A Pleasant Hike on the Waterfall Trail

The Waterfall Trail is arguably the most popular destination at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. It attracts large crowds, especially when the waterfall is flowing. On a late afternoon in March, we got the whole place to ourselves and enjoyed peace and solitude at the trail's end, which we hear is a rare thing.

ZooLights 2020 - The Pandemic Edition

ZooLights transforms the Phoenix Zoo into a colorful, bright and cheery Holiday wonderland. It's an event that shouldn't be missed. How was it in 2020, the year of the pandemic? Read on to find out.

Ghosts of the Past: Vulture Mine

Vulture Mine is one of the most productive gold mines in Arizona history. Founded by Henry Wickenburg in 1863, this prosperous mine sparked a boomtown named Vulture City to arise from the Sonoran desert. Today, visitors are able to visit a few remaining original buildings and get a glimpse into what pioneer life was like in 19th century Arizona. And best of all, many say that this location is one of the most haunted places in Arizona.

Our First Visit to the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden

If you’re looking for a unique autumn or Halloween experience other than the usual haunted house that is family friendly, you can’t go wrong with the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden. Never heard of it? Heard of it and wondered if it is worth it? We give you the low down and a taste of what you can expect.

What the Heck is Tom's Thumb?

Tom's Thumb is a recognizable landmark, visible from the city of Scottsdale, that hikers can explore. The hike to this destination takes hikers through beautiful Sonoran desert terrain that has amazing views of distant landmarks such as Four Peaks.

Autumn Fun at Schnepf Farm 2019

Autumn adventures are a tradition for us and this year we went seeking new locations a bit closer to home. Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party is an annual festival held in Phoenix that we had never experienced before, so we headed out to see what we had been missing all this time.

The Siphon Draw Trail - A Casual Approach

The Siphon Draw Trail serves as conduit directly into the Superstition Wilderness. Hikers can proceed all the way up to the top of the Flatiron, or take a more casual approach like I did, to get up close and personal with the iconic mountains.

Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park

I undertook a pilgrimage through the beautiful Weaver mountains to the spot where 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots sacrificed their lives on June 30, 2013, battling the now infamous Yarnell Hill fire. The experience is both somber, and beautiful, and will leave a lasting impression on all who visit.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum - The Largest Arboretum In Arizona

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Phoenix, Arizona offers plenty of hiking opportunities on well maintained trails next to amazing mountainous scenery. Combined with thousands of species of arid land plants, it's a must stop location for any outdoor fan!