Archive for July, 2010

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Tucson Area Guest Ranches – Part II

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

There are so many wonderful guest ranches in and around the beautiful Tucson area real estate that it warranted another post.

For those that want to experience the true ranch life, Price Canyon Ranch offers the real deal.  This is a working ranch that invites guests to visit and get a taste of the way life is in the west.  It was founded in 1879, but it has always made a point to honor the history of the land that dates back well before its time.  For some of the best scenery in all of Tucson, for some wonderful riding and bird watching, and for an all around exciting adventure, Price Canyon Ranch is just what you need.

The Rancho de la Osa Guest Ranch may not be exactly what you picture a ranch to be, but nevertheless it offers unmatched fun and thrill for all those who make their way to Tucson.  The colorful exterior of the main building provides a beautiful picture against the backdrop of natural skylines and the deep blue of a crystal clear sky.  Since 1923, it has been welcoming others to experience the ways of the west, and does not fail to

Photo from guidebookamerica.com

impress.  Hiking, horseback riding, swimming, golf, and massage are just some of the fun-filled activities that are within reach at the Rancho De La Osa.

Become one with the earth at Sunglow Ranch just outside Tucson.  This ranch is a bit different that the rest, bringing a bit of far eastern philosophy to the west.  With workshops in Yoga, lessons in cooking, and even a class in photography, this ranch tries to make the most of its surroundings.  The staff here seeks only to make you comfortable and to provide you the most enjoyable ways of experiencing ranch life.

Set on six-hundred forty acres of prime Tucson real estate, the Tanque Verde Ranch is a picture to behold.  Learn to throw a lasso, ride your horse off into the sunset, or simply take in the views from the pool.  Any way you go about it, you will not be able to resist the peace and relaxation that comes with a visit to the Tanque Verde Ranch.

Last, but certainly not least, on the list of Tucson area guest ranches is the White Stallion Ranch.  This three-thousand acre ranch provides the best in outdoor enjoyment, but also welcomes those who prefer a bit more pampering.  Basketball and tennis courts, pools and hot tubs, and even some card tables are just some of the awesome amenities available to guests of this Tucson ranch.

No matter what you are looking for, it is likely that one of these gorgeous guest ranches in and around Tucson offers just what you are looking for and more.

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Kerr Cultural Center Fosters Creativity in Paradise Valley

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

The west is not all about ranches and hiking trails, there is a very serious level of sophistication in and around the real estate of Paradise Valley Arizona.  In order to foster the more creative side of this city, Arizona State University offers the Kerr Cultural Center.  This is a center for art appreciation that also makes an effort to build a relationship between the school and surrounding communities.  Through a number of dramatic, comedic, and musical performances the Kerr Cultural Center’s goal is to help others help their communities.

The Kerr Cultural Center brings true entertainment to the Paradise Valley area with live shows, bands, musicians, and more.  The cost of attendance is kept low because of the college’s affiliation and as a result, Paradise Valley residents can have an evening to remember without having to pay a fortune. Whether you enjoy the soft sounds of a single acoustic guitar, or prefer sharing in the laughs of the crowd at a good comedy, the Kerr has something great to offer you.

For those who like to have all senses awakened by the performance arts, the Kerr Cultural Center also host Coffees at the Kerr, which is a series of informal shows put on by guests and invited artists.  These shows take place approximately once a month and also aid the needy by requesting all guests bring a non-perishable item to be donated to the local food shelter.

Similarly, about once a month on pre-determined Tuesdays, the Kerr hosts the college’s staff and students in a series of informative, fun, and highly entertaining performances.  The “Tuesday Tea” and is well worth the visit.  The Tuesday Tea’s are a highlight of having such a unique and wonderful center owned by a great university- the next generation of performers can have their moments to shine.

None of this would be possible if it were not for the woman who made such a generous donation.  Before passing away in 1977, violinist and composer Louise Lincoln Kerr donated two acres of her real estate along with the buildings in existence to Arizona State University’s Fine Arts Department.  From that very generous gift the Kerr Cultural Center was born.  Still today, the residents and tourists of Paradise Valley are able to appreciate this wonderful gift by Mrs. Kerr.  She gave the area a reason to open their minds and enjoy the talents of one another.

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Living an Urban Lifestyle in Arizona

Monday, July 26th, 2010

When you heard the words “urban living”, what do you think of? Most people think of city lights, quaint cafes, museums, galleries, theaters, and delicious restaurants all within walking distance. Many people are not able to enjoy this type of lifestyle, but those who are living in Arizona can enjoy upscale, amenity rich communities, and that they can also enjoy amazing vistas and unique opportunities.

The Phoenix and Scottsdale areas boast stunning homes and are perfect for those who are looking for a city lifestyle. Downtown Phoenix shows off lots of lofts and Art Deco styled buildings. Here you can find the restaurants and the shopping that you dream of. Many of the buildings in the city have a retro feel to them, but have been outfitted with modern amenities. The fusion of aged brick and pipes that have been left exposed, along with concrete that has been woven in, gives a unique and beautiful look to the city and makes it interesting as well.

Head into Scottsdale, and you’ll find a different lifestyle. This city features the on-site concierge type of lifestyle, where a valet is available twenty-four hours a day and there are many sleek and chic living options. The lifestyle is very energetic, with lots of nightlife options for those who enjoy going out as well as plenty of things to do in the daytime. Many of the high rise homes boast of amazing mountain views and are a close distance to shopping and dining districts as well.

Both Phoenix and Scottsdale offer an urban lifestyle, although they are both very different. A visit to each city should make it very obvious, very quickly, which lifestyle you prefer and which city is truly the one that you’re comfortable in.

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Tucson Area Guest Ranches – Part 1

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

In an effort to draw attention to the Arizona that the natives know and love, this is a two-part series on enjoying life in the west as it was best meant to be experienced.  The guest ranches that dot the gorgeous landscapes in and around the beautiful Tucson real estate offer more fun, thrill, and outdoor adventure than anyone should be willing to pass up.

It is time to beat those winter blues and make your way out to a place where real estate is worth more than a two-story and a white picket fence.  At Elkhorn Ranch in Arizona, you can learn a bit about what it was like to ride on the open plains in the early days of this country’s history.  For a very reasonable fee, your whole family can spend a day or a week on a real working ranch.  Aside from building a lasting bond with a horse and spending the days grooming, riding, and loving it, the Elkhorn Ranch has a number of exciting activities to offer, including swimming, tennis, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and of course, a lot of hiking.  Learn the way of the west with this Arizona getaway.

Another Arizona ranch near Tucson that will simply take your breath away is the Grapevine Canyon Ranch, voted 2010’s best guest ranch by the Arizona Foothill’s Magazine.  Sit high atop your horse- after you have chosen from the lot of seventy available- and join your group of eighteen people for a ride to wrangle the cows.  Those who want to venture into the heart of Arizona are welcome to stay for two weeks or more for the Horse Riding Program.  Lessons, however, are available to all who visit the ranch- whether for a day or a month- and this guest ranch is in operation all year long.  For the best rates, choose a date during the coldest or the hottest months of the year- December, January, February or June, July, August.

For more than sixty-five years people of all walks of life have ventured to the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort (pictured) in the heart of Tucson.  This is another opportunity to try your hand at horseback riding, but the ranch also offers a number of indoor events and activities including wine tasting and piano jazz played by a professional entertainer.  This is the resort for the person who wants a taste of the Wild West, but also longs for the finer things in life- golf, wine, music, and massage.

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Tucson is Home to Fun All Year Long

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

There are countless reasons that homes and real estate in Tucson, including the foothills, are so highly sought after by many individuals, couples and families of all ages. Along with outstanding real estate values, there’s plenty to see and do. What do we mean?

In addition to great schools, a wealth of cultural opportunities, gorgeous golf courses, fabulous nearby wineries, perfect weather and more, there are also a number of year-round events, some of which have become very well-known. For example, the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase is held every year near the end of January/beginning of February. The Tucson “Gem Show,” as it’s informally known, attracts people from all over the world to display and add to their collections.

Every February, Tucson is the host of the world-famous Tucson Rodeo featuring events that range from bull-riding and barrel-racing to events for children. One of the centerpieces of the Rodeo is the Tucson Rodeo Parade, which is the world’s longest non-motorized parade and showcases dancers, floats, buggies, horseback riders and marching bands.

Starting in May and ending in August, the Fox Tucson Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Tucson, plays classic Hollywood films on Saturday nights in the Summer Classic Movies at the Fox series, making it the perfect time to catch that movie that’s been on your “must-see” list for ages.

From June to August, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum extends its hours on Saturday evenings, choosing to stay open until 10PM in order to give more people the chance to come and experience plants and animals that only come out during at nighttime.

If you enjoy art, you can head to the Arizona State Museum, which has a revolving series of exhibits from a variety of different artists. Meanwhile, the Tucson Museum of Art also presents exhibitions on a regular basis from both local artists and artists from around the world. 

If you’re a golf aficionado, no need to wait for a special event — with over thirty golf courses in Tucson and the surrounding area, there is bound to be a course that matches up with your skill level. If wine is more your “thing”, no problem – there are a number of award-winning vineyards within an hour or so of Tucson. A few of them are Sonoita Vineyards in Elgin, Callaghan Vineyards in Sonoita and Rancho Rossa Vineyards, which is located a few miles southeast of Sonoita.

Are you a concert-lover? Be sure to check out the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol and the Desert Diamond Casino which both host visiting artists on a regular basis, while Tucson’s downtown Rialto Theatre puts on concerts by a variety of performers covering a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop and more.

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The Scoop on Phoenix Street Names and Layout

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

If you own some real estate in Phoenix, you have driven around town and have probably always wondered about the layout of the streets, which is quite different than what you will find in most other large metropolitan areas.

Photo from arizona-mapsite.com

Designed as a simple grid, the early layout of Phoenix was intended to be easy to remember, hence the original focus on the names of U.S. presidents. In fact, the first major east-west streets were named after the father of our country, George Washington, as well as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Martin Van Buren and numerous other presidents. Washington Street was in the middle of the grid, with Adams the first street north, Jefferson the first south, etc.

Native American names were also used, including Cocopah, Yuma, Papago and Tonto, among others. But as the city grew and real estate became much more valuable, it all became a bit complicated and the names of several presidents were not used at all or they became monikers for small side streets instead of main thoroughfares.

Once you get the hang of it, getting around Phoenix is really pretty simple, especially when combined with another idea that makes navigation easy-as-proverbial pie. To wit: With very rare exceptions, in Phoenix, the numbered “avenues” are located west of Central Avenue, while numbered “streets” are east of Central. Voila – need to find 44th Street? It’s on the east-side; 44th Avenue is in the west valley.

Some street names in Phoenix were taken from landmarks, including “Bethany Home Road” which was named after a tuberculosis sanitarium; the valley’s warm, dry climate was considered beneficial for sufferers of this deadly lung disease. “Indian School Road” was named after a boarding school for Native Americans that was operated by the federal government in an attempt to mainstream Indians into the “White” culture. Steele Indian School Park is on the site of this now-closed school.

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Paradise Valley Home to Several Outstanding Private Schools

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Homes in Paradise Valley are sought after by many families for numerous reasons one of those are the schools. In addition to excellent public schools, the community is also home to several outstanding private schools, one of which is the Phoenix Country Day School.

Opened in 1961, Phoenix Country Day School is rich in history and boasts a Lower School, Middle School and an Upper School. The Lower School program provides a quality education for students in Pre-K through fourth grade, offering a nurturing environment focused on traditional academics, small classes and a comprehensive curriculum enhanced with foreign language, technology, library science, art, music and physical education.

The Middle School encompasses the fifth through eighth grades and enjoys class sizes below twenty to ensure personal connections with faculty. Along with rigorous study, students travel on annual class trips, and the athletics program gives any interested student the chance to build skills and confidence by participation in team sports. Meanwhile, the Upper School features a challenging academic schedule based on a liberal arts curriculum, numerous electives and over a dozen Advanced Placement courses. Designed to prepare students for entrance into selective colleges and universities, the curriculum also emphasizes community service, social activities and sports.

If you are considering purchasing a home or residential real estate in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Phoenix or surrounding communities, and are interested in an independent, private education, you should take a look at the Phoenix Country Day School to see if it meets the needs of you and your family.

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Top-Notch Amenities and Fabulous Views at Home in North Scottsdale’s Terravita

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Developed by the world-renowned Del Webb Corporation, guard-gated Terravita is one of the company’s first developments that is not active-adult or age-restricted. Consisting of 823 acres near the Carefree Highway and Scottsdale Road in North Scottsdale, Arizona, Terravita real estate features 23 distinctive neighborhoods, each of which enjoys luxurious homes, many with guest casitas for those inevitable visitors who just can’t stay away – especially once they’ve visited this stunning piece of North Scottsdale real estate. Flattered by magnificent views of The Boulders to the east and Black Mountain to the north, the community’s name is intended to showcase the harmonious convergence of life with the land. Hence, Terravita, is taken from Latin: “terra” meaning land or earth and “vita” meaning life.

Flaunting top-notch amenities, highlighted by a private 18-hole championship golf course, Terravita is perfect for those who desire an active lifestyle. For example, along with access to the Billy Casper/Greg Nash-designed golf course, residents of Terravita experience social membership in the community’s Country Club, including use of the state-of-the-art fitness center, sparkling pool and pristine tennis courts.

Many homeowners come here for the award-winning golf course, which has been listed as one of the area’s top-ten private golf courses thanks to its celebratory surroundings and immaculately maintained bent-grass greens. Sporting a par of 72, the course challenges golfers of all levels with its five sets of tee-boxes that keep the play in range from 6,114 yards to 7,115 yards. Supporting this sensational course is a full-service golf shop, two complete chipping, sand and putting practice areas, a spacious two-way driving range and a 34,000-square-foot clubhouse with men’s and women’s locker rooms, a fine-dining room and a casual grill. Golfers can choose to walk the course or use an owned or rented golf cart.

Expert’s advice on number three, a double dogleg: The good news, is if you aim over the tree, you’ll end up with a second shot to the lay-up area of only about 175 yards. The bad news is, to give yourself a good chance at a birdie, your ball must be on the same level of the green as the pin, so there’s a lot of skill and a smidgeon of luck involved. Expert’s advice on number 18, a hole that boasts one of the biggest greens at Terravita: The bad news is that your second shot must be hit all the way to the well-bunkered green in order to have a chance at a birdie. However, the good news is that this hole, with its sweeping views of the rugged terrain of Black Mountain, is a truly gorgeous way to end a round of gung-ho golf.

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Navajo Call Northern Arizonas Breathtaking Canyon de Chelly Home

Monday, July 19th, 2010

All across the Arizona real estate there are ancient homes that are still visible and that allow visitors to take a peek into long-ago Native American life; some of them are tucked into the steep canyon walls of Northern Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “Shay”). Along with the site’s numerous ancient dwellings that reflect one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes in North America, Canyon de Chelly’s most distinctive geological feature is Spider Rock, a soaring sandstone spire similar to those that dominate the landscape in nearby Monument Valley.

Image by: Yoopernewsman

Boasting artifacts and rock imagery that are remarkably preserved, Canyon de Chelly is thought to have been built between 350 AD and 1300 AD and is dotted with hundreds of ancient pueblo ruins that were once home to the Anasazi Indians. In the 1700s, Navajo tribes-people began to make their way west from northern New Mexico, eventually settling in Canyon de Chelly and even today, a Navajo community inhabits the canyon floor. Designated as a National Monument in 1931, Canyon de Chelly is the only National Park Service site to be completely located within the Navajo Nation.

If you go: Start at the Canyon de Chelly National Monument Visitor Center, where you can learn more about the area and the Navajo people. Two drives follow the rims of the canyon from the visitor center; these are the only drives allowed without a guide. If you have time, be sure to check out the well-preserved Puebloan ruins nestled in the 1,000-foot-tall rock walls (accessible only via guided tour). You can explore the White House Ruin trail on your own, but please be aware that most visits to the canyon floor require accompaniment by a park ranger or an authorized Navajo guide.

Overnight accommodations can be found in nearby Flagstaff, Chinle or Tuba City, while a free campground is available within Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

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Paradise Valley Houses the Luxurious Camelback Inn

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

Not everyone wants to venture into the Wild West; some simply want a peaceful get-a-way that affords them a bit of luxury and relaxation.  For those people, Paradise Valley has the perfect offering- the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa. 

A spa.  There are few things in life that have the same level of relaxation written into them as the spa does.  Whenever someone utters the word “spa,” those nearby feel a longing sense of tranquility and the desire to accompany that person to the spa.  At the Camelback Inn Spa, they will get just that.  Picturesque backdrops and the rhythmic sound of a nearby fountain provide the perfect setting for the spa options.  Massage, full body mud masks, facials and pedicures are just some of the services that are provided by the spa staff. The best part is that the relaxation never ends while at the Camelback Inn.

This is a resort that could very well be considered the most picture perfect real estate in Paradise Valley or perhaps Arizona.  For those seeking the ultimate in leisure, there are cabanas available for reservation.  These poolside havens provide the cooling effects of an overhead fan, private seating, a mini-fridge complete with beverages and fresh fruit and even dining and beverage service from the resort’s restaurant.

The restaurant at the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa is as fantastic as the rest of the features.  Provided the name Sprouts, this eatery provides the best in healthy snacks, lunches and delicious beverages.  Enjoy a fresh pomegranate salad with a glass of bubbling champagne or seared salmon and a cabernet sauvignon.  There are countless pairings offered by this onsite restaurant that will have your mouth water with excitement.  There are also four other options for dining that provide equally scrumptious selections for your time in the relaxing atmosphere of Camelback Inn Resort and Spa.  These include the BLT Steakhouse, which features a number of delectable cuts of meat, seafood, and even a raw bar.  Rita’s Kitchen offers the regional tastes that might suit your fancy given the Paradise Valley locale, and Patio Jack’s will offer the poolside drinks and fare that will ensure you maintain your energy levels for fun in the sun.

Finally, for those who wish to break a sweat while getting away from the world, Camelback Inn Resort and Spa also features not one, but two gorgeous golf courses.  Each serves as a full 18-hole course and provides play suitable for champions.  If you would rather just hit a ball or two, the practice facility offers a full driving range and chipping and putting greens.  And, if your significant other would rather sit back and take in the views while you play a round, the club has an outdoor lounge and fireside seating.

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