.  The Blazin’ M offers ”Cowboy music, poetry and tomfoolery.”  The Blazin’ M Cowboys are a rollicking, talented musical quartet – not to be missed! (more…)

Near the picturesquely named Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona, the Blazin’ M Ranch – and Dinner Theatre- conveys a feeling of the Old West, both its hospitality and its rambunctious good times. (more…)

Singing the words to the Monkees’ old hit, “Last Train to Clarksville” and replacing “Clarkville” with Clarkdale seemed appropriate because we stopped in Clarkdale on our way to the Verde Canyon Railroad (see Friday, February 26 blog). (more…)

One of the best parts about Bisbee is how easy it is to visit other, earlier, times.

For instance, want to see an old 1950s style diner? (more…)

Arriving in Bisbee’s historic district, there is an immediate sense of stepping back in time.  Colorful names (Bisbee Bicycle Brothel, etc.) and early 1900s architecture create an appeal you won’t see in the homogenized cities of most of the United States. (more…)

Mexican food is quite available in Arizona, after all, Mexico shares a border.  That shared border can be a bone of contention, but if you want a place, no bones about it, that serves “fine Mexican food,” try Eva’s when you’re in the vicinity of Phoenix.  Actually located south of Phoenix off Interstate 10 in Casa Grande, Eva’s Fine Mexican Food has an appealing setting as well as excellent service. This is the second location for the family restaurant.  The original opened 25 years ago.

Appealing entrance to Eva's

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Over the years, we’ve stayed in many hotels.  Some were great; some were lacking.  We were fortunate to stay at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona recently.  In almost every aspect, our stay was superior. (more…)

This is it!  The last Wednesday of the year, and, the last of a series of articles on Arizona tribal Hotel-Casinos.

For the culmination of the last four weeks, we decided to get out of town and head for Prescott, Arizona, less than 2 1/2 hours northwest of Phoenix. (more…)