Posted by James Gross on Mon, Jul 12, 2010 @ 04:52 PM
There are three words that come to mind this time of year….July…Arizona…HOT! But don’t worry! Pack up the RV! Do I have a road trip planned for you!
I have been in Arizona since I have been ten years old and have had the opportunities to explore and experience the state that I call home and it is my pleasure to share some of the places I have seen with you. This month I am going to introduce you to what Arizonans affectionately refer to as “Old 89A” State Route 89A is the perfect route to take if you not only want to get out of the heat but get a true dose of Arizona history.
We are going to start our journey by heading North to Payson, AZ. From Apache Junction we are going to take the same route that I told you in my last blog. Take Ellsworth (which turns into Usery Pass) to the Bush Highway, turn right and follow the road to SR-87. Take a right on SR-87 going North. SR-87 will take through Payson, AZ where if you leave early enough for breakfast, there is a favorite spot of mine called the Knotty Pine Café. Order the biscuits and gravy, you won’t be sorry! After you’ve had breakfast, keep heading north on SR-87 up through Pine and Strawberry, AZ. These two little towns are absolutely perfect for a day trip and a way to get out of the Arizona summer heat. Most weekends, Pine will have fresh produce for sale at the farmers market or some trinkets to buy at the local art fair. As you keep heading north, Strawberry will be your next little town. I told where you can get the best breakfast in Payson, but I would be remiss if I did not mention the most surprising eatery in Strawberry called Mama Joe’s Italian Grill. I had the most amazing shrimp scampi there once! Italian not your thing? Just cross the street and go to the Sportsman Chalet for good old fashioned pub food. My husband and I have made the Sportsman a regular stop for years when we are riding the Harley. Keep on SR-87 until you come to AZ-260 (General Crook Trail). Turn left and follow AZ-260, turn left on S Main Street/AZ-260/SR-89 Alt (89A). Turn left again on E Cottonwood Street/SR-89A then just stay on SR-89A, head up the hill to Jerome. RV hook-ups and camping available in Clarkdale and Cottonwood.
If you love old towns, ghost stories and nice people then you are going to love Jerome!
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Now, I am sure everyone has heard of a “one way town”. In Jerome’s case, that is absolutely true! The Main street in Jerome goes just one way, on the up side, it is hard to get lost! You are going to want to take some time when you get there. Take a walk through town, better yet, take walk UP through the town! Jerome was built pretty much on a mountainside and is connected by many steps and walkways that will literally take you from Main Street straight up to most any street in the housing community above. You can actually sit on a front porch and see who is walking on Main Street! Due to the 1930s dynamite blasts from the copper mines and general shifting of the land, Jerome has been slowly sliding down hill for decades. In fact, when you are walking down Main St take a look at the old jail house that made its way down the hill! Check out the Grand Hotel while you’re there. The hotel used to be the old hospital and has quite a haunted history as does the rest of the town.
Once you have experienced Jerome, get back on SR-89A and keep heading up the hill. This beautiful, winding road will take you up through Oak Creek Canyon. On a hot Arizona summer day, the place to be is Slide Rock State Park. I remember when I was young getting in the ice cold water (that is a product of the melting snow from San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff), and sliding down the rocks that have been smoothed by centuries of rushing water, hence the name Slide Rock. You will find picnic areas and campsites along the way. It is great fun for both young and old alike.
Next stop, Flagstaff, AZ! Keep going on SR-89A until you merge onto I-17N via the ramp on the LEFT toward SR-89A n / Flagstaff (it sounds more confusing than it really is, trust me!). Merge onto S Milton Rd which will become I-40 / W US-66.
I have spent many years exploring Arizona and am still finding new and exciting adventures! Like the Lava River Cave (also known as the Ice Cave). This mile long lava tube was formed by a huge lava bubble that pushed its way through the mountains around 700,000 years ago. You can actually see stone icicles hanging from the ceiling. This cave is for the true spelunker!
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There are no hand rails, lighted paths or guides to help you along the way. What there is is an experience much like it was when cave men walked the earth. It is believed that centuries ago this cave was used as some sort of refrigerator, keeping meat fresher longer. And later, settlers would retrieve ice from it to keep their foods and drinks cold.
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The degrees in the cave is in the upper 30s to low 40s Fahrenheit with ice present in some places year round. If you think this is something you might be interested in, be sure to bring plenty of portable lights with you (I highly recommend something like a miners helmet), warm clothing (no sandals or shorts) and a camera with a flash! Because you don’t want to miss what I have always called “the great room”. Once you get about 1/4 of the way through the cave, you will come to divided area. Take either path through this area and it opens up into the most amazing cavern! I think I read somewhere once that this “room” is about 30 feet high.
You can get to the cave from Flagstaff by driving 9 miles north of Flag on US 180 and turn west (left) on FR 245 (milepost 230). Continue 3 miles to FR171 and turn south 1 mile to where FR 171B turns left a short to Lava River Cave.
There are plenty of RV campgrounds and resorts for your convenience throughout the Flagstaff and surrounding areas, just contact the Flagstaff Visitors Center at 800-379-0065 or go online at www.flagstaffarizona.org
Well, I have taken you underground, how about going up in the air! The Scenic Skyride at Arizona Snowbowl is awesome! During the summer months the ski lifts run daily from 10am to 4pm starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (if the weather permits). Plan to spend at least 2 hours. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays there is a park ranger that will be speaking about various flora, fauna and wildlife. The fees are reasonable at: Adults $12; Seniors (65-69) $8; Kids 8-12 $8 and Kids 7 or under Free. Save even more by going in a group! You contact the Skyride at 928-779-1951 ext 109 or www.skyride@arizonasnowbowl.com for more information.
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Don’t forget about the fishing in Flag! Lake Mary has some of the best pike fishing around! There is Marshall Lake near the Flagstaff area. For the bird watcher and hiker in you, there is Marshall Lake. Not far from Lake Mary Marshall Lake has an abundance of geese, duck and other assorted water fowl. For the expert fisherman that knows their way around duck blinds, the bass and trout fishing is just right!
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Whether in the air or underground, in the grass watching birds or on the water catching fish, Arizona is the place to be summer, winter, spring or fall!
We will be checking out Route 66 next month!! Enjoy the day everyone!
Connie Duff
Posted by James Gross on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 @ 02:30 PM
May is that perfect time to pull up stakes, get in your rv and hit the road! And there is no other place to be than Arizona! Sun Home Communities has 7 Mobile Home and Rv parks to choose from and once you pick one, it will be time to explore and experience Arizona. That is if you can pull yourself away from everything our parks have to offer!
Baseball season is among us and the Arizona Diamondbacks are hotter than ever! Don’t worry about driving to the stadium, take the Metro Light Rail. The light rail is the ideal way to get to the downtown phoenix area. You can get on at sycamore and main street in mesa and it will take you right to where all the action is. For more information on the Metro Light Rail you can call 602-253-5000 or go online at www.valleymetro.org
Once you have arrived downtown take the opportunity to see the D-backs at Chase Field or catch a basketball game with the Phoenix Suns at the U.S. Airways center. But don’t worry, sports is not the only thing this area has to offer, with concerts; art shows and museums, there is something for everyone! You will not have to worry about a lack of choices to satisfy your taste buds either! There are over 50 restaurants all in walking distance of whatever you decide to do. For more information about events and ticket purchases, call U.S. Airways Center at 602-379-7800 or go online to www.usairwayscenter.com
Feeling lucky? There are over 18 casinos in arizona and more being built all the time! For casinos near and around Mesa, Apache Junction and the East Valley, you can go to Fort Mcdowell casino (known as the Fort) located on Highway 87 and Fort McDowell road. Fort McDowell Casino also offers free bingo shuttles to and from the casino. You can contact the casino at 1-800-843-3678 for more information or go online to www.fortmcdowellcasino.com
There is casino Arizona at Salt River (loop 101 north and mckellips rd) and Casino Arizona at walking stick resort (loop 101 north and indian bend rd) simply take the Loop 202 west to the 101 North and get off on McKellips or Indian Bend Roads. You can contact the Casinos at 480-850-7777. Don’t forget about Apache Gold Casino and resort just 5 miles east of Globe, AZ on US-70. Call them at 1-800-272-2438 for more information.
Watch a ball game, throw some dice or just relax around the pool at one of our communities. It’s all good in Arizona!
We are heading up north for my next installment!
Enjoy the day everyone!
Connie Duff
Posted by James Gross on Tue, Apr 20, 2010 @ 03:52 PM
ARIZONA AND APRIL…THE PERFECT MATCH!
{Photos by Constance Duff}
Spring is here, the weather is just right and it’s time to explore Arizona! This installment is dedicated to those who ride motorcycles and those who don’t. As most riders know, we are coming into some of the best riding weather of the year! Start revving your motors for the 14th Annual Arizona Bike Week! Kickstands are officially up April 14th thru the 18th ! For ride updates and event calendars you can go to www.azbikeweek.com Ride safe everyone!
If the rally is not quite what you had in mind, there is still plenty to do! In my last Blog, I told you about the Dolly Steamboat that does tours on Canyon Lake. Now lets head toward another beautiful lake called . The scenery on the way to Saguaro is truly breathtaking. From Apache Junction, take Ellsworth Road (which will turn into Usery Pass) to the Bush Hwy., this will be a four way stop, take a right onto Bush Hwy. The Bush is a popular road for bikers with its turns and winding road. Our recent rains have put the cacti in full bloom and they are more beautiful than ever!
As you stay on the Bush Hwy, it will take you over the Salt River where there is some pretty good trout fishing, bird watching and during the summer, tubing! There are plenty of picnic tables and grills for an outdoor B-B-Q and a swim in the river. I have personally heard the sounds of wild donkeys and burros calling from their hidden spots behind the rocks along the river and I have seen red tail hawks soar over the water in search of their next meal. And on that rare occasion, you may get a glimpse of wild mustang kicking up dust as they run along the many hiking trails around the river.
Continue your way on the Bush toward Saguaro Lake. When you arrive at the lake, follow the road to the right, this will take you to the restaurant and marina. Here you will have the opportunity to either rent a fishing boat, relax on a pontoon or for something a little faster check out the runabouts. The fish are always biting at Saguaro, with the lake stocked with large and small mouth bass; rainbow trout, channel catfish and crappie the eating will always be good! Not the fishing type? No worries! Take a cruise the lake on The Desert Belle. The Belle has been doing tours on Saguaro for over forty years and has just been remodeled for an even more enjoyable time. If you have access to a computer go to www.saguarolake.net or call 877-749-2848 for more information. The recreational opportunities at Saguaro are never ending. From boating and fishing to hiking and a picnic, take a cruise, rent a boat or just have a relaxing meal on the patio of Saguaro’s Lakeshore Restaurant. It’s all good at Saguaro Lake!
Now you know what to do this week! Stay tuned for more adventures Arizona has to offer in my next blog.
Enjoy the day everyone!
Connie Duff, Manager of Sundowner Home Communities
Sun Home Communities.
Posted by James Gross on Tue, Feb 23, 2010 @ 12:53 PM
We are very excited to introduce everyone to the wonders that Arizona has to offer. Our Sun Home Communities' properties are all centrally located to many activities and recreational choices.
Introduce yourself to famous Apache Trail (or the Trail as the locals call it). You can start your journey by going East on the Trail and stop in at the Goldfield Ghost Town. Situated atop a small hill between the Superstition and Goldfield Mountains. The settlement of Goldfield started in 1892 when the gold was aplenty. While you are there, take an underground mine tour, watch a real life gunfight down Main Street, shop at unique stores or enjoy a real cowboy steak!
As you continue East on the Trail, a relaxing cruise on breathtaking Canyon Lake aboard The Dolly Steamboat might be your cup of tea. Learn the history of Apache Trail as told only by the Captain of The Dolly. After cruising Canyon Lake, keep heading on up the Trail to Tortilla Flats, an authentic remnant of an Old West town. Come see the Saloon where the walls are lined with one dollar bills and the seats are made from real saddles! Or you can make a day of it by taking an Old Apache Trail Tour. Apache Trail has the distinction of being the only recognized Historic and Scenic Highway in Arizona.
Eastern Arizona has so much to offer something for everyone. Pack a picnic lunch and take a stroll through Boyce Thompson Arboretum enjoying the flora and fauna of the desert. It is just a twenty minute drive going East on Highway 60 from Apache Junction, AZ. Keep going East on Highway 60 and stop in Superior, AZ where the worlds "Smallest Museum" is! You can keep on going on through Globe and Miami AZ, and take the back way to Roosevelt Lake where some of the largest catfish in the State are!
No matter what you do or where you go, just remember, BRING YOUR CAMERA!
Written by: Connie Duff