After a long hot summer, where most Valley residents stay indoors, the weather is now perfect for outdoor activities. For those of us that live in Phoenix, we now look forward to these late fall through late spring months because it is the perfect time to hike the area trails.

Squaw Peak, located in the North Phoenix Mountain Preserve is my “mountain” and area of preference to get out and enjoy taking desert hikes. Its 1000+ foot elevation gain in just 1.2 miles provides a great workout and the views are stunning.

View looking northeast at the McDowell Range and North Scottsdale

I’ve been taking a route that begins just north of the peak and west of the 51. It is a decent 5+ mile round trip hike that includes hiking to the summit. Access to the park is just off of Dreamy Draw, about a quarter of a mile north of Aunt Chiladas.  The trail access takes you under the 51 and safely into the North Phoenix Preserve.

Once you crest the first hill, there is a valley surrounded by the area mountains and you lose all sense of being in the middle of the nation’s 5th largest city, Phoenix.

The next few pictures were taken on my two hikes into the Squaw Peak area last week. I focused on the Saguaros, my favorite cacti.

The valley just over the first ridge trail from Dreamy Draw.

Steep slopes. Looking west from the summit trail.

I really like the saguaros with their many limbs. Check out the road and parking area below.

It’s nice to know Saguaros are now protected. It takes hundreds of years for them to reach maturity. I’ve been told many were moved to housing developments.

The summit of Squaw Peak! What I really like about this shot is the official summit marker … look closely at the bottom center and you will see the gold colored geological survey marker. Most hike to the peak just north of this. If you haven’t trekked over to the south peak and touched the marker, you haven’t summitted! My friend Steve would call this being elevation inferior.

October 2011. I always celebrate a summit hike.

The coming months offer Phoenix residents a fantastic opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities. Hiking Squaw Peak and the North Mountain Preserve is my favorite area for its convenience, stunning views, and diverse trails.

There’s a new restaurant in town. Ncounter! It is conveniently located right off the Light Rail stop at Mill Avenue. I’ve been twice now and yesterday’s visit prompted me to share my experience and offer a very high recommendation to try it.

I read that the owners have been in the breakfast/lunch business for a few years and are ASU graduates. The food is fresh and is made to order from scratch. Based on my two visits, you can taste the difference.

Yesterday I ordered the Melt Down. It was the best grilled chesse sandwich I have ever had.

Bacon, tomato, jalapenos, cream cheese, jack, cheddar, Swiss, and American cheeses on a grilled 12-grain bread.

If you are looking for a really good place to eat in the Tempe area, check out Ncounter Restuarant. The breakfast and lunch menu offers delicious omelettes, soups, hot and cold sandwiches, and salads. Drinks include smoothies, coffees, the regular beverages, and even a bar of breakfast drinks (bloody mary, screw driver, greyhounds, and beer).

The doctor recently told me to stay away from white bread. Ya think he’ll be pleased that my new favorite sandwich is served with a toasted 12 grain bread?

I had opportunity to drop by The Lux Coffee Bar this morning  and boy, am I glad I did. They have finished remodeling and moving into the building next door. It was my first visit to the new digs. It is impressive.

First, you know I have frequented Lux for a good while. They have great coffee, offer delicious food, and excellent service. It’s an eclectic, eccentric gathering place.

The line this Friday morning was steady and at times long. The staff had it down as no one waited more than a few minutes for their orders. I had my usual Americano and this:

This is a mixed berry brioche with what they call the works … oh, so good. The works means that slab of home-made whipped cream and butter. It is fantastic.

Jeff, the owner who you will almost always working the roaster or making the expresso or taking out the trash, has expanded the business to include a good variety of fresh food choices and a full bar (alcohol).

I am looking forward to my next visit. The Lux has my highest recommendation as a Phoenix stop for coffee or more. It is a Phoenix Best.

Lux Coffee Bar light fixture. As cool as its coffee.

Last night the Home Run Derby of the 82nd MLB All Star Game was watched by thousands at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. I wasn’t there, unfortunately. But in the crowd was someone I knew! I asked them if they would take a couple of pictures and give me their impressions.

My friend … actually in the spirit of full disclosure, my manager or BOSS, Jamie, attended with her husband, Josh. She provides these cool pictures and comments that follow.

They chose to sit just behind home plate which I have found to be one of the best views of the field. The outfield, typically the cheap seats, were anything but cheap. I heard some were going for a grand or more.

((I want to note it was near 100 degrees outside so the Chase Field roof was closed and these seats were air conditioned.

Jamie said, “It was an awesome experience — the most high energy baseball event I have ever been to! I have never been to any event and seen such an eclectic group of fans. There were fans decked out in team apparel for every MLB team.”

The Yankees, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks were most represented she said. “The Home Run Derby hitters can really mash (?: ) the ball! Especially Cano, the winner, who broke a record. Got to see so many upper level home runs.”

Jamie also mentioned how cool it was seeing old players (what? I think I am older than some of them…) like Cal Ripkin, who threw out the opening pitch, Hank Aaron, and Louis Gonzales.

Lots of festive activities. The Budweiser Clydesdales.

Just after the Star Spangled Banner was sung, Jason Aldean performed. Here, the windows of the upper area of the field allow sun to shine through.

Probably talked about as much as the Home Run Derby was The Catch of the night.

That’s a big league play right there.

“The crowd did a great job cheering on each player, not just their personal favs. It made the whole event fun to watch.”

Thanks to Jamie for sharing her Big League experience. It isn’t very often one gets to participate in All Star Festivities.

• Interesting notes: Robinson Cano, Yankees second baseman, won the event with a record 12 home runs with 4 outs left.
• Cano had his father, Jose Cano, pitching to him.
• 95 homers were hit.
• MLB and State Farm Insurance will donate $603, 000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Haboob? That’s what I was thinking. The Middle Eastern term is one for a huge desert storm. And that’s what hit yesterday in the Valley of the Sun, er, today known as the Valley of Dust.

No matter where you live, you probably have heard or seen pictures and video about it. This was my first experience of this weird type of storm.

They were still talking about it today on the news. It was big. Apparently this thing got going from Tucson and just grew from there.

The fact that this thing covered the valley is impressive. As you may know, I’ve walked across the valley and one of the impressions of doing that is that the valley is BIG. This storm was bigger. Epic as the newscast labels it!

There are so many videos on youtube recording the moment … I kind of like this guy’s report:

Amazing how dark it turns the day. I went out briefly into it as it hit the area I live and you immediately get a face, eye, and mouthful of sand.

So, my impression? The Haboob’s bark is worse than its bite. Now I should admit that by the time it had hit the North Valley, the winds had weakened and it was more of a nuisance because everything was covered in dirt. It is a very eery kind of thing. But it doesn’t really compare to other types of weather phenomenon.  I mean, how many people stand in the direct path of a tornado and record it …. and live to tell about it! Colorado blizzards are far more dangerous. Hurricanes too.

I have now experienced AND survived my first Phoenix dust storm. I am proud to have all the long time residents talking about its epic nature. For me, it really is just a dirty mess.

A BLACK asphalt parking lot the day after the 2011 Phoenix Dust Storm.

I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but this is the same Phoenix that sent reporters out live shortly after I moved here to cover the areas weather when the valley was experiencing … wind. Yep, it was epic.

It’s no secret to anyone in the Phoenix area that the Rock Springs Cafe, located just north of the Valley on I-17, is one of the best places for comfort food. I had the opportunity to stop and was not disappointed.

The area is rich in Western history. Rock Springs was a stopping point for the Black Canyon Stagecoach on its journey between Prescott and Phoenix as far back as 1884. The Earp brothers and Doc Holiday were some of the visitors while travelling in the area. A general store was opened in 1918 and remains to this day, only one of 10 still doing business in Arizona.

The cafe has a very comfortable atmosphere. Antique oak tables fill the dining area. They reminded me of what we tried to do at the Homestead Restaurant.

The food is really good. The pies are advertised as worth the drive from anywhere … and while I did not have a chance to try them on this visit, the woman sitting at the next table confirmed they are as good as advertised. They also have a chicken biscuits and gravy that is better than any sausage gravy I’ve had. There is a full menu of BBQ, steak, seafood, and chicken dinners.

The farmers’ market is also a great option. Fresh tomatoes, fruit, corn, and raw honey were available on this stop.

For more info, visit their web site: RockSpringsCafe.com

I’ll be going back.

I’ve found my favorite hike in Phoenix, Arizona! It’s the series of trails that cover the area around Squaw Peak in the North Phoenix Mountain Park.

My friend Rambo (yes, that is his real name) showed me this area. We accessed the trails from Dreamy Draw Drive, just west of the 51. There are a couple of tunnels that take you under the highway and into this Phoenix park. The scenery is stunning. As we crested the first ridge from the west, the above shot was taken. Amazing feeling of being in the desert. No city noise or views. Just mountainous terrain, cacti, and wildlife.

Here is the view from the next ridge we hiked up to. The 51 is there in the middle, and I am looking west and north. It was late afternoon and the temps were in the mid-80s. Rambo is bragging about how he had done this hike earlier in the day when it was really hot. He was also threatening not to hike with me anymore if I continued to carry the large purple water container I brought. At least it held a lot of ice compared to the little jug he brought.

One of the many saguaros growing in this area. I think there are more saguaros in this part of the park than any other area of the valley. Saguaros are my favorite cactus. I have been told each limb takes a hundred years to grow. Another surprising fact is they are HARD like a tree. I always thought that green area was spongy.

Here’s a shot from about the same location as we began from the first ridge. Sun is setting on Squaw Peak (on right). The hike was approximately 4.25 miles. With my stopping to take pictures, take in the views, and catch my breath it was about 2 hours of exercise. Rambo usually does it in an hour and a half. It must be noted, he has no eye-witnesses to this.

Here is the view opposite of the above:

I hope to do this route again soon for a sunrise hike. It has been a perfect one for helping me get out and walk during my 90 Day Challenge. Since moving to Phoenix just over four years ago, the North Phoenix Mountain Park has provided many opportunities to enjoy the desert without having to leave the city.