sedonavacmgr answers:

Honestly, your professional friend should probably have some great ideas on where to do them…that is the kind of thing that professionals are supposed to know…

sedonavacmgr answers:

Well there is not much to Jerome. A good road house right on the main drag with really good views towards Sedona. In Sedona you can go hiking, mountain biking, swimming in the creek, or go to one of the vortex’s. The easiest vortex to get to is the one by the airport. Its a short 5 minute hike to the top and you are rewarded with great views. If you go mountain biking be sure you know how to change a flat, I can’t tell you how many thorns I found in the trails around Sedona. You can rent them at any of the shops. The shops also have generic maps to the vortex’s as well as literature about them. The are places with very unique magnetic fields. You could watch the sunset at one and use the special feelings the “fields” are giving you as a in for a first kiss! I did that once but honestly I never felt anything at the vortex’s. I used to love tubing in Oak creek when it was high. Slide rock is a good place to swim if you are to nervous to find your own spot, they charge like $6 to park I think. There is a pullout right after a big bridge that spans one of Oak Creek’s tributaries just north of town. You can park there and follow the trails right down to the creek if you are feeling more adventurous. Have fun and good luck!

sedonavacmgr answers:

There was a similar question about a week ago – here’s what I wrote then, based on my 2 visits to the Phoenix area.

If they’re interested in architecture ‘Taliesin’ in Scottsdale is great. Cost a small fortune by cab from my motel in Mesa but it was worth it.

I was disappointed ‘Rawhide’ was closed/ghost town when I last visited in 2006. In 2005 it was getting moved from Scottsdale. Hope there’s something similar now.

Yes old Scottsdale is fun, Mill in Tempe and Tempe town lake is really lovely, nice areas to picnic, kayaking etc.

A ‘Flea-market’ near Mesa was great too – but that may only be around when the ‘snowbirds’ are over winter.

Do not, DO NOT … Can I say that loudly enough, miss the Desert Botanical Gardens. Visit in the daytime and check their website to see if there are any evening concerts – absolutely magic. I heard/saw the Sarhnas Brothers there in November 2006. Phoenix Zoo is cool to – especially near Christmas when they have a ‘light show’.

Cave Creek, near Phoenix was a fun place to visit. Had some great enchiladas at Crazy Ed’s – Satisfied Toad restaurant there. They sell beer with Chili Peppers in the bottle! A sure sign you’re south lol

Fountain Hills Park is great too – wonderful grassy areas for picnics, Frisbee golf and the fountain, can reach up to 500ft.

The people are friendly and helpful. I’ll never forget wearing a Steelers Tshirt and a lady at Superstition Mall, relocated from PA, asked me where I lived. She couldn’t believe there was a Steelers fan from New Zealand, let alone a Steelers fan from NZ being in AZ. We chatted a while, but people behind me didn’t seem upset and joined in the conversation. Just lovely … Smiles

I’m really glad I have visited Phoenix/Sonora Desert. The desert is so different from NZ landscape.

Wow – nearly forgot – the Grand Canyon, especially with that new walkway out over the canyon … Or is that on the north rim? Anyway if you’ve done Sedona you’ve probably visited Flagstaff and the Canyon as well.

Also Tombstone – I always thought it was just a movie, not a reality.

 

 

sedonavacmgr answers:

Canoe at the city lakes. The 10 year old could probably handle a single kayak, or if the 9 & 10 year old get along they could try a double.
Bring lots of sun screen and bug repellent and water!
Out of Africa is in Verde Valley, and fun, but like everything else very hot. Bring and drink lots of water.
The Verde Valley railroad has a loop trip that most kids love.
Check out a trail ride around town also. I don’t have any numbers but you should be able to find some when you are there.

sedonavacmgr answers:

Go to their website which I found to be at:

http://www.redrockspringsfarmersmarket.com/

Enter chow chow in the search field.  It took me right to their page for their chow chow relish which can be ordered from them for: $ 7.50 a bottle.

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sedonavacmgr answers:

I have an Idea. I admit, I’ve never tried it before but I betcha it will work. Pour plain Clorox bleach into a bowl big enough to fit the shoes in. Soak the shoes checking on them every hour until your satisfied with the whiteness. For drying them out, I say leave them out in the sun. Let God do His work with the sun.

sedonavacmgr answers:

When my family and I go on vacation to Sedona we always eat at the Red Planet Diner. It has amazing food and the people are awesome. If you go I recommend the passion fruit smoothie! =)

sedonavacmgr answers:

While I’m not from Phoenix, I have travelled there often. There is a bus that takes you to the airports off site car lot, there are many places that rent there. HOWEVER, don’t rent there! I have found taking a cab to a local place is MUCH cheaper. The airport lot seems to charge extra for convenience. Last time I was there I saved over $200 for my 2-week trip by using a lot not affiliated with the airport.

I’d check out different rental places websites. Avis, Dollar, Enterprise and just see what they all charge because prices can widely vary.

Good luck!

*added* the car lot is no longer in Sky Harbor. There is a separate building with one bus. Instead of looking for the bus of a specific car company the one bus will take you to the building with all the rental places. It’s about a five minute ride, so it is outside the airport. A cab costs more but if you make some phone calls (at the airport lot vs not at the lot) you’ll see you can save a lot of money!