For my last post about Arizona, I want to leave you with a few fun facts about the state!

1. Over 32 million people visit each year, but it is still considered on of the most undervalued and underrated states; people tend to ignore its natural beauty and all the landmarks it has to offer once they hear about the heat
2. Arizona became the 48th state of the US on February 14th, 1912
3. Phoenix is the hottest city in the United States
4. Yuma, a city in Arizona, is the hottest place on Earth
5. Arizona does not follow daylight savings time
6. It is one of the best places to take a day trip or roadtrip as the change in scenery allows for extensive exploration
7. World of Illumination – During Christmas, there is a huge drive through animated light show featuring light and sound combined together to celebrate. While in your car, you connect to a certain radio station and the lights you drive by match up and move to the songs. Each show has a unique theme and set up
8. Cutting down a Saguaro Cactus is illegal and you can face up to 25 years in prison for it – it is an endangered species and is only allowed on privately owned land
9. Arizona is large enough to fit all of New England, and the state of Pennsylvania in it
10. It  is the 6th largest state in the US covering about 114,000 square miles
11. There are no dinosaur fossils found anywhere in the Grand Canyon because it is older than the dinosaurs
12. Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh with a telescope at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff on February 18, 1930
13. Miranda Rights – what is read to you when you are arrested – originated due a to supreme court case of an Arizona man: Ernesto Miranda vs Arizona
14. When England’s famous London Bridge was replaced in the 1960s, the original was purchased, dismantled, shipped stone by stone and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it still stands today
15. The Petrified Forest in northeastern Arizona contains America’s largest deposits of petrified wood
16. The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest continuous franchise in the National Football League, dating back to 1898
17. The coldest temperature recorded in Arizona was 40 degrees below zero at Hawley Lake on January 7, 1971
18. The hottest temperature recorded in Arizona was 128 degrees at Lake Havasu City on June 29, 1994
19. The 13 stripes on the Arizona flag represent the 13 original colonies of the United States
20. The amount of copper on the roof of the Phoenix Capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies

Thanks for coming along and hopefully you learned something new about AZ throughout this blog!

Of course there is nothing like a Penn State tailgate and no other college atmosphere can compare, but growing up with ASU games was a blast. Arizona State University, dubbed the party school of the west, sure knew how to bring all kinds of people together to enjoy football Saturdays. From college kids dressed up in their game day best to families playing corn hole with tables of food, the energy in the air is something else. People’s commitment to their college football teams win or lose, good or bad, is another sort of craze. People buzz with excitement as the anticipation for the game starts to build. Growing up, my family was one of those who had season tickets to the games. We would pack up our cars with grandparents and cousins and friends, make tons of food, and spend hours outside the stadium waiting to go in. The girl cousins would dress up in their cheerleading outfits, and the guys in football jerseys. Music is blasting and people are talking and the feeling of comfortable fun all rush around you. Once you make it into the stadium, the smell of hotdogs, popcorn, and nachos float around. There is more music playing and events all around. Games for kids, bar spots for the adults, and new things to see around every corner. Even if you went to every ASU game, they would not be the same because there is always a new vendor, event, or person there to see. College football is truly a top tier form of entertainment because of everything it entails. If you’re lucky, you will be welcomed to Saturday night football. As the sun sets, thousands of people file in to watch the games. If you’re unlucky, you’re at a day game and the sun beats down on you as you file into the stadium and sit on the hot plastic seats. Fall and football are two commonly combined traits, but down in the desert, it’s less fall and more summer ball. The best game of them all is when ASU plays their rival U of A; two PAC 12 Arizona schools going head to head for the title of best school in the state. Bear down vs Forks up. People go crazy for this game and some of my best memories of football when I was young was at these rivalry games. It runs so deep that it alters people’s college decisions and starts family feuds.

Since Arizona is dubbed the Grand Canyon State, I thought it ought to be time I talked about it. It is seriously crazy to think that one of the most touristy places lies right in my home state of Arizona. Ever since I was little, it was the one thing that people knew about Arizona and everyone wanted to visit. It is honestly weird that people plan trips from around the world to go see the place I saw as apart of my fourth grade field trip. It was a running joke that people travelled hours, days, and miles all to see a giant hole in the ground. To be honest, that is what it is, but there is so much more to it than that.  The Canyon itself is gorgeous and has a winding river running through the base of it, and color striations running up and down the walls. There are no two parts of the Grand Canyon that are the same, which builds to the idea that everyone’s experience is different because their views are. This river is the Colorado River and it has been etching out the canyon over 6 billion years, although it is not really known how old it actually is. One of the coolest fun facts, in my opinion, is that there is a community made up of about 500 people that live in the bottom of the canyon. These people are apart of the Supai Village and live upon the Indian Reservation at the base. They still receive their mail by mule! Located within this reservation is one of the prettiest waterfalls on earth, Havasu Falls. In order to get to Havasu Falls, you must first win a lottery that can be entered on the first of every month and then embark on a 4 day/3 night adventure through the canyon. It is a 10 mile hike from rim to base, and those lucky enough to do it, stay in a campground within the Havasupai people’s land. Everything you need must be packed into a backpack and carried down by yourself. While this is no easy feat, the views of the waterfall and from the canyon below are easily unbeatable by anything. I have yet to do the hike myself, but it is a dream of mine to do so. For those who just want to take a day trip to the canyon or view its sight from up above, it is much easier to just visit the national park with a day pass, and explore. On the west side of the canyon is the skywalk which is a glass bridge that overlooks the canyon below. If heights just aren’t your thing, you can always just view the canyon from solid ground with a railing (that’s what I did). Little trails are present throughout where you can hike part way into the canyon or around it. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do in Az, and hiking the Grand Canyon is truly memorable. The natural beauty surrounds you and it feels as if you’re in another world.

            

As the weather here at Penn State cools down and we head into the best season of the year, fall, I wanted to talk about Flagstaff in Arizona. Surprise, surprise, contrary to many’s beliefs, it does snow in Arizona. Yes, a vast majority of the state is covered in desert with sand, cacti, and dry heat, but if you head north, there is so much more to see. Flagstaff has been deemed the 8th snowiest city in the US with an average of over 100 inches of snow per winter. Arizona is easily one of the most diverse states in this country, purely for the different terrains and weather you can find. When you head outside of Phoenix towards Flag, most of the time you take the I-17 to the SR89. There is a specific point in this drive in which you are coming from boring, desert, scenes where it looks like you’re in the middle of nowhere, to entering a canyon made from mountains, and as you emerge on the other side, you are greeted with miles of pine trees, mountains, and greenery. There is almost a switch going off in Arizona as you travel from city to city and visit all the different landscapes that are offered. In the winter time, Flagstaff has similar whether to State College. It gets real cold and windy in the winter and snow begins to fall around late November, early December. The days begin to get shorter as the sun is not out as much, and the best thing to do is grab a hot drink and sit by a fireplace. One of the most serene places to be during winter, is in a cabin in Flagstaff, or one of the neighboring cities, curled up in a blanket on the couch as you watch the snow fall onto the rooftops and ground. A white blanket begins to settle as winter comes and the air around begins to feel like Christmas time. It is one of the few places you can get a white Christmas in Arizona, and going up for the time, is so worth it. From warm baked goods, to snowboarding or skiing off Humphrey’s Peak, to sledding on the NAU campus, there is always something to do to fill up the crisp winter days. I can still remember my first time learning how to snowboard as my dad had to hold me up as a tried to figure out how to steer, start, and stop. I used to have to grab onto him as a jumped off the lift at the top of the mountain so I wouldn’t end up sliding right back down. So much of my childhood is embedded in this town in the mountains, and it is always such a welcoming place to come back to and remember it all. There is something special about spending time in the cold, getting bundled up in coats and beanies and gloves, and venturing out with friends and family alike. One of the best things that gives Flagstaff a small town feel is the downtown. Downtown Flagstaff offers little shops that brighten up streets with lights and goodies from the windows, and restaurants that are just welcoming you in with the smells wafting from kitchen to sidewalk. Without a doubt, winters in Arizona are some of the best. You can spend your time in the valley were winters stay in the 50s or 60s, or you can venture up north to the cold and spend some time in the snow.

                                                

Standing at 12,633 feet in the air, Humphrey’s Peak marks the tallest mountain in Arizona. Located just 11 miles another of Flagstaff, Humphrey’s Peak is a site to see. Used for skiing in the fall and hiking in the winter, it is truly one of Arizona’s natural beauties. At 11 years old I had the opportunity to climb this mountain with my parents and it was one of the most memorable experiences to date. Now there is nothing to downplay in this. The hike is a 10.1 mile trail uphill full of obstacles, switch backs, and overgrowth. The hike in all takes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours to complete, but it is worth it. On the trip up, you have to walk through fields of wild flowers in order to reach the base of the mountain. From here, you start the trek up in the beautiful scenery. I hiked Humphrey’s Peak in fall so the pine trees toward above head as the leaves were changing colors and falling all around. There was still a bright green vibrance in the area, though, as the vines around continued to grow and the shrubbery took over the area surrounding the paths. The air was crisp and cool in the morning, but as the day continued on, the sun began to beat down and the whole environment warmed up quickly. The sounds outside were peaceful, but prevalent. From the people talking in the distance to the animals rustling around to the music playing in your ear as you hike, there is always something to occupy you with. There is nothing better, in my opinion, than getting outside with those you care about and doing something new, and this was definitely something new for me. The conversations on the way up were the best as you’re with a group and everyone’s curious about each other. Soon the time passes quickly and you make it to the saddle of the mountain. Here, you can decide whether to keep hiking up to the peak of the mountain, or turn back around and head down. The hike to the top was steeper and the path filled with snow as you were so high up, but the views on top were marvelous. The snow made it possible for a little snow ball fight and snowman building, which made making it to the top so much more fun. But, once you make it to the top, you do have to turn back around. This is easily the worst part of the hike. In the beginning, there was adrenaline and excitement coursing through your veins, but now it had been replaced by exhaustion. The time down feels like it takes forever, but soon you do make it down and the whole trip felt worth it. It is such a cool accomplishment to say you hiked the tallest mountain in your state and felt on top of the world. After that though, you will be hungry and tired so of course my recommendation is going to be to head on over to NiMarco’s in town and have the best pizza ever.

Whenever you’re looking for cooler weather or a good view and you love being outdoors, Sedona is the place to head to. Arizona is truly underrated when it comes to being an outdoor state. Most of the time it is overlooked because of the heat, but there are so many hidden gems that make you want to get out of the house. From the endless hiking trails, to mountain ranges for exploring, to horse trails and sand dunes, to rivers and waterfalls, there are countless opportunities to explore. It is breathtaking to stand at the height of a mountain or the plateaus of the ridges and watch the sunset. In Sedona, their speciality is the red rocks which reveals the brighter side of the desert. Instead of dull green cacti and yellow sand, there are bright, bursting trees and a rainbow of colors in the landscape. To get here, you travel north of Phoenix into a smaller city that heavily relies on tourism. Their Main Street is lined with small, local shops that you have to stop into and look at what each one holds. From handmade jewelry and clothes to wind chimes and cultural pieces, to engraved pocket knives and signs, there is always something to look at. Outside their downtown lays a church built into the mountains, and trails weaving behind trees and through rivers. It is the perfect weekend escape or getaway. The people are always friendly and welcome you at their doors. Endless conversations are built that leave most wanting more. Even when sitting in one of the authentic restaurants, the hospitality does not lack. No matter how busy they get, the people here always make the time so you are cared about and belong. The relationships here stretch past just wanting to please for a tip, or make a purchase, but instead to make you feel as if you belong. Back to the outdoors, Oak Creek runs expansively throughout the city. It is a long, winding river that has many stops along the way to be marveled at. At one end you have Slide Rock which acts as a natural waterslide where friends and families flock to in order to feel the adrenaline running through their veins as they slide down the smoothed rocks into a deep plunging end. At another end, you have Grasshopper Point, which is much more secluded and less known where you can brave cliff diving, or just swim in the shallower ends. Nothing is better after hiking than taking a jump into cold water and relaxing in the sun. No matter where you end up, or the path you take, there is always an amazing view ahead to be found. There is nothing better than getting a group of friends to pile into a car and take a day trip here with a day full of adventure, laughs, and smiles.

Carrying on with the theme of food, 3 hours north of Phoenix, nestled in the heart of Flagstaff is NiMarco’s pizza – aka Flagstaff’s hometown pizzeria. The best parts of a restaurant are the ones that make it a memorable experience. This can be anything from the food to the ambiance to the servers to the conversations at the tables. For me, it’s all of these when I think of this place. To start off, this isn’t your normal sit down restaurant. You walk in, order at the counter and then the food is brought to you. The food brought it is always piping hot and honestly, the best pizza ever. This is a big title to give a pizza place, but NiMarco’s takes the crown without a doubt. Their pizza crusts, which are without a doubt the best part of a pizza, are always freshly handmade and provide the perfect ratio of thick to thin. They have the original, cheesy, or if you want something new, a garlic butter crust. Yes it is as good as it sounds. It is then topped with tomato sauce and 100% fresh mozzarella cheese. After that, customize it however you like. All of their ingredients are prepared daily which adds onto the idea that you get what you pay for. No this is not some kind of fancy, extravagant restaurant with food you don’t even know because the names are confusing, it is one that is welcoming and delicious. Two things that definitely top your five star restaurants. The best and most memorable experiences when going out to eat, in my opinion, is not necessarily where you go but what makes it worth it. It’s always better to go somewhere where you and whoever you are with can be comfortable. Where you know you are always going to get something mouth wateringly good. To order right here though, you have to try a bunch of things. Like any classic pizza place, you have your salads and wings to go along with. Personally, honey barbecue boneless are the best kind, but any flavor will do, as long as you don’t dip them in blue cheese. It’s a simple meal, but it’s hard to top. You’ll continuously crave the warm crust and melted cheese alongside a fresh, cool salad until you get the chance to have it again. Trust me, it’ll be hard to find a more rewarding pizza place than this.

Being Italian on both sides of my family, we take cooking extremely seriously. There’s no such thing as a jar of tomato sauce or canned Alfredo or frozen ravioli. That’s just not how you do it. It’s flat-out wrong as my Nonna and gramma would say. Everything has to be made from scratch and of course, it has to cook all day long until the smells infiltrate the air throughout the whole house and all you can think about is when dinner will be served; it’ll be the most delicious Italian food you’ve ever had. But, no one wants to cook every day and when you want to go out as a family to celebrate, eat with some friends, or go on a date, there are a few places that come to mind. For good Italian though, there is only one. This is RigaTony’s Authentic Italian. It’s nothing like your local chain of Oregano’s or Olive Garden; this is on a whole different level. It’s a small, family-owned restaurant that hand-makes their food daily in the kitchen and never gives out their recipes. It’s what keeps people coming back every week for more and more. From the ambient lighting when you walk in the door, to the fake grapes hung on the shelves, to the Italian history painted on the walls, and finally the food on the table, it’s worth the wait. Every single table is started with freshly baked bread and their house salad. If you ask me, the best way to have their bread is to use one of the little dishes they give and mix some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, some Parmesan cheese, and just a little bit of chili flakes and dip the bread in. Trust me, you’ll never go back to eating boring bread as an appetizer again. Then, of course, you have to order their signature dish, “baked rigatony”, which is a big serving of big rigatoni noodles covered in sausage or meatballs that are swirled in melted cheese and fresh spaghetti sauce. Let me tell you, it’s signature for a reason, and taking a bite is extravagant. The flavors burst into your mouth and every bit is the best. I was a die-hard buttered noodles girl for as long as I could remember and I wouldn’t give in to the signature dish like everyone else did, but once I tried it, there was no going back. It is genuinely one of those dishes that no matter how good of a chef you are, you will never make it as good. Now if you’re not in the mood for just a dish of pasta, order the baked rigatony pizza. Yup, a pizza with pasta on it. Definitely not something I thought I would ever see. Moving on from the food to the environment, imagine yourself laughing with your family at a big table as the noise of others carries on in the background. Memories like this are the best to look back on and are what bring people together. It brings me a wave of happiness to know that no matter where I am in the world, I will always have a place to remind me of home and look back on. Now I ask a question of you, What are some of the best restaurants I can only eat at here in State College or even beyond to all of Pennsylvania?

Throughout the past 18 years of my life I have had the opportunity to travel all around the country, but I have only ever lived in my home state of Arizona and my hometown of Gilbert. One thing I think people skip over too much is that there is such a cultural shock, even when just moving states. I have spent a grand total of three weeks living here in State College, PA and wow is it different! The greenery everywhere, the assumptions people make about where I am from, the difference in people and the change in everyday food places and stores. The assumptions, to be specific, is what prompted me to write my blog on the beautiful place I call home. Yes, AZ is most widely a desert, but there is so much more to it. Just like I am sure everyone of you could tell me about your hometowns or states, there’s hidden gems and the best places to see or eat at. Ranging from the prettiest sunsets in the world to activities to spend the best day of your life doing, there is a little bit of everything here. In this blog, I want to take a dive into what you can do if you ever do find yourself across the country in the west.

Phoenix, the capital, is pretty much in the smack center of the state, well maybe a little south. It’s just like your common city with skyscrapers, businesses, crazy traffic, little food shops and the questionable people. Here lies opportunities, inventions and improvements. But if you get in your car and head just an hour northwest, you can find yourself at Lake Pleasant. When looking to beat the brutal 120 degree summers, this is where you will find swarms of people hoping to spend the day in cool water. You have people who want to show off with their boats and yachts that cost more than a normal house, or those just trying to relax in tubes, kids splashing off the beach shores, people attempting yoga and flips off paddle boards and others snorkeling or racing. Even if people don’t want to get in the water, there are people tanning and soaking up the sun or those brave enough to try out the boundless hiking trails. It’s the definition of there’s something for everyone. If you look closely enough there is an abundance of wild life that can range from fish and salamanders to even mules and wild horses.

Looking for something a little bit more out there? Well if renting a boat or kayaking aren’t your speed, head over to the docks at Paqua Park in Lake Pleasant with a group of friends and try out the wipe out course. Yup you heard me right. My favorite thing to do here is to spend an hour on the obstacle course floating in the lake.  Jump off the towers, race from one end to the other or launch a friend off the water blob. Still bored? You could also always try out the world’s largest floating water slide. Standing at 34 feet tall you can shoot down the slide and up into the air before landing into the lake. Definitely a way to get your adrenaline pumping. Hungry after you are done? Just walk a little farther down the dock to the restaurant over looking the lake and mountains and grab some dinner with a view. There are perks to spending the summers in the insane heat and that is the endless opportunities made to cool off.

travel in Arizona – its my home state and I love to travel so I’ve seen so much of the state and its people and culture and would love to talk about it

travel in the US – talk about the pros and cons of national landmarks and cool places around

cooking – reviewing restaurants and menus