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Photo courtesy of Google Images - free
Learn what makes Desert Adventures the best LGBTQ+ organization in Phoenix. This organization started in 1980 and we are still running strong!
The Core Group meets monthly to review where we've been and plan where we go next. These meetings are open to all members. You too can be a part of planning our future.
We will meet at Barb's home in Phoenix. The address will be provided in your registration confirmation email.
Photo courtesy of unknown person
Come and enjoy the afternoon at Jon's home in Phoenix for a swim in his pool, chillin' on his expansive patio, and sun in his beautiful back yard.
There will be food, water, and socializing with your Desert Adventures friends. DA will provide lasagne and something for our vegetarian/vegan friends. When registering, please indicate if you will be bringing a snack, appetizer, side dish or dessert.
This event is BYOB.
Members are always free. Nonmembers will be $10. Take advantage of member discount status and save on future events by joining DA for just $25. This is the same price paid in 1980.
Nonmember cancellation refunds available until September 13th.
Don’t forget to check out our DA store. http://www.desertadventures.org/Store
Register online to receive the exact address in the confirmation email.
Photo courtesy of Drew Lewis
Come enjoy a fun Oktoberfest Celebration in this beautiful setting.
Cave Creek Group Site is located 20 miles north of Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona. It is a historic campground constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This site is a short drive from the blistering heat of Phoenix offering cooler temps, a clear running creek, and plentiful shade to relax and enjoy nature. With food prep areas, grills and covered picnic tables, you're all set for a weekend with your loved ones you'll never forget!
There is plenty of space for tents, cars, and RVs.
There are two Cave Creek campgrounds. This is not at Cave Creek Regional Park. Here is the website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=35207&actid=71
This group campsite is nestled in a narrow valley of juniper and sycamore trees providing abundant shade. Water flowing through seven springs is minimal and only several inches in depth. The area has one large open camping area and a nearby trailhead offering access to over 48 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Bring your camera to get photos of the desert wildflowers in bloom.
We will be having a Oktoberfest Potluck dinner on Saturday night. Please try to bring homemade German dishes or similar and your favorite German drinks to share.
The link to sign up for items to bring is:https://www.perfectpotluck.com/
The event coordinator’s Last name is: “Butler” The password is “1005”.
Nonmembers who join Desert Adventures within 30 days save $ on this event with additional savings all year. The cost to join Desert Adventures is just $25.00.
Cancellation refund available until September 19th.
Please check out our DA store. http://www.desertadventures.org/Store
Bill is our trip leader. His contact information will be on the confirmation email.
Photo courtesy of Greek Festival photos
Tickets can be purchased online at this link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/original-phoenix-greek-festival-2023-tickets-680346724367
Admission gate also sells tickets for entry.
Admission is $5.00
60+ FREE on Saturday 11am - 3pm.
Parking at the church lot is $10.00
Parking at Charles Schwab 24th St and Lincoln (SW corner) is FREE.
FREE shuttle bus every 15 minutes beginning 30 minutes before festival opens.
Cathedral tours throughout the day.
Children's Greek dance performance throughout the day.
Synthesi band and live performances through the afternoon.
Great food available all day.
Leader: Barb
Information will be provided with registration confirmation.
Photo courtesy of unknown
Join your Desert Adventures friends for an exciting afternoon of board, card, and dice games. Please bring your favorite game if you have one. Outdoor games possible if weather allows.
Plan to bring a snack to share. BYO Beverage and enjoy the afternoon of games, laughter, and fun.
Nonmembers can save the difference on this event and additional discounts throughout the year by joining Desert Adventures.
Carol's info will be provided via confirmation email when payment is made.
Bring your ideas.
We will meet at Rion's home in Phoenix . The address will be provided in your registration confirmation email.
Dinner venue after the meeting will be determined soon.
Photo courtesy of Horny Toad Gallery
and other delectable food choices
Perhaps to Easterners, it's a frog anxiously awaiting an answer to a mating call. Some other innocent soul might visualize a frog with spikes. Well, they are answers, however wrong, but a man named Webster put in a lot of research and when he publicized his book, telling what things meant, he came up with "…any of several, small, scaly insect-eating lizards of the family Iguanidae, genus Phrynosoma, whose body somewhat resembles that of a toad or frog. The body is rough, the tail short, the head furnished with horny spikes. Several species inhabit the arid plains of the southwest U.S…." We named our restaurant after this much-maligned desert dweller. The Truly Forgettable Saga of the Horny Toad Sometime during the last century, an old prospector working the area a few miles northeast of the little town of Phoenix, Arizona, came upon a small watering hole. He thought to himself that this here was mighty purty scenery and he'd bet them easterners would give an arm and a leg for some of this property. They could build them some roads and put up funny names on the street signs and everybody'd be carefree, even if they had to live in caves and drink from the creek. Unpacking his burro, he ate the wrapped tortilla prepared by the Mexican cook back in Phoenix before he unloaded his donkey. As he sat stirring the campfire, he noticed the ruckus the frogs over on the other side of the pond made with their mating calls. They sure sound anxious, he thought to himself. His aching feet reminded him not to buy any more of those 2 for $5.00 boots. As he eased the boots off to soak his tired feet, he saw the many calluses they had given him and he said to himself, "I sure am getting horny toed."
To join Desert Adventures is just $25.00.
Your trip leader will be Carol. Her contact information will be provided with your confirmation email.
Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor
We are privileged to have an unscheduled private tour by Friend and Docent Gary Eagan.
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona.
One exhibit example is Laura Aguilar: Nudes in Nature showcases photographic works by a groundbreaking yet underrecognized artist who challenged perceptions of beauty by examining the female body in dialogue with the natural world.
All registrants will purchase a ticket at the box office ($25 Adults | $22 Seniors) and join Gary in the lobby.
Become a member of Desert Adventures for just $25.00.
You will receive Gary's contact information on your registrant confirmation email.
Your Desert Adventures family will once again be serving home-cooked turkey and delicious honey glazed ham. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We‘ll have soft drinks and water. Bring your own adult beverages.
We want to manage our Thanksgiving feast the best way possible so please list what you are going to bring when you register.
We need to limit the number of attendees to 25, including our host Barb, so if you are interested in joining your DA family for this holiday, please REGISTER! If you cannot make it after registering, please let us know so we can ensure that anyone else who wishes can join us.
Nonmembers who join Desert Adventures within 30 days save $10.00 on this event with additional savings all year. The cost to join Desert Adventures is just $25.00.
Location: Barbara Hanson’s home in Phoenix (exact address to be provided with registration)
We will meet at Carol's home in Gilbert. The address will be provided in your registration confirmation email.
Please call will your contribution offerings. Ham will be our protein.
Photo courtesy of Cuchina Tagliani's
Registration will remain open until 2 days prior to the dinner.
Member and Guest Holiday Party @ Cucina Tagliani’s Pasta & Vino Sunday December 8th from 4 pm to 7:00pm.
Join us for a fantastic time and great food. We have chosen Italian Fare for the holiday party this year. We will be dining at Cucina Tagliani’s Pasta & Vino in Glendale.
You will be ordering off the menu.
The Core Group will be hosting this event. More information will come in your registration email.
The address is: 17045 N 59th Ave #101, Glendale, AZ 85308 (NE corner of Bell and 59th Ave.)
No preliminary choices are necessary.
See you there!
Photo courtesy of Tom Raffaeli
Ever wonder what’s going on in Downtown Phoenix with an ever-changing skyline?
Come join trip leaders Barb and Tom for a hike that will point out buildings from the past and present plus all the new construction that is changing the city’s downtown skyline.
Hikers will meet at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral parking garage (just north of the cathedral), located at 100 Roosevelt St., Phoenix 85003. The light rail is available with a stop at Roosevelt and Central Ave.
It will be a two-hour hike that will proceed into the heart of Roosevelt Row and then down into the center of the downtown. The hike will end at the Pita Jungle at 1001 N. 3rd Ave. #4, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
Your trip leaders are Tom and Barb. Contact information will be included with your confirmation.
You can join Desert Adventures for just $25. Membership benefits include free Members Parties and discounts throughout the year.
Be sure to check out the Desert Adventures store for Apparel and other great gift items. http://www.desertadventures.org/Store
Please bring water and a snack.
Photo courtesy of Recreation.gov
Kellner Group Site is (4,400 ft)nestled at the base of the beautiful Pinal Mountains south of Globe, Arizona. Several picnic areas are separated from the larger group area creating a semi-secluded setting. This site's interesting rock walls and steps were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It sits in the riparian area of Kellner Canyon, which frequently has a small stream running through it following winter runoff.
The unique rock walls and steps of Kellner Group Picnic Site were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940s. The site is at the end of a gated, 3/4 mile long road, giving it privacy and a remote feel. There are five picnic units with tables and grills, one group fire ring, and a vault toilet. The site can accommodate up to 25 people. Due to a small parking area with minimal turnaround room, parking is limited to five vehicles under 20 feet. This site is available for overnight and day use.
Kellner Group Site boasts spectacular views of the Pinal Mountains, which rise 3,500 feet above it. The riparian area and stream host large sycamore and white oak trees which give it shade. Wildlife in the Pinal Mountains includes a large variety of birds, chipmunks, squirrels, coatimundi, and coos whitetail deer. A fire came very close to this area in the spring of 2017 and has affected some of the vegetation.
Kellner Group Site recreation opportunities include hiking, exploring and wildlife viewing. The Pinal Mountains are considered a "Sky Island" and make for excellent bird watching opportunities. A short seven-mile drive leads to Icehouse Canyon Day Use Area which hosts trailheads for Six Shooter Canyon Trail, Ice House Canyon Trail, Kellner Canyon Trail and the Telephone Trail.
A group dinner will be held on Saturday Night.
CANCELLATION NOTE: You MUST cancel before 2/27/25 to get a refund.
Join DA within 30 days of attending this event and save $ on this event and membership.
Please take a moment to visit the new DA STORE. http://www.desertadventures.org/Store
Your Trip Leader is Rion. Your confirmation will include his contact information.
The site holds 20 people. Member/Nonmember count will be adjusted as needed to accommodate registrants.
A maximum of 10 cars will fit the parking lot. Please carpool if you can.
Courtesy of unknown photographer
Named for the towering pines under which it sits, Ponderosa Campground is tucked in the rolling forests of northern Arizona.
Larger ponderosas release a vanilla scent into the air and have a relatively open understory, making the area perfect for camping. Mixed into the understory are junipers, oaks and manzanita shrubs.
We are in Group site F, the larger of the 2 group sites which has a restroom, drinking water spigot, many picnic tables, grills & firepits. Our group site can accommodate tents & trailers. There is a RV dump at the entrance for a $10 fee.
You can also join us Saturday @ 6pm for dinner at Diamond Point Shadows Restaurant, 7 miles back towards Payson.
Payson is just 19 miles from our group site.
Your event host will be Rion. His information will be provided on your confirmation email.
Nonmembers can save the difference on this event and additional discounts throughout the year by joining Desert Adventures. The membership fee is $25.00.
CANCELLATION NOTE: You MUST cancel before Thursday April 17, 2025 to get a refund.