arizona key magazine - statewide issue

CONCIERGE CORNER
Metro Phoenix

When I first came to Arizona a friend told me that the way to survive the desert heat was to stay wet. He said, “if you can stay wet you can stay cool…”

The Valley’s lakes and rivers are an oasis in the desert. Here are some great ways to stay wet & cool this time of year. Try tubing on the Salt River. Salt River Recreation has all you need for some fun in the sun. Located out past Saguaro Lake (See your Concierge for a map and for tubing tips.) Salt River Recreation rents you an inner tube to float in, a tube for your cooler and sells snacks and beverages to take along for the ride. Float from one hour up to four hours depending on where you decide to leave the river to catch the included-with-your-tube-rental bus ride back to your car. Tons of fun for the whole family! Just one hour North of Scottsdale you’ll find two of the area’s prettiest lakes. Ski boats, pontoons and jet ski rentals are available at Lake Pleasant Watercraft Rentals on Lake Pleasant which is located off the Carefree Highway, Northeast of the Valley. Bartlett Lake is a pretty, pristine more intimate lake with great facilities, beach areas and picnic ramadas. Boat rentals are available as well.

Along the Apache Trail (Highway 88) you’ll find Canyon Lake where the Dolly’s Steamboat cruises the lake twice a day. Further up the Trail is Apache Lake a serene canyon lake with beautiful views, pretty beaches and a marina for all of your boating and fishing needs. Once the largest man-made lake in the world and the largest of the lakes on the trail is Theodore Roosevelt Lake. The Roosevelt Marina rents boats and has fishing supplies.

How about one of the Valley’s fun waterparks? GolfLand Sunsplash in Mesa, Waterworld Safari in Phoenix and Big Surf in Tempe all have a variety of water features including slides, wave pools and areas for the little ones. A great way to spend a day! Enjoy the water, don’t forget the sunscreen!

Are you the stay dry type? Then maybe a visit North would work for you, a beautiful 2 hour drive north will put you in the middle of Red Rock Paradise! Sedona, AZ is a scenic wonderland filled with diverse discoveries. The Sedona Metaphysical Spiritual Association will guide you through Sedona’s mystical side. You’ll find spectacular art galleries, unique shops, hiking and fabulous restaurants and all of this in temperatures somewhat lower than the Valley! Stay cool!