For many people Phoenix is an enigma. What is the appeal of living in a desert? Isn’t it hellishly hot there? Why did all these people move there recently? Why would you stay in a place that has such backwards politics? For me, it is a pretty simple explanation. I was born here and have lived here most of my life. My family and friends are all here. I have lived elsewhere and liked it, but the Sonoran Desert and the people have always drawn me back.

The summers are extremely hot here. The whole dry heat myth was created by local boosters. It is dry, but so is your oven and you don’t hang out there. What makes the summers tolerable are frequent escapes to cooler climates (some just up the hill in Arizona-see the snow on Four Peaks?)  and the glorious climate in winter spring and fall. Some transplants from the East and Midwest complain about the lack of seasons here. We have seasons, just not the ones these people are used to. The Papago tribe here describe 3 seasons: dry hot season (May and June), wet hot season (July-September our “monsoon”), and the time of the pleasant cool (October-April). Today was so pleasant I decided to take a hike.

I usually walk for an hour in the park one block from my house. If I am willing to take 2 hours I can easily do my exercise in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, or the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trail head I hiked today is about 10 minutes from my house by car, and I can get to the McDowells in about fifteen. The Phoenix metropolitan area is home to the world’s largest system of urban wilderness. There are maintained hiking trails in all of the mountains in and around the city. As anti tax as people here can be (this is a tea party red state after all) twice we have voted to raise our taxes to set aside land in our midst as wilderness. I was 18 when the first measure passed in Phoenix and I voted to “save our mountains” in my first election. Scottsdale amazed me when they passed a similar bill just a few years ago to save the McDowells (I live on the Phoenix side of the border between the two cities). By the way if you see one of the pretty cactuses in the above picture don’t touch it! That is the teddy bear cholla, aka jumping cactus and they are painful to remove from the flesh.

In addition to hiking, most trails are open to mountain bikers and equestrians. I saw these two riding off as I started out today. There are a variety of access points in both mountain preserve systems. I like the 40th street trail head for proximity to home in the Phoenix Preserve’s Piestewa Peak/Dreamy Draw section. This preserve is scattered through the city and is composed of several separate mountains, Camelback and Piestewa being the most well known and frequently hiked. On weekends the trails to the top of these two mountains can get pretty crowded. I mostly sneak in on weekdays and do my weekend hikes in the Mcdowells or out of town in the Tonto National Forest. 

We have had a wet winter thanks to the El Nino effect. Somehow warm water in the Pacific off Peru turns on the rain and snow machine in the Southwestern US. Although the photos don’t quite do it justice, our desert is about as green as it can get in 2010. We have been in a drought most of the last decade so this is a rare treat. The frequent cold fronts (which means rain and temperatures in the 50’s for Phoenix) have kept things cooler than usual this winter and although the desert is green, the spring wildflower bloom has not hit it’s peak yet.

These yellow “fiddlenecks” are always among the first bloomers. There were quite a few starting to show color today, but many more wearing buds that haven’t opened up yet. What will come over the next few weeks is a splash of color that will be spectacular. If you have never seen a desert in bloom you have led a life deprived of one of the most beautiful sights mother nature can deliver. During the last good spring bloom our rocky desert mountains were wearing sashes of yellow, orange, purple and blue. If you have a chance to come to Arizona this March you will not regret it. Unless you foolishly fail to take a hike!

This cluster of fiddlenecks is typical of what I saw today in many parts of the preserve. Areas that hold moisture have the lushest growth such as washes and beneath bushes and trees. Although the green growth was evident everywhere, most of the flowers have yet to show color. Next week and the week after will be awesome, and I can assure you I will be out gawking and hiking as much as I can fit into my life. If you do go flower watching please do not molest the plants (no picking flowers) as it is harmful to coming blooms and against the law as well.

The blurry flower above is the only lupine I saw in bloom today. There will be many more to come. The lupine is one of my favorite desert wild flowers. I have seen entire hillsides covered with these bold blue beauties and it is a striking sight. Some of my other favorites are indian paint brush, brittlebrush, shasta daisy, and mexican yellow poppy.

The trail I chose today skirted these rugged rocks. They really stood out against a sky that was almost surreally blue. Some people see the desert as stark and foreboding. I can see how those who grew up in the cloistered greenery of cooler climes feel out of place here. It is a different environment for most, and likely the most starkly unusual location for a city in the US. But getting out into our urban wilderness may give you a far kinder impression. To me, home is the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona. On a 73 degree day like today, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Come July, Victoria BC may look awfully good.

In the distance is Piestewa Peak whose summit trail is the most loved and hiked of all the urban trails in the Phoenix area. It is one the most hiked trails anywhere on earth. There are so many trails available in the Phoenix area that it is not hard to find a more lonely path to enjoy a walk or a ride in our extensive urban wilderness.

Deep Roots Here

I spent the weekend up in the Mogollon Rim country of Arizona. We have an interest in a cabin in the woods outside of Pine, Arizona. I end up being the responsible party when there are issues with the cabin, and issues have stacked up since my last visit. While I was up there I had to do some sight-seeing. This is an area I have a strong attachment to since childhood. My father spent most of his youthful summers delivering supplies to sheep herders up on the Rim by horseback and pack mule. He took great joy in showing his boys the back country in this high wild and scenic part of Arizona. We explored, hunted and fished in the Rim country often as I grew up in the Phoenix area. It was a great cool escape from the low desert heat. It still is.

The Mogollon Rim (say “muggy-own” if you want to sound like a local) is one of Arizona’s most under-rated scenic wonders. People world wide know of the Grand Canyon and the red rock country of Sedona. The crowds of tourists in those two beautiful places are proof. The Rim country is not well known outside of Arizona. The Mogollon Rim runs on a diagonal from near Flagstaff to the White Mountains in the eastern part of the state. In it’s central region from where state highway 87 tops the Rim to where state highway 260 does the same, it is a dramatic escarpment rising over 1000 feet from the valleys and mountains below. From below it looks like one side of a massive canyon looking for it’s missing twin. From the top one can look down a sheer drop-off and overlook mountain ranges layered one after another as far as the eye can see. There is a dirt road one can take between the two main highways that rambles through the pines and aspens. There are a number of spots where the “Old Rim Road” literally hugs the edge of the sheer drop-off. The views are mind numbing and the drive can be unnerving to those with a fear of heights. It is a rocky, bumpy unimproved road and not recommended for passenger cars (trucks and SUVs only).

From the edge of the Rim the land drops off dramatically to the south (over 1000 feet in places) and gradually to the north. The edge of the Rim is mostly over 9000 feet in elevation. In a desert region like Arizona elevation makes a dramatic difference in climate and vegetation. The towns at the foot of the Rim, while cooler than Phoenix by 10 to 20 degrees most days, are often 10 degrees warmer than the high country on top. There are towns to the east of where highway 260 crests the Rim. Forest Lakes, Heber and Overgaard have some tourist infrastructure but are mostly summer home communities for people from the desert cities. Payson is the largest town below the Rim and has the most available in terms of hotels, dining and shopping. Pine and Strawberry are a bit higher than Payson and much smaller. The accommodations are mostly pretty basic unless one rents a summer home or cabin. Some of these are as nice the best homes in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley.

Below the Rim is cattle country with a mixture of grassland, juniper, and pine forests. Payson is one of several towns to claim the oldest rodeo. Up on top the high elevation is hospitable to spruce, fir, aspens and some huge ponderosa pines. As the landscape drops in elevation to the north it is cut by some deep canyons. Many are very hard to access, but all are scenic wonders. To the west of highway 87 several major canyons cut their way south from the Rim as well including Oak Creek Canyon and it’s famous red rocks.

The land on the Rim’s top is mostly in the Coconino National Forest and the Sitgreaves National Forest. Along with the White Mountains to the east and Flagstaff to the west, this is the coolest country in the generally very hot state of Arizona. It is no surprise that this area is very popular in summer for camping among the state’s desert dwellers. Most of the campgrounds were full over the July 4th weekend for example. This is the “monsoon season” in the Southwest and afternoon thundershowers are common in July and August. My car’s thermometer read 50 degrees during the downpour pictured below:

The Rim is a geographic feature so dramatic that it creates it’s own weather. While this storm raged on top, below there were only a few sprinkles. I have seen snow storms on the Rim in winter that were ferocious. All of this weather leaves water some of which is available for recreation. A number of fishable streams run both directions from the Rim’s edge. The streams that run south feed the Verde and Salt River watersheds and eventually make their way to Phoenix. The streams that run north feed the Little Colorado River and then into the mighty Colorado in the Grand Canyon. A number of the streams on top of the Rim have been dammed to create mountain lakes for boating and fishing.

Most of the lakes are near the Rim’s edge and in gently rolling country surrounded by green meadows and tall pine and aspen trees. Several are further down in rugged canyons. I hiked two miles into Chevelon Canyon Lake but did not take my camera. These two pictures are of Blue Ridge Reservoir where I launched my kayak and spent most of a day paddling on the blue waters surrounded by colorful stone cliffs covered in pines.

Now that I have our cabin squared away, I can’t wait to go back up to the Rim country! I have too much work to catch up on for now, but later this summer for sure!

Click on the first image below to see a slide show of all my photos from my Rim country road trip:

Summer Resort Getaways in Arizona, a Case Study:

Long before a clever journalist coined the phrase “staycation” Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Carefree, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Chandler, etc.) residents were doing in town resort getaways every summer. My home town is blessed with a wonderful array of luxurious resorts. As a true seasonal destination our luxe resorts that are priced to the stratosphere during the fall winter and spring high season always come to earth during our long hot summer. This summer the rates have fallen into a well. The local tourism economy has taken a severe beating, and resorts have priced to sell. No popular American destination has been effected more except Las Vegas. If you live in Arizona this is the summer of deals and steals on the best resorts! If you are crazy enough to come and take the heat it might even be tempting to out of state visitors at these prices.

Last week I called all seven of the Virtuoso properties to get the best rate or package for June 26th 2009. I also searched for the best deals available on seven major travel web sites. The client I was helping mentioned “an amazing deal” she had seen advertised by one of the big “online travel agencies".” I am not posting the rates that I found for the client for a stay on June 26th because rates are subject to change. I will show a comparison to what was available with a Virtuoso advisor and what was available for booking on the internet.

Internet travel sites and online travel agencies have spent a ton of money trying to convince the traveling public that they always have lower prices. This is one of the few things they have excelled at: creating the perception that the internet is cheaper. I often speak to clients who think they have found bargains on the internet, only to find that it is the exact same price I can get for them. In the case of luxury travel vendors my “price match” comes with added perks that gives my clients a huge advantage. Take a look at the amenities that come with a Virtuoso rate at these fine hotels then read on for the rate comparisons.

The Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, a Waldforf Astoria Collection: The venerable and classy Arizona Biltmore is the resort that set the stage for the Valley of the Sun as a vacation destination. Unique architecture inspired by sometime Arizona resident Frank Lloyd Wright is complimented by lush garden setting and green lawns. The convenient location gives easy access to downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale’s shopping. The resort is nestled at the base of popular hiking trails at Piestewa Peak and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.

Virtuoso guests receive:

· Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

· Daily Continental breakfast for up to two in-room guests,in the restaurant

· 4pm late check-out, subject to availability

· A complimentary lunch for two, once during stay (excluding alcoholic beverages)

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa: This resort has one of the best settings of all of the Phoenix area properties. True to it’s name The Boulders resides in and among large red boulders at the foot of Black Mountain just to the south of the town of Carefree. Well known as a spa and golf destination for celebrities, The location offers a peaceful retreat that still offers access to the amenities of the booming Valley of the Sun.

Virtuoso guests receive:

· Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

· Daily Continental breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in restaurant or via room service

· A US$100 recreational credit once per stay to be used for golf or tennis

· VIP Status

· Welcome amenity given in the name of the booking Virtuoso agent or agency

· 4:00pm late check out based on availability

Fairmont Scottsdale: Location, location, location. What golfer doesn’t want to stay overlooking the TPC? This is the site of the rowdy “biggest party on grass” or FBR Open (formerly the Phoenix Open) often the most attended stop on the PGA tour. Low-key southwestern architecture and well known Fairmont hospitality are found at the former Princess Scottsdale now Fairmont Scottsdale Resort. I had lunch there on Father’s Day which was excellent. There are some renovations being done on what was the large water feature off the main lobby. We were told that this would be done by summers’ end.

Virtuoso guests receive:

· A one-category upgrade at the time of booking, subject to availability

· Daily Continental breakfast for up to two in-room guests, served in LV Bistro, The Grill or via In-Room Dining

· 12 Noon early check-in, subject to availability

· 4 PM late check-out, subject to availability

· A US $100 Food & Beverage credit per room, once during stay (no cash value if not redeemed)

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North: This newest entry among The Valley’s Virtuoso gems is considered by many to be it’s crown jewel. Set at the foot of iconic Pinnacle Peak, the Four Seasons Scottsdale overlooks the greater Paradise Valley and Scottsdale areas with views of the distant Phoenix Mountains and beyond. Fine dining, luxe decor, and pampering service are provided in a way only Four Seasons can deliver. Some of Arizona’s best golf is right outside the door in one of the most exclusive addresses in Arizona.

Virtuoso guests receive:

· Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

· Daily breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in Crescent Moon or in Casita dining

· Welcome amenity of a snack trio & bottled water

· 50% Discount off valet parking for duration of stay

The Phoenician: This modern resort sets the bar high for glitz and style. This 250 acre resort property features 10 restaurants, 9 pools and has a $25 million art collection for guests to admire. Sitting at the foot of Camelback Mountain the Phoenician is close to Scottsdale’s shopping and downtown Phoenix sports and culture venues. I like the having tea at the Phoenician while I take in the wonderful view of Scottsdale and the distant Superstition Mountains. Golf, pool and spa here are top notch.

Virtuoso guests receive:

· Room view upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

· Daily full breakfast for up to two in-room guests, (up to $50.00 credit per day) in restaurant or via room service per guest room

· Welcome amenity of fresh seasonal fruit

· $50.00 Food & Beverage Credit, once during stay

Royal Palms Resort and Spa: A lush private oasis of luxury just south of iconic Camelback Mountain the Royal Palms is one of a kind. Winding paths lead throughout the garden setting and Camelback rises majestic above it all. This Mediterranean villa styled property makes guests feel they are far from the madding crowd, yet it is very convenient to Old Town Scottsdale, Fashion Square, and the Camelback Corridor. Get Pampered at Alvadora Spa or dine at widely acclaimed T. Cook’s all in Old World ambience.

Virtuoso guests receive:

· Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

· Daily Continental breakfast for two in T. Cook’s Restaurant

· An $100.00 Resort credit, once per stay

· VIP status

· 4 PM late check-out, subject to availability

Sanctuary On Camelback Mountain, Resort and Spa: This one of a kind resort has a feng shue vibe and a celebrity pedigree. Long a favorite of Hollywood types and VIPs, it is truly a Sanctuary. Sitting high on the slopes of fabled Camelback Mountain, guests at this gem are treated to one of the Valley of the Suns best views. The “Praying Monk” rock formation seems to be blessing it’s nearby neighbor and the Phoenix Mountains and Mummy Mountain rise across the valley known as “Paradise” between. Dining at Elements while the lights come sparkling to life at dusk is treat for the taste buds and the eyes.

Virtuoso guests receive:

· Guaranteed upgrade at time of booking on Mountain Rooms; upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, on Spa Rooms

· Daily Continental breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in restaurant or via room service

· A complimentary 30-minute massage OR 50% off spa treatment of choice (gratuities not included)

· VIP status

Online Travel Agencies: For comparison only. I searched for all seven properties for the same date on five of the popular online travel agencies and two multi-site comparison sites. For four of the resorts the best rate available on any web site was the same as the Virtuoso rate, but the online rates included none of the above amenities for the same price. For one resort all of the internet sites showed a rate that was over $100 higher than the Virtuoso rate with no amenities. For one resort one site had a rate $10 less than the Virtuoso rate (all other sites offered the same rate as the Virtuoso rate or higher) with no amenities. One resort had a special rate that was available to me and on all but one of the internet booking sites (the Virtuoso rate was applicable only to upgraded rooms and was higher than the special). For this one I could only match the web booking sites

Conclusion: The best rate is not always the best value. When the best rate is equal to or more than the Virtuoso rate this is especially the case. When is paying the same for less a good deal? Never. Prices for self booking even on the internet are in the vast majority of cases the same as rates available through any travel agent. Sometimes one web site or booking directly with a hotel can offer a slightly better rate. Sometimes a travel agent can offer the best rate. Frequently when booking luxury hotels the Virtuoso amenities included are by far the best value.

Do us both a favor and contact a Virtuoso advisor the next time you are looking for a high end vacation. Chances are you will save yourself money and gain added value. If you select a Virtuoso advisor who makes and nurtures contacts with the resort management you will also be afforded special treatment beyond your expectations. Do you still want to book a luxury resort stay on the internet? Don’t you want the free breakfast, upgrade and etc.?

Visit the Alliance Travel Partners web site if you would like to talk to me or my partners about these or other great values in travel!