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Monday 24 September 2012

Wonders Of The Golden West Part 2....

After an exciting two days in Los Angeles it was time to travel east across the desert towards Phoenix and our next stop, located in the heart of the Valley of the Sun, Scottsdale.



The Sonoran Desert


We stopped at Hadley Fruit Orchards, Cabazon,  for a comfort break, which also allowed us to buy some fresh fruit and a few supplies to nibble on the rest of the journey. Hadley Fruit Orchards was founded by Paul and Peggy Hadley in 1931 in Banning, California. Their neighbors were the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. According to members of the Morongo tribe, Paul Hadley often provided tribal members with fruit and dates, fostering a rapport with Hadley Fruit Orchards that remains to this day.  You can read more about Hadley Fruit Orchards here.

Finally we reached Scottsdale,  which boasts sunshine more than 300 days of sunshine a year.



Scottsdale was just an overnight stop but we made the most of it opting to join the optional excursion to Rustler's Rooste, a western style steakhouse located 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix and 20 minutes from Scottsdale, for a cowboy style dinner and entertainment.



The legend goes that the original site, atop a butte in the foothills of South Mountain, was a hideout for cattle rustlers.   The first sight to greet us was Old Horny






and the views





We were given a choice on entering the restaurant to either use the door into the dining room or enter via the slide


we chose the door, though some of the younger members of our party did use the slide.   There was a band playing some great Country & Western music




and after a fantastic feast of salad, corn, steak, vegetables, beans, bread and a whole lot more, all washed down with either (or all) beer, red and white wine and jugs of Tequilla,  which was included in the price, we even managed to do a little line dancing.

We had a fantastic night, but by 10 p.m. we were 'plumb tuckered out' (to coin Allen's phrase) and ready to head back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.  Just time for a quick photo before we left.


 Join me next time for Wonders Of The Golden West Part 3.

18 comments:

Daryl said...

love the outfit ..its perfect, you look lovely

Scottsdale and Phoenix are on my must see list!

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Daryl :)

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

adorable couple! and it sure looks like it was an amazing trip!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxo

Ron said...

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying these posts, because you're taking me to places that even though I live in the U.S., I've never been!

Arizona is one of them!

Great photos. Love the one of you and MWM. What an attractive couple you make!

Looking forward to part 3!

X

Akelamalu said...

It was indeed Bee and thankyou. x

I've heard that from so many people who live in the US, I guess it's so big you would be hard pushed to see it all. I'm so pleased you're enjoying our trip. Thanks for the compliment m'dear. x

Commander Zaius said...

There was a band playing some great Country & Western music

Since I haven't out west since 1990 I don't know if they have them anymore but there use to be roadside stands next gas stations where small bands setup and played some great music.

Travis Cody said...

When we were in Arizona visiting the folks in July, we were at a rest stop for gas. There was a herd of cattle right there at the gas station.

Yup. Cattle. Apparently there was a free range ranch right there behind the station, and the cattle just wandered about doing whatever it is cattle do.

Adam said...

Not going to lie, I would of taken the slide

Cloudia said...

Looking good




Aloha from Honolulu,

Comfort Spiral
=^..^=

> < } } ( ° >

Akelamalu said...

We didn't see any Beach but I wish we had, I love C&W music, which is why we did the Southern Music and Dixieland Tour last year!

How cool is that Trav? :0

I didn't want to fall off the end and make a fool of myself Adam LOL

Thankyou Cloudia :)

Flowerpot said...

wow what another great holiday!

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Looking through your pictures, I think Hollywood(land) and Beverly Hills just fascinate me the most. Not sure if it's the glamour or the movie theme or just that fact that it's so far from Northumberland, I really don't know. But it's somewhere I could visit one day!!

CJ x

Akelamalu said...

It really was Flowerpot. :)

I found Hollywood fascinating CJ, I think because of the film industry, it's very glitsy.

Valerie said...

I missed this post, Pearl, which I can only blame on the workmen (repairing the roof leak)distracting me. I love your pictures and am quite envious that you ate cowboy style in the Rustler;s Rooste. Fancy having a slide to get in, I'd die if I had to use it... grins. Looking forward to more pics of your fabulous vacation.

tony said...

I Love The Slide Idea! It Would Make Quite An entrance!

Akelamalu said...

Glad you enjoyed it , not everyone used the slide (wink).

Those people that did use the slide certainly made an entrance Tony!

katie eggeman said...

I traveled to Phoenix a couple of times for business. We usually take route I-40 thru AZ close to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. I am looking forward to your GC post as I have only been there once when I was a kid. We just drive right by it on our way to CA.
Hollywood is always fun.

Akelamalu said...

You know all the places I'm talking about then BankerChick, I hope my descriptions are doing them justice?