Open any travel book and you’ll see the typical three: food, shopping, and accommodation. We can thank the influx of seasonal inhabitants for the prevalence of world-class leisure activities – golf, resort style water parks, boutique shopping districts, booming night life – just to name a few.
With Phoenix growing an estimated 10% during the cooler times of the year, the offerings are general and versatile. The broad source of travelers in conjunction with a born-and-raised Phoenician being an anomaly, means that there is a lack of uniqueness to the local culture – rather just a giant melting pot.
While this anonymity may seem kind of bleak, it is one of the main reasons why people travel here. There is an innate feeling of comfort and belonging; no matter where you come from or what you are looking for, it is here – and with great abundance and authenticity.
Residents generally enjoy the perks of the industry, that is until non-residents are blocking objective commuters on the roads.
Hidden Valley Tunnel
A tunnel hidden in the center of magnificent South Mountain Park. Depending on the approach the hike will be Approximately a four mile round trip with 1,000 feet in elevation change. While mostly inaccessible to the common American, inside you will find there has been enough traffic to polish the granite walls to a glossy tombstone finish. The Hidden Valley, from which the tunnel is named, is a terrace created by a granite waterfall damming sediment and creating a zone of hospitality in an otherwise rock-laden landscape.
The valley can be accessed from both the North and South sides of the mountain; pictured respectively. The Ahwatukee (South) approach is more desolate and scenic.
Every night is Halloween
Be sure to stay on the mountain until well after dark to see the mountain kindle your imagination. Gather your lights, tell someone where your going, say good bye and set off.
My personal favorite is the Coyote chorus that belts as the sun goes down and moon comes up. If you are lucky enough to hear the pups cry out for dinner, be sure to keep a close eye on the batts that flutter off the Saguaros seemingly on Coyote queue.
And don’t forget to look up. Either the moon will provide enough that you don’t need lights, or there will be more stars then you’ve likely ever seen.
