The Phoenix Traveler

NEW YEAR’S EVE: If it weren’t for the blogs I follow, I’d likely miss really important news. For instance, I just found out from RailLife.com that Metro Light Rail is extending its service on New Year’s Eve. That means if you had plans to use the rail line for your safe ride home after celebrating the New Year arrival, but thought you couldn’t, now you can.
The last light rail service is regularly scheduled to end at 11 p.m. nightly; however, the schedule’s been extended on New Year’s Eve to 2 a.m. I have plans to go to Mesa that evening, …read more

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After my boyfriend finished his 8-mile run this morning, I had a surprise for him. Instead of going to our usual spot for Saturday morning breakfast, I told him I wanted to ride the light rail. It’s the grand opening day celebration, and I thought we could try to find a spot somewhere on the rail line.
At first he resisted–it was pretty cold outside this morning, 50 degrees, probably less, and he was still in his running clothes. But he relented, and we headed off to what used to be called the Christown Mall at Montebello and 19th Avenue. It’s …read more

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Day trips, weekend getaways, best places to visit. That’s what Arizona-based author and freelance writer wrote about in her first book published this year by Countryman Press. Called Great Escapes Arizona, Bitler’s book is available at local bookstores and online.
I wanted to talk to Bitler about her travels during the research of her book, because if there was ever a time to think about escape, it’s now. I met up with Bitler at a recent art fair, where I purchased her book, and she agreed to e-mail me with a few suggestions on where you might want to take …read more

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What are they saying about travel in Arizona? Here’s the latest news to update you:

The Arizona Republic reports bonuses for US Airways‘ employees for on-time travel.
Tempe, Tucson and Prescott get top votes for quality of life, according to this poll.
It’s the economy, stupid. That’s why Ohio State fans may not fly to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl next year (January 5).
Here’s a good reason that using a travel agent makes sense–a live connection with someone if something goes wrong with your travel arrangements.

Technorati Tags: news about Arizona travel,quality of life,Tempe rated tops for quality of life,US Airways,US Airways on …read more

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If you’ve never read any of Michael Engelhard’s essays, vignettes in his books, or even his anthologies, you’ve been missing a lesson in how to observe the natural environment like a poet, particularly as it relates to the American West.
This river runner, rock climber and wilderness guide, who came to America from Germany to study cultural anthropology in Fairbanks, Alaska, has been writing about his adventures long enough to attract the attention of editors at internationally-known magazines, including Outside, Utne Reader, Backpacker, and of course Arizona Highways.
I was happy to discover that, like me, this author of several non-fiction books …read more

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The Phoenician Resort offers the solution to that timeless holiday gift that no one really likes. No matter how you wrap it, fruitcake is still, well, fruitcake. Instead, how about giving something even you would eat? Think chocolate…and bread.
But not just any old chocolate bread. This one, the Chocolate Cherry Sourdough bread pictured here, was created by the resort’s own Master Baker Ben Hershberger.
Made fresh daily at The Phoenician (6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale), you can purchase yours on-site at either the Café and Ice Cream Parlor or at Il Terrazzo, a classic Italian-style restaurant. At $3.50 a loaf, it’s not …read more

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A fellow blogger here at b5media recently posted at Traveling the Green Way a how-to on greening your Christmas travels. She shared tips she learned at Responsible Travel. I thought I’d localize her post and let you know how you can follow those tips in Phoenix:
1)  Buy local. The blog post referred to produce, but you can extend that further to buy local produce as well as purchase gifts, services and other products sold right here in the Valley of the Sun by small business owners who live here. Look for the red symbol you see pictured above, or find …read more

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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 …read more

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As the soon-to-be-author of Backroads & Byways of Arizona (Countryman Press, Fall 2009), I’m a big believer in promoting guidebooks. As your editor here at The Phoenix Traveler, I’m also a big believer in helping you find the resources that could help you navigate the city and beyond. So from time to time, when I hear about a new book coming out that could be useful to you–and I can get access to the author–I’ll post an interview. My first was with Sam Lowe, author of several books about Arizona travel. (An update: His latest book, New Mexico Curiosities, is …read more

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You’re right, Becky. When you posted your comment last week, you guessed correctly. The name of the mountain where we saw Post Creek is called Mount Graham. We drove up the Swift Trail to see it.
Located in Graham County in southeastern Arizona, the mountain is home to many things recreational, including hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, birding and one of the world’s largest telescopes.
The Graham County Chamber of Commerce can tell you more.
 
(Photo by Jackie Dishner, used with her permission.)
Technorati Tags: photo contest,Mt. Graham,Graham County,Southeastern Arizona,Post Creek,Arizona travel blog,The Phoenix Traveler,Jackie Dishner

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