Arizona Quarterly Roundup

On the Road in Arizona

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. October 14, 2008

DECEMBER 18, 2006. Arizona is a land of beauty, history and...weird things? Yes, the Grand Canyon State has all of these things along its roadways, which truly makes the journey just as enjoyable as the destination. Here are a few places to check out:

Scenic Roads-With 23 designated Scenic Roads crisscrossing the state, you're never far from a relaxing and picturesque drive. In the northern part of the state, favorites include Kayenta-Monument Valley Scenic Road and Red Rock Scenic Road, both of which wind through fascinating rock formations. In the southern half, enjoy the rugged Sonoran Desert scenery along Apache Trail Historic Road and the high desert terrain on Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road in Arizona's wine country. For a full listing of the Scenic Roads in Arizona, go to www.arizonascenicroads.com.

Route 66-Cutting across northern Arizona, from the border with California to the border with New Mexico, there is never a dull moment on this famed stretch of road. From the wild burros roaming the streets of Oatman in the west to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert in the east, there is so much to see and do along the way. Some favorites include: the distinctly Route 66 feel of the Hackberry General Store, the delicious Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, unique attraction Meteor Crater and the lovingly refurbished La Posada Hotel in Winslow.

Strange stops-What better to break up a long drive than something funny, interesting and maybe a little weird? Arizona has kitschy collections of fun roadside entertainment in every corner of the state. From "The Thing" just off Interstate 10 southeast of Tucson (sorry, we can't tell you what "The Thing" is!) to the original London Bridge located in Lake Havasu City, there's always something to look forward to on the road ahead. Take, for example, the large grove of date trees that rise out of the desert east of Yuma and the unique date shakes drivers can stop to enjoy, or the mysterious rock painted like a frog (since the 1920s) along highway 89 southwest of Prescott. Keep your eyes open or you'll miss something!

Make your journey in Arizona a driving one. The diversity, beauty and excitement will amaze kids of all ages. To plan your Arizona driving tour, go to www.arizonaguide.com.

Interesting Upcoming Events

FEBRUARY

1-28 FLAGSTAFF: 21st Annual Winterfest - features more than 100 events including x-country & downhill skiing, winter sports, ice skating, snow sculpture, snow softball, parade, concerts, theater, art shows, historic tours, workshops & winter star gazing, 800-842-7293 or www.flagstaffarizona.org

2-4 GLENDALE: 13th Annual Chocolate Affaire - Murphy Park, a festival of chocolate & romance, gourmet cuisine & beverage, horse drawn carriage rides, national entertainment and tours of Cerreta's Candy Company, free, 623-930-2299 or www.visitglendale.com

2-4 SIERRA VISTA: 15th Annual Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering - Buena Performing Arts Center, family-oriented celebration of Western culture, history and folklore presented through the song and verse of real cowboys, more than 50 artists will perform at three headliner shows on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 pm and Sunday matinee at 1 pm, free thematic shows are Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $6-17, 520-249-2511 or 800-288-3861 or www.cowboypoets.com

10-11 CAMP VERDE: 7th Annual Pecan/Wine & Antique Festival - Community Center, antique show, pecan bake off, hay ride to a working pecan farm, spinning and blacksmith demonstrations, wine tasting from Arizona wineries, $5 for antiques, $10 for antiques & wine tasting, Fri noon - 6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 928-567-0535 or www.cvaz.org

MARCH

2-4 CAREFREE: 12th Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival - Downtown, wine tasting event featuring first class wines from all over the world, live musical entertainment, gourmet food, fine arts, unique shops, restaurants, $2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 480-837-5637 or www.thunderbirdartists.com

3-4 AJO: Season of Tradition - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, members of the Tohono O'odham Nation and others share their culture with a series of cultural demonstrations, such as pottery making, basket making, native plant use, storytelling, dry land farming and others, free, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 520-387-6849 ext 7304 or www.nps.gov/orpi

8 SCOTTSDALE: Girl's Night Out Shopping Extravaganza - WestWorld, more than 70 exhibitors to ultra-pamper yourself with the utmost in super-fab finds in beauty & fashion, find fashion forward apparel, fashion accessories, handbags, belts, exquisite jewelry, cosmetics, skin care, hair care, bath, body & spa products, unique gifts and more, www.girlsnightoutaz.com

9-11 CHANDLER: 19th Annual Ostrich Festival - Tumbleweed Regional Park, ostrich races, carnival rides, exotic petting zoo, international food, national & regional entertainment, interactive kid's area, parade, $5-7, Fri. 4p.m. -midnight, Sat 10 a.m. - midnight, Sun noon - 11 p.m., 480-963-4571 or www.ostrichfestival.com

10-11 TEMPE: Great Arizona Beer Festival - Tempe Town Lake, features 250+ brews, food & non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment, benefits Sun Sounds, $25-30, 2-6 p.m., 480-968-7559 or 602-271-4000 or www.sunsounds.org or www.azbeer.com

30 PHOENIX: Agave on the Rocks - Desert Botanical Gardens, enjoy sipping on a variety of flavored margaritas, southwest and Mexican cuisine prepared by the Valley's leading restaurants, and the great sounds of mariachi, salsa and marimba, must be 21 years of age or older to attend, includes two margaritas in a commemorative glass, reservations required, $60-65, 6 p.m., 480-941-1225 or www.dbg.org

What's New

Boulders Transforms into First All-Organic Resort in the United States

With an organic menu, cooking class and produce already available, The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa recently began its transformation into an all-organic resort. The resort offers Scottsdale's first all natural farmers market on Fridays at the adjacent el Pedregal festival marketplace. The market experience includes musical performances and chef demonstrations in addition to farm-fresh produce. Resort guests can drop off their market purchases at The Boulders' restaurant, where they can enjoy their hand-selected produce incorporated into a gourmet meal that evening. The resort also offers a new series of spa cooking classes - Light and Easy Cooking Classes. These two-hour interactive classes, offered on the first Saturday of every month (excluding the summer), focus on healthful organic cooking and are open to both area residents and resort guests.

In October, the resort will debut its 5,280-square-foot all organic garden featuring eight elevated planter box areas separated by a flowing water feature down the middle. Each plot will grow vegetables such as lettuce, carrots, celery, and heirloom tomatoes, as well as a variety of herbs and edible flowers. A fragrant orchard of various citrus trees like grapefruit, orange, lemon, and lime will line the five walls of the garden's perimeter. Guests of the all-organic luxury resort will be able to enjoy an unforgettable al fresco dining experience, whether its dinner set against the backdrop of a stunning, one-of-a-kind Sonoran Desert sunset, or a relaxing, midday meal as part of the Enlightened Garden Lunch program. Diners participating in the program will feast on meals consisting of fresh-picked produce while learning more about cooking with the organic goods from the resort's chefs. The Boulders' master gardener will also provide educational garden tours, while organic cooking demonstrations and interactive classes will be held in the Golden Door Spa chef demonstration kitchen.

In April 2006, The Boulders Resort hired Chef Wendy Little as the resort's new chef de cuisine. Chef Wendy brings more than 14 years of experience in organic cooking to the resort and already has implemented an all-organic menu at the resort's signature award-winning restaurant, Latilla. Also in April, the resort's Golden Door Spa introduced a new Organic Wine List. A new spa sommelier will guide spa-goers in their choice of wine, taking into account personal tastes and food pairings. For more information, visit www.TheBoulders.com or call (800) 553-1717. For media information only, contact Debora Bridges at [email protected] or (602) 381-7771.

Grand Opening of Sonoita Creek State Natural Area

Sonoita Creek State Natural Area recently celebrated its Grand Opening. Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, in partnership with Arizona Game and Fish, encompasses nearly 9,000 acres and has been set aside to protect the unique riparian habitat of Sonoita Creek and its watershed. Low impact recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife watching are available along the 20-mile trail system. In addition, the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area visitor center is offering guided bird and natural history hikes, presentations, kids programs and pontoon boat tours. Sonoita Creek State Natural Area is located near Patagonia Lake State Park at 400 Lake Patagonia Road between the towns of Nogales and Patagonia, off Highway 82.For more information call (520) 287-2791. For media information only, contact Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518 or [email protected].

Arizona-Sonora Region Signs First Bi-National Geotourism Charter

The states of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico have come together to sign a National Geographic Geotourism Charter, marking the first bi-national effort that National Geographic has undertaken.

As part of National Geographic's program to increase knowledge about sustainable tourism and destination stewardship, the Southern Arizona and Sonora region was selected as the subject of this latest venture. Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. The project, part of a collaboration with the Sonora and Arizona Offices of Tourism, the Bureau of Land Management and the Sonoran Institute, will include the creation of a Geotourism map, associated Web site and interactive Web maps that encompass both cultural and environmental concerns regarding travel as well as the impact tourism has on local communities and their individual economies and lifestyles. Go to www.nationalgeographic.com for more. For media information only, contact Jacki Mieler at [email protected]

Hiking Arizona with Goats

Featured in Arizona Highways as a one-of-a-kind outfitting company, Purple Mountain Pack Goats plans and guides day hikes and camping trips on the trails and sky islands of southeastern Arizona. Enjoy excellent food, a knowledgeable guide, and friendly goats carry the load. Purple Mountain is one of only two groups in the country that operate under Special Use Permit with the national forests. Join tour owner, operator and guide, Tom DiMaggio and experience breathtaking country, fine outdoor dining and a pack of four-legged, eco-friendly hiking partners! For more information, call 520-403-4056 or visit http://members.aol.com/azpackgoat.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club opened second course this month

The award-winning We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, located in the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, just opened a second course, which was designed by the golf course architectural team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The team was chosen from among 15 course architects. Coore and Crenshaw also designed Talking Stick Golf Club's North and South courses on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The new course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, the Saguaro course, is located north of the existing Scott Miller-designed Cholla course that opened in 2001 and was named one of the top 10 new courses in the world by Sports Illustrated magazine. For more information, visit www.wekopa.com or call (866) 660-7700. For media information only, contact Rob Myers at [email protected] or (480) 348-7540.

Did you know...?

Arizona has the world's largest stand of Ponderosa pine trees. That's a lot of tree decorating.