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Hondo Rodeo Fest Debuts in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona
By Sylvia Lenore, submitted photos Yee-haw! The inaugural Hondo Rodeo Fest made its debut in Phoenix in November bringing a mix of Western rodeo and country music to Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix. Yes, you read that right … they brought a rodeo arena inside the baseball stadium, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Don’t forget the stadium’s bag policies for a stress-free experience). The three-day event running from Thursday to Saturday was a first of its kind indeed. The Hondo also took over the streets outside the stadium for the general public to experience their Stillery Street Festival. It’s a family-friendly market showcasing Western-themed wears and jewelry, food trucks, a…
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Enjoy a Desert Oasis and Waterfall at Revamped Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Ever since I moved to Arizona almost seven years ago (!) as of January 2025, I have heard people in the valley refer to Tucson, Arizona as “The Dirty T”. I honestly had no clue why and as far as stereotypes go, you learn more along the way of life like the fact that the West Valley of Phoenix is “bad” which honestly reeks of racism but that’s a story for another time. But seriously, each time I would go down to visit Tucson and try to see it through rose-colored glasses, something really weird would happen that would eject me back to Phoenix.…
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Las Posadas of Sedona, Arizona is a Hidden Gem Boutique Hotel with Homemade Breakfast
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Even though Sedona, Arizona is a magical small town, there are different sections to it like anywhere else in the USA. The place that needs no advertising because it is so mystical that mere photos, videos and vibes draw millions across the world each year… and there are limited yet immaculate roads because of its small stature and also rules set in place to allow no more building (i.e. ruining the beauty of the Red Rocks) in the area. Nestled in the Village of Oak Creek, Las Posadas of Sedona is located where you are driving in from Phoenix, Arizona – a good hour…
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Enjoy Desert Zen at Rancho de Los Caballeros Ranch Spa in Wickenburg, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Each day in the American Matrix is the same… wake up to an alarm, get jolted out of your restful sleep into the reality of you have to work to pay your bills or become homeless… the corporate slave to the system grind. Then get ready to slay the day in zombie mode. Rinse and repeat until your soul is pretty worn. This is not natural or how human beings are supposed to be. We’re supposed to be in nature, frolicking among other animals each day. Obviously impossible with greedy corporate inflation and the government to pay, but if we can find moments…
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Get all the Good Vibes at Sky Rock Sedona in Arizona
Story, photos, video by Cassie Hepler Sky Rock Sedona got a magical makeover! With 360-degree views of Sedona’s Red Rocks including Snoopy Rock, Thunder Mountain, and Coffee Pot Rock, no other boutique hotel in the area can compare. After a full remodel in March 2024, this rad space offers those iconic Red Rocks views in every direction, 109 modern rooms and suites with comfortable beds, outdoor pool, hot tub, free shuttle, musicians on the weekends and all the energy work you ever wanted each evening – all without leaving the property. There’s even a hiking path across the street from Sky Rock Sedona if you want to get out there…
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Westin Tempe, Arizona Offers Perfect Location to Stay & Play for ASU Crew
Story, photos (unless otherwise noted), videos by Cassie Hepler When I first moved to Arizona, I rented an Airbnb studio in Tempe called the hobbit hole somewhere downtown close enough to ride your bicycle but too far to walk especially in the heat. That was my first experience with Tempe, Arizona and I do have fond memories of it. My hosts were amazing and knowing I was relocating, told me if I found an apartment (or in my case, an Arcadia casita), they would gladly release the rest of my stay and even help me move. Talk about Western hospitality! So my first impression was excellent in this area. Known…
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Build a Glamping Dome in Your Backyard with Phoenix Domes
Story by Cassie Hepler The price of housing is outrageous all across the United States. This is a not-so-fun fact we all feel from greedy corporate entities and our own government squeezing citizens for every last dime through creeping to 40% taxes on everything you do, eat, drink and where you live. I’m very goal-oriented and have been speaking to a number of think-outside-the-box brands over the years trying to find a solution to the housing madness. Fortunately, Arizona is pretty lax about additional living structures and especially now that the city of Phoenix has approved casitas in your backyard, glamping domes are a very cost effective way to secure…
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Sleep in a Glamping Dome at Tirrito Farm in WillCox, Arizona
Photos, story and video by Cassie Hepler The last time I drove down to Willcox, Arizona was a whirlwind press trip with Cochise County with a heavy focus on all the many wineries in Southern Arizona. Let me tell you, when your job is to drink wine for days, your body is like whoah Nelly what is going on here?! It was during the end of the chaotic Covid era, not that it mattered in Arizona. It was still the Wild West which reminded me why I moved here in the first place… laws are a little loosey goosey. That road trip also included an overnight in the wild, weird…
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Get Your Wild West on and go Golfing at Rancho de Los Caballeros in Wickenburg, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler The first time I visited Wickenburg, Arizona was for an old Western town style photoshoot at Robson’s Ranch for local and out of town models. I had no clue what I was getting into at the time but was new to the desert and thought it would be a great way to meet some fresh faces and see new places. I has just bought my brand-new Honda whip at the time and remember being a little stressed about driving on long, windy rock roads… it seems that old West town for rent still exists although more rundown but it’s kind of rad concept.…
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Glamping in an AirStream at The Cozy Peach at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona
Photos, story and video by Cassie Hepler The nice thing about living in Phoenix is the short drive to surrounding towns that take you to a completely different vibe in any direction. And moving to North Phoenix which for is 20 minutes directly above the city much like when I lived in the Manayunk section of Philly ironically, offers you all the highways only about a mile away. Learning the rhythm of any city is the key to keeping your driving sanity and it’s no different here: skip rush hour from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. So we headed down to Queen Creek, just…
