February 2022

We spent two weeks in northern Scottsdale enjoying the warm days and cool nights playing loads of pickleball and golf.

The Boulders Resort in northern Scottsdale was built in a desert setting and was designed to preserve the natural surroundings and wildlife. The environment is loaded with boulders, cactus, bunnies, quail, great horned owls, the occasional road runner and bobcat, and plenty of pesky javelina. There are pathways throughout the resort and guests park their cars and are shuttled about in golf carts to restaurants, golf/tennis club, spa, casitas and pools. The casita guest rooms, pictured below, are comfy with a nice balcony/patio and a steady supply of fireplace logs.

The resort pickleball and tennis courts are in good shape along with the two desert golf courses. We played and golfed and then played some more.

We visited the Desert Botanical Gardens and enjoyed the featured Chihuly glass exhibit.

While Brian golfed I had the good fortune to attend a two day pickleball camp by LevelUp which was held at the gorgeous Bell Bank sports park in Mesa. The park has 40 individually fenced pickleball courts and a covered center court for tournaments. Below is a shot of Betty with one of the camp pros, Betty Jane.

We played pickleball at our resort and found a couple of nice public parks. Horizon and Cholla parks were both nice options with Cholla being better for drop in play while Horizon was better suited if you had a foursome.

We were lucky to attend the final day of the Carvana Desert Open pickleball tournament held at the JW Marriott pickleball center. The sport is so fun because it is relatively new and you are able to get close to the players and center court. After watching the mixed doubles tournament between Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters /Jessie Irvine & Jay Devilliers, we bumped into Ben Johns in the demonstration tent area and were able to congratulate him on his mixed doubles gold win.

We were delighted with the abundant restaurant choices. In old town Scottsdale we favored the Mission for Mexican and FnB farm to table restaurant. The pumpkin bread pudding at the Mission was out of this world-we went back for a second meal and enjoyed this fabulous dessert again. We took part in WINE down Wednesday at Prestons steakhouse, Pomodoro Italian and Buffalo Chip saloon (cool rodeo) in Cave Creek. Such great options for dining out and we did not go hungry.

We loved the climate and the options for golf, pickleball, shopping and eating in Scottsdale area and very much enjoyed our stay.

Cheers,

Betty & Brian