Tag: Southwest

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Travel

Weekend in San Francisco- Travel Guide

Hi, everyone! I’m back!! February turned into a crazy month and I just couldn’t find the time to get everything I needed to done. After a few weeks of getting everything together, I am back on track, and planning some exciting, upcoming travel for the year. I’m so excited to share with you all a little bit of my time in San Francisco! This is one city I had wanted to travel to for a while and was so happy I was able to make a girls weekend out of it and explore the City by the Bay.

+ Golden Gate Bridge- I’ll start off with the biggest attraction in San Francisco, The Golden Gate Bridge. You certainly will not be disappointed when checking out this incredible structure on the bay. There are several different ways to view the bridge. There are several parks around the bridge you can walk, bike, drive to, and will get a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. You can also, drive, walk or bike across. We opted for biking across the bridge. Let’s just say, this wasn’t a part of the plan, and we didn’t realize until after biking across the bridge, you either have to bike back to the bicycle shop or bike all the way to Sausalito Island and ride the ferry back!! Although, we thought it was crazy, biking to Sausalito was so worth it. It is such a cute area, with lots of shops and restaurants to explore. A complete change and feel from the city itself. We got a bite to eat and caught the last ferry of the evening back into town, with a peaceful ride on the bay, a glimpse of Alcatraz and back into the city.

+Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39-Another area to explore when visiting San Francisco is Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Located on the bay, you can walk along the board walk, check out shops, restaurants, and the home of the world famous, Ghiradelli Chocolate. Not to mention, some great seafood, and a great location to sit and enjoy your meal by the water.

+China Town-China Town in San Francisco is also worth checking out and very popular in San Francisco. We were able to make our way over, walking, after some shopping at Union Square. You can easily walk the area in a short amount of time. There are many shops to buy trinkets, fresh groceries if you are staying in an Airbnb, or just enjoy the lively atmosphere .

+Painted Ladies & Lombard Street- One of the best things you can do in San Francisco is get lost walking around or riding cable cars. Pin point places you would like to see such as the famous Painted Ladies and Lombard Street. Along the way you will run into lots of great parks, places to eat, great views of the city and some awesome street art and murals. Trust me, there is not shortage of things to do in San Francisco and even 3 days may not be enough time to see everything this city has to offer, but if you plan it well you can cross everything I mentioned off your list.

Safe travels, everyone, and I’ll be back on the blog soon!!

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Travel

Traveling Mesa Verde National Park

One of my favorite neighboring states to visit for a quick weekend or road trip has to be Colorado. I’ve explored Colorado from North to South, and there are so many beautiful cities, big and small, I will have to share with you all over the next few months. One of my favorite places to visit when I’m craving a weekend away is Southwestern Colorado, about a 3 hour drive from Albuquerque. Durango, Pagosa Springs, Telluride, Ouray are all some of my favorite places to visit in the Southwestern area. Quaint towns, filled with tons of natural beauty, outdoor activities, food, shopping and events. You name it, you can find it anywhere in Colorado!

Mesa Verde National Park is located in Montezuma County, Colorado. Just between Durango and Cortez, Colorado. I, myself, had never heard of Mesa Verde until I spent an extended time visiting and exploring the area. Ever since the park has been placed on my recommendation list for anyone visiting the area. The park protects some of the best-preserved Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites in the United States. The cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park, suspected to have begun construction at the end of the 12th century, are reported to be one of the largest protected areas in the United States, home to over 600 cliff dwellings. Trust me, it is an amazing site to see in real life and if you are in the area, is a place you definitely should visit.

There are several options for exploring the park. You can begin by stopping by the visitors center, where you can purchase tickets, usually running $15-$20, grab a map to take along with you, speak with park rangers and park employees, and explore artifacts located at the the center. To best explore the park you can decide what option is best for you and your group. You can purchase a guided tour or just drive around to different looking points off the map and explore on your own, which is what I prefer. There are also park employees at most of the dwelling locations to answer questions and give you more information about the site.

The cliff dwellings are amazing!! With different view points marked off, you can park and easily hike to the nearest cliff dwelling. Along the way you will get a glimpse of some of Colorado’s stunning views. It is a great experience. If you love history, national parks, the outdoors or just adventures in general, this is an adventure for you!

For more information about Mesa Verde National Park please visit the following website: https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

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Travel

Sandia Peak Tram, Albuquerque, NM

There are so many things to do up and around Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico, many of which involve getting outside and admiring the beauty of the state of New Mexico. If you are visiting Albuquerque, road tripping through New Mexico, spending a weekend at the Balloon Fiesta, new to the area, or are just in town to experience what Albuquerque has to offer, the Sandia Tram is a must do in the city!

Sandia Peak Tram

Located at the feet of the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque, the tram runs year round and is the longest tram in the United States and the third longest in the world. Ascending from 3,000 ft. to just over 10,000 feet, the tram provides the most spectacular areal view not only of the city of Albuquerque but the gorgeous Sandia Mountains. With a quick 15 minute ascent you can enjoy the view, explore the mountain trails up above, eat  at the High Finance restaurant, reopening in Spring of 2019.

During the winter months the Sandia Tram Ski Basin is open for skiing and snowboarding. If you own your equipment, you can purchase a lift ticket, take your equipment with you, ride the tram up and ski/snow board down. If you do not, you will need a vehicle to drive around the mountain, through the town of Edgewood, up to the Sandia Tram area. There are also several hiking trails, such as the La Luz Trail, which I will be writing about a little later, you can hike from the base of the Sandia Mountains to the top and ride the tram back down. Along with hiking trails there are many mountain bike trails open during the spring and summer months. You cannot take you bike and equipment on the tram so you will have to have a vehicle to access the mountain bike trails. 

However you choose to experience this amazing site in the Albuquerque area, riding, biking, hiking or skiing, it will be worth your time and an experience you will not forget. 

For more ideas about things to do in and around the Albuquerque Area, check out my blog posts on https://thecharmingjay.com/2018/11/20/hiking-the-kasha-katuwe-tent-rocks-national-monument-in-new-mexico/ or the https://thecharmingjay.com/2018/09/05/sunrise-springs-resort-and-spa/.

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Travel

Arizona Travel Guide

Arizona, my fellow neighboring state, is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m looking for a fun road trip or a quick weekend getaway. Arizona is beyond beautiful and full of adventure. Here are some of my bucket list places to visit across the state.

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First up, the area I was most shocked by, for its surprising beauty. A great place to visit when you are up for an adventure and some outdoor time. Page, Arizona, located on the North Central border of the state, less than 20 miles from the Utah boarder, is filled with more outdoor beauty than you can imagine. Horseshoe Bend is of the beautiful, natural attractions you will be able to see while visiting this Arizona town. Horseshoe bend is super easy to get to, only a few miles into the town of Page and a short hike/walk from the parking lot to the bend. It is gorgeous!! Beautiful red-orange colors surrounded by the deep blue water down below.  It will leave you in awe. You can also make your way to the bottom of the bend, to hike, paddle board, get in the water if you choose. There are several excursion companies offering activity packages in town you can try if you are interested. Regardless, just the pure beauty of this attraction is a sight to see!

As if Horseshoe Bend was not enough, Page, Arizona is also home to Antelope Canyon.  A slot canyon, formed by erosion of the Navajo Sandstone from flash flooding is separated into two canyons, Upper and Lower Antelope Canon. Located on Navajo land, just east of Page at the Navajo Tribal Park, this is one attraction which can only be experienced exclusively by guided tour. Trust me, it is more than worth it! This is a popular attraction and it is a good idea to get your tickets early if you are planning on going at a certain time of day. If not, you may have to wait till the next tour opening, which may be several hours away. Especially, during peak season in the summer. You will be loaded on to Chevy 4×4 trucks and driven across the desert to the Canyon. The drive and transportation are an experience in itself. Definitely, adds to the fun. You will be guided on a tour of the canyon, allowed to take pictures, the really good tour guides will point out where you can take the best shots from, and you’ll enjoy a walk from one side of the canyon to the other. You will then be driven back to site and have completed your tour. You could easy see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one day, even morning or afternoon depending on your schedule.

While in the area, you might as well make your way over to Lake Powell for some fun on the water.  Lake Powell, a reservoir on the Colorado River, also, sits the border between Utah and Arizona.  Most of Lake Powell,  is located in Utah but is only miles away from Page and will be the cherry on top of your trip.  The reservoir is the second largest to Lake Mead in the United States and is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen. If you are lucky enough to have a boat to truly enjoy the water, many are available to rent for the day, you will discover rock formations and crystal blue water, making it hard to believe you are in the United States. It’s beauty on top of beauty and is a perfect addition to any road trip around Northern Arizona.

Next up is my favorite small town to visit and stay for a few days. Sedona, Arizona. Located in the North central area of Arizona, the city has a backdrop of an array of red sandstone formations. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red colors when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The red rocks form a popular backdrop for many activities, hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails, sliding rocks, river activities, dining, shopping and lots of exploring. Home to many popular attractions such as Devil’s Bridge, Sliding Rock and Seven Sacred Pools, Sedona will awe you with its natural beauty.

Sedona, is one of my favorite Arizona towns, not only for it beauty but also because of the cozy feel of the town and town square. The town square is filled with local places to eat, shop, listen to music and find something to take back home with you. It is perfect after a day of hiking, biking or off-road adventures.  Sedona has local hotels, AirBnb rentals and camping spots to help you enjoy your visit.

If you can believe it, there is even more beauty to find in Arizona, probably the most wondrous of them all, the Grand Canyon!! Located along the Colorado River in Arizona the Grand Canyon is more than 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and nearly a mile deep. Of all the Arizona attractions I have talked about, the Grand Canyon is at the top of the list. It is massive and all you see is canyon as far as the eye can see. There are several areas along the canyon, known as the South and North Rim for park goes to enter and explore. We visited the North Rim, not far from Flagstaff, Arizona where we stayed during the evening. This is, for sure, an all day affair. Depending where you stay it will take a while to drive to the park, pay entrance fees, park and start exploring. The museum at the site is a must see, as it gives you tons of information about the canyon and something I will never forget, how the canyon was formed as boulders the size of semi trucks raged down the Colorado River. It is truly magnificent. There are many trails to hike throughout the park, just remember going down into the canyon is the easy part, you still have to hike all the way back up! None the less, you can experience even more spectacular views the further down into the canyon you hike. You can also schedule hikes to the base of the canyon, but must have made camping accommodation reservations, as you cannot hike down and back up in one day.  If you are not sure where to start when exploring Arizona, the Grand Canyon is definitely a great place to start discovering what Arizona is all about.

Last but not least, I could not write an Arizona Travel Guide and leave out the capital city of Phoenix! The largest city in Arizona, Phoenix is where you should go to enjoy the city life and all its attractions. Major League Sports such as, football, basketball and baseball, music concerts and music festivals, shopping, restaurants and night life. If you ever happen to be in the area in October as an added bonus you can also enjoy the Arizona State Fair.  With all of the life of the city, although Phoenix is a big metropolitan area, the city has plenty of outdoor beauty and activities to enjoy, including several trails and peaks to hike throughout the city and Tempe Town Lake for some outdoor fun.  All depending on the time of year you visit the city! Phoenix being one of the hottest cities I frequently visit, with summer temperatures close to or over 110 degrees Fahrenheit, you have to be prepared for the heat and plan out your activities accordingly. I love Phoenix and have been to the city too many times for me to write about you can experience in the city in such a small area of this post. Phoenix certainly deserves a post of its own and I will have to follow-up with a future post about the Best Things To Do In Phoenix, Arizona.

Hope you enjoyed reading about the many wonders of the state of Arizona and it helps you when planning a trip to explore for yourself!

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Travel

Giggling Springs Mineral Water Pools, Jemez, NM

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As you may have figured out by now, I love me some hot springs! Not only are they relaxing but they have amazing health benefits. Soaking in hot mineral springs increases your circulation bringing blood to areas that may not have been receiving enough of it. It also has a relaxing effect on the muscles, calms the nerves, relaxes the mind, and pulls toxins out of the body through the skin.

If you are a New Mexico Resident, planning a trip to the Southwest or just love yourself some hot springs like me, Giggling Springs Mineral Pools are some of the best I have experienced recently.  Tucked away in the Jemez Mountains, Giggling Springs is a serene outdoor paradise surrounded by nature. A quick hour drive from Albuquerque or Santa Fe makes these mineral pools a perfect destination for a quick week day or weekend getaway.

There are four pools geothermic pools on the property which are heated from a natural water source. The Inner Peace Pool, Meditation Pool, Fountain of Youth Pool, and The Reflecting pool, all vary in temperature, all containing  therapeutic mineral water.  The 142 degree (F) geothermal source water on this property is rich in calcium, magnesium, lithium, potassium, iron, silica and several other minerals, and offers a variety of benefits as these minerals are absorbed through the skin during soaking.

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An added bonus on the property is it location to the river, which you can see and hear from a few of the pools, but is also available for guests to sit and lounge on chairs and take in the Southwest landscape and calmness of the river. You do not need to make reservations to enjoy Giggling Springs, in fact they don’t take reservations. If planning a trip it would be best to look into peak hours and or plan to wait or grab a bite to eat if the pools are full for the when you arrive, however, the earlier the better. If you are lucky enough to arrive with a rain storm looming you may find you have the entire place to yourself, just like we did. The cool rain drops hitting my skin as I soaked in the hot geothermal water make for a perfect mineral spring day.

Definitely add this to your list of mineral springs to visit in New Mexico!

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Travel

Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa

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I’m a big believer in self-care and I love a beautiful spa to help me relax and unwind. Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa an Ojo Spa Resort is a new favorite on my list and is a great place to visit in New Mexico. Located about 40 miles from Albuquerque, NM in Santa Fe, NM, Sunrise Springs offers a variety of spa services and the grounds will blow you away with their beauty and tranquility.

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Spa goers can enjoy a soak in one of the resorts private tubs(reservations required). These private tubs can fit up to six people and each room has its own private area with locking door and fire-place. Each room overlooks the spring-fed pond and offers time away from other spa-goers to relax and enjoy your soak. Standard soaks run for an hour and magnesium soaks for 30 minutes. All resort goers can also enjoy the eucalyptus infused wet sauna and steam showers for an unlimited time before or after your spa service. Sunrise Springs Spa offers a variety of services from massages, skin treatments and rejuvenation treatments.

 

Spa goers can enjoy shopping for items local to the Southwest region as well as spa products at the market on the grounds. After some relaxing treatments and perhaps a little shopping, sit down and enjoy a meal a the Blue Heron Restaurant located on the grounds. The restaurant overlooking the pond is a perfect way to enjoy a meal and enjoy your stay at the resort.

 

Not only does Sunrise Springs offer tub soaks and spa treatments but also, beautiful lodging to further enjoy the resort. Standard rooms and casitas are available by reservation and allow you to enjoy other activities such as yoga, wellness exercises, craft projects and resort retreats. Activities vary each month and are posted on the spa calendar for reservations. There are also many areas to relax and enjoy the scenery around the grounds, from the swimming pool to the many hammocks and swings to the on site garden used to grow herbs and vegetables for the Blue Heron restaurant.

Ojo Spas really knows what it is doing when creating these resorts. Balancing services with the beauty of nature and giving you an enjoyable resort experience. If you’re looking to recharge and rejuvenate Sunrise Springs is definitely a place to check out!