The Best of Arizona

THE BEST OF ARIZONA

I am lucky to be able to visit Arizona several times a year to either play golf or attend a meeting. I love the food, the shopping, the architecture, Indian culture, and its an ideal destination to visit. This time I was in Carefree in the high Sonoran Desert, 16 miles north east of Phoenix, up in the foothills where it is cooler at 2,500 ft. The Phoenix area can be very hot in the summer months. With 14 major league baseball teams using the Phoenix area for its spring training, people come from all over to watch the teams practice in the several stadiums.

There are many lovely properties in Arizona but I think this one is unique. We stayed at the Boulders Resort which has the Golden Door Spa on its property, voted one of the top ten spas in the world. They offer many different classes each day. Lovely property, located on 1,300 acres with private spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom pueblo villas which reminded me of Santa Fe. Each one has a fire place, garden patio, and luxurious furnishings. Two very challenging golf courses, with lots of wildlife. Golfers are surprised to see a bobcat, rabbits, coyotes or a javeline while playing. www.theboulders.com I am a birder and was fascinated at the many different kinds of hummingbirds on the property along with other types of birds. It was lovely to see the hawks flying across the red sky at sunset. The rainbows are also out of this world when they get them. The property has 2,500 different species of flowering plants, and lots of tall Saguaro cactus.

The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, and in the Spring, the desert wildflowers are a must see. The property has won lots of awards and Golf Magazine voted it one of the best golf resorts in the U.S. It is one of the most fantastic meeting destinations I have been to. We found the facilities outstanding, and had seven excellent restaurants to choose from in the evening. This is a perfect location to take the family while you are attending a meeting. The hotel will arrange to pick you up from the Phoenix airport.

There is so much to do here, five excellent hiking trails, rock climbing, mountain biking, desert jeep rides, horseback riding, and excellent shopping. Excellent selection of turquoise and silver Indian jewelry, art galleries and Indian rugs in the many shops.

A fun restaurant to visit is in Cave Creek, the Pinnacle Peak Patio. It is an old Western bar, restaurant with nightly music and wonderful food. Typical Western menu such as steaks, ribs, beans, baked potatoes and fried chicken. The Apple pie with Pecan ice cream for dessert was jolly good also. Most people are in Western clothes, boots and a Stetson, so go casual, and don’t wear a tie. They will cut it off and staple it to the ceiling along with the thousands already up there. This area was settled in l846 and is an old stage coach route. Lovely homes and ranches all throughout the area.

While staying at the Boulders, you can take day trips to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and see the Navajo Nation. www.DetoursAZ.com If you have a car, then go to Sedona and stay at the Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon, (www.enchantmentresort.com) a similar property to the Boulders, private villas with an excellent spa in an absolutely breathtaking location, and then to the Grand Canyon and stay at the historic El Tovar Hotel on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. (www.eltovarhotel.com) This is a wonderful place to spend the Christmas Holiday Season. The Grand Canyon is spectacular with a dusting of snow on it. These are my favorite places in Arizona and you wont be disappointed if you visit any of these properties.

If you love the desert, take a subscription to Arizona Highways Magazine, Reading it each month brings me a lot of pleasure. www.arizonahighways.com, 800-543-5432.

There is no other magazine like it for gorgeous photography and articles on the old west.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Ave

Menlo Park, CA 94024

www.froschvacations.com

650-961-2340 direct

maureen.jones@frosch.com