Surprising Surprise, Arizona
Over
Spring break we drove to Surprise, Arizona (northeast of Phoenix) from Colorado
to visit grandparents who were wintering there. They were renting a house
in a retirement village, with great pools and wonderful walkways. The majority
of our vacation was spent beside the pool (our hosts also had one in their
backyard), but we also had two excursions we’d recommend:
White
Tank Mountain Regional Park: we hiked to a waterfall, admiring ancient
petroglyphs, massive cactus and countless lizards along the way. The hike
was easy (we did it with a 70 year old man and children ages 5, 9, 12) and
it took about an hour. It’s best done earlier in the morning, before it gets
too hot—and before the school busses might arrive. The waterfall was dry;
apparently you can see if flowing right after a rain storm (but then, if the
water is too high, you might not get all the way in!). But there was still
a cool, shady pool at the end that the kids considered a reward. And the desert
flowers were beautiful. They apparently reach their height in February/March.
Cactus flowers were just beginning to bloom—they reach their height in March/April.
The park has some very cool "kid-friendly" events listed, such as a full-moon
hike and snake-feeding. Check it out at: www.maricopa.gov/parks/white_tank/
TIPSTER: Don’t leave valuables in your car, especially in
the less-trafficked parking lots. An older couple’s car was broken into and
her purse was stolen.
Spring Training
Baseball game: three generations headed out to watch the Mariners Royals play.
Seats right on the first base line. It was a great way to introduce the kids
to the feel of a major league game, but at a fraction of the cost. Tickets
were just $16 a piece. www.surprisespringtraining.com/.
The Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals make the Surprise stadium their spring
training home.
We also love Macayo’s on Bell Street, a chain Mexican restaurant; they have
excellent, fresh-Mex food and are very family-friendly. You can call ahead
for reservations. Be warned, the "snowbirds" eat early (5pm) and the restaurant
will be packed until they begin leaving.