Category Archives: Nature

Peach Picking! An Afternoon at Fenway Park Orchards

Arizona, Blog, International Travel, Nature, Uncategorized, United States, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Did you know that Arizona is a pretty popular agricultural area? Arizonans grow oranges, spinach, lemons, wheat, flowers…. and peaches! Yum! Yep, even here in the desert, the least likely place you can imagine, you can grow all sorts of delicious things. Last weekend, my husband, my parents, and I headed to Morristown, Arizona to pick peaches at Fenway Park Orchards. There’s nothing like sourcing your food straight from the growers. Here’s a bit about this awesome little u-pick farm.

 

What to Expect from Peach Picking at Fenwick Park Orchards

It’s really trendy right now to eat local, eat clean, and eat organic. But hasn’t that always been the best way? Fenwick Park Orchards is a pesticide free, fertilizer free grower. Of course, this has a host of health benefits, but it also gives the fruit another huge advantage: the taste! According to the young man who briefed us on peach picking, the lack of chemicals allows the rich flavor of the fruit to come through. Our guide said that every singe tree has its own distinct taste. He was right! Wow!

 

 

We had the chance to try just about every tree and find our favorites. When you’re picking in the orchard, you’re entitled to eat as many peaches as you like, free of charge! The u-pick peaches at Fenway Park Orchards are a little bit more per pound than your average (dry, tasteless) supermarket peaches, but you make up for the difference with all the fruit you eat. Oh my word. Peaches off the tree are simply heavenly.

 

 

My parents love peach tea. They like to get peach sweet tea from Dutch Bros. Some of these peaches tasted exactly like that tea!

 

 

An hour’s drive from my parents’ home in Glendale was more than worth time in the peace and quiet of the beautiful orchard. It’s nice to get back to nature and get a little dirt under your fingernails once in a while! I think we all feel the call to to remember our ancestor’s ties with the land now and then.

 

 

By the end, we were all hot, sweaty, sticky, and oh-so-happy.

 

 

We also had about thirty pounds of peaches to take home!

 

 

Peach Recipe Ideas

What do you do with thirty pounds of delicious, juicy, freshly-picked peaches? Why, you make tons of peachy delights with them!

 

 

As soon as we got back to my parents’ house, we set to work on my dad’s personal favorite peach dessert: cobbler! He searched online to find a peach cobbler recipe that included blueberries.

 

It was delicious! Fresh produce makes all the difference.

Of course, there are plenty of other things to do with peaches.

 

 

Here are some recipes to try:

 

Fenway Park Orchards Info

Cost: The peaches cost $2.39 per pound when we visited. Of course, this price fluctuates from season to season.

Hours: You can visit Fenway Park Orchards from Tuesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Coupons: Visit the Fenway Park Orchard website for a coupon.

Contact info: 

  • Website: FenwayParkOrchards.com
  • Phone: 623-388-2603
  • Email: away106824@aol.com
  • Address: 42610 Highway 60-89
    Morristown, AZ 85342

 

Fruit seasons:

Apples: June and July

Peaches: May and June

Peach season in ending, but apple season is just around the corner! We’ll be in Arizona for a few weeks yet, so we will definitely be back to Fenway Park Orchards to pick apples, If you’re in the Phoenix area between May and July, be sure to take a side trip to Morristown for some fresh produce. After all, there’s nothing like eating local, wherever you are.

Saturday Morning at Phoenix Public Market

Arizona, Blog, International Travel, Nature, Uncategorized, United States, , , , , , , , , ,

Downtown Phoenix is full of wonderful surprises: little indie coffee shops, trendy boutiques, unexpected museums, ethnic food unlike any other, colorful splashes of street art… you get the idea. It’s not all chrome and glass like you see on the postcards. One of my favorite local attractions is the Phoenix Public Market that runs in the parking lot of Phoenix Public Market Cafe each Saturday from 8:00 am to noon. I first discovered this urban gem about four years, ago, when one of my best friends started working for one of the vendors. Since then, it’s been on my agenda during each of my rare free Saturdays! Last Saturday was one of those delightful days. Here’s what you can expect at Phoenix Public Market!

How to get to Phoenix Public Market

If you’re like me, you generally avoid both driving and parking in downtown Phoenix at all costs. It’s not that it’s a poorly designed city; on the contrary! The problem is that there are a ton of one-way streets and a shortage of free parking. Thankfully, getting to Phoenix Public Market is pretty easy! Here’s the address:

14 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

To get there from the West Valley, you need to take the I-17 South to the I-10 East. From the East Valley, get to the I-10 West. No matter where you’re coming from, go south on 7th Ave, then go east on Roosevelt, then go south again on N. Central. There is plenty of parking, even on a busy Saturday morning–thank goodness!

What you can get at Phoenix Public Market

Look who I got to go to the farmer’s market with!

Yep, that’s right! Alyssa and I were both med school wives in Saint Martin. When I said goodbye to her six months ago, I had no idea that I’d get to hang out with her in Arizona! She and her husband are spending a few months here between classes and clinicals, just like us. You can read about our island adventures exploring downtown Philipsburg and downtown Marigot in some of my earlier posts. I guess we just like hanging out together downtown.

We had a great time wandering through the many vendors at Phoenix Public Market, trying samples of ice cream and peppermint essential oils. The farmer’s market has everything you can imagine, as far as produce goes. I picked up some fresh organic Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, and tomatoes while we were there. Everything tastes better fresh!

It’s not all veggies at the Phoenix Public Market, through. There are also things like homemade cheese, fresh-baked goods, local honey, and ice cream. A chocolate chunk cookie was essential to our shopping day.

This weekend, the market with bursting with colorful blooms! Hit this corner of downtown in springtime, and you’re always bound to see plenty of flowers for sale.

We admired the handiwork from all the talented vendors. The farmer’s market is an awesome place to get turquoise jewelry, hand-carved wooden toys, and macrame. Both Alyssa and I loved these handmade macrame planters. Aren’t they awesome?

I loved listening to the live music in the market before we left. Outside the market, there are always plenty of food trucks. I’ve tried the acai bowls before, and they are delicious.

 

Phoenix Public Market Cafe

Of course, no trip to the Phoenix Public Market is complete without stopping at Phoenix Public Market Cafe. This is located right next door to the market, and it sources as much of its ingredients as possible from the market. Alyssa treated me to a cup of tea and we enjoyed chatting in the busy weekend atmosphere.

There’s a lot to do in downtown Phoenix, but if you’re in the area, why not make some time this weekend to enjoy a taste of the rural in this urban jungle? Actually, anywhere you are, it’s a great time to seek out some local produce! Go support your local growers and eat healthy. Love your community!

 

A Walk Along the CAP Canal

Arizona, International Travel, Nature, Uncategorized, United States, , , , , , , , , ,

Just in case you were wondering, Phoenix has a grand total of zero natural waterways. We do, however, have a couple of canals. The Central Arizona Project Canal and the Salt River Project Canal. These take water from the Colorado River and the Salt River and bring it to the city because, well, there’s a city in the middle lf the desert with no water. Go figure. 


The CAP canal isn’t too far from our house; in fact, it runs through the middle of one of our favorite hiking ranges, Deem Hills. 


Deem Hills is in the Northwestern corner of Phonix. If you start at the east entrance of the trails, you can take the Circumference Trail a short distance to the path that goes along the edge of the canal. Unlike the hilly trail over the mountains, this is a nice flat trail, good for long walks and jogging.


The trail goes through the range, and then runs behind a neighborhood. It offers access to parks and playgrounds, and has nice views of the canal. 


When a canal’s all you’ve got, it’s actually a pretty desirable view. We did find a rattlesnake back there once, so keep an eye out just in case! 


Kito loved the trails. She’s still discovering new and interesting things, like quail and rabbits. She didn’t even mind when we ran the last mile! This is the first of many family hikes in Deem Hills.

Babit Point Hike at Oyster Pond

American University of the Caribbean, AUC, Caribbean, Expats, Expats and TCKs, International Travel, Nature, Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten, Spouses Organization, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , ,

Oyster Pond in Saint Martin has transformed into a high-end yacht paradise over the last few years. Much to the chagrin of those who knew the tranquil beauty of Oyster Pond’s former wilderness, the area is now a huge tourist center. Like it or not, that’s the way things are. But what if I told you that there is still a wonderful getaway on the shores of Oyster Pond? This is Babit Point, a lonely peninsula of criss-crossing paths and stunning views. Bring your kids, your sweetheart, or just yourself– anyone can enjoy this easy hike.

Babit Point is to the North of Oyster Pond and the south of Coralita Beach. Actually, there’s a trail of sorts leading from Coralita to Babit Point. To drive to Babit, go toward the St. Barth ferry in Oyster Pond, then keep going until you see a dirt lot and some donkeys behind a wooden fence.


To be honest, this is one of those places you might have to hunt for. We drove into a wrong street or two before we found it.


This whole area reminds me of rural Arizona, where you can always see donkeys browsing among the cactus.

The hike to the top of Babit Point is short, and there are some large boulders to climb on. Wow! What a view. We could see Oyster Pond and Dawn Beach, plus St Barth, Statia, and St. Kitts in the distance.


We went down the path to the water’s edge. Oyster pond is pretty much totally developed today, which made me a little sad. I’ve heard rumors of a beach and mangroves that used to be there, and I would have liked to see that. I guess it’s all the more reason to give some love to the island’s remaining healthy pond ecosystems. It looks like the reef around the area is still really nice, though. Maybe we can snorkel it on a calm day.


I don’t come to this side of the island very often, so visiting is always a treat! I feel like I’m exploring a new island altogether. It’s a nice way to shake the Saint Martin claustrophobia I feel now and then.


If you haven’t been here, you need to go at least once. It’s the less steep and potentially deadly version of Guana Bay, even though its not nearly as long. Boy, I love these trails! They’re a huge part of what makes Saint Martin an amazing place to be.

Petite Plage: An SXM Beach You Never Heard Of

Caribbean, International Travel, Nature, Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

School’s out, and I’ve been doing a lot of exploring lately! Most of my adventures are documented on my Canon, which I haven’t been able to upload since my laptop cord died. Fortunately, I was able to replace it this week– for a whopping $45. In the States, it’s only $26. Go figure it couldn’t survive just one more month. Still, I am really happy to have my computer back! All that to say that I’ll be uploading great photos from St. Barths, Anguilla, and St. Martin soon. Today, though, I have something special: Petite Plage.


Petite Plage is one of the lesser known beaches on Saint Martin. It’s pretty tiny, and it’s hidden away. Plus, it’s right next door to Grand Case Beach, one of the best beaches on the island. Still, this quiet little beach is worth visiting.


To get to Petite Plage, walk north on the main road in Grand Case. Keep walking until you hit a gate to a private driveway, and then go through the small gate to the left. You’ll see the type of sign that marks the entrance to every beach on the French side.


When you get to the other end of the walkway, you’ll find a lovely little strip of sand with a killer view of Creole Rock.


You know, I had no idea that Petite Plage existed until Sunday. I’ve scoured the maps, planned my excursions, and even kept a list of all the beaches on Saint Martin that I hadn’t yet visited. Yet this one managed to slip past me. After my friend mentioned it last weekend, I checked the map again.  Yup, there it was– right next to Grand Case Beach. I’m so glad I found out about it in time! I’m trying to visit every beach on Saint Martin. What a bummer it would have missed this one.


Ben and I aren’t big “chill on the beach” people. If we were, we would have loved Petite Plage. If the beach bum life is your thing, rent a chair and umbrella for 20 Euro or get some food at Sunset (which I’ve heard is really fantastic).


Rather than stay at the Beach, Ben and I waded over to the rocky area to the left and went exploring. Aside from some cows and a ninja iguana, we found an awesome view  of Creole Rock and the whole bay.


All in all, this wasn’t our favorite beach. It’s definitely somewhere to visit at least once, though. If you need a place to get away from it all and relax, Petite Plage is your place!

Nettle Bay Beach, Lagoon Side

Caribbean, Expats, Expats and TCKs, International Travel, Nature, Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m trying to visit all 37 Saint Martin beaches, and I’m starting to close in on my goal. At last count, I had been to 32 of them. I decided that this was the weekend to tackle the easiest remaining beach. I’ve been told a couple of different names for this beach, and since Anse Aux Acajoux is really hard for my apparently French averse tongue to pronounce, we’re going to stick with Nettle Bay Lagoon Side.

Now, there are a few ways to get to this little piece of Paradise. You can enter here:

Or here:

Or here:

None of these places had good parking, so we ended up parking at Nettle Bay Ocean Side, in the parking lot for Le Sand and Dreams Beach Bar.

You can park to the right, and then take the path to the left. That’s what we did. This is the path to take if you’re up for an adventure. Saint Martin is full of grown-over paths than nobody really uses anymore, so we assumed this was the way you had to go to get to the beach. About halfway in, I was wondering if this was really a secret beach, or if all the other people are just too smart to go bushwhacking through an overgrown footpath with hundreds of spiders in a place where killers have been known to leave their victims. As it turns out, the beach is neither secret nor only accessible through Spider Forest. So unless you want to catalog all the arachnid species on Saint Martin, I’d advise using a more civilized route.

In the end, the walk through the bushes was more than worth it. So much for a hidden beach! The entire strip was beautifully cared for and lined with the most charming of beach houses! Here, the palms wave gently in the breeze and boats bob up and down in the gently rippling water.

I’m curious why this side of the lagoon is so nice, while the other side (where we live) has muddy shores and tons of jellyfish. It would be cool to have a dinghy to explore the whole lagoon and see what it looks like as a whole.

We found several shops along the edge of the beach. There was everything from jet ski rentals to dive excursions! Who knew all this was hiding back here? Not us! There were also a few little beach bars, which were tempting. A glass of fruit juice would have been nice after walking so far on this hot day.

I’m not sure how long the Nettle Bay Beach Lagoon Side is (Ben guessed 3/4 of a mile), but I really wanted to walk all the way to the end. Ben and R were kind enough to humor me. There was a lot to see, so even though we were hot, we weren’t bored. One house has an antique canon in the backyard!

We eventually came to the end, went through a gate, and found ourselves on a residential street in Sandy Ground. It was another longish walk back, but we took a break in the middle at Parisienne, a bakery and pastry shop I’ve driven past often but never stopped in.

R got a sugar brioche and Ben and I split a chocolate twist. It was a good refreshment for a mid-afternoon walk. The woman working at the bakery was really nice, too.

Before long, we ended up back at Nettle Bay Ocean Side. That’s another beach for another post! If you want to learn how to find other lesser known Saint Martin beaches, check out these posts:

Lovers Bay Beach

Guana Bay

Le Galion Beach