Arizona: Phoenix

The highlight of going to Phoenix for me, of course, is seeing my mother. But a close second would be soaking up the heat by the pool. Although it has gotten as warm as 118 degrees when I've visited, the heat is always manageable when you stand still. It's so dry in Phoenix that 30 degrees cooler in New York still feels much worse.

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The meal was served buffet style, which of course gives any serious gourmand a reason to pause. But the entrees and sides were all of superior quality, and when they ran out of the yummy sweet potatoes a server ran off to the kitchen to see if the chef would make some more. He did, and I was left pretty full making buffet dessert consumption all the more difficult. Always the trooper, I managed to down some pecan pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate torte and a cookie. The sacrifices one must make to share recommendations with fellow travelers...

Perhaps it's just my romanticizing the notion, but it seemed like the concert took on an entirely different air about it by being performed under an open sky. Maybe looking up in to the clear evening sky and gazing at stars helps one reflect on lyrical musings, but I'd guess it has more to do with simply enjoying the chance to spend some quality time outdoors.

Make sure to arrive early to grab a good seat. Refreshments are served, but like any concert venue they are well over-priced. You can call (480) 644-2178 for more information and a list of upcoming schedule performers at Mesa Amphitheatre.

Still, time and again, I find myself back at this mall when visiting my mother. Perhaps she longs to trick me into purchasing new clothes to replace the ones she doesn't really care for? If stuck at the fashion Square Mall, here are some pointers to make your time pass a little faster.

There is a pretty extensive record store called Circles Records and Tapes, with more variety and hard to come by titles than you would expect in Scottsdale. I was happily surprised by te number of bargain items available at the Gap, but refrained from spending any money and adding to my luggage, much to the chagrin of my mother. The food court is a step up from other malls that rely on bad Chinese and hot dogs to satisfy customers. And the gurgling fountains situated throughout the mall make for a nice place to sit back and read a few chapters of a book while you wait on your fashion hungry friends and family to finish up their labored shopping.