Harold's Corral

Harold's Corral

As Cave Creek’s original “Wild West Saloon and Restaurant,” Harold’s is a landmark and popular stomping ground for both locals and tourists. Celebrating over 70 years of history and good times.

If it happens in Cave Creek, it happens at Harold’s. Johnny Walker opened the Corral Bar in 1935 to serve the workers who were building Bartlett Dam. It became Harold’s Cave Creek Corral in 1950 when local character Harold Gavagan purchased it. It has spawned a million crazy stories – from lions and tigers caged in the back to Harold himself along with his flamboyant friends, movie stars, (real) cowboys and other colorful characters. Gavagan’s flamboyant ways helped to turn it into the local landmark that it is today.

Harold’s features seating for 600 inside, 200 on outside patio, 2 bars, a large stage and dance floor, free Country Dance Lesson on Friday’s from 7:30pm to 8:30pm and Live Entertainment by some of the BEST bands in the valley Wednesday through Sunday.

Harold’s features the finest Choice hand carved steaks and daily delivered fresh seafood. All our BBQ meats are smoked on premise using mesquite wood to provide a traditional southwest flavor. Our wide variety menu features everything from Salads, Steaks, Seafood, Italian & Mexican dishes, to the best Hamburgers in Arizona.
Harold’s Corral is the official home of Heinz Field West a Pittsburgh Steelers Club. It is the place for all faithful of the Black & Gold to meet on Sunday, watch their beloved Steelers and down a couple of Iron City beers.

There is always something happening at Harold’s. Whether you come here for one of our annual events such as Fiesta Days, 3rd of July Fireworks, Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction, Gong Show, Hawaiian Luau, Wild West Days, Harold’s Anniversary Party or one of our many charity events. Harold’s Corral is the place where the festivities begin and end.

Long time Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia says “We all end up at Harold’s at some point. Sedona may have it vortexes, but Cave Creek has Harold’s and it’s the center of the universe.”

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HAROLD’S HISTORY

Since Harold started the place about 1935, Harold’s has always been the center of Cave Creek activity. It has spawned a million crazy stories… from lions and tigers caged in the back to Harold himself along his flamboyant friends, movie stars, (real) cowboys and other colorful characters.

Many celebrities have frequented Harold’s. Some to wine and dine on the fine food and some because it was their film location… Warner Bros. filmed Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins starring Mckensie Phillips, Alan Arkin and Sally Kellerman; other films were Electroglide in Blue starring Robert Blake and Jeannie Riley and Little Foss and Big Halsey with Robert Redford. Dick Van Dyke and Hugh Downs frequent Harold’s, but then, the locals always know the best spots.

We surely hope you will visit Harold’s. And when you do, take a minute to browse through the photographs on the walls of the wonderful characters that frequent Harold’s. Hope to see you real soon.

I am generally spotted at Harold's for breakfast on Saturdays as they open at 8:00am.  You can still ride your horse there and there is a corral to keep it.  Also it is a destination after spot for jeep tours.  This is the real Arizona....the wild west.  I will be doing much more on Cave Creek in the future!


http://haroldscorral.com/ 

http://www.carefreeadventures.com/

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The Royal Palms

THE ROYAL PALMS

Privacy remains the ultimate luxury at Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Enchanting stone walkways curve throughout the property, inviting hotel guests to indulge in a leisurely stroll amongst the fragrant citrus groves and exotic foliage. Set amidst lush courtyards and blooming gardens, our 119 beautifully appointed casitas, hotel rooms, and villas surround as an oasis for guests seeking tranquility and solitude. Each hotel room is resplendent in Old World charm, many appointed with a breathtaking collection of European antiques, tiles and artifacts. Set in the Valley of the Sun, the resort is located in the beautiful Phoenix-Scottsdale resort community, with the majestic Camelback Mountain providing a striking visual backdrop.

Entering the mansion through mahogany and iron double doors, the atmosphere is that of a lavish private residence. Mirroring the Old World charm of the estate, Royal Palms' Four-Star Alvadora Spa is tranquil, warm and intimate. Nationally acclaimed T. Cook's Restaurant boasts select seasonal dishes from the Mediterranean and exotic surrounding regions. This Scottsdale area resort also offers swimming, a fitness centre and full-service salon.

Acclaimed over and over as one of the country's most romantic resorts, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona is offering a host of new sensuous Romantication^™ experiences. Led by our Romance Team, including the Director of Romance and the Director of Guest Experiences, our entire resort staff is trained to provide a level of service that is boundless and yet discreet, giving you an intimate, luxurious, pampering and romantic hotel ambiance.

The Royal Palms Resort and Spa's new romantic experiences include packages and vacations tailored around everything from dining to spa and Phoenix and Scottsdale area activities. Our Languages of Love program fashions romantic getaways just for you, influenced by France, Italy, Spain and Greece, during different months throughout the year.

http://www.royalpalmshotel.com

Thunderbirds

THUNDERBIRDS

Native Americans often paid tribute to large predatory raptors. Most totem poles feature a likeness to a thunderbird perched high on top. The natives often held these mammoth birds in high regard. They believed these feathered creatures held supernatural powers, including the power to cause hazardous storms. It was believed that their flapping wings created thunder, while their dark ominous eyes were capable of causing lightning strikes. The natives passed these tales onto the early settlers, as well as stories of the monstrous birds swooping down to attack deer and even small children. They described the birds as having talons as large as human hands, glassy black beaded eyes, and heads larger than a yard long.

Desert Planters

Desert Planters

While I was at a Superbowl party, I noticed how beautiful the planters were outside!  Spring in the desert is the most beautiful time of the year....so here are a few pics!  More natural pics of the desert to come later....

RELICS

RELICS

This is one of my favorite stores.  They have the most amazing one of a kind pieces...from statues to old tables....Please review their website!  http://www.relicsaz.com/

JEROME ARIZONA

JEROME

There are so many beautiful weekend getaways close to Scottsdale.  Jerome, an hour and a half from Scottsdale, is known as an artist colony, a wine town with vineyards abundant and the most haunted town in the Southwest.  I stay at the Grand Hotel Jerome the highest structure in the Verde Valley.  This is a very brief story of a town rich in history.

At just under the one mile elevation, Jerome overlooks the entire Verde Valley with views equal to that of the Grand Canyon. Jerome would prove to be one of the richest mines in the world, often being called the Billion Dollar Copper Camp. With a population of near 15,000 in 1929, dwindling down to less than 100 in 1955, Jerome now supports its approximately 550 residents through tourism.

The Grand Hotel Jerome is Spanish Mission style building, constructed in 1926, started out as the United Verde Hospital, opening January, 1927. In 1930, it was written up as the most modern and well equipped hospital in Arizona and possible the Western States. The Hospital was closed in 1950 as the mine operation was being phased out. The building stood unused for the next 44 years until the rehabilitation plans started in 1994.  As I have heard it, the mental hospital was built in Jerome because the mines were so vast the miners got lost or became insane by living inside the mountains for so long.  The 4 star restaurant "The Asylum" is excellent with amazing cuisine and views. 

http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/

You can also take a ghost hunt though the hotel! Should you choose, it will be your mission to document that strange occurrences 

do in fact happen here. You will be provided with a Tour Guide, EMF meter, IR thermometer and digital camera during your tour.    The ghost hunt tour will start with a visit to our boiler room and then move on to other parts of the hotel (Hospital) itself .  Once the tour is complete you will be able to use the EMF meter and IR thermometer for the night. Hopefully you will have captured a strange paranormal anomaly on camera.  All the pictures you take on the tour will be put onto a cd for you to take home and enjoy.  Spooky!!!

There are a plethora of wineries and art Galleries...One of my favorite stores is Nellie Bly.

NELLIE BLY is a unique gallery of kaleidoscopes and art glass located in historic Jerome, Arizona since 1988. We are the largest dealer of kaleidoscopes in the world and feature over 90 kaleidoscope artists. Most of our scope makers live in the United States. We also have a large selection of hand-made marbles and dichroic jewelry

http://nellieblyscopes.com/

Nellie Bly (May 5, 1864^[1] – January 27, 1922) was the pen name of American pioneer female journalist Elizabeth Jane Cochran. She remains notable for two feats: a record-breaking trip around the world in emulation of Jules Verne's character Phileas Fogg, and an exposé in which she faked insanity to study a mental institution from within. In addition to her writing, she was also an industrialist and charity worker. Her name was meant to be Nelly Bly, but her editor wrote Nellie Bly and it stuck.

Here are some of my pics:)

SSSSSSyou choose, it will be your mission to document that strange occurrences 

do in fact happen here. You will be provided with a Tour Guide, EMF meter, IR thermometer and digital camera during your tour.    The ghost hunt tour will start with a visit to our boiler room and then move on to other parts of the hotel (Hospital) itself .  Once the tour is complete you will be able to use the EMF meter and IR thermometer for the night. Hopefully you will have captured a strange paranormal anomaly on camera.  All the pictures you take on the tour will be put onto a cd for you to take home and enjoy.

CHICAGO CHRISTMAS

CHICAGO CHRISTMAS!

I had a marvelous opportunity to visit the city this past week and I wanted to post some pics! In addition to these venues, I was able to go to the Signature Room on the 95th fl of the Hancock which has breathtaking views!!  I hope every one had a Merry Christmas!! On to the New Year!!

Never a better holiday brunch was had than at the Cote D'or at the Drake Hotel: (notice the ad for cowboy boots in the lobby!)

http://www.thedrakehotel.com

Every year I stop by Butch McGuires, Chicago's Irish Pub....located on Division St., it is known as Chicago first singles bar, putting the first celery stalk in a Bloody Mary and it's Christmas decorations.  Though now, around the holidays it has become a tradition for families to dine there every year and enjoy the decor!

http://butchmcguires.com/

The Chicago Cut Steak House is the "IT" place.  Known for the amazing service and the best steaks, it distinguishes itself by the wine list and location.  On the Chicago River it has become a filming location for TV and Movies.  I tried to take pics at night, but they do not do the establishment justice:

www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com