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 your next Arizona escape.

Rather than run the whole series of questions I asked, along with her answers, here are the highlights.

In bullet format, you can quickly scan them for ideas:

• Her favorite place: Kitt Peak National Observatory.
• A place she loves: Grand Canyon.
• The place where she’d love to return: Canyon de Chelly.
• Her favorite Arizona activity: Horseback or trail ride at one of

Arizona’s dude ranches.

• Two things she finally get around to doing because of the book: See fireworks over Lake Havasu and the Civil War re-enactments at Picacho Peak.
• Three places she writes about in her book that she thinks you shouldn’t miss: Gallery in the Sun (the late Ted DeGrazia’s art studio/gallery in Tucson); Cochise Stronghold (pictured above); and the Olive Mill and Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek
• Trips she’d like to take now because of what she learned during her research: Take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon; and spend a week on a houseboat at Lake Powell.
• If you want to experience the diversity Arizona offers, she suggests an “escape” to the White Mountains.

To learn more from other Arizona authors who specialize in travel, click on the names below:

_Christine Bailey.

_Michael Engelhard.

_Sam Lowe.

If you’ve visited any of the above named places and would like to share your experiences, good or bad, please post a comment.

(Photo of Cochise Stronghold used with permission by the Cochise County Tourism Council.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

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 out what and where through the Local First of Arizona Web site. There are more than 700 members to serve you Valleywide, including the upscale Fifth Avenue Merchants Association in Scottsdale, the eclectic retail shop, Bunky Boutique, in downtown Phoenix, and the Farmers’ Markets where you will find locally grown, farm fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers, and homemade jellies and jams.

2)  Hire local guides. No need to hire a national company if you want to sight-see in Arizona. Phoenix is home to many qualified, experienced insiders who can take you on day trips, half-day trips, or customize a trip to suit your needs. The Arizona Guides Association is a good place to start your search. You can also ask your hotel concierge to recommend a guide company. Or contact a local community college to find out about study tours. Pima Community College in Tucson offers several hikes, day tours and other special outings for less than the cost of a private guide. You can also locate a hiking club for upcoming trips or the Maricopa Audubon Society for field trip information.

3)  Use public transportation. If your family, friends or other relatives plan to extend their holiday visit, I suggest you all try out our new light rail system. It opens at the end of this month with free rides for all on December 27 and 28 . I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I can’t wait!

Not only will following these tips help cut the carbon footprint in Phoenix, but it’ll also go a long way towards keeping our small businesses open and our residents employed.

Cheers to you from The Phoenix Traveler!

(Above logo courtesy of Local First of Arizona.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

First stop: Sedona. Next stop: wine country. It’s a day trip to the Verde Valley–one of Arizona’s hidden gems.

Called Sedona Wine Tours, this guided trip calls out to those of you who love Sedona and love to visit vineyards but didn’t know you could have both on the same day. You can.

To play it safe–no drinking and driving–let Detours take you there.

Detours, a Phoenix-based tour guide company, created this trip to give guests the opportunity to safely explore Arizona’s rich wine region in the Verde Valley. Even with four wineries open, the tasting rooms are still relatively unknown. Tourists generally bypass the roads that would lead them there.

They may not turn onto Page Springs Road where they’d see Javalina Leap, Oak Creek, and Page Springs Cellars–all three very near the Page Springs Hatchery. And they’re likely to skip the turnoff to Alcantera Winery in Cottonwood. It’s off-the-beaten path, unless you’re headed to Out of Africa wildlife park, off of Hwy 260. Yet, each of these wineries serve unique tastes of their wines–some reds, some whites–most of which are pressed, fermented, aged and bottled on the premises.

Located where the Verde River and Oak Creek flow, you’ll see the vines–on the hillsides, in front yards, and deep in the valley below. It’s a serene setting for sipping. With many of the vines so new (under four years old), not all of the vineyards use their own grapes to make the wine just yet. The cabernet, chardonnay, pinot or zinfandel used now to make the wine may, in fact, be imported from California’s Paso Robles wine region–a favorite, it seems. But, soon, these wineries will be fully independent. Next year, Javalina Leap expects to see its first mature harvest.

You’ll learn about this and more as you visit with the owners. Page Springs even offers a tour of its winery as part of Detours’ program. It’s here, at picnic tables overlooking Oak Creek, where you may even enjoy your packed lunch, purchased at a Sedona deli. That’s included in the price of the all-day tour.

Here’s a list of my favorite tastes:

Javalina Leap: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon III, just released in 2008. It’s a smooth cab with a nice finish, $50/bottle.

Oak Creek: 2006 Zinfandel. Spicy, it would pair well with Thai food, $26/bottle.

Page Springs: 2007 La Serrana. This viognier is crisp, not too sweet, $30/bottle.

Alcantera: 2005 Chaparral. The owner says it’s a customer favorite, and I’d say that’s because this syrah blend has a nice, fruity nose with a smooth taste that makes it great for sipping alone, $32.95/bottle.

If you go:

What: Sedona Wine Tours.                                                                     When: Year-round.                                                                                Where: Detours arranges pick up at a resort hotel.                                  Cost: $170/person, minimum required.                                                

For more information, call 866-438-6877 or visit www.detoursaz.com. Or ask your resort hotel concierge about this tour. Add-ons and private tours are also available.

(Photo of wine glass taken at Alcantera by Jackie Dishner, used with permission.) 

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

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 pack the American Express. Just grab a map and go.

Not sure which way? Here are two suggestions:

Wickenburg: Located about an hour’s drive west of Phoenix, True West magazine calls Wickenburg one of the Top 10 Western towns. It’s true for many reasons: gold mining history and a gold mine tour, the old stage coach road, Yavapai Indian massacres, the Western museum, cowboy poets, ghost stories, Western clothes, shopping and quilts, dude ranches–they’re all there. You can also visit a nature preserve and do the historic walking tour downtown, and more.

The most scenic drive: Head north on I-17, then west on SR 74 (Carefree Highway, passing Lake Pleasant) to US 60 West into Wickenburg (US 60/93). Turn right on US 93 at the first light; it turns into the main drag, Tegner Street, which will take you downtown where you can pick up local maps and brochures at the Chamber’s Visitor Center (216 N. Frontier St.).

Globe: Located just less than two hours east of central Phoenix, this is the place of copper mines, silver and now uranium. Like Bisbee and Jerome, Globe was a boom town back in the late 1800s. Today, the mines are coming back. If you go, you’ll see charming boutiques, such as Simply Sarah, and antique stores. You can step inside Bacon’s Boots and Saddles and watch the owner tool custom orders. The historic county courthouse has been renovated into an arts center, and an old bordello is now a bar. You can also drive up a hill to see Indian ruins that date back 800 years.

This scenic drive involves US 60 East all the way from Phoenix. After passing Apache Junction, the road is referred to as the Old West Highway. At Milepost 214, it becomes The Gila-Pinal Scenic Road for the next 30 miles. You’ll pass the towns of Superior, Miami and Claypool along the way before entering Globe. Pick up maps and brochures at the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce on the right-hand side of US 60 East, just before you reach Historic Downtown Globe at the light on Broad Street.

Both of these places offer a unique experience if you want to get out of the big city. Spend as much or as little as you like because it’s really the scenery that makes the drive worth the trip. And that won’t cost you any more than a few gallons of gas.

C’mon, you can afford that.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Now through October 2009, three museums in Mesa (Mesa Contemporary Arts (pictured above), Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Arizona Museum for Youth), all within walking distance, are open free to the public on the first Sunday of every month, noon to 5 p.m.

Other free events: MACFest, a downtown Mesa art and cultural festival every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the October Storytelling Festival; and Day of the Dead and Holiday Art & Music festivals coming in November.

The city of Mesa, Target and the Arizona Republic launched the free museum program, 3 for Free, this month.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Mesa Contemporary Arts, One East Main St.

Low and Slow: The Art of the Lowrider through January 11, 2009
Arizona Wheels and Ink through January 4, 2009
The Parlour through January 11, 2009
Beneath the Skin: Artwork Inspired by Tattoos through December 7, 2008

Arizona Museum for Youth, 35 North Robson Street

Dia de los Muertos through Nov. 30, 2008
Full Circle: Recycled into Art through Feb. 8, 2009
Way to Glow! Scott McNeill through Feb. 8, 2009

Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 Macdonald St. 

HOHOKAM!  Ancient Monuments of the Salt River Valley through March 29, 2009
MARS!  through June 28, 2009
Dinosaur Mountain on – going
PSI:  Poop Scene Investigation through December 07, 2008

The museums are part of the Mesa Arts Center, said to be Arizona’s largest arts campus. It’s home to four theaters, five art galleries and fourteen art studios. Visit the Web site or call 480-644-6500 for more information. Free guided tours of the campus take place at noon every Wednesday at noon. To book a tour, call 480-644-6626.

(Above photo provided and used with permission by the Mesa Arts Center.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Sorry about that…

Click here and enjoy your “flight” to Chicago!

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Phoenix has 34 of them, according to a publication distributed by The Phoenix Historic Neighborhoods Coalition. “The Historic Neighborhoods of Phoenix Self-Guided Driving Tour” takes you to all of them, pointing out historic landmarks and contemporary cultural centers along the way.

You can find your own copy of the tour map at Visitors Centers in town, but I picked mine up at a local breakfast diner I frequent called The Eye Opener (Read reviews here.) in Sunnyslope–a neighborhood which has its own history that is not featured in this guide. (You’ll see mention of Sunnyslope again in this blog very soon. Stay tuned.) I also found this real estate site where you can order a copy as well. It’s free.

A few things you might be interested to know:

Architectural styles have varied considerably in Phoenix since territorial days of the late 1880s, when some people were still living in tent houses. Of course, we went through the Victorian era, and you can see remnants of that at Heritage Square.

Bungalows were popular here in the early 1900s. We had the Classic, Craftsman and California styles. Between 1915 and 1940, an eclectic mix of homes were built, including Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Pueblo Revival and others.

English Tudor homes and cottages, with their gable dormers, leaded glass windows and large chimneys also appeared at that time, as did the Cape Cod.

World War II brought military families to Phoenix, and with them, The Ranch Era. You can find great examples of these ranch homes in more than 15 of the neighborhoods listed, many of the homes now remodeled. The area surrounding Encanto Park is home to many ranch-style houses.

Encanto is west of one of my favorite districts in Phoenix called Willo. Located south of McDowell between Central and 7th Avenue, this historic neighborhood includes a wonderful mix of Tudor style homes, Spanish Revival, Bungalows and Ranch Era homes. The majority of the construction here, according to the driving guide, took place during the 1920s and ’30s. The earliest development happened closest to McDowell Road.

If you’re interested in historic homes, this map might be exactly what you need on your next visit to downtown Phoenix.

(Photo taken by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Visitors who post a comment with the answer here will be eligible for a drawing to win Confetti Bubble Bath (grapefruit scented) from The Phoenician Resort & Spa.

Aside from the photos themselves, here are a few hints:

1) The site is part of the National Park Service.

2) It is located within a three-hour drive from Phoenix.

3) The dwellings are open to tours.

4) You can hike up to see them.

5) There is more than one cliff dwelling in the area, and they were built about 1,000 years ago.

In order to have a winner, I must receive at least 10 entrants this week, before Sunday, when the drawing will take place, and the winner announced. Your comment must include the name of the site and the location where it exists. No anonymous entrants allowed. Good luck!

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Also known as the prickly pear, its magenta colored fruit has been used for centuries as a food source. The subtle but sweet tasting fruit is harvested throughout Arizona. At various restaurants, bars and gift shops throughout the state, including in Phoenix, you may see a prickly pear margarita on the menu or candy and jelly made from this cactus fruit on store shelves. At this class, you’ll learn about its nutritional value and get to sample prickly pear punch. Jean will also share recipes from her book.

Because it’s not easy to squeeze the juice out of the cactus, this informal, hour-long class is offered every year at the end of summer when the prickly pear fruit ripen to teach you. The prickly pear’s outer skin is covered in glochids and cactus spines that can be very painful to your hands if you don’t know what you’re doing.

No pre-registration required, and there is no extra charge to take the class. It’s open to all ages.

Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit Class

WHEN: Sept. 1 (Labor Day), 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior. Call 520-689-2811 for the recorded information line.

REGULAR HOURS: Open daily May, June, July & August, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Open daily September through April, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on Christmas Day.

ADMISSION: $7.50, adults; $3, children ages 5-12; children under 5 are free.

Directions: Located off of Highway 60 at Milepost 223, the Arboretum makes a great stop on the way to Globe. You’ll pass the historic copper mining town of Superior first, about an hour east of Phoenix on the Superstition Freeway.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

It’s a pretty common day trip for folks who fly in to Phoenix and want to stay a few extra days. They often decide to go to Sedona to see the red rocks. They want to find a vortex and see what all the fuss is about. Go ahead. Just Google Sedona, and you’ll see what I mean. These photos illustrate a bit of what you’ll see when you get there.

The top two photos were taken while on a yoga hike to the top of Cathedral Rock. The photo on the left is the park at Red Rock Crossing. From the gazebo in the background, you can probably tell a lot of weddings take place there. The photo on the right was taken by my boyfriend on a guided imagery hike we took with Dennis Andres (pictured with me), also known as Mr. Sedona. He’s the author of several books, including What is a Vortex? and Sedona’s Top 10 Hikes. He’d be a great guide to hire if you want to really see what Sedona’s like from the inside out.

Visit the Sedona Chamber of Commerce for more information.

(Photos used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler