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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Take a Hike and Be Amazed at the Sonoran Desert in Arizona

    December 11, 2019 /

    Story, photos by Jason Nugent Often when people think of deserts, the image that comes to mind is one of a vast, barren landscape with nothing but sand for as far as the eye can see. As someone who has spent time in deserts around the world and has seen that specific view first hand, I’ll be the first to admit that I thought that the landscape surrounding Phoenix would be similar. Boy was I wrong. The Sonoran desert surrounding Phoenix is home to one of the most vibrant, lush landscapes in the Southwest United States. If getting out and appreciating that appeals to you, then I urge you to …

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    Jason Nugent

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  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Gertrude’s Fine Dining Tickles Tastebuds in Breathtaking Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona

    October 30, 2019 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler The first time I visited Desert Botanical Garden was during a life-changing Visit Phoenix press trip that inspired me to move to Arizona. When I mentioned this magical place to my mother that showcases the Sonoran Desert and its botanical gardens, she had no clue it existed as she lived here before I was a glint in anyone’s eye and I’m assuming somewhere that was all desert straight out of Looney Tunes. However unlike the cartoons, the Sonoran Desert is home to about 100 species of reptiles, 20 amphibians, over 350 types of birds and 60 mammals. Fast forward to modern day and welcome to…

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    Cassie Hepler

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  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Feast Your Eyes and Soothe Your Spirit on the Fresh Foodie Trail in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona

    December 14, 2017 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) Let’s talk about good karma, shall we? Once upon a time before threats of hurricanes, this travel writer was on a press trip to Visit San Antonio, Texas and met a fellow foodie, travel and fashion influencer from Ontario, Canada named MoVernie on the MOVE. Our mutual love for connecting others lead him to helping me meet the wonderful team at Visit Phoenix which then led to this press trip… where a friend had moved six weeks earlier and my favorite uncle had recently relocated from Colorado. Always one to kill two birds with one stone, it was a week-long plus one…

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    Cassie Hepler

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