Unless you really like winter sports, this time of year the greatest place to be is Arizona. I know Arizona’s been taking a lot of hits lately, but the weather In January and February is why Arizona has a major tourism influx.
Daytime temperatures get into the 70ºs (Fahrenheit) and the sun is shining. Soon, we’ll have a profusion of flowers – yes, it really can flower in the desert! (more…)
A few weeks ago, I promised to tell about the images on my new web site, Hiking.fortheCouchPotato.com That’s – Hiking for the Couch Potato – -http://hiking.forthecouchpotato.com
Head over there now! (I’ll wait!) http://hiking.forthecouchpotato.com
Take a quick look at image number 4 at the top of the page (just scroll over) and you’ll see a reddish, sandstone rock that seems to have some people tucked in an opening.
Okay, now that you’ve seen that truly unusual natural development, wouldn’t you like to know where it is?
That image is the closest of the four to my home in Arizona.
It’s – Papago Park in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Of the many natural formations in the central Arizona area, Papago Park allows visitors to come and hike up (from the area behind the photo you’re seeing) and look out at the world. The walk is not too challenging, but since it’s terraced with some built in “stairs,” it would be tough for someone in a wheelchair. However, most other people would be able to walk up to see the view.
Papago Park also is well-located, as it is near both the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. Plan a day seeing all of those sights if you’re planning to come to Arizona.
And, despite the bad press Arizona is getting these days about guns, most of us are not gun-toting, wild west types spoiling for a fight. You can expect to be treated well here as some of the most luxurious hotels and exotic scenery of the US southwest is right here in the Phoenix area. And, the majority of people are well- behaved, law-abiding citizens.
While this is not a worldclass destination in itself, Riverview Park, in Mesa, Arizona is one more place to kick back when you’re visiting Phoenix, Arizona.
Sometimes, it is just a good idea to relax, take a walk and enjoy nature.
If you are visiting the desert, it is surprising to find that there are actually spots with water and ducks.
Ducks, ducks, ducks!
Riverview Park - a small park with water, picnic areas and playground
(Riverview Park is located in Mesa at Dobson Road and 8th Street.)
And, if birds are your thing, head to see another park that has an even greater area and an abundance of birds, the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert, Arizona.
See more on my other website,
http://hiking.forthecouchpotato.com/hiking/
(We have had some “technical difficulties” and the website is not quite as complete as we had hoped, but you can check this link and see three great images.)
If you love to shop, Scottsdale is the mecca. Everything from high-end couture to kitsch is yours for the price. The shopping areas are reminiscent of everything from the old west to modern America to an Italian courtyard. Let’s start with “Old Town” – (more…)
Even people who can’t play a note will find a trip to the Musical Instrument Museum a fascinating exploration of music, cultures and instruments. A new museum near Scottsdale in Northern Phoenix, Arizona, it is not quite six months old. The facility itself shows vision, with large spacious galleries, engaging displays and musical instruments of every description – everywhere.
When you arrive, you pay your admission fee ($15 per person for adults) and are handed a set of headphones with a transmitter. Unlike some museums, the music follows you. No need to turn the receiver on or off if you arrive at a display and your timing is off.
Gorgeous inlaid floor with the continents - entrance to a Mim gallery
Previously, we’ve visited Scottsdale in this blog, but we have some new items to share and some new perspectives. Scottsdale really is a state of mind, like being in Boca Raton or Palm Springs.
Trendy Kazimierz World Wine Bar calls itself a speakeasy and has its entrance around the back!
Until we spent part of a day in Payson after visiting Tonto Natural Bridge (see previous blog two weeks ago), we had just been through Payson on our way to other places. It is the junction for Arizona State Routes 87 and 160, and about equidistant between Flagstaff and Phoenix, so it was just a place to fuel our car and keep going. We’re glad we stopped by this time, though!
With a population (at last count) of over 13,000, they are a giant metropolis in comparison to Strawberry and Pine, the neighbor burgs we visited the same day. There is more of everything, but the scenic backdrop of the mountains gives everything the “aah” factor. You can relax in Payson. It’s that kind of place.
There is shopping along the main street, including the Swiss Village shops which a resident we met at the Natural Bridge told us not to miss. We missed it, because we weren’t there for shopping. We just wanted to see what it was like for someone visiting and looking for scenery. (more…)
When Arizonans try to escape the heat, they change climates and altitudes by heading up north to Rim Country. Barely two hours from Phoenix, Arizona are some towns terraced into the mountains. Payson, up the circuitous State Route 87, is the largest town with other towns clustered a few miles away.
Strawberry, charmingly named, has a much smaller population (in 2007 – only 1,000-plus!) and has a few amenities. According to http://www.city-data.com/city/Strawberry-Arizona.html, Strawberry residents are older, richer and have more expensive homes than the median Arizona population.
One tourist magnet with some charm is the Strawberry School, the “oldest standing school in Arizona.” According to a representative of the Pine/Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society, the school was almost razed when a developer bought a large tract in the area. A local informed the crew that was about to raze the school as they were removing the roof, that the building was the old school house. The developer decided to spare the school and the roof was rebuilt.
Strawberry School - the "Oldest Standing School in Arizona "
The original building’s walls were constructed in 1885 with logs that surround a one-room area dominated with a wood-burning stove. The historical society rep commented that the old wooden desks were not the original furnishings. Instead, tables were used.
Closed in 1916, the school is a reminder of what schools were like a century ago. However, the furnishings were considered more opulent than was normal with wainscoting, wallpaper, slate on the wall as a blackboard, a world globe, an organ, a dictionary and a clock. The school was also a meeting location and social center.
Interior of the one-room Strawberry School
For many in the area, the school was part of their heritage, so residents were integral in having it declared a Historical Monument in 1981.
There is no charge to view the school, but a donation is requested.
Another small town with a lot of activity the weekend we visited is Pine. Again, as in Strawberry, the median age and income levels are higher than the median for Arizona. The population tallies just under 2,000. Can we say, “retirement community”?
An arts and crafts fair was sprawled out along the road as well as in a community hall. The variety seemed to be strongly focused on food. However, we enjoyed the crafts and most especially our chat with Bob Gleason, a basket weaver, who was weaving as we spoke.
Bob Gleason weaves baskets right in front of your eyes.
Bob is from Phoenix, but enjoys demonstrating his craft, which he finds relaxing and has recently begun more elaborate baskets. The colors and craftsmanship are top notch. The materials are rattan and can be extremely light, but sturdy. Bob’s business, with the URL of bobsbasketcase.intuitwebsites.com, (602-317-0644), shows he has a sense of humor. He has to with some of the dumb questions that people ask – “Who makes the baskets? –He does – “I’m making one now!” (I’m sure he’d like to tell people to pay attention.)
Another crafter, Ron Lepore with Melted Bottles (928-443-8865), uses recycled bottles to make very attractive serving pieces with knives attached. Great for serving cheese, crackers, fruit and other edibles, the pieces show the whimsy of the bottles he recovers from peoples’ discards.
Ron Lepore exhibited his recycled "Melted Bottles" - great for serving and gifts
Other items sold included emu meat, quilts, and other attractive art.
When we finished, we stopped at the Gingerbread House for some ice cream. At the old-fashioned style soda fountain, the flavors were great (I had black cherry cordial and my husband had cookies and cream).
Gingerbread House - ice cream treats and collectibles
After we ate every bite of the ice cream and waffle cone, we headed to Payson.
Next week… We’ll give you a short tour of Payson, home of rodeos and other pastimes.
Coming soon! We will be launching a new site for all of you Couch Potatoes out there – who want to get up and get going! More soon…
Well, really, that’s what the Grand Canyon is: It is a one-mile hole in the ground that is over a mile above sea level that stretches for nearly 300 miles. But it is vast and a testament to what nature can do over the eons of time that the earth has evolved.
Grand Canyon - just a very small part of the vast view
A trip to the Grand Canyon is a “must see” when you travel out West in the USA. Arizona recognizes it as one of its finest attractions by designating itself the “Grand Canyon State” on license plates. (more…)
This week, I promised something unusual. Although this posting is a little later than usual, I ‘m keeping my promise.
In Arizona, south of Phoenix, the Gila Indian Reservation has some welcomed guests – wild horses. Although during some seasons, you might not see them, these wild creatures may be viewed just along the highway. Invariably, I haven’t had my camera with me, but sometimes I have managed to get some photos.
Wild horses
Wild horses watching us watching them
The Gila Indian Reservation has vast acreage where the animals are able to roam – somewhat – free. (The lands are fenced from the roads to keep the horses safe and people out of these private lands.) Since the Gila River Indian Communities are good stewards of their lands, the horses literally have free reign – and no reins in open areas. In warmer weather, the horses take refuge in more sheltered area, but often in the spring, they can be seen in plain view.
How many major metropolitan areas can claim such a refreshing and unusual glimpse of such an inspiring sight?
Wild horses see us and leave
Next week we’ll offer another, lesser known, but scenic, Arizona spot.
Coming soon: If you’ve just been thinking of traveling and would – at least secretly – consider yourself a Couch Potato – you’ll be excited when we launch our new e-book. We’ll share more next time.
