Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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PHOENIX, AZ – Today, I stepped into a world I never knew existed, right here in the heart of Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Outdoor Expo, held at the sprawling Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix, promised a hands-on celebration of wildlife, conservation, and outdoor fun, and it delivered in ways I couldn't have imagined. As a first-time visitor on this sunny weekend in March, I found myself wide-eyed and eager, plunged into an event that felt like a gateway to A... Full story
How To Build A Fire Fire: it is a living breathing entity with the ability to help or destroy everything it touches. Just like any living thing fire requires three things to sustain it;air to breathe,food (fuel) to consume, and a spark of life (ignition). I think we'd all agree that there are many ways to light a fire. This article will explore the plethora of ways to get your pyro on. Let's Start With Air! We breathe air every day. It's all around us. Without it we will die. The same goes for... Full story
Over the years I've done many camp-outs and I'm always looking for easier ways to pack gear. The Camping Chuck Wagon Box is a great idea for those who do stop & drop camping as it is easy to make, transport and move around. It keeps your gear in one place and can be a real-life saver when camping. As usual I am a big fan of Inventory Lists which I suggest you keep on the inside of the door of the box in a plastic document sleeve with an extra blank paper for restocking, additions or updates. Her... Full story
Backpacking is always a great experience in one way or another. There are those times when it can get a little wet or dry, cold or hot or just downright “bug-annoying”. But for the most part it’s ALWAYS an adventure. How comfortable you are is about your gear and how well you pack, but over the years I have found that two things make for a really GOOD backpacking trip. Those two items are a good pillow to sleep on and good food. When I backpack, I don’t bring a lot of clothing. I prefer to fill... Full story
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Thursday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2025 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2025 seasonal operations on this date. Visitor services, including the campground, Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore and the Backcountry Information Center will open at 8 a.m. Rangers will be available daily from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. to provide information, trip planning assistance, and Park... Full story
April 30 - Welcome Home Vietnam Vets! VFW Post 3513, Scottsdale Get ready, folks, because our Welcome Home celebration is just around the corner, and the excitement is in the air! We're putting the finishing touches on what promises to be an unforgettable day, and we want YOU to be a part of it! If you know of any organizations related to Vietnam and its impact, don't hesitate to reach out and invite them to join us in this meaningful celebration. This event is not just a celebration; it's a... Full story
Gorgeous White Pocket, Ariz. - If You Get A Chance To Go, Do It! - By Margie Anderson John and I talked about doing a trip to White Pocket, but pretty much every site says you shouldn't go alone because the deep loose sandy road makes it easy for even a 4x4 to get stuck. Then one day I mentioned it to our granddaughter Trinity, and she told us that she and David always wanted to go there too, so could they come with us. Heck yes! Then Trin and I mentioned our plans in front of our granddaughter... Full story
Parks For Healing "Being...out in nature, it's just good for the soul. It's cleansing...it gets you outside of yourself. It's my...way to decompress."- Edye Joyner, U.S. Marine Corps and Desert Storm veteran Many national parks have direct connections to the American military - there are dozens of battlefields, military parks, and historic sites that commemorate and honor the service of American veterans. In addition, every national park is part of our collective identity that defines who we... Full story
Trout Unlimited are hosting Salt River Saturday River Cleanups every other Saturday. This is a great event if you are looking to help promote conservation and keep our waterways clean. After a few hours of picking up trash, you can relax and wind down with some fishing on the Salt. This is a great opportunity if you are new to fly fishing, as there will be tons of experienced fly anglers who are willing to help. For more information, check out the FishAZ Network at the link below. The FishAZ... Full story
Note: We Found These At 'Be Outdoors Arizona'! Fall in Love with Fishing – Peoria Park Rangers February 8 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Kids ages 0-17 are invited to enjoy a heartwarming day of fishing at Paloma park. Whether you are a budding angler or just looking to enjoy a new activity, this event is for you! Bring your love for adventure and make some sweet memories. Gear will be provided, do not let this opportunity float away. Register at Peoriaaz.gov/recreation or at (623)773-7137 Monthly S... Full story
PHOENIX - Your next fun-filled outdoor adventure begins at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's (AZGFD) annual Outdoor Expo on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. Located at the 1,650-acre Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix, this popular event showcases Arizona's abundance of wildlife-related and outdoor recreation opportunities, including wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, camping, off-highway vehicle (OHV) and boating recreation, and more. Expo hours are 9... Full story
It just happens. The old year slips away so quickly. Didn't 2024 just begin? Where do the days, weeks, months go? And, if you are enjoying the outdoors or life in general, they go by even faster. And, that's a good thing. Speaking of good things, just around the corner is one of the first harbingers of a new year: the annual Renaissance Festival -- one of our favorite events. The jousting, the artisans, the Pleasure Feast, the entertainers are all part of the "raucous revelry" we have come to... Full story
John and I are always looking for new roads to explore in the Jeep, and this past week we found one that we could have done in the car, so I thought I'd share it, because there were plenty of interesting things to see and some incredibly beautiful areas. You could do this whole loop in one day like we did, even taking time to hop out and wander around, plus a stop for a picnic lunch. In all, we covered 286 miles from the west valley, round trip. FIRST UP: DOLL BABY RANCH ROAD I saw this road on...
Cool, clear air. Sparkling stars on velvet sky. Heady fragrance of pine. Soft breeze. Gentle stream songs. Delicious aromas of brewing coffee, of sizzling bacon. Silence. Peace. Refreshment. These are some of the descriptors I could use as I remember my days of camping in Washington State and in Alberta, Canada. Mind you, I could also say "cold", "freezing", "chilling", but those would apply to late-season camping in the Northwest. Not here in the Southwest. In fact, generally that is one of... Full story
Note - All photos courtesy of John and Margie Anderson Camping is the ideal outdoor adventure – it can be inexpensive and close to home, and gets you out in the fresh air and away from the news stories. If you're new to camping, don't feel like you need to go out and buy a bunch of stuff. You can probably borrow a lot of what you need from friends and family, or find used gear online. Find out if your neighborhood or church has a "Buy Nothing" program. Once you sign up, you can get a lot of g... Full story
(Maricopa County) – Who's ready to enjoy a free night's stay in one of Maricopa County's regional parks? Starting September 18, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department is bringing back its popular Buy One, Get One camping promotion! The promotion allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night or more at a participating desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free during that same stay. "Maricopa County is home to 12 beautiful r... Full story
Mochi loves off-roading! Note - all photos were by John and Margie Anderson. When I was a kid, my dad always took us kids hunting off Dugas Road. There used to be a dirt road and a gate right on the side of I-17 and that road led to Hooker Tank, and from there over the hill to road 68D which goes from Dugas Road north to Squaw Peak Road. We loved it there and since we went there so often we all knew that area very well. There's a lot to be said about knowing all the best and prettiest places in... Full story
Lake Pleasant Fireworks – July 3, 2024 Watch The Best Fireworks Show In Town! Pleasant Harbor at Lake Pleasant will host its annual Celebrate America fireworks show on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Pleasant Harbor is home to this annual firework show, as well asfood trucks, free kids' activities, and live concert featuring the band, Rock Lobster. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with fireworks at 9:00 p.m. and activities running through 10:30 p.m.Presale parking admission is $27.50(per vehicle)and $35 day o... Full story
Road trips have long been the crown jewel of American vacations, and it's no surprise, given the country's obsession with car culture. The 1956 Interstate Highway System made road trips more convenient and accessible than ever before, and the following year, Jack Kerouac's On the Road compelled free-spirited youth to travel by almost any wheeled means necessary. But after the global pandemic, the chrome has worn off of many road trip luxuries the travelers of yesteryear took for granted.... Full story
John and I love Arizona because you can cruise the deserts in winter and the mountains in summer. That's why we decided to visit the ruins of Swansea, an old mining town in February. It never occurred to me that I would need to check for any major events on Swansea Road, so off we went, taking 60 through Wickenburg, Aguila, Vicksburg, and Bouse. Bouse We planned to fill the Jeep in Bouse then head north on Swansea Road to the remains of the town. I was stoked because the map showed a natural arc... Full story
AZGFD offers essential tips for avoiding conflicts. With Arizona's hottest months right around the corner, how black bears forage for typical food sources will become more challenging. As a result, the chances of them wandering into populated areas in search of an easier meal will be on the rise. While bears are typically shy and tend to avoid humans, their excellent sense of smell can be problematic for both the animals and humans. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) officials advise... Full story
Tour de Scottsdale APR 12TH – APR 13TH HOURS7:00am – 5:00pm ADMISSION$125 The Honor Health Tour de Scottsdale offers challenging and scenic courses that will undoubtedly push the limits of cyclists WestWorld Scottsdale 16601 N. Pima Rd Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 520-745-2033 Adventure Van Expo APR 13TH HOURS10:00am – 5:00 pm (saturday) 10:00am – 3:00pm (sunday) ADMISSION: $5 at the door TIME10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Open house vans, DIY contest, Live Music, Food trucks, Camping. Adventure Vans are the... 
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Here it is: already February of a new year that just got started "a day or so ago", didn't it? No, it was over a month ago, and 2024 is well underway. My how time flies, and it's easy to miss opportunities because they're often over even before we make our plans to participate. So, what's the bottom line here? Don't miss out. Ideas are plentiful: from Arizona Game & Fish, from 'Touch a Truck' at Lake Pleasant, from Margie Anderson, from Fearless Kitties in Fountain Hills, from the Arizona Ren Fa... Full story
Kids, big and small,will have the opportunity to interact with large vehicles such as firetrucks, earth movers, dump trucks, backhoes, excavators, and a bucket truck. Touch-A-Truck is being held at Pleasant Harbor, located on the southeastern shores of Lake Pleasant on February 24from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event is FREE. However, there is a $9.00 entrance fee per vehicle. Hands-On Experience Touch-A-Truck affords kids the unique opportunity to climb on their favorite oversized vehicles, wit... Full story
This is the perfect time of year to take your winter guests or your family to some of the wonderful places in Arizona that get a bit warm in the summertime. We've taken the granddaughters to all of these places, and believe it or not, Trinity tells us that the Hassayampa Preserve was her favorite hike ever! Some of these places are free to visit, and others are not, so I'm including current prices as well as how to get there and what not to miss! Enjoy! Boyce Thompson Arboretum The girls have... Full story
