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

_chosen a hybrid vehicle, the Yukon, over the Hummer, to transport guests from the hotel to the golf course and equestrian center.

_stopped buying Arrowhead and now use water that is bottled on the Gila River Reservation (where the resort is located) to decrease the carbon footprint.

_contracted with Arizona Pacific Pulp and Paper to pick up items that can be recycled.

I’m impressed. But does that make you want to stay at this resort?

Post a comment below–TODAY–and I’ll enter you in a contest to win that Bubblebath I still want to give away. If more than 10 people post TODAY, I’ll add a Phoenix logo item–a cover for your luggage handle–which makes it more comfortable to carry heavy loads. No limits on the bubblebath, though. One person, one comment, will be enough for that.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

You can see it for yourself right here.

The site compiles the “best the web has to offer. That’s cool, and I’m honored to be tagged. Does that make me an “it” girl now?

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

A note posted on the Havasupai Tribe’s Web site says “Supai is closed until further notice.” They expect it may take up to four weeks to repair the damage to trails, bridges and more that was caused by the flash flooding on Sunday. If you had reservations to hike or camp in Havasu Canyon, including down to the falls, call the tribe’s tourism office: 928-448-2121 or 928-448-2141. At this time, the area is closed to tourists. Also, if you do call the tourism office, be aware that the phone lines are extremely busy. No one was answering today, and the voice mailbox was full. Be patient.

The good news is, said Shannon Marcak, a public affairs representative at the Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP), tourism has NOT been affected at the federal park. If you have reservations at Phantom Ranch or anywhere else on GCNP grounds, they are still good. The park, facilities at the park, and roads to the park are all open.

Although the entire region was hit by rain and thunder, the flooding that occurred at the Grand Canyon on Sunday did not happen anywhere inside the park. The flooding actually occurred in Havasu Canyon, which is a tributary or side canyon of the Grand Canyon and is NOT on federal land; however, it is on tribal land. 

“Most people do not understand that the Grand Canyon is larger than the park itself,” Marcak said.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

To make this kind of long weekend even more affordable, book a suite or a room with a mini kitchen and stock up on food items to save on your dining-out costs. Not that you skip dining out altogether, but plan to hang out at the resort pool and bring your own picnic meal with you once or twice. Or, skip room service and microwave a meal or two. You can find good buys and vacation-ready meals in Phoenix–and other locations in Arizona, Southern California and Nevada–at the new Fresh & Easy neighborhood markets. They’ve been springing up all over Phoenix this past year.

My boyfriend and daughter both had been raving about them, and I finally got my chance to step inside of one recently to check things out. Sure enough, I left the store, spending nearly $150 on fresh-made meals that I’ve been munching on all week long. From fresh organic fruit to homemade meals that I’ve just popped in the microwave, I’ve saved a bundle on what would normally be my dining out dollars.

I brought home macaroni & cheese, meatballs, fresh pasta and sauces, and a host of other homemade items . Plus, I found a decent supply of toiletries. The stores are compact enough that you won’t get lost in the aisles, and your choices aren’t so many that you won’t be able to decide.

Even better, I was able to pick up some really good wines for less than $10 each. One of my new favorites is a Pinot Grigio Prosecco–a light sparkling wine that I can see would serve a couple well on the balcony of a hotel overlooking a garden, pool or city view. If you like reds, you can bring home any number of bargain-priced–and award-winning–wines, including the Hilltown Sauvignon Blanc or the South American Malbec from Recoleta that is made exclusively for Fresh & Easy. I suggest tossing a bottle in your backpack and taking a hike through the resort property of your choice until you find the perfect spot to pop the cork and enjoy.

If you’re planning your affordable staycation in Phoenix, here is a list of Fresh & Easy stores that may be near you:

Dysart & Thomas, Avondale

107th Ave. & Thomas, Avondale

Alma School & Elliot Rd., Chandler

Ray & Kyrene, Chandler

Higley & Guadalupe, Gilbert

Higley & Ray, Gilbert

59th Avenue & Olive, Glendale

Alma School & University, Mesa

Brown & Recker, Mesa

Crismon & Guadalupe, Mesa

Apache Trail & Ellsworth, Mesa

Stapley & McKellips, Mesa

Sossaman & Southern, Mesa

12th Street & Northern, Phoenix

19th Avenue & Baseline, Phoenix

32nd Street & Greenway, Phoenix

35th Avenue & Greenway, Phoenix

Frank Lloyd Wright & Shea, Scottsdale

And soon to open: 7th Street & Thunderbird, Phoenix

(Photo used with permission by Fresh & Easy, provided by its marketing firm, Wagstaff Worldwide.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

FLAGSTAFF: First Friday Art Walk, August 1 – The free outdoor event downtown features selected artists from a 40-artist co-operative, a map to other galleries, and refreshments and munchies. Begin at the Artists Gallery, 17 N. San Francisco St., 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. 928-773-0958.

PHOENIX: Artlink First Fridays, August 1 – This free self-guided art tour of central Phoenix, galleries, art spaces and studios takes place on the first Friday of each month. Free shuttle rides move you easily from neighborhood to neighborhood. A popular spot is at Roosevelt and Grand. A good place to begin, park your car and grab a brochure (with shuttle bus schedule) is at the Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. 602-256-7539.

JEROME: Jerome Art Walk, August 2 – Visit more than 30 of the unique art studios and galleries, meet the artists and see handcrafted art including jewelry, pottery, glass, leatherwork, clothing, paintings, sculpture and more, made both locally and internationally. Parking can be difficult in this hillside town. It’s a good idea to print out the “First Saturdays” brochure here and plan your walking route before you go. Free, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

PRESCOTT: 4th Friday Art Walk Weekend, August 22 – Fifteen galleries stay open late every weekend, beginning Friday, 5 p.m. The free event includes food, musical entertainment, artist receptions and painting demonstrations at venues along Whiskey Row and beyond. A favorite is Van Gogh’s Ear, 156 B S. Montezuma St.

BONUS: For even more art walk fun, Scottsdale galleries host art walk tours weekly on Thursday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Within a cliff-shaded alcove between the mountain and guestroom buildings, along the property’s northern edge, Keating’s landscapers made use of the vegetation naturally present in Arizona. They also transplanted more than 200 varieties of cacti and succulents from around the world–mostly from South America. Now a Starwood Hotels property, the resort offers free guided tours of the Cactus Garden three times a week to guests.

Take the tour, and you’ll learn why more thorns grow at the top of a Saguaro than on its body (to act as protection from animals digging into it for shelter). You’ll see unusual plant life, including the South African Zulu Giant, also known as the Carrion plant, (It’s a tiny stem-shaped succulent that grows on the ground in clusters, producing grapefruit-sized, mauve-colored star-shaped blooms.). And you may want to return on your own for the color kaleidoscope of blue, red and green that lights up the prickly space after dusk. The two-acre patch of desert scrub, small-leaf trees and granite meanders along a flagstone path north of the resort’s entrance waterfall. Just look for the steps, and watch out for rattlesnakes. For details, visit www.thephoencian.com.

Tip: You don’t have to stay overnight at the hotel to get the tour. If you make a lunch reservation, you can request a tour as well. Or, just do the self-guided one on your own.

(Pictured in the photo above is a not-too-secret amenity at the resort–a Allan Houser sculpture. It is part of one of the Southwest’s largest collections, which includes more than 11 of his works on the grounds. This particular sculpture, named Desert Harvest, is located in the center of the garden, behind the grand stairway . Photo used with permission by The Phoenician Resort.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

So, I left my usual asphalt, canal bank and grass behind to drive 45 minutes east of my house in north Phoenix for more challenging trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Scottsdale. If you’ve never done this before, I recommend a guide, especially if you don’t know what to expect…injuries, for example.

I met Bernard Philippe from Arizona Outback Adventures at he park before the sun rose and was happy to see I’d get some one-on-one. I figured I’d need all the help I could get to maneuver my rented—I didn’t want to haul my basic Trek 4300 across town—full-suspension two-wheeler over rocky gravel, steep hills and loose sand. I wasn’t used to riding on anything worth the indemnity clause this trip required, which made me wonder, Is safety out of the question?  

Not totally, I soon found out, when they outfitted me with a helmet, gloves and a quick lesson on how and when to switch gears. I practiced riding around the parking lot before we left the trailhead for what turned out to be about a five-mile adventure in the foothills.

We started off on a slow and steady climb, hit some flats, a few quick descents, and then…sand. “Pedal through it, or you’ll get stuck,” Bernard told me. But anxiety dragged me to a halt and a crunchy skid, which echoed like a warning to the hillside. On whose behalf, I couldn’t be sure. All I knew was this rule: stay on trail.

Got it!

For the first half of the ride, shaky nerves kept me from moving very fast. That, and the fact that my knees were nearly scraping my chin as I pedaled. I was told I’d need to readjust my seat.

After I did that, the ride got easier. I got used to the gears and found my center of gravity. When Bernard told me to pedal faster or offered a panicked “thumps up” shift command, I did as I was told. I even relaxed enough to stand up when it helped.

But when he told me to avoid using my breaks on the final downhill portion of the ride, I ignored his advice and trusted my own judgment, instead. This is supposed to be “fast and fun,” he yelled out from behind. But I saw the approaching switchbacks and felt the logs poking out of the ground underneath me. I pretty much red-lighted it all the way back to the trailhead. For me, slow was the better partner on this part of the course.

Next time, I’ll think about speed. And there will be a next time.

If you’d like to ride with a guide in Phoenix—and I recommend them for beginning trail riders—here are three choices:

~Arizona Outback Adventures in Scottsdale;

~360 Adventures in Phoenix; and

~Detours of Arizona in Phoenix.

(Photo above is used with permission by the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Summer Band Concerts: Historic Downtown Glendale, every Thursday evening during July, beginning at 8 p.m. The concerts take place at the Murphy Park Amphitheatre at 58th and Glendale avenues. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, and cash so you can purchase refreshments. This event makes a great first date or family outing. It also brings you to what is billed as a great antique shopping area. Plan on coming this way a few hours early to test that theory out for yourself or to dine at one of the downtown restaurants. Call 623-930-2820 for more information.

Scottsdale ArtWalk: Scottsdale Arts District, every Thursday evening, all year long, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Aside from special events, this is the only evening during the week when you’ll find these galleries open. Southwestern art. Cowboy art. Contemporary. It’s all represented. Come and enjoy the artist receptions and demonstrations. Call 480-990-3939 to learn more. 

Summer Concert Series: Kierland Commons, 15205 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale, every Saturday evening during the summer, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. The concerts are staged in the center plaza at this upscale outdoor shopping center. The Groove Merchants, a local R&B band that specializes in horns, plays on July 19. Bring the entire family, but arrive early to get seats. Call 480-348-1577 for updated schedules.

Silent Sundays: South Mountain Park, Phoenix, once a month, 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Located at the end of Central Avenue in South Phoenix, all Central Avenue access roadways to the park are closed to motorized traffic one Sunday a month, so hikers, bikers and joggers can recreate without interference. For the remainder of the summer, the dates are as follows: July 27 and August 24. Guided interpretive programs take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This might be a great day for an evening hike. You can see if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the blooming Deer-Horn cactus; they bloom only one night in June or July. Call 602-534-6324 for more details.

(Photo: Saguaros at Jewel of the Creek, Cave Creek, by Jackie Dishner)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Since I live in a city surrounded by mountains–a few with restaurants high up on a hill–it’s my preference to go there. If you can get a reservation, here are a few picks:

My favorite, because I live nearby, is the outdoor patio at a Different Pointe of View. Across the street from North Mountain on 7th Street, the restaurant sits on top of what we call the Tapatio Cliffs. From this vantage point, you can order a glass of wine, a few appetizers, and watch several sets of fireworks, including what’s happening in downtown Phoenix. Since this is a fine dining establishment, it could be an expensive night.

My second pick is less pricey and located on the opposite end of town. Near South Mountain, there’s an Old West-style restaurant called Rustler’s Rooste. It’s a steak house, really, with great BBQ, homemade pie and Country & Western line dancing. The place has been around since 1971, and people still love to bring their families there to sit outside on the patio and watch the stars, or the fireworks, and especially now, during this time of year, the lightening streaks that span the night sky as a thunder storm brews. Fun tip: After the fireworks end, be sure to try the tin slide. From the top floor lounge, it takes you right down into the dining room.

If fireworks isn’t your thing at all, you can still celebrate the 4th by helping out a friend of mine. Kay McDonald is the entreprenuer behind Charity Charms. Since 2005, she’s combined her love of jewelry with her philanthropic heart to create beautiful sterling silver charms and jewelry that charities use to raise funds for their projects.

She now represents 40 different charities, and you can see the list online. For each, she’s helped create a different logo charm that you can order from the Web site. Her work has helped raise around $700,000 so that these non-profits can further their work to help the homeless, protect pets, take care of sick children, and so much more.

She also created a unique gift idea for today’s holiday: the Patriot Pendant Necklace. For each purchase, you can expect 25 percent of the total purchase cost to go to the charity of your choice.

Happy 4th!
Jackie
   

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler