The Greatest Game on Grass

It's FBR Open week, one of the Valley's biggest events. Although it may be overshadowed locally, at least a little, this year by the Super Bowl (go Cards!), it still holds title to "The Greatest Game on Grass."

Here are a few tips:

• Tickets are relatively easy to come by. Companies hand them out as perks, and salesmen use them to court clients. If you're in need of a pair, though, check Craigslist, where's there's never a shortage. Of course, you can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster or online at www.fbropen.com, but if you need another option, add them to your grocery list. Tickets are available at local Fry's Marketplace Stores, too.
• Beware what you bring. No weapons, even guns with a permit. No purses bigger than 6" x 6" x 6". No cameras. No radios. And, no cell phones, no exceptions.
• Ironically, you are allowed to bring food and drink as long as it's bottled water and sliced fruit (in a clear bag inside a grocery bag that's carried by hand). That's too much of a pain for me, so I make use of the concession stands. Just be sure your bank account can handle the strain--or is it drain?--if you go that route. Nothing is cheap at the Open.
• There are predominantly two reasons, in my opinion, why people go to the FBR Open: to watch golf or to party. If you're a golf fan, get there early. This has two main advantages. First, you can stake out a good spot to watch your favorite players. Second, you don't have to wade your way through the partiers that congest the area near the entrance.
• If you go to party, I have only one piece of advice--don't drink and drive. Don't even think about it because you're easy pickings. The Scottsdale police are waiting for you...
• Finally, if you're not going to the Open, do yourself a favor and stay off the 101.

Hiking the San Tans

San Tan Mountain Regional Park is an easy hike, but it was enough to make it quite clear just how out of shape I am. I'm actually still recovering (or, at least, my knees are).

I went with my daughters, Kelly and Kim, my good friends and their girls last Saturday afternoon. It was breezy and cool enough to give me goosebumps before we started hiking but wonderful once we began exerting ourselves. We honestly couldn't have asked for better weather. Be sure to bring plenty of water, though, even during the winter, and wear good shoes.

You have two basic options when you chose to hike the San Tans: you can make a loop, of varying length, on relatively flat ground or you can hike up into the mountains. The first time I went, last May, I opted for the flatter, easier trail. I went with Jerry and the girls, and I think we made a loop of about 5 miles. This time, everyone wanted to see the view, so we chose the trail that seemed to go straight up.

The first mile is as easy as hiking gets. There's a little sand from the dry wash, but it's not taxing at all. Continue until the Goldmine Trail ends. If you go left, you can make the nice easy loop. If you go right, it's a steady, rocky climb. The ascent was so steep at parts that we paused to watch a mountain biker navigate the trail. Sure enough, he had to stop, get off his bike and walk part of the way up. I felt a bit vindicated, huffing and puffing as I was.

The view was worth it. While it's not the dramatic view you'll get from the trails at South Mountain, you can see downtown Phoenix. Supposedly, the graves of two miners/hermits are right there, in the general vicinity of the peak. I thought the graves were marked, but I didn't see them. Maybe you just need to know where to look.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park is open Sunday through Thursday, 6am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday, 6am to 10pm. It is shared use, available for hiking, biking and horseback riding. There is a $6 per vehicle entry fee.

Barrett Jackson Car Auction

Oh, the things we do for love! Sure, I bought the tickets, but going to the Barrett Jackson Car Auction was something I did for my husband. Turns out, I had a great time, though, too.

We went on Sunday, Family Day, which only made sense because we went as a family: Jerry, the girls and me. As soon as we entered the show, the girls both received free Matchbox cars and a ticket to the kids' fashion show, where it was suggested that we would probably receive a free t-shirt. We didn't end up going.

Instead, we stayed near the entrance until noon, when Ford unveiled the 2010 Shelby Mustang. (We may have been on the local news.) Then, we started down the aisles, looking at motorcycles, jets, and luxury boats. After purchasing sodas ($3 each), we stepped outside. There, we found the luxury and classic cars Jerry was so eager to see.

My favorite? I have a soft spot for '56 Chevys, my first car after I got my license (in 1985). As we meandered through the rows of auction cars, I kept a lookout for '55s, '56s and '57s, and I saw several wonderful examples, including a red and white one. Still, my favorite had to be the custom Corvette. Based on the 1962 model, this car was sleek and modern. I didn't dare ask how much it was worth because it would have put a quick end to my fantasy. Some day... Right? Okay, maybe not.

One of the day's high points was test driving the 2009 Mustang GT. Yes, they let me drive it although I was a little hesitant about pushing the car too much. No need to worry because after driving the GT you could ride in the Shelby. At first, I was disappointed that they wouldn't let you drive the Shelby, but it actually was for the best. The Ford representative drove faster and stopped harder than I ever would have. If you get the chance to ride in a Shelby, take it!

We planned on watching Robosaur, the car-chewing, fire-breathing metal dinosaur, at 4pm, but the arena was empty when we got there. I'm not exactly sure what time Robosaur was supposed to preform. Maybe, there wasn't even a show that day. I don't know, and I had a hard time finding out anything about it. But, as we stood there, I noticed something else, something that at least seemed as long and massive as Robosaur is tall: a 62 ft. houseboat available for rent at Lake Powell. More details to follow, but it looks like we might be taking a Lake Powell vacation this year.

If you are planning on going to Barrett Jackson this week, here's some advice:

• Wear comfortable shoes. There's a lot of walking.
• Be prepared to spend the day if you really want to experience the event.
• Expect expenses. If you want a drink, including water, it will cost you. Food and alcohol are also available.
• Don't miss the test drives. (Bring your license.)

Chilling in Arizona

I spent my pre-teen and college years in the Midwest, and I certainly don't miss wearing gloves or two pairs of socks with my boots every day. Still, there are times, when I get a little nostalgic about the snow. It's usually about the time my Michigan-raised husband decides he needs to teach our girls what "cold" in the wintertime really means. Luckily for us, we can jump in the car, and in less than three hours be up to our ankles in snow. Here are some of our favorite places to chill:

• Arizona Snowbowl: I don't ski (I drink adult beverages and watch everyone else wipe out), but if I did, this would be my first Arizona ski destination (www.arizonasnowbowl.com). Located just 7 miles north of Flagstaff, the Snowbowl offers skiers and snowboarders 32 scenic trails in the San Francisco Peaks. My advice is to hit the slopes early. When the parking lots on the mountain fill up, late skiers are turned away. Lifts operate from 9 am to 4 pm, weather permitting. Ticket windows open earlier, 8:30 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends and holidays.
• Flagstaff Nordic Center: Cross-country skiing is more my style. The Flagstaff Nordic Center (www.flagstaffnordiccenter.com) offers 25 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. If you're a foodie, don't miss the center’s annual Eat, Drink and Ski Merry event where participants dine on a 3-course meal and sip wine on the trails.
• Highway 180: If you want to build snowmen, make snow angels, or sled, there are several areas along Highway 180, beginning just south of the Snowbowl turnoff. The Wing Mountain Snowplay Area (www.snowplayaz.com) charges a $10 per vehicle use fee and offers equipment sales, hot drinks, snacks and restrooms. The other four locations offer free parking but are more limited.
• Fort Tuthill County Park/Mormon Lake Lodge: Fort Tuthill is located two miles south of Flagstaff and allows visitors to play in the snow, snow shoe and cross country ski. No sledding, though. Mormon Lake Lodge is further away, 40 miles east of Flagstaff, but you can rent snowmobiles and cross country ski here .
• Elkridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation: This recreation area offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. I haven't been before (Williams is a long drive from Queen Creek), but the tubing looks like a blast. Check it out on their website www.elkridgeski.com.
• Sunrise Park Resort: Sunrise (www.sunriseskipark.com) is the White Mountains' skiing destination. There's skiing, cross country skiing, sledding and sleigh rides. This is probably where I'll end up going to tube; rentals are $8 at the Sunrise General Store.
• Payson: Our winter trip usually takes us to Payson and the Mogollon Rim (www.paysonrimcountry.com). It's the snow closest to us--that's the main reason we choose Payson--but it's also more of a drive than a destination. You can pull off to the side of the road, play in the snow, and then jump back into the car and continue your drive. Just make sure you have good tires and snow chains, if necessary. If you are looking to do some sledding, Payson has a good area just north of town on 260. A word of warning: Bring winter gear, including sleds, with you. We've stopped at the Payson WalMart in the past to buy sleds and gloves only to learn they sold out weeks before.
• Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley: Located in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Mt Lemmon is the southernmost ski destination in the United States. It takes about an hour to get to Ski Valley from Tucson. You can drive up Mt. Lemmon and spend time in the snow at recreation areas along the way, but be prepared to pay the Coronado National Forest's $5 day use fee. For more information, call 520-576-1400.

I know there are other great places in Arizona to enjoy the snow, but I think I've covered the major ones. I'd love to hear from anyone that knows of a hidden gem or some unique way to enjoy Arizona's winter.

New Title

Just a short blog today to explain the new title... I started this blog as Great Escapes in Arizona, mainly because it fit with my book, Great Escapes Arizona (available online and at Barnes & Noble). After a few entries, though, I think The AZ Traveler better describes what I'm trying to do here. I want to give readers a local's perspective on travel in Arizona, yes, but I want to be able to also comment on trips throughout the Southwest.

Arabian Horse Show Open House

I regularly attend the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, held every February at WestWorld. The horses are beautiful, and Kelly and Kim, my 12-year-old and 9-year-old daughters, still enjoy walking through the barns there and petting their favorites. It's a first-rate event, and Scottsdale, widely recognized as "the world capital of the Arabian horse," is home to several of the breed's best stables.

A few weeks ago, I saw that ArabHorse.com was hosting an Arabian Farm Tour Event. Thirteen local Arabian stables would hold open houses, free to the public, December 26th through January 3rd. It seemed like a perfect precursor to the Arabian Horse Show, and I hoped it would allow us to get even closer to the horses and learn more about them. Unfortunately, we didn't get to pet any of them, but it was still worth the hour-long drive from Queen Creek to see these incredibly beautiful animals.

I procrastinated and waited until yesterday, the last day, to go. That left the girls and I with three possible open houses to attend. We chose Terry Holmes Arabians because it was the first one to open its doors that day. I was a little disappointed that the horses were all tied in their stalls, just out of reach. We settled for walking through the open air stable until someone affiliated with the program rushed by to encourage us to have a snack (sandwiches, champagne and other drinks) and gather around the arena. Within minutes, the show began. One by one, Terry Holmes led his horses into the arena and turned them loose to run. Most, if not all, were for sale at prices I knew I could never afford. Still, it was fun to watch and pretend that maybe some day I could buy one of the yearlings or broodmares I saw.

The Arabian Farm Tour Event is not the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. If you have to chose between one or the other, pony (so to speak) up and buy tickets for the horse show. But, if you can't get enough or if you're on a budget, the Arabian Farm Tour Event is a good option.

Five Things to Experience in 2009

Happy New Year!

I'm trying to organize my desk and office today (a New Year's Resolution), and in the process, I began jotting down places to go and things to do in 2009. Here are my top five:

1. Desert Botanical Garden: If you haven't already seen Chihuly: The Nature of Glass at the Desert Botanical Garden, go. Elegant and awe-inspiring, the works of Dale Chihuly are best seen, I think, at night, when they bathe the gardens in glowing blues, reds, purples, oranges and yellows. It's worth the $15 adult admission and chilly night air. Of course, you can go during the day, but don't put your trip off for too long. The exhibition ends May 31, 2009.
2. Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium: The Wildlife World Zoo is now the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium. The aquarium portion opened on December 20th, so I haven't had a chance yet to visit, but I've always enjoyed the zoo here and have high hopes for its aquarium. They've also added a Log Flume ride as part of the expansion. Can't wait to try that out!
3. Western Winter Blast XX: Fireworks in February! The Western Pyrotechnic Association holds its annual convention over President's Day Weekend (February 11-15, 2009) in Lake Havasu City. This year marks their 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, the WPA will offer not one but TWO public firework shows. Western Winter Blast is not your typical display. Except to be dazzled by the best of the pyrotechnic best. Note: Arrive early at SARA Park if you want onsite seating.
4. Light Rail: Service began on December 27th with a "starter segment" running from 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road to Sycamore and Main Streets in Mesa. It's probably not going to be convenient for most people, most of the time, but it's worth the ride, at least once, to a Suns or Diamondbacks game. I plan to go while the interior still smells new-ish and is relatively graffiti-free.
5. Arizona's Wineries: If you've never sipped glass of Arizona-produced wine, 2009 is the perfect year to discover why the state's wineries are creating a buzz at the national level. Recently, Arizona wines have been highly rated by The Wine Spectator, praised by renowned wine critic Robert Parker and even served at the White House. The Arizona Wine Growers Association Web site, www.arizonawine.org, lists vineyard locations, tasting room hours and maps. I plan to make a trip myself soon. Maybe I'll see you there!