Flagstaff

Enjoying the cool air among the ponderosa pines is a welcome change after enduring the summer heat in Phoenix. Flagstaff provides a nice wilderness retreat that's close enough to the city for a day trip, but even better for a weekend away!

If you're heading north, try the Extreme Obstacle Course in Flagstaff. It's a ropes course at Fort Tuthill County Park where we conquered swinging ropes, zip lines, nets, and bridges all while being suspended up high among the trees.

And what better way to enjoy the outdoors than to go camping? We found a great site about an hour from the Grand Canyon that wasn't too far off the beaten path, but remote enough that during a walk through the meadow we spotted five big elk! Building a fire and roasting mallows (the size of our fist, I might add) was enough to bring us back to our country roots and help us remember how great the outdoors can be. Viva la Flagstaff!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day will be here June 15th. Have you started shopping yet? At a loss for ideas? Here's a short list to get you started.

THE CLASSIC DAD.
1. Car Wash Package. Clean cars provide more joy than you realize. Clean anything, really. Buy a package or do it yourself and it will be appreciated.

2. Slang Flashcards. Really, this is just great. Any dad of teenagers could use these flash cards to his advantage. It will improve their home life, work life, and social media life. Plus, it adds a comedic element to any gift. What's to lose?

THE SPORTS GUY DAD.
3. Race Car Driving Experience. Maybe your guy likes NASCAR, or maybe he just likes to drive fast. Either way this would be a great experience to have. In Phoenix we have the +Bondurant School of High Performance Driving where you can learn how to drive a race car, or have fun with a group riding the go-karts. Explore the options in your neck of the woods.

4. Telescopic Fishing Pole. What's better than a regular fishing pole? A telescoping one that will fit in a backpack. You're welcome.

THE INTELLECTUAL DAD.
5. Kindle. I really enjoy my Kindle (when I have time to read). It's a great alternative from using a phone or tablet to read a book because it's easy on the eyes. Way to go Paperwhite Technology (TM)! Of course, a traditional book works too, it just takes up more space.

6. Chess Board. There are few things classier than a nice chess board sitting on a coffee table or in a den. It's a game of strategy and it's nice to see a grown up version with specialty pieces. Find one that fits your guy's personality.

THE HEALTH NUT DAD.

7. FitBit. A calorie management system that uses an online program to manage what is consumed and what is burned. Lots of similar products out there exist, so do some research before you chose which one to get.

8. Juicer. Lots of nutrients are found in fruits and veggies and the fastest way to get them into the body is through juicing. Fresh juice, not that prepackaged stuff. This is on my list!

THE FOODIE DAD.
9. Jerky of the Month Club. Need I say more? Yum.

10. Fixie Bike Pizza Cutter. How cool is this?! This could work for the Sports and the Foodie Dad! Make him feel welcome in the kitchen, too. It adds to owning his domain. :)

It's March Maddness Time

If there's one thing I love about March, it's the Madness. Of course the beautiful weather is nice, too. A side note about me: I'm from Indiana. I have a thing for college basketball. And I love Bobby Knight. Sadly, my hurryin' Hoosiers aren't in the tourny this year, but the show must go on.

Did you know Warren Buffet has offered up ONE BILLION DOLLARS for a perfect bracket? Granted, that's next to impossible, but it's worth a try. Ladies, impress your man, fill out a tournament bracket and mention things like Elite Eight, the Big Dance, and sing "One Shining Moment". It'll get him swoonin'. Hurry up! The first games begin Tuesday, March 18th.

AZ Golf Course Review: Coldwater Creek

Golf is great in Arizona, but when the weather cools down, the prices heat up. Here's how I afford it: +GolfNow -- discounts, golf course reviews, and online tee time booking. In the 100 degree plus summer, it's affordable to play the best courses around, but fall through spring, playing a top course is almost out of the question. Enter Coldwater Creek Golf Club.

Technically, Coldwater Creek is in Avondale, just west of Phoenix. True, tee times can be as high as $80, but if you're diligent in your search and willing to play in the afternoon, rates can be as low as $15. 

While the course itself doesn't compare to TPC Scottsdale or Lookout Mountain, the price is right, the pace of play is faster than most, and the condition of the course is above average (especially the greens).

WARNING: Be on the lookout for coyotes. Animal remains on the fairway are not uncommon.

Grade: A