element a440

element a440

 

There’s a band called element a440 who’ve been playing out in the Valley for almost 10 years. My friend Tim came to their recent show with me at Chaser’s Music Venue and his reaction pretty much sums the band up: “How have these guys never been signed?” You’ll wonder that yourself if you see them.

 

Singer (Halo) on stage at Chaser's

 

Part of the appeal of element a440 is the music itself, which is meticulously composed and produced. However, they also have a great stage show that’s very interactive. My friend Tim bought a CD that night because even though the show was over, he said “I don’t want to stop listening.”

 

Fans in decidedly offensive T-shirts

 

I think element a440 is a great band to review this month, since they’re a little spooky and so is the vibe this chilly October. They definitely look a little dark and creepy, and so do their fans. The lyrics are also a little creepy, and decidedly atheist in nature. It’s not for everyone, but they certainly play to their demographic well.

 

The merchandise

 

So check out the creepy kids from element a440, and have a safe and spooky Halloween!

Fall Color In Arizona

Me in the woods

 

It’s fall, and that means the seasons are changing. It’s not all that apparent in the city (we noticed it was over 100 degrees one day- and then suddenly 80 degrees the next.) But if you go out of town, you can see more changes than just the temperature. I headed up to Flagstaff for some great fall color.

 

The Mountain

 

I was headed for the hiking trails just below Snowbowl Ski Resort. The mountain has more aspen trees than you find down around the town. When I arrived at noon, it was 48 degrees on the mountain. The night before, it had been below 32 degrees and there was a tiny dusting of snow. It didn’t stick, but it was the first snow of the year.

 

No more ferns & grass, but lots of color

 

You can tell there had been a frost the night before, because there was very little undergrowth left. I hiked The Katchina Trail because I hiked it in the spring, and I wanted to compare.

 

Trail Head

 

 In the spring, this trail was all ferns and lush green plants. Now it’s covered in bright yellow falling leaves. It’s still beautiful- though in a different way.

 

Sign in sheet for the Katchina trail

 

 If you hike the Katchina trail or any forest service trail, always be sure it sign in at the trail head. This helps the forest service track how many people use the trail, and it also leaves a record of where you were just in case anything were to happen to you.

 

Holding a fallen leaf

 

 I was excited to dig my sweaters out of the closet for the first time in months, and I definitely needed one! Under the trees it’s dark and chilly as can be. Dress warm if you’re going up north, particularly if you’ll be there later in the day than I was.

 

The picnic rock

 

This rock is a favorite picnic spot of mine. I like to bring a blanket to sit on and some snakes, and just sit and enjoy the woods. Also, the view looking up when laying on the rock is pretty great.

 

Laying on the rock looking up

 

There are several trail heads in the area. The Katchina trail is the last one before you are actually on Snowbowl property. But there are many others, and they all offer long walks around the mountain and beautiful sights.

 

As close as my car has ever come to "off road."

 

This particular meadow (above) always catches my eye because of the amount of aspen trees around it.

 

Me (in my "Firefly" shirt) and aspens

 

And here I am enjoying them. The leaves will stay of the trees for another week or two, unless there is a huge storm (which I doubt) so if you haven’t been up north yet, don’t worry! Take a day sometime before Halloween and head up.

 

Bright red tree

 

Oak Creek Canyon has some very pretty colorful leaves every year as well. Even in Flagstaff, there was a variety of colorful views to enjoy.

 

Very orange bush

 

Get up north and check it out! It always feels a lot more like fall once you’ve seen some leaves falling.

Freaky fun in October

Dancing

 

October is here again. I think it’s my favorite month. There’s the haunted houses, the pumpkin carving, the trick-or-treating, and lots of people trying to look scary. But my favorite part about Halloween is that I don’t stand out as much when I go out on the town. That’s right, in October I can wear a vinyl dress and people say “nice costume” instead of “freak!” It’s nice that there is a time of year when my style is appreciated.

 

Looking up at the entrance to Transylvania

 

If you’re not Goth by nature, that’s okay. You can still dress up in honor of Halloween and enjoy some of the creepy clubs around town. We really won’t mind you dropping in and checking it out. We like fresh blood.

 

Alex and I on the back patio of the club

 

 

With that in mind; come check out Transylvania, a Goth club in downtown Phoenix. We have naked statues. We have obscene paintings in black-light-reactant paint. We have killer music, a great dance floor, and enough creepy kids to get you in the spirit for another wonderful October.

 

Group shot on the patio

 

 

Just cruise down Central until you see the club on the west side of the road. It’s just north of Fillmore. Parking is available across the street. Please wait to cross until the light turns green so you don’t get mowed down by the light rail. Better yet- just take the light rail there and don’t worry about the parking.

 

Behins the bar at Transylvnia

 

 

If you’re not sure about your costume and it needs a test run, Transylvania is a great place to do it. The club opens at 9:30pm every Friday night. Leave your underage friends at home though. This club is 21 and over.

Taking the 89A through AZ

The open road heading out of town

 

I know you’re supposed to get your kicks on Route 66. But in Arizona, it’s the 89A that hits all the best spots. Don’t think I’m knocking Route 66, because it’s fun too. But the 89A is my favorite! This blog details a 6 hour road trip (accounting for stops to eat and hike) that you’ll love.

 

You can pick up the 89A in Wickenburg. You just take the US 60 out of town, and hit the 93 through Wickenburg, and you’ll see the signs for the 89A. It’s not far from Phoenix at all. While you’re in Wickenburg, stop at the Tasty Freeze for a snack and check out this adorable little western town.

 

The next town you come to is Prescott. There are a lot of cute shops in Prescott, and an old car dealership with some really beautiful classic cars. Stop and check out the many coffee shops and boutiques.

 

On the streets of Jerome

 

Jerome will be your next stop. This little town was founded as an artist’s collective, and it’s still mostly art galleries and craft shops. In Jerome you will find paintings, jewelry, and leather work that is unique and fun. Some of the stuff has a western feel to it, but most of it is just neat stuff.

 

Art in a Jermone shop

 

You’ll also see a lot of rocks for sale. Mining turned out to be a great source of revenue for Jerome. It has done some unfortunate things to the country side. But then, so much of Arizona has copper pits and strip mines that I am almost used to the colorful slag heaps left behind as a legacy to what is underground here in AZ.

 

Leaving Jerome and the mining area

 

I passed right through Cottonwood. I am sure you could stop, but I was eager to get on to Sedona. Something about those red rocks calls to me. The landscape in Sedona doesn’t even look like it belongs on this planet. It’s like some otherworldly scene you have to see to believe.

 

Driving into Sedona and seeing red rocks

 

The shopping in Sedona is out of my price range. But if you like western art and you can afford it, Sedona has got what you’re looking for. In addition, there are the pink jeep tours, which give you a great view natures sculptures in red. The formations were formed from wind erosion over millions of years, but it only takes an hour to tour them and get an up-close look.

 

The Sedona street, with scultures and art galleries

 

Leaving Sedona on the 89A you find yourself driving through Oak Creek Canyon. This is a wonderful place to stop and hike. If you’re there in the summer, you can check out slide rock, which is a natural water slide formed by the creek flowing over the sandstone. It’s a refreshing stop for a dip.

 

Oak Creek Canyon

 

As you’re leaving Oak Creek Canyon and heading for Falgstaff, there is a senic outlook. You want to stop. It’s a nice view, and the Apache Tribe sells some great art there.

 

Me checking out the view

 

Last stop in Flagstaff. Part mountain town, part college town, Flagstaff reminds me of a low-key version of Telluride or Aspen. It’s classy, and funky, and a great place to end your drive and stay the night. (And if you have had enough driving after 6 hours on the 89A, don’t worry! Take the I-17 back to Phoenix and you’ll be there in two hours.)

 

Mural in old town Flaggstaff

 

While you’re in Flagg, check out the town with its interesting murals and neat little shops. And of course, there is great hiking! Try snowbowl for ferns, aspen trees, and beauty like nowhere else in Arizona.

 

Hiking in snowbowl

Havasu Falls in The Grand Canyon

Havasu Falls inside The Grand Canyon

 

It took me awhile to recover enough to write about the hike through the Grand Canyon to Havasu falls. I do a lot of hiking, and I run at the gym every morning. But nothing prepared me for the level of insane required to do this hike through the Havasupai Reservation. It was the hardest hike I have ever done. It was also the most worth it. Here’s how to do it:

 

Getting there is not half the fun. It’s about a 5 hour drive from Phoenix. The I-17 takes you to Flagstaff, where you meet the historic route 66 and take it to a tiny Highway known as the 18. Highway 18 is a barren stretch of road with no gas stations or rest stops, and a bad paving job, so be ready for that.

 

Highway 18 ends at a place the Havasupai tribe call “Hilltop.” There is really nothing there, so I guess that’s all you need to say. We got there around 3am and napped in the back of the Expedition before beginning the hike. If you want to be a pro about it, I recommend staying the night in Kingman so you can arrive refreshed instead of cramped from sleeping in a car. I’m on a budget myself, so a sleeping bag is the hight of luxury for me.

 

Carl and I heading down from Hilltop at 7am

 

We left Hilltop and started down the switchbacks into the canyon at 7:30am. We told the lady at the top that we were doing a day hike, and she looked at us like we were crazy. She also told us we were getting a late start.

 

We each carried a gallon of water, trail mix, dried apricots, nuts, and beef jerky. Our packs were about 35 lbs each. We took no camping equipment, just food, water, swimsuits, and water shoes for the falls. Oh, and sunscreen. I can not stress enough how important the sunscreen is!

 

Walking through The Grand Canyon

 

At the end of the switchbacks we started walking the canyon floor. At first, it’s really cool. There are all kinds of neat rocks and the sandstone is brilliant colors. But it’s 7 miles inside the canyon to get to Supai village, and I must admit, I got a little tired of dusty sandstone after all that walking. Also, the Havasupai drive their horses up the canyon in the morning, so the smell of manure gets really old too.

 

When you get to Supai you just want to keep walking. There aren’t any signs, but if you keep going, you get to the tourism office (on the left.) Pay them, or they will fine you when they catch you at the falls without passes. It’s $35, and it’s a steal considering what you are about to see.

 

Walking into the villiage, which is primative

 

There is a café (I use the term loosely) in the village. I had been warned against eating there because a group of hikers I spoke to claim to have gotten food poisoning. While I have a cast-iron stomach with no fear or parasites, I felt that a 20 mile round trip hike in 100 degree weather was hard enough without trying out new food. So no food reviews today. We passed up the café and went strait to the falls.

 

First you come upon Navajo Falls. This is a series of small waterfalls that flow into pools of clear turquoise water. They are beautiful in all the pictures I have seen, but they will never look as good as they do after you just walked 10 miles through a dusty canyon to get to them. Remember a bathing suit and water shoes! That is very important. And don’t forget to re-apply your sunscreen often.

 

The pools at Navajo Falls

 

Next up is Havasu Falls. We decided in advance that this is as far as we would go, since this was day hike. If you are willing to pack in a tent, you can go on further to the spectacular Moony Falls and Beaver Falls (both are featured over and over in Arizona Highways calendars.)  

 

Havasu Falls is less amazing than before the 2008 flood, because the pools below have washed away. However, the upper and lower falls are still just as amazing as they always were. The lower part of Havasu falls is a giant curtain of water which is all the more impressive because of the dry canyon that serves as its backdrop. My friend Carl said that it looks like something that belongs in Maui, not in the desert. I have to agree.

 

Carl in front of Havasu Falls

 

The upper falls are hard to get to, but it’s worth a little climbing and struggle. The many jets of water jutting over the edge of the cliff create a growing place for all kind of moss, which is a real treat for a desert dweller.

 

The upper part of the Falls

 

After some wadding around we turned around and headed back. The hike out is the same 10 miles as before, but in the later part of the day you use twice as much water. I am happy to say that the store in Supai sells water at reasonable prices. I am unhappy to say that the way it gets there is on the backs of pack-horses. If I could have carried two gallons of water in, I would have. I hate to think of what those poor horses go through every afternoon as they are herded back down the canyon laden with far too much weight.

 

The horses loaded down and crossing the stream

 

The one plus on a day hike that I wouldn’t count on (but that we were grateful for) is that some of the horses throw their saddles. We ran across two horses which we had to save (one tangled in barb wire and one stuck dragging its saddle and load.) But there were bottles of water along the trail that had fallen off the horses, and it was like water from heaven. I tried to plan this hike on a cloudy day. I even picked a day where light showers were expected. But it was full sun all day, to my dismay. Water is so valuable at the bottom of the canyon in the full sun in August!

 

A few words of caution, because it is such a tough hike:

 -Please remember sunscreen.

-Please take lots of water- more than you think you will need.

-Please take lots of food. Nuts for long-term energy and fruit for a sugar-shake when you’re wearing out.

-Do NOT go on a day when heavy rain is expected. The canyon has flash floods.

-There are no medical services. Bring a first aid kit and do not be reckless like me and stop to help horses. I could have been kicked and died down there.

-Remember the reason to do this hike in August is so the cold Colorado river is refreshing, so make sure you bring water shoes and a swimsuit. If you’re not going to swim, you may as well hike it in December when it’s cooler out.

 

Me walking in the water

 

The most important thing I brought was Carl. He didn’t complain once, even though he must have been miserable. And his encouragement kept me going when I wanted to nap on my swimming towel and hike out in the morning. Also, I brought an MP3 player. This is the only way I made it up the switchbacks to the car. It’s a mile up, and after an all-day hike in the sun, you need a little music to help you get back out of the canyon. We made is out by 7pm, meanning we did the whole 20 miles (with rest at the falls) in 12 hours. Wow.

 

Carl reading the map. Bring a good freind!

 

There is a helicopter that I am told you can make reservations with if you call far enough in advance. You need reservations for the camp ground too, and for the primitive lodge where you can stay. Another thing you can do is make reservations to ride a horse out in the morning (they are not carrying anything when they drive them up to be loaded with goods in the morning.)

 

I am sure all of these things make the trip easier. But Carl and I did the whole trip from Phoenix to Havasu Falls for about $100 each, including gas. So really, it’s all about your budget.

 

Me with niffty sandstone in the canyon

 

 

The hike we did was 20 miles. It was 100 degrees in the canyon on Aug. 26^th. The cliffs are just as bad as you would imagine. But of all the rural and hard-to-get-to places in Arizona, Havasu Falls has to be the most worth it. The pictures are stunning, but being there is beyond cool. Happy hiking!

A really big hole

The meteor crater museum

 

 

One of the most impressive meteor craters in the world is in Arizona. It’s new by scientific standards (5,000 years old) and because Arizona has so little weather, it’s very well preserved. In some parts of the world a meteor could hit and it would just become a lake. But we have so little water, animals, and plants here that this crater looks almost like it did when it was formed.

 

The meteor crater is just a few minutes from Flagstaff. You take the 40 out of Flagstaff towards Winslow and it comes up on the right in about half an hour. You’ll see the signs.

 

Visitor's Center

 

 

The visitor center and museum is pretty cool. They have pictures and stats on every meteor impact of note anywhere on earth, and more than you could ever want to know about our own meteor crater.

 

This is about as close as you can get to outer space without actually leaving the planet. It’s pretty neat to realize you’re standing next to a rock that has travelled through space across all sorts of unknown and possible Star Trek-like stuff.

 

Not of this world

 

If you keep on going down the 40 you’ll get to the petrified forest. I didn’t keep going because I’ve been there… and it was not as cool as I hoped. It’s a lot of flat ground and not a tree for miles. There’s some rocks on the ground. I’d stop to see it if I was driving by, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

 

As for the meteor crater, it’s so close to Flagstaff that it’s a cool thing to do while you’re over there. Make it part of a day trip when you’re tired from hiking. It’s open until 7pm, so it’s easy to fit into a day up north.

 

The Hole

Dan Tedesco at The Sail Inn in Tempe

Dan Tedesco and band

 

 I was supposed to be with my family Friday. But they ditched me, so I went to the Dan Tedesco show at The Sail Inn by myself last Friday. All I can say is; they’re sorry they missed it!

 The Sail Inn spent some time as Trax recently, before going back to being called The Sail Inn. While it was Trax, it underwent some very nice re-modeling and all of that is still there. There are plush couches, mirrored walls, and lots of nice places to chill. There are still two rooms inside and a big bar, and there is still a huge outside area with lots of tables and chairs.

 

Main Room

 

In better weather, the show would have been on the outdoor stage. But of course, this is summer in Arizona. So the show was on the smaller stage inside. (Which was just fine for Dan and his band.)

 The Sail Inn filled up fast. The crowd was, as always, more diverse than at any other bar or venue I go to. There were people that looked barely 21, and people who looked like they could be grandparents. That has always been one of the nicest things about The Sail Inn. Anyone can go there and feel welcome. It’s not easy to find, and it’s literally on the “wrong side of the tracks” from Mill Avenue. But if you find your way to 1^st Street and Farmer and you find The Sail Inn, you will feel welcome no matter who you are.

 

Lounge Area

 

Dan Tedesco is a Chicago native who I met when he was attending ASU. At the time, he was a one-man-show. He had a lot of funny lyrics blended with uplifting rock n’ roll. After some time in Los Angeles and a pilgrimage back to Chicago, Dan has a whole band behind him now and a much bigger collection of songs.

 His songs are still infused with his quirky sense of humor, and they are still good old rock n’ roll. But the music has really filled out with the band behind him. It has room to become more complex, and more rich and enveloping.

 I have always had a hard time describing Dan’s style, because to me, it’s rock n. roll. But these days, people don’t believe in rock n’ roll anymore. They want to hear a complex genera description like “alternative-metal-rock” or something. I have explained other music as fusions of various genres. But in the case of Dan Tedesco, the music can’t be described as anything other than pure rock n’ roll.

Think vocals that are kind of like Tom Petty, but a little less stoned and more passionate; and then rock music with some Jimmy Hendricks-like guitar solos. That’s the best I can do. But you can hear it for yourself on Dan’s web site or on his Myspace, and in this case, that might be best.

 Overall, it was a good night. The Sail Inn is still a fun place to go, and Dan is still a great musician to go check out.

Isle of Essence at Copper State Tavern

The bar from outside

 

Copper State Tavern is on the north side of Bethany Home Road, just before the intersection of 51^st Ave, Grand Ave, and Bethany Home Road (So don’t miss it, because then you’ll have to go though a six way intersection and turn around.) Drive into the parking lot slowly, because the speed bumps are huge.

 Unfortunately, there is no sign that says Copper State Tavern on the building. It’s the only building in the strip mall with neon, so you can spot it that way. The decor in minimal and classy southwest, and the tables are amazing (some kind of lacquered collage.)

 

Table Top

 

It’s a little small place, and it’s packed when there are 40 people inside. There is a big screen TV above the bar, and when I took a picture of the crowd there was a fast food commercial on. So, check out the amazing hovering cheeseburger.

 

The bar packed

 

First on the stage was singer/songwriter Robin Lore. This woman has a beautiful voice and some very catchy tunes. I really enjoyed her, and you should check her out.

 

Robin Lore on state

 

The band I was really there to see was Isle of Essence. I feel terrible that I haven’t seen them in a few years. And, since they were kicking off a national tour, I thought I’d better check them out again.

 

Isle of Essence

 

I remember Isle of Essence as a rock and roll band. I remember them as being good, but kind of raw. I was not at all prepared for what I saw at the Copper State Tavern. Isle of Essence has become a wonderful, jazzy, sort of funky rock band with a sophisticated and original sound. It’s not easy to put into words, but it really is a great sound. They’re still a lot of fun to see too. They really seem to have fun on stage.

 

The singer Jeremy

 

Having recently signed a distribution deal, you should be able to find Isle of Essence in stores like Best Buy very soon. But they will still play local shows when they get back from their tour, so make sure to try and catch them.

Heading North

Jennica on a rock

I apologize for the picture quality in this blog. I forgot my camera at home, and had to buy a disposable camera on my way up. I forgot how bad the pictures are from those.

 

In the forest

Hiking in Northern Arizona is beautiful any time of year. It’s particularly beautiful in summertime to me because I love ferns and the sound of aspen leaves in the wind. I took my friend’s daughter hiking just outside Flagstaff in Snowbowl, which is a ski resort in the winter, but in the summer it’s criss-crossed with wonderful hiking trails.

 

The two of us

We did a moderate trail, and we didn’t run into any people. It was very peaceful and quiet. I would definitely recommend Snowbowl for hiking.

 

Jennica and her dad

After I returned a very tired Jennica to her dad in Cottonwood, I headed back to Phoenix. My favorite stop was always Sunset Point, but it has been closed for years. I was excited to see it open again, and completely remodeled.

 

Sitting area at Sunset Point

There are observation decks, spacious bathrooms, and places to relax and sit. They really did a wonderful job with Sunset Point, so make sure to stop there the next time you head north.

Observation patios

Rollercoaster rides are still cool

 

Castles N' Coasters

 

I often forget about the water parks, miniature golf courses, and amusement parks we have here in Phoenix. I guess it’s not the sort of thing a person does every day, so it’s easy to forget about. Still, it’s summer and that’s the time of year to grab some cotton candy and go on a log ride, right?

With that in mind; check out Castles N’ Coasters near Metro Center Mall in west Phoenix.

 Castles and Coasters is ideal if you have small children because it’s not overwhelming large, so they can’t wander far. It’s also centrally located, so no matter where you are in the Valley, it’s not too long of a drive.

 As always, please remember sunscreen. This is Arizona people! I see too many of you with killer sunburns after a day floating down the Salt River or out on one of our many lakes. Remember sunscreen, and remember to re-apply it often.