Desert Pilgrims – Urban Cowboys: Thanksgiving 2007

This year my mother and I joined my long-time Main Squeeze’s family for a Thanksgiving just east of Scottsdale along the Verde River. I have lived here for over 20 years and never knew that there was a beautiful river about 30 minutes away from my backyard!

My parents moved to Arizona in the 1970’s from the Philippines and have always enjoyed the tales of the Wild West as children. I call them my Desert Pilgrims. It so happens that Mr. Main Squeeze comes from a deep rooted ranching family in northern California. His parents moved to Arizona in 1983 to an area in the middle of Phoenix, which was surrounded by Arabian horse stables at the time. They look like what you would expect business professionals to look like, but they still love the outdoors just as much. Well, needless to say, our two families often bond over the love of Cowboy Cookouts and stories told around campfires – and that’s exactly how I spend this Thanksgiving.

The Verde River was a easy drive east along Dynamite Road and a bit of optional off-roading for some extra seclusion. We chose a spot on a moderately high cliff overlooking the river with tall reeds growing along the banks, while expansive hills spread into the distance. Although I have enjoyed most of my Thanksgivings in the past, being outside in the middle of nature made me feel a little closer to the real meaning of the holiday.

We created a little dining room with an Easy-up to help provide some shade, but it was a beautiful 72 degrees. We had a little portable gas stove to cook all the fixings, and even set up a full wet bar for the whiskey, vodka, and assorted beers! We pre-cooked the turkey this year, but usually they smoke it at the campsite. While we cooked, we played games and told stories, and enjoyed a few cocktails in the process while inhaling the fresh air surrounding us. It was just the break I needed from the construction and rapid growth of metro Phoenix.

Often times I get bored living in Arizona – but that’s absolutely ridiculous! With a Natural Wonder of the World just a handful of hours away and a river just down the street with golf courses and small artist communities everywhere…It’s time for me to be thankful.

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Thanksgiving Weekend in Phoenix

Thanksgiving Weekend was glorious down in the metro Phoenix area. With temps in the mid-70s, sunshine and clear skies, it was a perfect time to spend with family and friends outside.

I stayed away from the malls and big box stores on Black Friday, but did check out one of my favorite locally owned children’s boutiques to take advantage of a big sale. Twinkle Toes, located at the Scottsdale Waterfront across from Scottsdale Fashion Square, is owned by a good friend and carries the most amazing duds for children, toddlers and babies. Good stuff.

I also ventured out on Saturday to the Biltmore Fashion Park which, I was pleasantly surprised to discover, was buzzing with activity but not ridiculously crowded. After lunch with a friend and her daughter at Cheesecake Factory, we spent some time basking in the aforementioned ideal weather on the mall’s main grassy courtyard. There was a live band and complimentary espresso and kettle corn – very festive!

Sunday, I uncovered a delightful secret; while everyone else is shopping, it’s a great time to visit the Phoenix Art Museum. I am a member of the museum and try to visit at least once a quarter – there are truly fascinating exhibits rotating there year-round that typically draw significant crowds six days a week – and was giddy to find we had the museum practically all to ourselves! My friend and I toured the New Mexican “retablos” exhibit – religious art circa the 18th and 19th centuries – and had a fabulous lunch at the Art Museum Cafe, a restaurant run by local favorite, Arcadia Farms.

If you’d like to check out any of these places in Phoenix and Scottsdale, note these upcoming events and more:

Biltmore Fashion Park

SUPER TASTE OF THE VALLEY EVENT

Sunday, December 2, 2007
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Click above for information and tickets

 

Phoenix Art Museum – Upcoming Exhibitions

Illuminated Manuscripts
Steele Gallery
December 11, 2007 – March 9, 2008

Richard Avedon: Photographer of Influence
Norton Photography Gallery
January 12, 2008 – April 13, 2008

Masterpiece Replayed: Monet, Matisse and More
Katz Wing, Main Level
January 20, 2008 – May 4, 2008

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Local NPR Station Spotlights Arizona’s Place in Space

Last week, KJZZ – our local National Public Radio Station – ran a daily series of stories called Space Week.  Space Week shined the spotlight on Arizona’s contribution to the exploration of Mars, space tourism, healing properties of moonbeams and light pollution. 

Check out KJZZ.org to hear all five of the full stories.

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The New Lowell Observatory Blog is Now Online

Visit Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory’s new blog to stay up to date with news, events, and research at Lowell Observatory. Great updates on science news and current projects at Lowell Observatory. My favorite part: Posts on events that are great for local and visiting families with kids.

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Virus-caused Death of Grand Canyon Biologist Not a Threat to Visitors

Visitors need not be alarmed at news reports of the death of a Grand Canyon wildlife biologist thought to have been caused by Hantavirus and the plague. The man may have contracted these diseases due to direct contact with infected animals and their waste as a function of his job. The diseases are not transmitted from human-to-human and the threat of widespread public danger is extremely unlikely. Antibiotic treatment has been prescribed for people who came into direct contact with the biologist in the last weeks of his life.

As reported by the Associated Press newswire on November 6, 2007:

“Eric York, 37, was found in his home at the Grand Canyon National Park on Friday. The Coconino County Medical Examiner suspects an infectious illness may have killed York because his lungs were filled with fluid and his body showed signs of pneumonia. Tests results are expected later this week…

…Because of York’s professional interests and hobbies, medical officials believe hantavirus and plague are possible causes, according to a Park Service spokeswoman…

…Hantavirus is transmitted to humans through infected rodent droppings, urine and saliva and is not transmitted from person to person. Symptoms include fever, headache, joint pain and difficulty breathing.

Plague is transmitted primarily by fleas and direct contact with infected animals. When the disease causes pneumonia, it can be transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person by airborne cough droplets. Those who were near York have been told to monitor themselves for high fever, chills, a cough or difficulty breathing.

Both diseases, while rare, are endemic in the Southwest.

York became ill on Oct. 30, and called in sick for a couple of days before being found dead in his home. As a wildlife biologist, he often came into contact with wild animals that can carry the plague or in areas where rodents congregate, Oltrogge said. He also was an avid outdoorsman, and liked to hike and hunt.”

Read the full article from the Arizona Republic

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Prescott Bloggers Connect!

Thanks to Granny J for commenting on our blog and letting us know about her blog, Walking Prescott.  She’s got tons of great pictures of Prescott and as she puts it, “quirky” musings on life in Prescott.  Walk on over and check it out.

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New Upscale Motel Opens in Williams, Arizona

The owners of the Lodge on Route 66 are excited to announce the opening of another upscale motel in Williams, Arizona. The owners of the lodge have contracted with Choice Hotels International to open a dual-idenity motel called The Rodeway Inn & Suites / Downtowner on Route 66. The property is the first of its kind for Choice Hotels. The Downtowner on Route 66 has been remodeled with an “up town” urban feel.

The rooms have been redesigned to rival any upscale resort with appointments like natural stone floors, granite countertops, solid wood contemporary furnishings, and comfortable leather chairs. The 600 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens will offer you a wonderful night’s sleep. If your travels take you to Northern Arizona or the Grand Canyon, check out the new Rodeway Inn & Suites/Downtowner on Route 66 in Williams, Arizona.

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Resort Lifestyle Communities’ Popularity on the Rise

My parents visited my home in Scottsdale last month and we celebrated my mom’s 60th birthday. Both my parents turned 60 in 2007, making them a part of the second annual group of Baby Boomers to turn sixty. We talked about whether they would ever consider moving to Scottsdale (or Sedona, Flagstaff or Prescott) for their retirement; the benefits being that they could be near their granddaughter and be able to golf, bike, hike, shop and do all the “resort” activities we get to do year-round in this vacation destination my husband and I call home. Plus, they wouldn’t have that 5-day-a-week party-pooper I like to call Full-Time Work that inhibits the rest of us from truly living everyday as though we’re staying at a 4-star resort.

Anyway, while the idea of a “resort lifestyle community” isn’t new to me since I write about that on a regular basis on our travel sites, Sedona.net, Prescott.com, Flagstaff.com and Scottsdale-Phoenix.net, it did make me remember an interesting article I read recently. If my parents, who are still quite active in their newly entered 60s, were to move to a retirement lifestyle community, resort amenities would certainly be on their list of wants/needs.

Read the article:

FindArticles – Resort lifestyle becoming key ingredient in baby boomer communities
Source: Public Record, The, May 22, 2007

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