The Phoenix Traveler

Today’s my last day to post here at The Phoenix Traveler. I’m moving on to different projects. It’s been great to have a space to share with you my tips and insights about Phoenix travel and beyond.

I’ll be resurrecting myself in a new travel blog featuring backroads travel–and maybe a second one dealing with budget travel–within the next few months. You can stay tuned and find out how my Arizona guidebook is coming along and future travels via Twitter (My ID is bikelady.). My first book, Backroads & Byways of Arizona will be out by Countryman Press in late 2009.

Also, be sure to stop by and visit me at BIKEWITHJACKIE where I post messages about personal growth and development. Need inspiring messages? You can find them there.

Even if Phoenix isn’t your destination, I wish you many safe journeys ahead.

All my best,

Jackie Dishner

Are you a fan of Cardinals football? Do you want to see them win Superbowl 2009 next month? Can you even believe the team reached that level? Amazing! And such exciting news for Arizona.

If you’re a fan, if you want to show your true spirit and be all the fan you know you can be–or help someone else attain that level of loyalty–consider spreading the good luck with a gift from Charity Charms. Any piece in the specially-designed Cardinals Charities Logo Charms and Jewelry collection would be perfect. The company sells charms, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, keychains, cufflinks, and more.

Buy one and you’ll not only up your fan status, but your purchase puts dollars where it counts. A portion of the proceeds benefits programs designed to improve the quality of life and enhance opportunities for children, women, and minorities in Arizona. Cardinals charities include:

Each of these charities listed, by the way, also have their own logo charms created by the company. For any Cardinals products purchase, just be sure to use this promocode when you order online: GoCards.

Shop by January 26 in order to be able to don your jewelry by game day on February 1.

SPECIAL: There’s a free football charm waiting for you if you purchase more than $125 worth of jewelry before supplies run out.

You can visit Charity Charms by appointment at 4225 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, or call 602-615-3200.

Go Cardinals!

(Photo above used with permission by Charity Charms.)

The Navajo people believe they walk in beauty. Perhaps that’s why they are the stewards of the land on which sit these familiar rock formations in the picture above. It was taken at Monument Valley–the place where John Ford filmed many a Western movie, including a classic, “The Searchers,” and “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” It’s also the place where Tom Hanks ended his long run in the movie, “Forrest Gump”. The on-site trading post offers a list that includes about 50 movies that were filmed on location here.

I took the photo above of the red sandstone formations called Merrick Butte and the East Mitten (smaller formation) at dusk from the second floor patio of my room at the newly opened resort hotel on the reservation. Called The VIEW, every room has a vantage point like this one. It’s the only hotel in the park. And aside from Gouldings Lodge, which is in Utah, The VIEW is the most comfortable place to stay in the area. You can also camp here year-round.

Part of the Colorado Plateau, the park just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. It’s the most visited tribal park on Navajo Nation. It’s here where you’ll be able to see up close the red buttes, mesas, canyons and free standing rock formations that is captured on film by numbers unimaginable every year.

It’s also still home to Navajos who live inside the park. You’ll see scattered homesites as you drive through. Except for at the hotel, there is no running water or electricity, so the people can honor their traditional beliefs. They live in traditional hogans, ride horses, herd sheep, weave rugs, and make silver jewelry. They haul water, cook over a campfire, and light up rooms with kerosene lanterns. You may consider this a primitive lifestyle, but they consider it “the way to walk in harmony with the earth.”

This stop was but one of many on my recent four-day journey by car across Navajo-Hopi land, covering as many as 17 hours of driving time on Arizona backroads. It was an amazing trip, with sightseeing beyond my wildest dreams. From my perspective, winter’s the best time to go, as the Reservations are nearly vacant of visitors. And you won’t be mobbed by roadside traders; they don’t frequent the area this time of the year. But for others, you may not like the cold, and you may want to see the Navajo and Hopi craftsmen. If that’s you, save your trip for warmer days.

Aside from the cooler weather (Bring hats, coats, and gloves if you plan to go anytime soon.), the fewer people around, especially at Monument Valley, means you get the landscape mostly to yourself. You can spend as much time as you like photographing the different rock formations without worrying about other tourists getting in front of your camera lens. From sunrise to sunset, the colors change with the light, making it next to impossible to see the same image twice or shoot a bad photograph.

See that strip of white in the center of my photograph above?  That’s the road into the memorable Valley. It looks so smooth from far away. But that’s absolutely not the case when you’re up close, driving on top of it. It’s a bumpy dirt road that winds around 17 miles of self-driven scenery. Take it slow. Not just so you can enjoy the visuals before you, but so you can salvage your car for the drive back home to Phoenix. It’ll take less than two hours to drive the entire route, including stops.

One of the more surprising things I learned from this trip is just how close the Navajo Nation really is from Phoenix. I always imagined it so far away. But you can get to Monument Valley by car in less than six hours.

Once there, we saw someone drive in with a Volkswagen Beetle, but I suggest bringing a high-clearance vehicle, instead. If you don’t have a high-clearance vehicle, the drive to get there is fine without one. The roads are paved until you get to the park. But do consider hiring a Navajo guide to take you on a tour. You’ll learn more and see more that way. Guides can take you places you’re not allowed to tour on your own. For instance, at Monument Valley, you’ll get to see Mystery Valley–not part of the self-guided tour–which includes Anasazi ruins and petroglyphs.

TIP: On your way, consider stopping off at the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum in Tuba City. It’ll be a great way to get an overview of the Navajo way of life. 

MONUMENT VALLEY TRIBAL PARK

Where: Located in Navajo Nation on the northern Arizona and southern Utah borders. To get there from Phoenix, take I-17 north to SR 89 to Tuba City/Cameron. Exit on US 160 E to Kayenta. In Kayenta, turn left onto SR 163. Follow the signs to the park entrance about 22 miles ahead. It’ll be on your right.

Park Fee: $10 for up to 6 people in a car

Information: www.navajonationparks.org

Where to stay: The VIEW Hotel

Navajo Guide: Trail Handlers Tours

NOTE: Tomorrow will be my last day to post here at The Phoenix Traveler. I’m moving on to different projects. You can stay tuned and find out about my Arizona guidebook publishing date and future travels via Twitter (My ID is bikelady.) and also by reading my posts at BIKEWITHJACKIE. It’s been great to share with you my tips and insights about Phoenix travel and beyond. Please stay in touch.

(Photo above used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Game day’s this coming Sunday, Jan. 18. It’s the Arizona Cardinals playing the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFL’s NFC Championship. Do you know where you’re going to watch it?

If you haven’t purchased your tickets by now, you should know the game is sold out. You won’t be seeing this game at The University of Phoenix Stadium, not unless you pay big, big bucks and buy your tickets on the street or e-Bay.

Since you know this is the most important thing to happen to the Arizona Cardinals since, well, since forever, you probably don’t want to miss this game. And you probably want to watch it in a party-like atmosphere. So grab your buddies, your family, anyone who cares, and get thee to a sports bar this Sunday before 1 p.m., MST.

Still not sure where to go? Here’s a short list of affordable locations where you can take the entire family:

Zipps Sports Grill, near Kierland, 6501 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale. 

Bring the kids; it’s family-friendly, and the burger’s are good. At half-time, you can play billiards or shuffleboard. If the weather’s nice, the outside patio also has big screen TVs. There’s five other locations in the Valley if this one isn’t close enough to you. On Sundays, pizza slices are just $1.50, and 32-oz draft beers are $4.

Duke’s Sports Bar & Grill, on the Greenbelt, 7607 E. McDowell Rd., Scottsdale.

Live along the Greenbelt near Miller and McDowell in Scottsdale or Tempe? This is a great place to walk to, if you like. The outdoor patio in back faces the park. If the game doesn’t go your way, you can turn your attention to billiards and shuffleboard. Don’t like typical bar food? The salads here are great–and you have almost 30 choices. If you want to get here early, they even serve breakfast on Sundays.

Teakwoods Tavern & Grille, 8880 E. Via Linda, Ste., 106, Scottsdale.

Nice place if you like a dump. Seriously. This is one of those bars where you can just toss the peanuts onto the floor. They don’t care. Moms cringe, but kids love it. The peanuts come in a tin pail, and they’re free. Just ask the waitress. You’ll find the specials written on a chalk board. And the regular menu can pretty much please all: They have salads, sliders, nachos, wings, a kids’ menu, home-made chili, hot ham & cheese, burgers and more. I’m getting hungry just writing this out!

If you’re looking for a more upscale location where you can relax without the kids, watch the game, smoke a cigar, sip a brandy afterward, then try this:

The Wright Bar, Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Rd., Phoenix.

This piano bar is the birthplace of the original Tequila Sunrise. The resort’s been around for more than 75 years and is considered to be a playground of celebrities, the rich, or famous. Go here if you like your sports-watching to be a little less noisy and more laid back. Don’t care to watch the game? You can always play backgammon, chess or other board games, instead. The lounge was recently renovated and now has a very hip and retro look and feel to it. The bar’s been expanded, and it’s a really cool-cat place to hang out and sip a martini. You will not find a beer here for less than $6.50, and the food menu’s limited. But if you’re looking for a good cheese plate to go with your half-time, this is the place to go if you’re in the mood for feeling like a VIP. You’ll get that here.

Click on the link for directions. Enjoy the game!

Just in case you haven’t heard, Arizona’s new license plate frame law prohibits drivers from obscuring the state name listed on a license plate. If your license plate cover is obscuring the name of the state, you could be breaking that law right now.

In Arizona, there are at least 60 different designs and specialty license plates on the road. It’s likely your license plate cover may not fit the plate you have.

Obscure the state on yours, and you could be facing a $135 fine in Phoenix; it’s $160 in Tucson. And you may have to add court fees.

The law was created for law enforcement officers and witnesses to easily identify the state to which a car is licensed.

Before you get back on the road today, it might be a good idea to check your plate. If you can’t see the name, Arizona, if it’s only halfway obscured, or if you’re just unsure, remove the cover. You don’t want an officer making that decision for you.

Will they stop you just for this violation? Probably not. But why take the chance? 

Out-of-state plates are exempt from this law, which took effect on January 1.

If you won’t be anywhere near downtown Phoenix but love Native American art. The Heard Museum’s satellite facility in north Scottsdale offers another place to enjoy it. And Nights at North makes a good excuse to go. Upcoming engagements:

January 21 – Nights at North: About Angel De Cora
Linda M. Waggoner, author of Fire Light: The Life of Angel De Cora, discusses one of the 20th century’s most overlooked artists, a Nebraska Winnebago Native American named Angel De Cora. Born in the mid-1800s, De Cora lived between the time of the Civil War and World War I. She lived during a time when Native American children were taken unwillingly off the reservations to be educated at Indian Schools.

Eventually, De Cora became both an artist and teacher, capturing memories of her childhood and the Winnebago Reservation on canvas. Her most famous painting was called “Fire Light.” She died of influenza in 1918. Waggoner also shares thoughts about De Cora’s work as a champion of Indian culture, as portrayed in the book. A California-based scholar, Waggoner specializes in Winnebago culture, among other things.

January 28 – Nights at North: Apache Playing Cards
Alan Ferg, archivist at the Arizona State Museum, shares the fascinating history of Apache playing cards.

These presentations run every Wednesday evening through April 1. Price of admission includes wine and hors d’oeuvres specially paired by the Cafe at Heard Museum North Scottsdale. 

***

(Wednesday) NIGHTS AT NORTH

When: January 21 through April 1, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Heard Museum North Scottsdale

Admission: $5/Heard Museum members; $10/non- members. (Not a member? Join today. Call 602-251-0261 or visit www.heard.org/membership.

For this series, an RSVP is recommended. Cal 602-251-0209 x 6406.

If you thought Scottsdale’s famed ArtWalk only ran on Thursday evenings, get this! The weekend gets an ArtWalk, too, but with a twist–a mimosa twist.

Head over to Main Street for Mimosa Sunday. It runs from noon to 4 p.m. You’ll see the artists, the galleries, the people–and enjoy complimentary mimosas at participating galleries. Just watch for the “Gallery Open” flags out front.

Not only will you sip champagne mimosas at participating venues, but you can munch from the cheese trays, and try other treats as well.

As with the Thursday night event, you’ll want your walking shoes if you plan to tour the entire Scottsdale Arts District. It’s located west of Scottsdale Road, both north and south of Indian School Road along Main Street, Marshall Way, Stetson and Sixth Avenue.

Gallery owners on Main Street came up with the idea, which is partly sponsored by Malee’s on Main (serving Thai food, if you didn’t know). If you want to check the galleries out before you go, visit the Scottsdale Gallery Association Web site: www.ScottsdaleGalleries.com.

This special event takes place every Sunday afternoon, now through March in downtown Scottsdale. Why not try it out tomorrow?

(Photos used with permission by Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.)

At the end of 2008, I posted my first giveaway for 2009 . I asked readers to post comments about their favorite place to find refuge. I got a lot of great ideas and thoughts to share with you:

_a vacation with the family pets at a pet-friendly hotel on the beach in San Diego.

_a visit to Belgium.

_a visit to Loreto, Mexico.

_a visit to Venice, Italy.

_and, of course, a local posted about taking a few, nice quiet moments on the backyard patio at her own home in Phoenix.

The winner–Heather Larson–posted she had no upcoming vacation plans but yearns to go some place warm with white sandy beaches like Hawaii or Daytona Beach. She’s going to compile thoughts and photos on a dream board to help turn her vision into reality before year-end.

Heather, if you’re out there, although I cannot bring this dream to reality for you, I have something for you that you can add to your dream board, sort of. Just click on the e-mail icon on the right-hand side of this page, and send me an e-mail with your address. I’d love to send you the winning prize–a travel-sized shampoo/conditioner set from the brand new Montelucia Resort in Paradise Valley, just minutes from downtown Phoenix.

You can start packing early, because this gift will fit nicely in your travel bag. And it’s small enough that you can take it with you on the plane. Less baggage makes a better refuge trip, I think.

Congratulations!

(Photo by Jackie Dishner, used at The Phoenix Traveler with her permission.)

There’s still time to post your comment here for a chance to win the prize offered in my last contest of 2008. Deadline is today (January 7, 2009).

And the contest before that? No prize was awarded due to an inability to contact the winner. I’ll include the prize–a Leeds travel wallet–in a future contest.

Thank you for visiting. Next contest is coming soon.

AZFamily.com today reported that a young couple in their late teens/early 20s were lost overnight after going hiking Sunday in Arizona’s Superstitions, a rugged mountain wilderness area near Apache Junction, southeast of Phoenix. The news outlet said the pair was found today and in good health.

The couple is lucky.

This is a pretty common occurrence. Hikers get lost, get hurt, they even die while hiking Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Reports like the one above–and worse–happen all year-long. Generally, it’s because people fail to follow a few safety precautions, not realizing how grueling even just a mile-long trail can be.

To help you avoid that 911 call and remind you to protect yourself when out on the trail, here are a few tips. Follow them if you’d actually like to enjoy your hike:

_Bottle up  No matter if it’s hot outside or not, the desert is brutal on the body. Long hikes, no matter how difficult, mean the body will need hydration to avoid heat exhaustion. Drink water. This is probably the most important thing to do both before and after a hike. Bring with with you what you think you’ll need, and then bring extra. For instance, I carry two 16-oz bottles on a two-hour hike. In early summer mornings, I’ll carry more. Carry bottles or carry a water pack, whichever works for you. REI and the Arizona Hiking Shack are two good places to go in Phoenix for more information.

Continue reading Tips to keep you safe on the hiking trail