Of the three photos I’ve copied below, which would you think represents an Arizona backroads guidebook? Keep in mind that I’m writing about places you won’t see in Arizona, unless you get on some back roads to get there.

If you’ll help me pick this final choice, I’ll put your name in a drawing to win a free bottle of aromatherapy pillow spray from The Westin Kierland Resort. The lavender scent comes in a little blue bottle with a copper satin pouch.

To respond, post your comment as follows (photos are in a-b-c order):

a) Aravaipa Canyon Trail

b) Prescott Lake Trail

c) Young Windmill 

Thanks for your help.

(Photos used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

But, if too much shopping, too much chocolate (and other seasonal goodies), or too much trying to find the perfect decoration for your holiday dinner has run you ragged, I’ve got the perfect gift for you–a free pass for a week’s worth of classes from At One Yoga, which has studios in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The passes are for new students only.

Call it the antidote to stress, and I have two passes for it. I’m giving them away this week for two lucky people who think they need it the most.

But I need your help. Round up your Phoenix-based friends, relatives, and co-workers. Tell them about my giveaway. Then, you can all visit me here at The Phoenix Traveler and post a comment. I just want to know one thing:

Why do you want to take a yoga class?

On Sunday, I’ll draw two names. Come back next week to find out who the winners are. And if you haven’t had a chance to enter yesterday’s giveaway, since you’re here anyway, you might as well do that as well.

Good luck!

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

The Rim Lobby Lounge at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (north side of Greenway Parkway past 68th Street) is the place to go this winter if you want try what the mixologist (fancy name for bartender) has created for you. Ask for the new Organic Mexican Macciato, made with organic coffee and organic tequila, or the Caramel Apple-Tini pictured here. It’s made with applesauce (Really?), Bailey’s Caramel liquor and Smirnoff Apple Vodka–quite a twist on a classic treat. Make sure they dip your apple slice in caramel sauce, like they do for the picture.

Champagne and Ice Wine Facial

If you love the bubbly or go wild over wine, you might love a Champagne and Ice Wine Facial. Available only this month, it could be your next break from holiday events. The organic facial contains champagne grapes and orange essential oils to detoxify, refresh and renew. It’s followed by a hydrating Mimosa Champagne Tonique and Tokay Ice Wine Masque. Sounds intoxicating.

Organic Mimosa Champagne Manicure and Pedicure

Since you’ve probably been on your feet a lot this month and have been using your hands to wrap all those presents, how about a little pampering? Let an experienced spa therapist treat you with an Organic Mimosa Champagne Manicure and Pedicure. The Mimosa lotion and Mimosa Champagne Sugar Scrub sooths your hands and feet with antioxidants that rejuvenate let you get back to your shopping.

If you go:

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa: 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale

(Photo used with permission by Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Between now and January 1, 2009, get your “Seasons” Greetings by the glassful with these three holiday cocktail specials. At $16 each, they’re sure to warm you up as the weather cools down.

For those of you who won’t be in town or get to the resort in time, here are the recipes to try at home:

“Sonoran” Eggnog

• 1 1/2 oz. Don Julio Tequila
• 1 oz. melted Mexican Chocolate
• Eggnog

Mix all ingredients, serve warm.  Garnish with a chocolate cigar and serve in a martini glass.

“Sweet S’more”

• 1 1/2 oz Monte Cristo-12 year aged rum
• Fresh Hot Chocolate Mix

Prepare hot chocolate, add rum.  Garnish with a graham cracker crust rim and a homemade marshmallow.

 
Troon Bourbon Cider

• 6 oz. Hot Apple Cider
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 1/2 oz Basil Hayden Bourbon
• 1 cinnamon stick (as garnish)

Mix all together, and serve warm.

(Photo and recipes used with permission by the Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Imagine your name on this brown piece of paper. It’s the ticket to statewide recreational fun. The Arizona State Parks Annual Pass costs just $50, and it’s good for the entire family–all year-long.

This holiday season, it could be the affordable gift that keeps on giving as it’s the economical way to travel and explore Arizona’s 27 state parks. Pictured above, the Standard Day-Use Entrance Pass is good for the family’s non-camping day-use and includes all the Parks except Colorado River Parks on weekends and holidays.

At Kartchner Caverns State Park, the pass is good for the entrance to experience the Discovery Center, picnicking and trails, but does not apply toward the two cave tour opportunities.

Special programs within the parks may have special related fees not covered by this entrance pass; however, most of the nature walks and interpretive programs are included in the day-use pass.

What can you do at Arizona State Parks? Camp, fish, hike, take part in interpretive environmental programs, sign up for a moonlight star gazing walk, ride horseback, watch historic reenactments, picnic with the family, take a guided pontoon boat tour at Sonoita Creek Natural Area, and root for friends in the water skiing tournaments at Lake Havasu or Lyman Lake. The list goes on.

The state park system even celebrates special events, such as Earth Day in April (events scheduled at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Red Rock and Catalina), and the annual “Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival” and “Verde River Days” at Dead Horse Ranch.

If you plan to frequent the park system this year, opt to buy the Premium Annual Day-Use Pass for $125. It adds those weekends in parks along the Colorado River, and more of your family members or friends can go with you.

HOW TO PURCHASE THE PASS?

By mail:

Arizona State Parks
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

In person: 

State Parks main headquarters, or at any of the Arizona state parks.

By fax:

Visit the Web site to print and fill out the Gift Shop order form.

More Information:

Call 602-542-4174. If out of area, call 800-285-3703 (toll free).

(Photo of pass provided and used with permission by Arizona State Parks.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

_Here’s one from HGTV.com. It’s a decorating Web site to which I contribute, so too bad I didn’t think to pitch this story about John and Cindy McCain’s cabin near Sedona. It’s actually in Cornville–also part of the Verde Valley, though this piece mentions Hidden Valley. Cornville’s not quite the vision that you see in Sedona. It’s hidden between rolling hills, Oak Creek and Cottonwoods. It’s still beautiful but without all the Red Rock views. Nonetheless, those Red Rocks are just a 15-minute drive away. The article shares why the McCain’s decided to buy in this area. From the pictures, you might be able to tell that the article’s a bit dated.

_This article at politico.com shares a similar theme from the one above. It’s about the McCain cabin…and BBQs. It’s also more current, having been written before the election took place this month.

_Is grilling on the BBQ the only thing these McCains do when at their cabin? It would seem so if you read the article at gatewaytosedona.com.

With all the news that I could have found online about McCain, these were the ones that popped up first and were also the ones I thought you’d find more interesting, as they feature Arizona traveling locations. If you ever get a chance to visit Cornville, you’ll also see it’s right next door to Page Springs–and that’s northern Arizona’s wine country.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort’s Aji Spa near Chandler, just south of Phoenix and 11 miles from Sky Harbor airport, has created a special offer just for this occasion.

Called the Recessionista Spa Package, it combines a full day of treatments at a half-day price. Included in the $199 package: a 25-minute massage that targets the back, neck and shoulders; a facial cleanse and masque; a poolside lunch at the Aji Café; and finally, an express pedicure and manicure treatment. And there’s more! Afterward, take time to hang out in the steam room, try the sauna, meditate, or sign up for a fitness class or Native Teachings. The offer is good from now until December 31.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, located on the 372,000-acre Gila River Indian Community, showcases the heritage, culture, art and legends of the Pima and Maricopa Indian tribes.

To book the “Recessionista Spa Package,” call 602-385-5759 or visit www.wildhorsepassresort.com.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

If you’re thinking of taking a New England vacation along the coast, here are a few overall recommendations stemming from my recent trip:

_Sign up for the signature facial at the Cliff House in Ogunquit–a resort and spa located on Maine’s south coast, atop Bald Head Cliff. This unique restorative facial incorporates products from both land and sea. It includes a seashell massage, a seaweed cleansing, and a blueberry mask. Blueberries grow wild in Maine and are a staple in various products, including skin care, pancakes and ice cream. I definitely tried the blueberry-spiked facial and thought it was sea-sational. Plus, at the Cliff House, you get to take home a free gift–the Blueberry Signature Mask, made exclusively for the spa by Spa Technologies. If you have time, take a walk on the labyrinth. It’s outside and overlooks the sea.

_Pay the $30 for the ocean view from the seat of an historic schooner as it makes it way along the Penobscot Bay. We got on Surprise out of the Camden Public Landing. (Note: Above photo was taken while ON Surprise.) It was recommended to us by our hosts at the Windward House B&B, also in Camden; it was a perfect suggestion. Our morning two-hour ride aboard this 57-foot Windjammer, launched originally in 1918, was smooth sailing all the way. We, of course, were lucky to have missed the rain that blew in later that day. A special treat aboard the Surprise: fresh fruit and gingersnap cookies. 

_Plan a few nights’ stay at the Windward House or the Orland House in Orland, two miles east of Bucksport. Both of the owners will help you navigate the coast to make your stay as interesting and enjoyable as possible. Just ask for recommendations. And the breakfasts alone will make you feel like royalty because the service is so all about you. Don’t mind the creaks, cracks and crevices you’ll see inside these historic Victorian mansions–these century-old houses have earned them. For us Southwesterners, we can only marvel that a building can last that long!

_If you happen to be coming from Camden, planning to visit the observatory at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, I suggest driving across the bridge, turning left, and visiting the little town of Bucksport. Head straight to Andy Lacher’s BookStacks bookstore for some small town charm, and a hot cup of coffee. He’s adding a used book section, has comfy seating areas, and it’s just a nice place to hang out and chat with the locals who seem to congregate there all day.

_A tour through the small town of Castine also is worth the off-the-beaten path drive to get there. Pick up a “walking tour” guide and hit the roads. Historic markers fill you in on the details of this town that is one of the oldest communities in North America–occupied continuously, according to the brochure, since the early 1600s. Um, we’re talking Pilgrim days. The French, the British, the Dutch–they all arrived here at some point and tried to take over the region, as well as try to oust the Native Americans. You’ll see some spectacular homes in Castine, as well as a lighthouse and Maritime Academy. Even if you get caught in the rain, as we did, it’s a beautiful walk through a quiet and historic seacoast village.

_If you can manage a week or two, plan on picking a spot and hanging out there. Because there’s so much to see and do, no matter where you wind up, it might be wise to ease up on the driving and plan your travel plans around that one area. You know, take it easy.

_Or, do as we did and pack as much fun in as you can. It’ll be, as they say in Maine, a “wicked good” time.

(Photos by Jackie Dishner and used with her permission. Hold your curser over the photo itself to see what they represent.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

It rained while we were there. It was definitely cooler. I even had to don gloves and a scarf one night. And nothing could be better than the smell of chimney smoke. For me, that’s the first sign of fall. It means it’s time for soup. In New England, that means clam chowder. That creamy sauce with bits of potatoes, clam meat and onions. I ate it almost every day.

When in the Boston area, I recommend a stay in Cambridge. You can find a hotel, an inn or a B&B that’s much cheaper than in the city. And it costs just a few bucks to take the train into Boston a few minutes away. Plus, you’re right there where Harvard is, and it’s worth a walk-through just to see what this prestigious school is all about. Let me tell you, it’s pretty amazing architecturally. We must have walked in and out of at least five red brick or stone and iron gates. Huge, at least 10 feet tall! Very imposing. Made me want to immediately sign up for a class, though.

We walked a lot on this  trip. We walked around Harvard Square. We walked in the neighborhood near our hotel. We walked along the Freedom Trail–all the way across the Charles River to climb up and down the nearly 300 steps at the monument at Bunker Hill. We experienced history on many levels, and it was all so refreshing to get a taste of life as it was before the American Revolution. Such a difference from my home state, Arizona, which won’t even be celebrating its centennial until 2012. That’s still four years away!

Oh, and then there’s Maine–Coastal Maine. I don’t t hink there’s anything more lovely to see in this country than a highway that sweeps past so many seaports. The tall white steeples, the Victorian-era homes, the village streetscapes with their bookstores, lobster shacks and pastry shops ready to serve you with open hospitality, the ships in the harbor.

They may speak funny (Lobstas and Beeyas, says my souvenir t-shirt) but Mainers have to be just about the nicest folks you’ll ever meet. Every time my boyfriend and I looked lost–It happened several times–we were approached by a local who told us how to get to our destination. We never felt out of place, not even when all we had to wear was “urban safari” for the “business casual” dinner we attended. Okay, well, maybe we felt a bit odd about that, but we did follow orders and leave the blue jeans behind. No one said anything about all those pockets on our pants, nor made mention of our muddy Merrells.

Check in tomorrow, and I’ll give you specific travel recommendations.

(Photos taken by and used with permission from Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Malees at Desert Ridge will pamper these ladies with a special MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WIDOW’S EVENT. In the weeks ahead, this event will include some or all of the following:

• Psychic readings
• Jewelry
• $4 Cosmos, Appletinis, and Sakatinis
• Manicures
• Astrology readings
• Stylist consultations  

She even thinks of the guys…so they don’t feel left out:

HAPPY HOUR prices at the main bar and sushi bar during the games. 

You have a few days to plan ahead.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler