PHOENIX & CENTRAL ARIZONA Adventures TO WRITE HOME ABOUT BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON 7 Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon, Phoenix H2-Whoa, Lake Pleasant You know those unforgettable adventures that you can’t wait to tell your friends about? Try one of these unique Arizona adventures for some bragging rights. 1 The chance to see wild burros and coyotes, 360-degree views and sip prickly pear mimosas? Who wouldn’t want to sign up for a scenic hot-air balloon flight with Rainbow Ryders ? Depending on the winds, you and your fellow aeronauts will gently rise up to 7,000 feet above the north Phoenix desert for 70-mile vistas of Lake Pleasant and distant mountains, not to mention wildlife. Afterward, you’ll stay buoyant with that adult beverage, a snack and a commemorative flight certificate. 2 Theoretically, you’ll see cactus, desert hills and deep blue-green lake waters. All you’ll actually see is a blur. And the sound? It’s you, screaming. It’s all part of the thrill at H2-Whoa Lake Pleasant , said to be the world’s tallest floating water slide. Don a life vest, climb some 34 feet in the air, then hurtle headfirst down a slide at 30 miles per hour before plunging into the cool waters. Crazy? Maybe, but you’ll want to do it again. 3 Want to see Arizona, old school style? Saddle up with Cave Creek Trail Rides for horseback exploration. The outfitter, whose season runs October through May, is located in a nearly 3,000-acre county park, with access to numerous trails that loop over hills and through pristine Sonoran Desert, offering glimpses of the city in the distance. The sturdy, gentle horses are perfect for all rider levels. If you’re a history buff, time your visit for a ride and tour of an old clay mine. 4 Mountain bikers who want solitude hit Black Canyon Trail for 80 miles of singletrack fun far from crowds. Located on public land, the trail is easily accessed from Greater 46 VISITARIZONA.COM Phoenix at the Emery Henderson Trailhead. From there, you’ll ride through low desert and into the Bradshaw Mountains foothills as you cross the Agua Fria River several times—which, depending on rains, is dry or flowing. Other access points let you call it a day before you commit to the entire gloriously remote trail. Westin Kierland Resort, Scottsdale 5 Engage your core and work on balance when you rent a stand-up paddle board from Boat Rentals of America on Tempe Town Lake. As you paddle the urban lake’s calm waters, you’ll glide past downtown Tempe’s glittering new high rises, along the lake’s linear park and under the Art Moderne arches of the circa-1931 Mill Avenue Bridge. Look north to get glimpses of Papago Park’s desert buttes. Prefer to sit, not stand? Kayak and pedal boat rentals are available. 6 From May through October, you can park your car, rent an inner tube and let Salt River Tubing ’s bus shuttle you upriver for a glorious float past Tonto National Forest’s craggy cliffs, desert hills and riverbanks dense with mesquite. Your time on the river will be replete with long, calm stretches and a few mild rapids, plus sightings of wild horses, herons and bald eagles. Insider tip: Get an extra tube for your cooler to enjoy drinks on-the-go. 7 Who says you can’t hang ten in the desert? Westin Kierland Resort’s FlowRider uses innovative wave technology to let you surf in the luxe resort’s water park. While it looks like you’re surfing, you’ll also experience the feel of snowboarding and be able to use skateboarding tricks on boards derived from waterboarding. Two riders, each on their own board, can experience the balance thrill at the same time, for up to one hour. And, yes, lessons are available for all skill levels. TOP TO BOTTOM: RAINBOW RYDERS; BOAT RENTALS OF AMERICA; VISIT PHOENIX/JILL RICHARDS
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2020-21: Page 46
