Finding Arizona This Weekend - June 1 - 3, 2012

Valley of the Sun…

1.  Saturday, June 2nd is Family Farm Day at Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale.  You can enjoy family oriented contest like corn-husking, watermelon-eating and the always popular seed spitting.  Here is a link for all the details - http://tolmachoff-farms.com/

2.  "The Wallace and Ladmo Show" will be performed at the Herberger Theater Center from June 1 - June 17.  For all Valley residents who remember this locally produced children's television show, this will be a fun journey back to a simpler time.  Here is the link - http://www.atphx.org/index.taf?mnid=performance&ecid=1326903105


Around Arizona…

1.  Mountain High Games happen this weekend in cool Payson.  Here is the link - http://www.paysonrimcountry.com/mountainhighgames/

2.  Flagstaff Wool & Fiber Festival will be help on Saturday, June 2 & 3.  This will be the 23rd annual festival and is held at the Pioneer Museum from 10 am - 4 pm.  Price is FREE!  Here is a link - http://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/museums/welcome-to-pioneer-museum-flagstaff/

3.  The 15th Annual Pow Wow in the Pines will be held this weekend at the Hon-Dah Resort Casino near Pinetop.  Nearly $40,000 in prize money will be awarded.  Here is a link - http://www.hon-dah.com/calendar.html

Finding Arizona This Weekend - May 25 - 28, 2012

     Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all.  God bless and thanks to all who died so that we might live free!
    School is out across Arizona and summer fun can now begin.  Here are our suggestions to help you Find Arizona this weekend!

Valley of the Sun…

1.  Pioneer Cemetery, near the state capital, will be the site for the 29th annual commemoration of those Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I soldiers who are buried in this historic downtown cemetery.  Here is a link for all the details - http://www.azhistcemeteries.org/

2.  Veterans get in FREE at Wet N' Wild over Memorial Day weekend.  Here is a link for this cool, fun time - http://wetnwildphoenix.com/

Around Arizona…

1.  Wyatt Earp Days are in full swing this weekend in Tombstone.  What a beautiful weekend to jump into the car and travel to the "town too tough to die!"  Here is a link with all the information - http://www.tombstonechamber.com/

2.   The two small Rim communities of Pine and Strawberry are holding another of their arts and crafts fairs this Saturday and Sunday.  Here is a link with all the information you will need to know - http://pinestrawberryartscrafts.com/

3.  It is always good to make your way to Prescott and this weekend is the Phippen Museum's Western Art Show.  Here is the link you need to know - http://www.phippenartmuseum.org/

Finding Arizona This Weekend - May 18 - 20, 2012

So much happening all around Arizona this weekend. Since May 18 is International Museum Day, many if not all  the museums around Arizona are offering FREE admission!  Here are our suggestions for you to check out…


Valley of the Sun…


1.  It is Chandler's 100th Birthday.  Ol' Dr. Chandler would be quite surprised to see what his country farm has grown into.  Here's a link - http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=100


2.Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa is celebrating its 35 Anniversary and admission is FREE!  This museum has the greatest display of dinosaurs found anywhere in Arizona so if you have a young one who loves that dinosaur time, this is a must see!  Here is a link for you - http://azmnh.org/


Around Arizona…


1.  This is Jerome's Historic Home Show weekend.  This is always a treat and a great excuse to return to "the wickedest town in the West!"   Here is a link - http://www.jeromechamber.com/pages/hometour.htm


2.  Payson is the place to be for the Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo.  If you like rodeo, this is the place to be this weekend.  Here is a link - http://www.paysonrimcountry.com/Activities/Rodeos/SpringRodeo.aspx


3.  Wickenburg's Desert Caballeros Western Museum is known as one of the great museums of Western Art in America.  With FREE admission on Saturaday, May 18th, this is a great time to visit and enjoy this wonderful museum.  Here is a link - http://www.westernmuseum.org/

Finding Arizona This Weekend - May 11-13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!   Arizona Celebrates Mother's Day Weekend with many fun and enjoyable events.  Here are our weekend suggestions for you to consider...


Valley of the Sun…


1.  It is Peach Festival time at Queen Creek's Schnepf Farms.  This is a great family outing to one of the Valley's great farms.  Here is the link  - http://www.schnepffarms.com/


2.  Dine with a shark at the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium in Litchfield Park.  Dillon's Restaurant is now open so can be a fun and unique Mother's Day meal.  Here is the link - http://www.wildlifeworld.com/aquarium/dillons-restaurant.shtml




Around Arizona…


Mother's Day Evening at the Reid Park Zoo, Tucson.    We love this small zoo in Tucson.  Here is their promotional ad - "Join the Reid Park Zoological Society for a special Mother's Day evening featuring a deluxe Mexican buffet, Mariachi music, face painting, crafts and games for the kids and up close visits with our animal ambassadors. Moms will have the special opportunity to feed the Giraffes and each mom will receive a free family photo and a chance to win one of several door prizes."  Details - Sunday, May 13, 2012 5:00p to 7:30p   Here is the zoo's web link - http://www.tucsonzoo.org/


Mortimer Family Farm Bloom Fest - Dewy.  Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.  Here is their promotional ad - "Mortimer Family Farms "Bloom Fest" and Farm Store Grand Opening!  Bring your Mom to Mortimer Family Farms for a fantastic selection of flowers, vegetables, trees & shrubs! Check out the free hay rides, gardening classes, family activities, live entertainment, great food and more!  Mortimer Family Farms - 12907 E. State Route 169, Dewey."  Our favorite "Out-of-the-Valley" family farm.  For generations was own by the Young family and was known as Young's Farm.  We are so happy that the Mortimer Family has reopened this Arizona Treasure!  Here is a link - http://www.mortimerfamilyfarms.com/Mortimer-Family-Farms---Home-Page.html

26th Annual Prescott Fine Art & Wine Festival -May 12 & 13, 2012; Courthouse Square - 9:00 A.M - 4:00 P.M.  Here is their promotional ad -   "Mountain Artists Guild presents its 26th Annual Prescott Fine Art & Wine Festival. This festival is always on Mother's Day weekend and draws a huge following.
     Fine Artists representing mediums in sculpture, painting, photography, scratchboard art, fiber art, jewelry and more come from New York to California, to local and Southwestern regions.
There will be live music from many talented artists, plenty of food, an interactive KidZone for young artists, and several demo booths including: the Prescott Woodturners, the Spinners & Weavers, and the Mad Mudders (Pottery).
     There will also be a Wine Garden adjacent to the show on the Courthouse Square with Arizona Wine Growers Association sponsoring many Arizona wineries.
     Come join them in beautiful, history-rich, mile-high Prescott, Arizona (surrounded by Ponderosa Pine forest)...and bring Mom for a wonderful weekend!"




We hope you get out this weekend and enjoy Finding Arizona for yourself!

Our Desert Escape - Carlsbad, California

     OK, we admit that there are times that we feel the need to leave our beloved desert and get recharged from the world found only at the ocean.  Over the past few years we have discovered Carlsbad, CA and have come to enjoy the many fun, educational and relaxing opportunities we’ve discovered in this beach town just 40 miles north of San Diego.  Home of Legoland (which we have yet to visit) as well as flower fields, orchid farms, historic missions and endless opportunities for dining.  So, here we were last week, making that 6½-hour drive once again to live with some cool weather and ocean breezes for a few days before another Arizona summer becomes our daily reality.
    Because this was Ms. Gypsy’s first out-of-state trip as well as her first visit to the ocean, we could not stay where we usually stay while in Carlsbad, the Beach Terrace Inn.  We  had to find a new place to stay that would take a 3 pound Yorkie and we found a gem - the Seashore on the Sand Beachfront Hotel.
     Our well kept and clean room was on the 3rd floor - Room 302 to be exact.  The bedroom sliding door opens to a small patio which meant the ocean waves broke within 20 yards of our patio.  Aw - sleeping all night with the sliding door ajar as the waves crashed below - quite heavenly for us desert dwellers!  Norine and her staff are welcoming and great hosts; here is a link to the hotel’s website - http://seashoreonthesand.com/.  Here too is a link to the hotel live webcam - http://seashoreonthesand.com/live-webcam-carlsbad/.
     As with all the beachfront hotels in Carlsbad, the Seashore on the Sand is located within walking distance of the quaint, historic and welcoming downtown Carlsbad.  We discovered a new restaurant that we would surely recommend called the Naked Cafe.  Here is their link - http://www.thenakedcafe.com/
    We have posted a few pictures below of photos that we took from our patio, and of some of the local events we enjoyed while there last week.  So, if you are looking outside of Arizona for a great place in a great location with great accommodations right on the ocean, let us suggest you check our Carlsbad and the Seashore on the Beachfront Hotel.  This is our fourth trip to Carlsbad and we are planning to return very soon.   Hope you enjoy our “Out of Arizona “ pictures!

Seashore on the Sand, Carlsbad, CA

Sunset, May 3, 2012 - taken from our 3rd floor patio.

Sunset, May 4, 2012

Sunset, May 5, 2012

Surfer #1 from our patio

Surfer #2 from our patio

Surfer's "wipe-out" from our patio

Mission San Diego

Inside the Mission San Diego

Ms. Gypsy finding her Irish side

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA

Cup of Gold - Solandra maxima

Orchid from the Cal Pacific Orchid Farm

Orchid #2

Orchid #3

Finding Arizona This Weekend - May 4 - 6, 2012

Here are a few things to do around Arizona this coming weekend, May 4 - 6, 2012.  We always recommend that you call to make sure no last minute changes have occurred!  Enjoy!


In the Valley of the Sun…


On Friday, May 4th, the Arizona Science Center offers their Adults' Night Out - First Friday Program.  This month's night dealing with the "Science of Beer."  Admission for Adult First Friday is FREE!  Time is 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.  The Science Museum is located on the northwest corner of 7th Street and Washington.  Check out their web site for more information - http://www.azscience.org/adults_night_out.php




Around Arizona…


Jerome's Cinco de Mayo Art Walk - It is always good to attend the monthly First Saturday Jerome Art Walk but with Cinco de Mayo also being this Saturday, it will certainly be a special time.  The Jerome Art Walk festivities happen from 5 - 8 p.m.  Good parking and a downtown shuttle are available at the old Jerome High School just as you come around the second big curve into town.  Here is the Jerome First Saturday Art Walk link - http://www.jeromeartwalk.com/




Greer, Arizona is always a joy to visit and explore.  On May 5th, the The Lazy Trout Market and Cabin Rentals will sponsor the  First Greer Family Fishing Derby for kids 12 and younger from 10 a.m. - noon.  For kids 13 and older, the derby will be from 1 - 3 p.m. An award ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Here is a link - http://lazytrout.com/index.html