Fido Friendly Fun Zones in the Phoenix Metro Area

Have you noticed that Fido has a case of cabin fever?  Being cooped up indoors during the summer can leave even our four legged companions antsy to get out and take in some fresh air.  If you’re new to the area or just looking for a new spot to explore, Phoenix is jam packed with dog friendly spots to sniff out this weekend.

1. Love to hike?  If you and your furry companion are hikers there are several trails within the city limits that you can venture out to.  South Mountain, Camelback Mountain, North Mountain and Piestewa Peak just to name a few.  Due to the fact that these are urban areas, you will encounter other hikers and K9’s; therefore, leashes are required.  Also, keep in mind some trails don’t allow dogs.  Check the park websites for information before heading out.

2.  RJ Dog Park at Pecos Park – on the southern end of town you will find a 2 acre off leash dog park for your furry friend.  Named after a police dog killed in the line of duty, RJ Dog Park is a great escape to let Fido run free for a few hours.  Equipped with lots and lots of grass, water, shade, and two fully fenced areas – one for large dogs and the other for the little guys.

3.  Echo Mountain Off Leash Dog Park – on the north side is a 2.3 acre grassy off leash park built with the support of the Echo Mountain Neighborhood Coalition, the park features divided separately fenced areas for large dogs and smaller dogs under 20 pounds, shade, and cool water.  Mutt Mitts are also provided for clean ups.

4.  Steele Indian School Park Dog Park – located in the center of Phoenix, this park offers double gated entrances and cold drinking fountains for you and your pooch.  Also provided are separately fenced turf areas for large and small dogs; one acre for the large dogs and .63 acres for the small ones and solar powered lighted areas.

After an early start to your day either at the mountain, a park or just a stroll down the block don’t forget to stop off at one of our city’s fine dog friendly restaurants for coffee, brunch or an early lunch.  Visit www.bringfido.com to find information on many of the restaurants in town that cater to our canine friends as well.

These are just a few spots to check out in the Valley of the Sun.  As you may already know, Phoenix is a very outdoorsy, dog friendly city and you don’t have to try too hard to find a place to run free or rest your paws. Just remember, even though the weather is cooling down a tad it’s still warm out there folks; so, if you decide to venture out get an early start and take plenty of water!

Have fun this weekend everyone!!!

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There’s More to Arizona than Just Desert

When most people think of Arizona they think of dry deserts, temperatures that can match the surface of the sun, cactus and tumbleweeds. Although the southern part of this great state is desert, there are miles and miles of forest areas as well.  State Fact – Arizona has the largest contiguous stand of Ponderosa Pines in the world.  These tall majestic trees stretch from near Flagstaff, all along the Mogollon Rim and into the White Mountain region.  That’s right folks it’s the largest pine forest in the entire world…Arizona  is NOT just a desert!   With the unforgettable scenery, breathtaking views, historical landmarks and an abundance of wildlife, the Arizona mountains are a must see for anyone who loves the outdoors.

It’s going to be hot and humid in the Valley of the Sun again this weekend.  Yes, it’s September.  Yes, the weather should be cooling down.  And yes, we know you’re probably tired of the heat.  However, the fact remains, we’re not through it yet and there are still a few weeks left of summer temperatures.  Great news though…there’s still time to get up into the mountains to enjoy the fresh pine scented mountain air, beautiful scenery and cooler temps!  Take a drive up north into the pines.  Enjoy their beauty, listen to them sing as the wind blows through their needles and relax in their shade.   The great outdoors are calling your name this weekend!

Travel to the Thompson Trail

It’s going to be a hot one in Phoenix this weekend folks – 110!  Unless you enjoy the heat or have a pool, escape to the mountains for some cooler weather on this 3 day weekend.  One of our favorite mountainous areas is the White Mountains located about 3-4 hours outside of Phoenix.  Since most of us have a 3 day weekend ahead of us we thought the White Mountains would be a perfect spot to write about for this weekend’s getaway.  Check out the White Mountains Regional Chambers of Commerce website for all of the activities and lodging in the area.  Also, while you’re up there check out the Thompson Trail hike located near the west fork of the Black River.  It’s an easy 6.5 mile trek amongst some of our state’s most beautiful scenery.  If you’re not up for the full 6.5 miles there’s also an option to cut it down to 4.8.  Below we’ve included more information on the hike originally published by Arizona Highways Magazine.

Thompson Trail

Picture a long alpine valley at nearly 9,000 feet of elevation with a blue-ribbon trout stream running its entire length and forested slopes of spruce, fir and yellow-leafed aspen trees ascending to surrounding peaks. Imagine a level trail that meanders with the stream, mostly in sun, sometimes in shadow, never more than a few yards from the stream bank. Add a sunny Arizona fall morning with frost underfoot and a fine mist exhaled from the shallow, fast-moving waters. That’s a description of Forest Service Trail 629 (Thompson Trail) in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The trail traces a portion of the West Fork of the Black River near Big Lake in Arizona’s White Mountains. The round-trip length of the hike is either 4.8 or 6.5 miles, depending on whether you hike Trail 628A, the shorter loop that begins where the Thompson Trail meets the West Fork Trail, 628 in the trail system. Because it traverses sensitive riparian habitat, the Thompson Trail 629 is for hikers only. Trail 628, a section of which travels along an old railroad grade above and parallel to the Thompson Trail, is open to both hikers and mountain bikers. Either route offers views of some of Arizona’s most scenic landscapes.

Trail Guide

Length: 6.5 miles, round-trip

Elevation: 8,600 to 8,840 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Directions: From Springerville, drive south on U.S. Route 180/191 to State Route 260 and turn west. After 3 miles, turn south on State Route 261, which joins Forest Road 113 as it loops around Big Lake and becomes Forest Road 249E. To reach the trailhead from Big Lake, drive northwest on FR 249E until it merges with Forest Road 116, then it’s approximately 1.5 miles west to the trailhead at the confluence of Thompson Creek and the West Fork of the Black River at Thompson Ranch. A parking area and information kiosk indicate the trailhead.

Travel Advisory: This hike is best done in late spring, summer and autumn. Be prepared for any type of weather in Arizona’s high country.

Information: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Springerville Ranger District, 928-333-4372;www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/trails.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and happy hiking!!!

 

Worth the Drive

Staying with our Friday theme by highlighting a cooler weekend destination, we’ve decided to showcase the North Rim of the Grand Canyon this week.  Some may argue the North Rim has more spectacular views than the South Rim and with 1/5 of the visitors than on the south side the North Rim is definitely worth the extra 5 hour drive.  The average high temperatures in August hover right around a refreshing 75 degrees and with a variety of hiking and lodging this is a perfect getaway.  Due to the fact that it is about a 6 hour drive from Phoenix we recommend you get on the road early.  Also,  if you can swing it – consider taking a 3 day weekend in order to enjoy all that the area has to offer.

We found a very informative website that highlights the north side of the park and we’ve shared information on the hiking trails below.  This was originally published by Hit the Trail and if you would like more information on the area you can follow this link to their site.

Bright Angel Point Trail

Highly recommended as your first hike upon arriving at the North Rim! It is only ½ mile each way, paved, and takes you to one of the most spectacular views at Grand Canyon. A fabulous walk to during sunset to emphasize all the details and dimensions obscured mid-day when the sun is directly overhead. Since it does follow a ridge line for part of its distance, I have seen a few people who were troubled by the drop offs and unable to walk out to the point. Try it before you decide to not to hike to it; it is a sight to behold! The trail begins at the log shelter in the parking area by the Visitor Center or at the corner of the back porch behind the lodge.

To get the most out of your visit to the point, download the park’s brochure for Bright Angel Point in PDF format (1.65 MB).

Transept Trail

Another wonderful hike located right in the village area of the North Rim. The Transept Trail connects Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Rim Campground and follows the rim of a side canyon called Transept. Although not paved, it is an easy trail that doesn’t have any terrible drop offs along its edge to discourage those with a fear of heights. The trail takes you through Quaking aspens and ponderosa pines, making a very pleasant walk that isn’t too demanding for most people.

Uncle Jim Trail

The Uncle Jim Trail begins at the North Kaibab Trail parking lot and is 2.5 each way. It winds through the forest and comes out to a spectacular point that looks out over the canyon and the North Kaibab Trail switchbacks. It is a pleasant enough trail, but since it is used by mules, let’s just say that the scent of pine tress is not the prevalent “fragrance” here!

North Kaibab Trail

The North Kaibab Trail is the only maintained trail from the North Rim that can take you all the way down to the Colorado River. It is 14 miles one way to the river—with over a mile drop in elevation—and NOT a day hike. However, there are several destinations that make great day hikes. Do be aware that the trail begins at 8,000 feet in elevation, and therefore is pretty strenuous hiking back out no matter how you look at it!

In spite of this challenge, I highly recommend a hike to the Coconino Overlook for nearly anyone. To get to this incredible viewpoint is only ¾ mile one way and provides one of the greatest views to be seen from the North Rim. It is one of my favorite spots along the North Kaibab Trail!

Another ½ mile from the Coconino Overlook, two miles from the rim, is the Supai Tunnel. This is the turning around point for the short day mule trips. There are toilets here as well as a water faucet (check availability before counting on water here). This is a common turn around point for day hikers who don’t want to get into much strenuous hiking. Be very careful leaving packs unattended here as the squirrels can destroy them in seconds looking for food!

Nearly five miles and 3050 feet down will take you to Roaring Springs. This is an extremely strenuous hike and takes a full day to do. It can also be extremely hot in the inner canyon, especially when compared to your starting point on the rim, and requires carrying up to one gallon of water per person. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get started as early as possible. I am not exaggerating when I recommend that you start no later than dawn. You can’t know how important this is until you are stuck below the rim in oven-like temperatures! Roaring Springs is the turn around point for the long mule rides. No mule rides go beyond Roaring Springs; Phantom Ranch can only be accessed by mule from the South Rim.

Widforss Trail

A very pleasant, relatively level hike through the aspen and pine forest. The trail ends at the rim of the canyon, 2½ miles distance one way. A great hike to take a picnic lunch along. To access the trailhead, watch for the dirt road located one mouth south of the Scenic Drive/Cape Royal Road. Drive in ¼ mile to the Widforss Trail parking area.

To get the most out of your hike, download the park’s brochure for the Widforss Trail available in PDF format (1.75 MB).

Ken Patrick Trail

10 mi. / 16 km one-way; 6 hours approximate one-way hiking time. Winds through the forest and along the rim from Point Imperial to the North Kaibab Trail parking area.

Cape Final Trail

4.0 mi. / 6.4 km round-trip; 2 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. A 2-mile walk from dirt parking area to Cape Final. This trail offers a view of the canyon.

Cliff Springs Trail

1.0 mi. / 1.6 km round-trip; 1 hour approximate round-trip hiking time. Meanders down a forested ravine and ends where a chest-high boulder rests under a large overhang. The spring is on the cliff side of the boulder. Please do not drink the water as it may be contaminated. Trail begins directly across the road from a small pullout on a curve 0.3 miles/0.5 km down the road from Cape Royal.

Cape Royal Trail

0.6 mi. / 1.0 km round-trip; 30 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. An easy walk on a flat, paved trail providing views of the canyon, Angels Window, and the Colorado River. Markers along the trail interpret the area’s natural history. Trail begins at the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking area.

Point Imperial Trail

4.0 mi. / 6.4 km round-trip; 2 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. This easy trail passes through areas burned by the 2000 Outlet Fire and ends at the north park boundary. From there connections are possible to the Nankoweap Trail and U.S. Forest Service roads.

Roosevelt Point Trail

0.2 mi. / 0.3 km round-trip; 20 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. This trail is a short, secluded woodland loop with spectacular views. Offers benches for relaxed enjoyment of the canyon.

Safe travels and have a great weekend everyone!!!

Surviving Phoenix During the Summer Months on Business

As everyone knows summer temperatures in Phoenix rival those of the surface of the sun; however, Phoenicians have figured out how to cope and get through the 3-4 months of above 100 degree temperatures with ease.  If you’re traveling to Phoenix on business this summer don’t sweat over the anticipated heat.  Come prepared by following these few simple steps and you will be surprisingly quite comfortable.

First and foremost, dress light. Obviously for business that can be tricky when trying to look professional; but, try your best to wear light, breathable fabrics whenever possible (cotton or linen).  Stay away from anything form fitting – loose fitting dresses, skirts or wide legged pants are the way to go.  Short sleeved or sleeveless blouses feel great when outside of the office; however, while at work make sure to cover up with a light jacket or sweater to comply with the dress code.   Also, keep in mind…we like to blast our A/C out here and if you get cold easily, trust me, you will freeze in the office if you don’t have something to cover up with.  As crazy as this sounds…it’s true!

Shade anyone?  If you see a parking space in a shady spot grab it!  Keeping your car as cool as possible will help tremendously. Summer temperatures in cars can rise to close to 150 degrees depending on what the temperature is on the outside.  If you can’t find a parking garage or shade, use a sun shade for the windshield.  Anything to shield the interior from the sun and heat will help.  And please, please, please remember not to leave children or pets alone in a car EVER!

Water is your friend!  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  Whether you love to drink water or not, in the Valley of the Sun it is a MUST during the summer months.  Try to drink at least 64 ounces a day to maintain a healthy level of hydration to keep you going.  The last thing you need during your business presentation is to feel light headed from dehydration.

Stay indoors or take care of outdoor activities early.  Phoenicians have a love/hate relationship with their air conditioners during the summer.  We love the cool comfortable temperatures they provide but we hate paying the high energy bills.  Nevertheless, A/C is a necessity in the desert so try to stay inside with the cool temps as much as you can.  If the great outdoors is calling your name then do your best to take care of it in the early morning before the sun starts to bake.  Even before the sun comes up sometimes the temperature doesn’t dip too far below 100 so the earlier you are up and about the better off you will be.  Look on the bright side…even though the sun isn’t up at least you won’t need a sweater!

The summer in Phoenix isn’t as bad as it seems as long as you are prepared.  Use these simple tips to assist you while visiting and if you feel they’re not enough you can always schedule your business meeting at the pool!

Stay cool!

 

The Open Road

Sometimes it’s nice to get out of town and just go for a scenic drive.  Arizona offers many beautiful places to view from the road.  This particular drive originally posted in Arizona Highways Magazine is just a short trip north from Phoenix.  You can choose to head out of town for the day or let the open road take you for the weekend…it’s up to you!

Beaver Creek

This drive through Beaver Creek country, northeast of Camp Verde, offers history, rock art, hiking and spectacular views. The route, suitable for passenger vehicles, begins on Beaver Creek Road just off Interstate 17. The first nod to the region’s history takes place at the Montezuma Well section of Montezuma Castle National Monument. The ancient Sinagua Indians formed a thriving farming community there beginning about 900 A.D. A short walk uphill along a paved trail takes you to the well that provided the Sinagua with much-needed water, but that isn’t the only water in the region. Hike down the hill’s back side to lush Wet Beaver Creek, where water spills over terraced boulders that are shaded by sycamore and ash trees. A few miles down the road from the well, three popular trails – Bell, White Mesa and Apache Maid — lure hikers. From that point, the road travels across several one-lane bridges and a country boarding school to the V-Bar-V Heritage Site, where after a short half-mile hike, visitors can see more than 1,300 petroglyphs depicting everything from snakes to humans with walking sticks. From there, drive past the M Diamond Ranch through rolling hills and flat-topped mesas back to State Route 260 that connects to I-17.

 

Tour Guide

Route: From Interstate 17 at McGuireville, Exit 293, turn right onto East Beaver Creek Road and drive 4.2 miles through the towns of McGuireville and Rimrock to the entrance to Montezuma Well. The pavement ends here and the road becomes Forest Road 119. Past Montezuma Well, continue for 3 miles to the intersection with Forest Road 618 and turn right onto FR 618 (paved) and drive another 1.9 miles, past the parking area for the three trails to the entrance of the V-Bar-V Heritage Site. There, you’ll find a modified T-intersection with a small desert island in the middle. Turn right there to go to V-Bar-V. From that intersection, travel 3.8 miles south to the M Diamond Ranch and from there, drive another 7.2 miles to State Route 260 and turn right to go to Camp Verde and I-17.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!  Try to stay cool out there!

Get Outta Town and Cool Off this Weekend!

We thought we’d showcase a little out of town hike for you in this week’s Friday post. Located near Williams, AZ this hike was originally posted by Arizona Highways Magazine online.  Treat yourself to a short scenic drive to the Arizona high country for cooler temperatures and enjoy some ancient scenery.

Keyhole Sink

Gray-black basalt cliffs surrounding three sides of Keyhole Sink guard a small forest glade in the Kaibab National Forest, west of Flagstaff. From the Oak Hill Snow Play Area parking lot, 4 miles west of the tiny town of Parks, cross Historic Route 66 to the Keyhole Sink trailhead. The trail, a 2-mile round trip, is rated as easy. Rocky in spots, it gently slopes down into a small box canyon, where a thousand years ago, ancient Indians carved petroglyphs into the volcanic canyon walls. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, the route makes a cool summer hike, and blue triangle markers nailed to trees guide cross-country skiers along the trail in the winter. The trail gradually descends to the bottom of a small draw covered with wild rosebushes and irises. Over thousands of years, the erosion of a lava flow created this keyhole-shaped canyon. The trail ends at a small pond at the base of the darkest basalt cliffs that stand 30 to 40 feet high. The size of the water hole depends on precipitation and can range from bone-dry to about 4 feet deep.

 

Trail Guide

Length: 2 miles, round-trip
Elevation: 7,000 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Flagstaff, travel west on Interstate 40 to Exit 178, Parks Road. Leaving I-40, drive north .4 mile on Parks Road to Historic Route 66 and turn left, heading west for 4.2 miles. A brown sign on the right marks the Oak Hill Snow Play Area; the parking lot is on the left just past the sign. The trailhead starts across the highway from the parking lot.
Information: Kaibab National Forest, Williams Ranger District, 928-635-5600;www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/recreation/trails.

Get out of the heat, soak up some fresh air and take a hike!

Arizona Monsoon

It’s that time of year again, time for the infamous Arizona monsoon.

For those of you who are unaware the monsoon brings much needed rain, brilliant lightning shows and awe inspiring dust storms.  They are spectacular to witness but they can be dangerous too.

Follow this link for some helpful tips on how to stay safe during an Arizona summer storm.

Get Away From the Heat This Weekend and Enjoy Some Fresh Mountain Air

Looking for a way to escape the heat this weekend?  A great way to cool off and explore some gorgeous areas of our beautiful state is to get out and take a hike!  Arizona has a reputation of being a desolate wasteland of cactus, rattlesnakes and temperatures that resemble that of the surface of the sun.  This is simply not the case – at least not the entire state anyway!  Fact – “Arizona has the largest contiguous stand of ponderosa pines in the world stretching from near Flagstaff along the Mogollon Rim to the White Mountains region.”

This means there are endless trails throughout these forests just waiting for you to discover.  Whether you only have time for a short day trip or you stay the night and camp, escaping to the high country is the perfect way to enjoy your time during an Arizona summer.  Grab your hiking boots, get the kids and the dog, pack a lunch and head for the hills! Enjoy your weekend away from it all and soak up some fresh mountain air!

Tips to Staying Healthy While on the Road

If you travel a lot for work sometimes it’s hard to stay in a healthy routine.  Being away from home and what’s familiar can often times throw you down a path of on the go easy and convenient luxuries that aren’t always the best health wise.  We’ve compiled a few tips that might help you stay on track with eating right and exercising while away from home

Eat a Healthy Breakfast – I know you can hear your mother’s voice as you’re reading this but as we all know by now “mother knows best!”  A healthy breakfast not only jump starts your day but it is linked to many health benefits.  Studies show that a nutritious breakfast helps manage weight control, improves performance and increases concentration.  Before you leave for the airport, the office, or that big meeting, make sure you take the time to eat right and your day will go a lot smoother than if you skip it!

Exercise – whether it’s a trip to the gym or a run at the park – exercise helps maintain the waistline and clear your head.  A regular workout routine is vital to staying healthy on the road.  It also allows you to get out of the office and see new sights.  Visit the workout facility of the place you are staying or familiarize yourself with your new surroundings and walk around town.  Even though sometimes you work late or are tired when you get home, staying active outside of the office will keep your heart healthy, brain active and your body fit and trim.

Wash Those Hands – Airports, hotels, cabs, and elevators…have I got your attention yet?  All day every day lots and lots of people frequent these popular spots; and, yes, they are touching a lot of the same things you’re touching.  To help prevent the spread of germs make sure to wash your hands frequently. If a sink and soap are not convenient keep some hand sanitizer close by.  When traveling for business the last thing you need is to come down with a bug the night before a big presentation.

Get Plenty of Rest – While preparing for and traveling for a long business trip a person can sometimes get pretty worn out and stressed.  When you arrive at your destination try to allow for some down time in order to acclimate for the time difference and rest up from the journey.  If possible try to arrive at least a day ahead of time in order to unwind and be well rested for the business that brought you here in the first place.

Following these easy steps can hopefully help you in staying sharp and alert throughout the day which can lead to achieving your goals at work, staying healthy and making it through the long work week successfully!