Go check out our video/photographs of our recent hike on the Tom’s Thumb Trail in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Arizona Renaissance Festival

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is located in the town of Apache Junction, which is roughly an hour drive from east side Greater Phoenix locations.  Here are a few fun facts:

• this is the 22nd year for the festival, and is one of the largest events of its kind in the nation.
• there are nearly 2,000 costumed characters, 12 stages with non-stop entertainment, and a 4,500-seat arena to watch armored knights joust.
• this 30 acre festival includes over 200 rustic shops, studios and galleries filled with unique arts, crafts, plus kitchens, pubs, games, and people-powered rides.
• the festival is open Saturdays, Sundays, and Presidents Day, February 6th thru March 28th.
• each day’s events begin with a 9:45 pre-opening gate performance, a 10:00 cannon shot, and ends with a faire-thee-well medley at 6:00.

I was taken by surprise with the long line of cars to get into this event, the massive parking lot full of cars, and the immensity of this place.  You could easily spend an entire day here, and perhaps not see everything there is to see.

Overall, we had a wonderful time, enjoyed the spectacle of it all, and in particular I enjoyed seeing some of the small children all dressed up, wandering around with wide-eyed glee.   In some ways, it felt like a 16th century European Disneyland.

If you are looking for something totally different, and would enjoy a little raucous revelry, then the Arizona Renaissance Festival just might be your ticket.  The only caution I would through out to parents is that some of the offerings in this event are clearly PG-13.

Here are a few of my photographs from the event:

It was a Thursday night when we visited Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue, and the minute we walked in the door we could tell that we were in for a wonderful experience.

First of all, the place was packed with people eager to enjoy a heapin’ helpin’ of Chef Bryan’s barbecued ribs, chicken, beef brisket, or pulled pork.  Why Chef Bryan even has Vegetarian “pulled” squash for those who desire something without a hoof.

As we walked in, Carol spied a table of folks leaving, so I placed a claim on the table while Carol stood in line for our fixins’.

As I waited, I enjoyed the velvety smooth baritone voice of Amigo Mike, as he sang cowboy ballads that took me back 40 years listening to my parents play Eddie Arnold records.  I must confess, his music was very nostalgic for me, and he did an excellent job hopping into his falsetto voice at the end of many of his phrases, as cowboys love to do.

After a few songs like Cattle Call, and Cool Water, Carol arrived with our food.  I chose the 1/2 lb meat combo (pulled pork & brisket) while Carol opted for the 1/2 slab of pork ribs.  To accompany my meal I chose barbecue cowboy beans and baked potato salad, while Carol opted for french fries and coleslaw.

Let me be clear, this was some of the best barbecue I have ever had!

Chef Bryan just celebrated his restaurants first birthday, and the community is clearly happy to reward him handsomely for his fine vittles!

As it became clear that we were never going to finish the heapin’ helpin’s given, we asked for a doggie bag, and were surprised by Chef Bryan with a serving of his special homemade ice cream sandwiches, a can of his special rub, and a bottle of his incredible barbecue sauce.

In my mind, a restaurant has the recipe for great success if they can combine great food, with a wonderful experience.  Chef Bryan Duley, with his Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue, has put together all the right ingredients to provide you with both.

We highly recommend a visit!  Furthermore, if you visit on a Wednesday, or Thursday evening, you will be treated to live music as well.

Thank you Chef Bryan for a wonderful evening, we will be back, and we will be certain to bring our out of town guests to visit you when they happen our way.

Disclosure:  this dining experience was provided by Chef Bryan Duley.

In an effort to create a national campaign to tap into these massive dollars, our Washington representatives have put forth the Travel Promotion Act for President Obama to sign.

From the US Travel Association:

“The Travel Promotion Act creates the Corporation for Travel Promotion, modeled after successful programs in U.S. states and other developed nations, with the mission of attracting more visitors to the United States. The initiative is funded through a matching program featuring up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. The fee will be collected once every two years in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization. No money is provided by U.S. taxpayers.”

From Steve Moore, President & CEO, Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau:

“The Travel Promotion Act is a significant step in the right direction for our national and local economies. This new program will bring critical international tourist dollars to our hotels, attractions, restaurants and transportation providers… and all of the 160,000 men and women whose jobs depend on travel in the Phoenix area.”

It will be interesting to see how this pans out.  What are your thoughts about this new government agency?

The Phoenix Art Museum is:

“The Southwest’s premier 203,000- square foot destination for world-class visual arts. Here you will be immersed in culture while viewing popular exhibitions that feature artists such as Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, and Annie Leibowitz. Monet. And the list goes on.”

On this particular return visit, we were honored to spend some time with the museum’s photography curator, Dr. Rebecca Senf, who gave us a personal tour of her current exhibit Ansel Adams: Discoveries.

Here’s our recommended experience:

• arrive when the museum opens.  (link to directions/hours)
• the front desk will provide you with maps, and directions to the type of collection you desire most to see.  If you prefer self-guided tours, the museum has audio headsets to help you understand what you are looking at.
  
• when your belly begins to rumble, head to the award-winning Acadia Farms Cafe which is housed right inside the museum.  We have been many times, and it’s wonderful.  Great soups, salads, sandwiches, or even a piece of fresh salmon.
• After lunch, tag along with one of the docent guided tours.  There are several free tours available after lunch each day.
• After you have delighted your senses with all these wonderful artworks, don’t forget a visit to the museum’s wonderful gift shop.  Here you will find many unusual items certain to be treasured by your family, friends, or maybe a little treat for yourself!

Note:  click on the Ansel Adams photograph (above) to see a much larger version of his famous Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941.   Color photograph courtesy of Bill Timmerman via Phoenix Art Museum.

From the Kuoni report:

“The 24-page report reveals that the hottest topics to talk about while on holiday are work/life balance (41%) and getting fitter/healthier (39%). Interestingly the more one earns the more these percentages rise: 70% and 58% respectively.

36% talk about their love life with 34% actually deciding to take action and spice it up when they get home. It seems the younger generations talk about this subject even more at 57%.

74% of Brits surveyed said a romantic getaway can make or break their relationships. This is especially true when it comes to women with over a quarter believing that a holiday might help them re-ignite the flames of love and over a third said a break helped them get re-acquainted with their partner.

70% of people surveyed said their primary reason for a holiday was to escape from work and again, this figure rises to 80% for higher earners. And 72% of Brits agreed that it was “even more important to have a holiday during a recession”

Bosses should also be prepared in case their employees come back with more than just a tan. The report found that 28% of people returning from a break actually decide to take action on changing their job.”

Are you unhappy with your life?  Perhaps you should take a vacation!