Our 2022 winter road trip continues with our last few days in Phoenix. We stayed with friends for a couple of those nights to see them and some sites in their neck of the woods. It’s always nice to enjoy the company of old friends and have the locals show us around! One last night in our condo got us closer to our finale – a fabulous sunset cruise on Lake Pleasant.

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To start at the beginning of this series, visit So Long Snow 2022.

We packed our small suitcases and ventured off for a two-night stay with some high school friends who have a house in Sun City. We were eager to have some one-on-one time with them, and they were eager to share some sites that they have come to enjoy on their winter visits each year.

Our first stop was the Desert Diamond Casino for an afternoon of pretending we knew how to play the slots (and a few drinks). We were home by six for a delicious home-cooked dinner (by Bonnie) (and a few more drinks). When we get together with Jim’s childhood friends, there are always a lot of great stories. And I am just scratching the surface of their shenanigans after all these years!

Playing the Tourists

The next morning we had a wonderful homemade breakfast (thanks again Bonnie!), and we left for a day of browsing. The Wigwam Resort Hotel was our first stop and was an absolutely fabulous luxury resort in Litchfield Park. I didn’t get a good picture of the outside, but if you check out their website, they have more than a few!

Self-Guided Tour

We wandered around like we owned the place. We peaked into conference rooms, checked out a few of the well-appointed sitting rooms, and Greg even played the beautiful white baby-grand. Pictures lined the walls from its 90-year history.

“The Wigwam is equipped with a century’s worth of experience in providing the best luxury and comfort to travelers from around the world! The Wigwam started as a small lodge during the rise of cotton ranching in the early 1900s, officially opening its doors as a resort in 1929.” ~ READ MORE

The decor was definitely southwestern, but in no way did it resemble a wigwam! We ended our stay with a beverage on the patio in the warm sunshine on this late February afternoon.

How About a Little Shopping?

I may have understated the “little” shopping we would undertake in just one store! The “Brass Armadillo Antique Mall” in Goodyear (Phoenix west) has so many aisles, they were named after the states!

“The Phoenix, Arizona – Brass Armadillo Antique Mall is home to over 600 antique dealers, the largest number under one roof in the entire desert valley. As you explore our aisles full of millions of antiques and collectibles, you’ll discover antiques of every kind… History buffs should check out our military memorabilia. Our dealers feature rare items from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, as well as World War I and World War II.

Our new Phoenix West mall at I-10 & Dysart in Goodyear has over 55,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles shopping. It has quickly become the “Ultimate Antique Shopping Adventure” in Phoenix.” ~ READ MORE

Sahuaro Ranch Park

The next day we got an earlier start, since we were headed back to our condo this afternoon. Our first stop was Sahuaro Ranch Park for a nice relaxing stroll through the farmland. Although none of the buildings were open, another beautiful sunny day was upon us! And that’s all these wanna-be snowbirds can hope for!

“With peacocks, citrus trees, rows of palms, old ranch homes and a rose garden, Sahuaro Ranch Park in Glendale is truly an oasis in the desert. But this wonderland didn’t just grow out of barren land.

The historic property came to be with the completion of the 44-mile Arizona Canal in 1885 that opened over 100,000 acres of desert for homesteading and farming. The property was owned and developed by William Henry Bartlett and subsequent owners from the late 1800s until Glendale purchased it in 1977.

This lush gem that once held pastures for cattle and sheep grazing, fruit orchards, a dairy farm and the homes of early newcomers is now a public park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” ~ READ MORE

Peacock Parade

Right around the corner from the ranch was the Glendale Library. I know, that seems like a strange place to take your tourist-friends. But we didn’t go inside, we stayed in the parking lot to see the wildlife – the Peacocks. There were probably about twenty in all and they strutted around like they owned the place. If we got too close they would just sashay away, acting oh, so cool!

Historic Candy Company

Our last stop in Glendale was our sweetest! Cerreto’s Candy Co. had a HUGE selection of scrumptious goodies! Too bad we just had lunch or we would have gone a little nuts (literally)! There was so much to see, with sweet artwork all around and my favorite episode of I Love Lucy playing on the TV. We missed the tour, but a movie was playing at the back of the store with some history. What a fun stop!

“Cerreta Candy Company is a family-owned business founded over 50 years ago by Jim Cerreta, Sr. Jim learned the art of candy production in his father-in-law’s factory in Canton, Ohio. He then passed the skill on to his children and grandchildren. Four generations of the candy business now oversee production & operations of our delightful chocolates and candy products.” ~ READ MORE

The Grand Finale

We said our goodbyes and arrived back at our timeshare in Peoria with a little time to spare before our Sunset Music Cruise on Lake Pleasant. Since we had done significant packing before we left for our visit in Sun City, we just did a little more organizing to make the morning a little less stressful. A gorgeous night was in store for our final night in Peoria before we head on down the road.

“Sunset Live Music Cruises: Enjoy a 105-minute sunset cruise on Beautiful Lake Pleasant, while listening to live music by talented local artists. Drinks & snacks are available for purchase at our full-service bar. Ages 13+ only.” ~ READ MORE

Ahhh…

It’s hard to beat tapping your feet while listening to music while cruising on a beautiful lake in the middle of the desert while sipping a cold one with your honey. All of these things made this a fantastic evening.

Farewell to the Copper State

No better way to say farewell to the Copper State than with a few Copper States! Tomorrow we start making our way back home with three short stops in New Mexico, followed by a disappointing end to this fabulous road trip in Ridgedale, MO.

Next up: In Transition

Happy trails,
Barb