The Phoenix Traveler

Although the weather’s cooled down a bit since last week, it’s a common sight in Phoenix to see family and friends hiking together in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and other mountain trails in the Valley during the holiday season.
It seems the Phoenix winters were created especially for this outdoor activity. And homes that back up to the preserve make the perfect starting point.
Just ask Gene Urban and his wife Amy. They are known to schedule regular hike and brunch days. I was lucky enough to be asked to participate in one of them last weekend.
Take a look at …read more

1 Comment

Mill Avenue in Tempe hustles and bustles with pedestrian traffic year-round. It’s not the place to go if you want peace and quiet. And though I’d say the majority of the people you’ll see milling around are Arizona State University students, urbanites from all over the Valley of the Sun head over on evenings and weekends to shop, dine at the many restaurants, hang out in the taverns, and walk, ride bikes or rollerblade over to Tempe Town Lake.
This coming weekend, however, pedestrians will flock to Mill Avenue–one of America’s “ten great streets” (American Planning Association, 2008)–for one of …read more

Comments Off

In a recent post here at The Phoenix Traveler, one person posted a comment about being “too poor to travel.” Boy, do I understand that, which is why it’s good to know that there’s always budget travel options to consider.
For instance, Now that gas prices have dropped below $2.30/gal., how about a road trip? In less than two hours, you can hop in your car, pick east or west, and wind up in small town Arizona where you’ll be able to see the Western lifestyle up close. No need to reserve a room, take the dog to the kennel, or …read more

Comments Off

Just a three hour drive from Phoenix sits a tiny town with a history that may have helped keep the Arizona Territory from gaining statehood in the late 1800s, according to history books.
That town is called Young, and I traveled there this past weekend to do research for my upcoming book, Backroads & Byways of Arizona (Countryman Press, 2009).
Formerly known as  Pleasant Valley, it was the site of what became one of the state’s most bloodiest family feuds. Between the Tewksbury and Graham families, it was called the Pleasant Valley War. And although the bloodbath began in Pleasant Valley, …read more

2 Comments

They’ve dubbed it “Arizona’s premier culinary event,” and it’s priced to fit the name. For $95 (tickets purchased on the day of), you’re in for a real treat this Labor Day Weekend if you can attend the fourth annual “Phoenix Cooks!” at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.
A collection of the Valley’s top chefs and culinary experts converge together for this all-day food and wine experience to benefit a charity, the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
You’ll have the chance to watch top chefs compete against each other and demonstrate their unique culinary styles, and, of course, taste what they prepare at three …read more

Comments Off

Every big city has its unique neighborhoods, or the neighborhoods that define a specific culture or two. Being so close to the Mexican border, we have our fair share of ‘hoods that define the Hispanic culture.
One of them is in South Phoenix–not necessarily the safest place to play. But tucked away in a hidden corner, is something you might want to see–El Gran Mercado. For a little adventure and a place to practice your Spanish verbs, pick a weekend afternoon to drive over to 35th Avenue and Buckeye. That’s where you’ll find this secret gem. On the south side …read more

1 Comment

 
I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a live performance by this local six-member band in Phoenix called Shallow Water. Click on the video above to hear a portion of my new favorite song called “Clap.” The group has a few CDs that you can purchase: the first called “2 Dollar Sailboat” was produced in 2002; the second called “What’s Her Name” was produced in 2006. “Clap” appears on that one.
The six-member band plays a rock, punk, ska and alternative mix of sounds, and has opened at concert performances for top touring groups, including Live, Smash Mouth and …read more

2 Comments

It was probably the most fun I ever had in class when I studied improvisational acting at Theater 168 in Scottsdale several years ago. And while you may not be able to sign up for a class (if you don’t live in town), you can attend one of their comedy shows if you happen to be here on a weekend.
Owned and operated by Jef and Shurlin Rawls, this family-friendly comedy theater is home to the Jester’Z comedy troupe–a really fun and lively bunch of comedians, ages 18 to mid-40s, who really put on a good show for their audiences …read more

1 Comment

If it’s not too late, make your reservation now to attend Locavore 3: The Bountiful. It’s happening this week.
Locavore is a word used to describe someone who eats only locally grown and locally produced foods. That’s also the meaning behind the special dinner event hosted this month by James Porter, chef and owner of Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar. He’s working with Chef Payton Curry from Digestif at Scottsdale’s Southbridge near the Waterfront to plan and prepare the five-course meal. 
Every taste of the meal comes from an Arizona  farmer, artisan or winemaker. In fact, farmers, ranchers, food producers and …read more

1 Comment

Below are the answers to yesterday’s pop quiz.
Watch for more to come in the future. Once a month, I’ll include a quiz, centering it around a theme, such as Native American art, sporting events, outdoor recreation, and other things travel-related. You can join in on the fun by leaving your answers here in the comment box.

Till next time, let me know if you knew the answers to this quiz without having to do an online search, or phone a friend.

If this quiz was too easy, let me know that as well. The answers are:

There are three places in Greater Phoenix …read more

Comments Off