10 Things to do in Phoenix and no duplications allowed from previous post.
#1
Probably because of my college degree in Agriculture plants and botany have been a life long interest of mine. So my number one thing to do in Phoenix is the Arizona Desert Botanical Garden. Located on Galvin Parkway about 7 miles from central Phx. the park is 50 acres of wild desert with the collection of 1200 rare desert species interspersed between the more "mundane" saguaro, cholla, and ocotillo. The park has an ongoing series of exhibitions and attractions. This spring they had a major Chihuly glass exhibition, right now Monarch butterflies are migrating from the north to Mexico. They stop on their migration in Phoenix and the park has created a microclimate for them to rest and store up energy for the rest of their migration to the state of Chiapas in Mexico.
Other exhibitions and programs include the weekly jazz series. R Carlos Nakai is coming in November. I already have tickets because the concept of sitting on a patio, watching the sun go down, painting our desert sky brilliant colors, sipping wine and listening to Nakai live is a do not miss experience.
There are 6 major paths through the park and all are accessible by scooter.
The park is open 8 am to 8 p.m. october through April and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer months. It is closed, July 4, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Admission is $16 for adults, $13.50 for children and $5 for students with ID. www.dbg.org
Here is my favorite picture from the Chihuly exhibition. Taken as the sun sets the glass takes fire among the Joshua tree.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: TourMama,
Destinations Near My Mountain Home - Part I Because of length, I am posting #s 1-5 here and #s 6-10 below.
1.Grandfather Mountain: Grandfather Mountain is one of the premier destinations in Western North Carolina and one of our favorite places to visit. It has been a destination for other STers as well, such as kaydee and Dana of the Traveling McMahans.
The "Grandfather" is the highest peak (5946 ft.) on "the eastern escarpment" of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It not only has spectacular views, but also miles of hiking trails and a world-renowned nature preserve with black bears, cougars, and bald eagles among other animals rescued from hunters and development.
Once all privately owned and maintained, a largely undeveloped area of 2600 acres has now become part of the N.C. state park system. A non-profit foundation will continue to run the preserve, a nature museum, and the peak with its Mile-High Swinging bridge, the highest in the U.S. A new "top shop" by the bridge is nearing completion. Each July, the Grandfather also host one of the biggest Highland Games in the US, which includes a very steep marathon up the mountain from Linville.
The other day, after an early freeze, we drove by the Grandfather and noticed that the top was covered with rime ice. I commented that it looked as if Grandfather had turned gray. If you Google "rime Ice," you should find a picture of the Mile-High bridge covered in it. Amazing!
Distance from home: 23 miles
Cost: Adults = $15.00; Seniors = $12; Children = $7. (Locals = $1./person, two months a year. Yay!)
2. Barn Quilt Trails in NW North Carolina (and a few in NE Tennessee): This, of course, is a moving destination. Barn quilts are designs painted on signboards (8 ft. x 8ft., or 4 ft. x 4 ft.) and mounted on the sides of, well, old barns - usually - but also other buildings. These designs, typically, are based on traditional quilt patterns. The practice may have originated in the rural Midwest; I'm not sure. However, it has taken off in a big way throughout this area of the mountains, which, with its many old barns and scenic coves, offers many ideal locations.
The following websites are from my home county (Watauga NC), as well as the surrounding counties in the bi-state area. Neighboring Ashe (NW corner of NC) and Avery counties have excellent barn quilt projects. Take a look!
b). Ashe County: Ashe County Quilts. About twenty of these quilts are within 30 miles of my house. Only those in Crumpler, Grassy Creek, and most in Lansing are not.
c). Avery County: Avery County Quilts. Twenty-seven of these 33 quilts are within the 30-mile limit. (Only #s 1a, 1b, 5a - 5c, and 13 are not).
d). Johnson County TN: Johnson County TN Quilts / Four of these barn quilts are within 15 miles of home: All those in Mountain City and the Younce Barn in Trade.
The only cost involved in viewing these quilts is that for gas (petrol).
3. Blowing Rock (The Village and the Blowing Rock itself): Blowing Rock is one of the oldest and most charming vacation towns in the N.C. mountains. Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is very pleasant and relaxing. It is also noted for its art galleries and restaurants (favorite = Bistro Roca)
It is known especially for Art in the Park, a free juried art show which is held on six Saturdays from May to October in the local park. It attracts artists and craftspersons from all over the southeast. Click on the link to see works by featured artists.
Nearby Bass Lake is good for fishing and easy hiking. A children's favorite the Tweetsie Railroad theme park, is just west of the village on U.S. Hwy. 321 toward Boone, though its admission fees exceed those specified.
The "Blowing Rock" itself is one of North Carolina's oldest travel attractions (1933). It is an "immense cliff … overhanging Johns River Gorge, 3,000 feet below," and it has many fabulous misty views. Entrance fees: Adults = $6.00; Seniors = $5.00; Children (4-11) = $1.00; ages 3 and under = free.
The town of Blowing Rock is 13.5 miles from my home.
4. Valle Crucis/Original Mast General Store: Valle Crucis is a peaceful mountain town that epitomizes the term "bucolic." First settled over 200 years ago, it became North Carolina's first rural historic district. The entire community is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Individual historic buildings include The Baird House (1790) and The Mast Farm Inn,(1812), now a nationally acclaimed B&B and dining establishment.
Its many parks provide pleasant outdoor recreation and serve as venues for a number of festivals. My favorite is the Valle Country Fair, which, unfortunately, we didn't attend this year because of horrendous weather. The historic Episcopal Mission (1842) is now a major conference center, drawing groups from all over the Southeast.
Perhaps the most popular destination in Valle Crucis, however, is the Original Mast General Store , first established in 1883. Although current owners and community activists, John and Faye Cooper, have opened seven other Mast Store locations outside of Valle Crucis, including Asheville, Greenville SC, and downtown Knoxville, there is nothing like the original to provide a sense of the old-time community general store. Not only are there casual clothes of all kinds, food such as cornmeal and preserves, and a wide variety of tools, but you never know when you'll walk in and hear some local musicians doing some pickin' in the corner. Whether you buy anything or not, walking through the Mast Store is, indeed, an experience.
Distance from home: 12 miles.
5. Boone: Boone is generally considered to be the "Heart of the "High Country." [See: ] As such, it has been recognized in recent years as a prime tourist and recreation destination. Here is one instance, and here is a more recent one. For an overview of the entire area, check out this site .
However, this is a bit misleading, as these designations focus on the entire local area. The town of Boone itself is the county seat of Watauga County and the home of Appalachian State University, and that's what I will focus on here. It has much to offer the visitor, in terms of shopping, sports, and a range of cultural activities. Its fun downtown is lined with craft shops, art galleries, and the kind of clothing stores that appeal to college students. It has, as well, a branch of the Mast General Store (Old Boone Mercantile).
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is a significant regional arts center which regularly presents exhibits featuring both local and national artists of various genre. It mounts an outdoor sculpture competition annually, the entries of which can be seen around town (temporarily or - in some cases - permanently).
The Jones House, run by the local Arts Council, presents free concerts on the lawn from June though September. It also sponsors monthly juried art exhibits. Boone, as do many other locales, holds a "First Friday" arts crawl each month, which includes the Turchin Center and the Jones House, as well as the several local galleries.
In addition to separately sponsored events throughout the year, Appalachian State presents two major concert and theatre festivals during the year, the Appalachian Summer Festival and the Performing Arts Series during the year, both of which feature nationally known performers. Tickets for the latter series are $20. or less, those for the former tend to be more expensive, though there are discounts for students and seniors.
The outdoor drama, "Horn in the West", is presented during the summer months. It is a Revolutionary War tale about the settlement of the mountain area. It has been presented in one version or another for many years. Tickets for adults are $18., less with AAA or AARP discounts.
Distance from home to the Courthouse: 6.5 miles.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: TourMama,
6. West Jefferson: Until about a dozen years ago, West Jefferson, in Ashe County NC, was still a sleepy, unremarkable mountain town with a dying downtown. One of the few destinations of interest was - and still is - the Ashe County Cheese Store. Then several things happened: The mountain retirement and second-home trend expanded north from Watauga, the Christmas tree industry burgeoned, and more and more people began to discover what a pleasant and attractive place it had become. (incidentally, several Ashe County Christmas trees have made it to the White House in recent years.)
Aside from all the nearby recreation activities provided by the New River and nearby Mt. Jefferson State Park, West Jefferson has become a mecca for mountain musicians and outdoor artists. Although Boone is quite a bit bigger, West Jefferson may now have as many art galleries along its main street as the former. Most remarkable, though, are the outdoor murals by local artists which decorate buildings throughout the downtown. Take a look here. They really are remarkable and varied, and the latest count was 15.
Old-time, bluegrass, and other roots music can be heard regularly, especially in the summer at the Backstreet Park Summer Concerts. The big event, though, is the annual Christmas-in-July celebration, at which bands perform all day on a downtown stage, and at no cost.
Nearby Mt. Jefferson, which looms over the town, offers multiple hiking trails, memorable tri-state vistas (you figure out which ones), picnicking, and a schedule of activities for families, such as storytelling. . West Jefferson is either 25 or 28.3 miles from our house, depending on which road you take.
7. Ben Long Frescoes: You do not have to go to Italy to see frescoes. Since 1978, fresco and portrait artist Benjamin F. Long has been painting frescoes throughout western North Carolina. He now has completed 13 frescoes, three of which are within 30 miles of my home.
After studying at UNC and the Art Students' League, Long served with the US Marines in Vietnam, following which he went to Italy where he studied fresco painting. Returning to North Carolina in the early '70's, Long was invited to paint frescoes at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Jefferson . These were his first ones in the state. St. Mary's is located just over 23 miles from our house.
Long's second frescoes in the area were painted at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Glendale Springs NC, east of Jefferson and about 28 miles from our home. While there are some very remarkable Ben Long frescoes elsewhere, as in Charlotte, the only other one within 30 miles is that at the Crossnore School, in Avery County, just under 30 miles away via NC 105. Entrance to all of these locations is free.
8. Blue Ridge Parkway/Moses Cone Manor and Craft Center: The Blue Ridge Parkway, my favorite road, is over 400 miles long, so clearly I can't include all of it. However, the closest entrance to the Parkway from my house is about nine miles away. Here, I'll highlight a few sections of the Parkway which are close by.
One of these is the Moses Cone Estate or Flat Top Manor, at Milepost 292. It served as the summer residence of textile (denim) manufacturer Moses Cone and his wife Bertha, and is now run by the National Park Service. The view from the front porch over Bass Lake is truly lovely (except for all the development in the background). The first floor of the mansion consists of a Parkway Craft Center operated by the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild and features a full range of remarkable crafts from the Appalachian region, especially fabrics, pottery, glass, and woodwork. It is my favorite place to go to buy gifts. There are also several hiking trails leaving from the manor house. Entrance to the house itself is free.
The Julian Price Park, with its lake and campground are nearby. This is the largest campground on the Parkway and is very popular. Reserve early. Park Rangers present programs at the park's outdoor amphitheater. Husband Doyle has been a featured storyteller there a few times this year.
The E. B. Jeffress Park at Milepost 272, just north of US 421 and Deep Gap, offers spectacular views, a picnic area, manageable hiking trails, and the Cascades waterfall. It makes a nice resting spot for families traveling the Parkway. One caution, though. Although the park is still accessible, an 11-mile stretch of the Parkway just north of Deep Gap is currently closed for roadway repairs. It is supposed to reopen soon, I hope. Just check the NPS Parkway site (under "Closures") for information. Detours are well marked, though.
9. New River/Go Tubing: The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world and, curiously, it flows from south to north. The headwaters of both the North and South Forks of the New are within 10 miles our home - the former on Elk Knob, the latter on the western edge of Blowing Rock. The New River offers canoeing, rafting, tubing, camping, fishing, and other recreational activities for most of the year.
Although the main entrance to the New River State Parkitself is slightly over 30 miles from our house, there are several other access points which are closer, especially those at Zaloo's in Jefferson - 28.4 miles, or at or near Todd, which is only 11 miles away.
If you have your own canoe - fine; canoe rental would exceed $20. Short (2-hr.) kayaking trips could meet the $20. limit, and tubing would be no problem - usually under $10.
10. Go South to Ski: You might not think of skiing and the South together, but the North Carolina mountains, particularly those in the northwestern part of the state, have become the skiing center of the southeast.
One of the most popular and family friendly ski resorts, Appalachian Ski Mountain, which is 10 miles away, lies just outside of Blowing Rock above US Hwy. 321 toward Boone. The other three major winter sports venues are closer to the town of Banner Elk. These include Hawksnest at Seven Devils - 20 miles away, which no longer has skiing, but has become a center for snow tubing; Sugar Mountain, at a distance of 21.5 miles; and Ski Beech, on Beech Mt., 22 miles from our house , which is the largest of the ski resorts in the area.
In addition to skiing, some of these resorts offer tubing, snowboarding, and ice skating. Lift tickets generally exceed the $20. limit, except on weekday nights at Appalachian Ski Mt. and Ski Beech. Ice skating sessions are under $15., while tubing is $20/session at Sugar on weekdays. Tubing at Hawksnest appears to be $22/session though.
P.S. I ran out of time to edit the first set of destinations, and I couldn't seem to upload my pictures correctly (kept getting error messages), so I'll post one here of a Grandfather Mt. bear.
I'm still trying to reformat my pictures so they will upload. They would be included as one of my albums, "Views from My North Carolina Neighborhood" - if I succeed. OK! Here's the link.
#2 - The Heard Museum. The world famous Heard museum is a collection of first people's art from throughout the Americas. From the Inuit carvings to Incan artifacts the broad range of acquisitions means that every visit to the Heard reveals something new. The primary emphasis is on Plains and Southwestern Indians (this IS the west). Once a year the Heard sponsors probably the largest juried Indian Art fair in the world. Hundreds of top artists compete for prizes and recognition. Maria Ortiz Mata and many other artists are represented at this art fair. A second major attraction is the annual Pow Wow with some of the top native dancers, singers, and drummers participating. Again there is a smaller art fair and this is a great time to get prime Indian Art.
Besides these 2 major exhibitions there are ongoing rotating exhibitions and workshops. The museum is a wonderful example of Hacienda Architecture. Built at the turn of the century it is a series of connected out buildings that encircle a central courtyard. The buildings have now become the galleries. The central exhibition area is 2 stories high but has an elevator. The entire museum is modified for accessability and unless the elevator is out of order I have never had any issues visiting the Heard.
Hrs: 9:30 to 5 M-Sat Sun 11 – 5 Closed: New Years, Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor day and Thanksgiving.
#3 – The Phoenix Art Museum
The Phoenix Art Museum re-opened last year after a $10 million infusion of capital which was provided by the voters of Arizona. Because like most American museums the Phoenix Art Museum collection doesn’t have the depth of European collections. No or very few “old masters”, very little over 100 years old. However, unlike most American museums they don’t concentrate on the Andy Warhol, Calder blob art. The emphasis is instead on what has only recently become acknowledged as an art form – Photography. In partnership with the University of Arizona (which was bequeathed with a huge Ansel Adams collection) they have a wonderful rotating exhibition. Not only Adams but 20,000 pieces from the birth of photography to contemporary greats such as Richard Avedon.
A second portion of the collection is the fabulous collection of FASHION!!! Pieces from the 1700’s (some earlier) to great contemporary fashion houses. We went to the lst ladies inaugural gown exhibition – lots and lots of fun.
One of the great things about this museum is its emphasis on education and events. I’m scheduled for the portrait photography classes in November. The Navajo believe that photography was soul capture. Great portrait photography is EXACTLY that. Hours and General Admission General Museum Hours
Wednesday, 10am-9pm Thursday-Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday, 12pm-5pm First Friday Evenings, 6-10pm
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays General Admission: $10 adults $8 senior citizens & fulltime college/university students w/ID $4 children ages 6-17 Free for Museum members & children under age 6
Voluntary donation on Wednesday evenings, 3-9pm. Voluntary donation on First Friday evenings, 6-10pm
http://www.phxart.org/ #4 – Agua Fria National Monument – how many cities can boast a 70,000 acre national monument within 30 miles? (Wikipedia lists it as 40 miles but I’m measuring from home which is 16 miles north of downtown). The park has a variety of cliff dwellings, pueblos, rock art and habitats ranging from low desert to riparian art. The monument has incredible rock art and is located along a major transit route between Mexico and the Colorado Cliff dwellings. Parrot feathers have been found in the ruins. If you wander some of the canyons you will find many metates just laying on the ground. I can just see the women grinding corn, gossiping. As an Arizonan who has seen exactly 2 rattlesnakes in 30 years of back country camping this is one of the places I saw one. The presence of rattlers are a bell weather for unspoiled habitat. With more and more people and less and less wild space this is a wonderful place to truly “get away from it all”. Extremely rugged, undeveloped. Not accessible Cost – free Hours – 24/7/365. http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/pr...as/natmon/afria.html
#5 Taliesen West – the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright he designed it from the original tents to the great architectural art it is. Having been to Taliesin several times it strikes me as extremely influenced by the arts and crafts movement in American design. Why is it the rich get these great places to build homes? The home is located in the foothills of the McDowell mountains with vistas of the desert from throughout the complex. Taliesin is still in use by the Arizona State University School of Architecture. Because Wright wasn’t particularly aware of disability access this is a difficult tour for people in wheelchairs. The docent can adjust the tour for those of us with mobility challenges. http://www.franklloydwright.org/Home.html The one hour tour is $24 - $20 for Seniors and Students. Hours 9 to 4 every day Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
#6 – Hall of Flame – this small museum building is only part of a wonderful exhibition of fire fighting equipment through the ages. There are 40 acres of equipment. Everything from bucket brigades to the most contemporary equipment. Kids love the museum because they get to climb on some of the equipment. There is a special section on wildfires which are a whole different creature than urban fires. The danger every wild fire fighter has in their mind is when the fire creates its own climate and you get firestorms. You don’t realize how important efficient fire departments are until you remember things like Mrs. O’Leary’s cow or the great fires of London. The museum has memorials created year by year for those killed in the line of duty. Of course the shocking year is 2001. It just socked me in the gut to see year after year of those heroes. Crazy people who run INTO burning buildings. Because of the size of the museum this is a little difficult in terms of accessability but with a scooter is OK. http://www.hallofflame.org/ Prices: Admission $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students 6-17, $1.50 children 3-5, free for children under 2. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Hours M – Sat 9 to 5 Sun noon to 4.
7 – Rose fields. The west valley is home to several of the largest rose root stock growers in the world. For most of the year you can see hundreds of acres of roses of every color in bloom. If your allergic bring a respirator because the scent is overwhelming not to mention the glorious colors. I am reminded of French impressionist painters every time I drive by.
Take interstate 10 west to cotton lane. Exit north to Indian School Rd or Thomas and then head east toward downtown.
This famous pizzeria is run by Chris Bianco who is dedicated to serving authentic great pizzas. Chris’ dedication to locally grown ingredients isn’t so strict that he won’t bring in Italian mortadella and capers.
This pizzeria has consistently won best in the US. Recommended by such lights as Anthony Bourdain (whose child Shannon wants to bear) this is as close to Rome as I can get. While it is still “not Italy” it cross over into “sorta Italy”.
Just reading the menu makes me hungry.
Prices $11 to $14
9 Gila River World War 2 Interment Camp This camp was part of the paranoia and insanity that gripped America during World War 2. And lets call a spade a spade – greed. In Phoenix Japanese who lived south of central and east of Van Buren (where the land was less valuable) weren’t dispossessed.
Those who were on the “wrong side of the tracks” were forced to relocate to the camps. They were also forced to sell their homes, belongings and businesses. Conveniently the big money men in Phoenix (the Phoenix 40) just happened to have the mere pittance that the internees were able to get. One of the money men was Dan Quayle’s grandfather – Eugene Pulliam. He significantly increased the family fortune after the war with the sale of what quickly became prime land. The Gila River Indians have always been a peaceful people. No records exist of any conflict between the tribe and any settlers. Still they were also dispossessed and herded onto a reservation. I find it more than slightly ironic that an Indian reservation became the land where the US government also interned Japanese. Because the 2 peoples were marginalized they obviously empathized with each other. One of the great lucky serendipitous happenings is that the Japanese taught the Gila to grow vegetables. The development of the Arizona truck garden industry is directly due to the camp. Little exists of the camp today but a small Buddhist shrine and bell. Go soon because the memories are fading of the natives who interacted with the internees. There is a small museum in the Indian center right off interstate 10 toward Tucson. http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/wracamps/ Admission free – hours 9 to 5 – Monday to Sat.
10 SPRING TRAINING Cactus League – It isn’t a place, it is many places, and it happens for one short month every spring. Located throughout the valley many of the major league teams train in the Cactus league stadiums. You can see the boys of summer train with baseball being “a GAME” not a multi-million dollar sport. Tickets are cheap, cheap, cheap and the players are extremely accessible. Before and after the game many of the players will sign autographs for the kids. It is fun to see American League vs National League teams. You can see many different world series scenarios played out before the season. Times and prices vary. No ticket is over $20 unless you go to the scalpers. http://www.springtrainingonline.com/ - click on the cactus league. 11 – Arcosanti Returning to the thrilling days of yesteryear this “hippy” enclave designed by Italian Paolo Soleri is an experiment in recycling, architecture and earth friendly living. The development fell out of “fashion” for years but with global warming turns out Soleri might be right after all. Because my pics of Arcosanti are just that – pictures please click on the website to see what an incredible place this Arcosanti continues to grow and evolve being built totally by volunteer and workshop labor. There are tours at 11, 1 2, 3 and 4 daily for $10. The project is large and only has marginal access because a lot of the site is construction site. I made Arcosanti number 11 because it fails the 30 mile rule but it is an incredible sight.
Thanks to all who have shared their "home" towns with us.
The 10, 20, 30, 40 contest is now closed. You will have a chance to vote for your favorite entry between November 5th - 10th, and the winner will be announced in our November newsletter.
Stay tuned!
TourMama
Posts: 3915 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Topic Closed
