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 Signature Travel Network meeting.
Arizona is one of their regular venues. 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

www.allhorizonstvl.com

650-961-2340 direct