What's Hot In Phoenix

Flat, yet mountainous.  Dry, yet botanically diverse.  Sizzling hot temperatures, yet an oh so cool vibe.  This is how Phoenix, Arizona can only be described.  As the 5th largest populated city in the U.S., Phoenix has a way of blending realness with irony.  The desert scene hosts some of the most record breaking, driest and hottest temperatures in the States.  A speedy six hour drive from my cozy L.A. apartment, through San Bernadino County, passed the famous Cabazon dinosaur stars from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, and just beyond the Indio date farms, Phoenix lies its sprawling downtown, not far from the California border.  And this is now where my newlywed Little One calls home.  More bang for your buck than L.A. living and overwhelming job opportunities convinced her and my newest kin to start their journey to happily ever after here.  I have had family in and around this Arizona hub since the late 90's but now that Little One is here, I'm finding myself visiting more than ever and truly relishing in discovering new places with her.

In the area of this capital city that is closest to my sister's home, the 120 degree weather doesn't seem to faze its residence.  The golf courses on every other corner are still green, people are using public transportation without breaking a sweat, and the baking sun doesn't deter anyone from their mandatory coffee run.  Something I really enjoyed about my recent visit was learning that within just a few streets of my crash pad are my favorite kinds of places: Used (independent) bookstores, breweries, and coffee shops.  In fact, there was a place that almost combined all three, but as they were on the pricier side, I didn't get to review them... yet.  (First Draft Book Bar/Changing Hands Bookstore in case I intrigued you enjoy for a visit without a review.  I kept wanting to call it Read and Mead)  

As I toured with my sister and our friend throughout the city, she seemed to know exactly how to tickle our fancy.  She first took us to a place that has been on my blog must-try list for years.  By her place, instead of Starbucks dotting each crossroad, Dutch Bros sits in their place.  Fewer than 10 of the 309 Dutch Bros locations are in California and are hours away.  However, I'd heard about Oregon originated company (started in 1992) when I worked at a hotel and would do research as part of my concierge job title.  Guest would come in and ask if there was one of these drive thru coffee houses nearby and would rave about their great coffee.  

Dutch Bros, not Brothers, was started by 2 Dutch descendant brothers who had begun their lives as third generation dairy farmers.  Once forced to move from the family business, the two experimented with beans in the double-head espresso machine they purchased, using anyone who was within arm’s reach to try their brew, and within a month, they were on track follow their mission, "Spreading the Dutch Luv".  The company has a great commitment to the community and charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, as one of the brothers passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease in 2009.  The company has three core values, which are apparent, even to someone sitting in the drive thru for their very first time.  Speed, Quality, and Service.  But more than that, their value of each other as a team.  Comradery oozes from each person as they help each other and the customers.  One person hands another a bright safety vest from the freezer and they make sure each other stays hydrated in the summers broil.  The kid taking our coffee order looked like a Jungle Cruise skipper with his khaki hat and had the corny jokes to match.  He was fun and friendly and incredibly helpful as we were still a ways from the menu board and didn't want the usual steamy, milky latte that would feel like room temperature if we stepped out of our car.  

With The Skippers advice, my sister got a blended mocha, our friend got a fruity iced tea, and I went for the suggested monthly special (August) The Islander.  If the lines weren't so long, I would have had my sister swing back around to thank my cruise guide.  Chocolate Macadamia nut, coconut, vanilla, and their espresso blended with ice and cold enough to burn your hands when you held it.  It was full of flavor but not one overtook another.  Just enough of each to make a perfectly cool pick me up.  Just like that, we were part of the Dutch Mafia.  That's the loyalty stamp program.  Ten drinks and the eleventh is free.  

We took our refreshments to the second and final stop for the afternoon, Bookmans.  Only two stops, you ask?  Bookmans is a used bookstore that we spent almost two hours in.  Calling Bookmans just a bookstore is an understatement.  The Phoenix location we visited, hands out a map when you enter the store.  Not only is it huge in size, but it would do better to just list what they don't sell.  "Buy, sell, trade" books, music, movies, video games, board games, comic, jewelry, toys, home goods, and an entire area dedicated to musical instruments.  I was floored and my sister could only laugh.  She knew I would be blown away by all of it.  As I thumbed through the vintage toys of my youth, Little One and our friend knew this was going to be a wallet damaging day.   Ceiling high red bookcases took over the majority of the center of the sales floor.  Books separated by genre and coordinating Knick knacks and art.  Some of the tchotchkes sold there were homemade.  A few looked like they were created by a blind toddler; with their diaper leave ins... I mean not everything was my taste.

I couldn't help but feel the toy section gripping at my heart.  There were Barbie’s from the 80's and 90's, tiny bags with Tsum Tsums, old action figures and new ones.  What took me back to a very special moment in my childhood was seeing an original, in box, The Chipmunks theater playset.  My older sister and I loved that interactive toy so much.  You pull a tab on the back of the stage and the floor drops out, leaving Alvin, Simon, or Theodore in a drawer to be rescued before the next costume change or backdrop replacement.  

The books had staff recommendations that lead you to similar reads (love that idea).  In the video games wing of Bookmans, old Atari 2600s sold for $60 and they had games for every console released, even grab bags of games.  My sister had found a video game she had been wanting so she picked that up, our friend got a few books that I believe are still sitting in her TBR pile, and I got one little writing prompt book, that I also have just sitting on a pile with my other like journals.  We went easy this time but it was extremely hard.  Pins, pop culture pencil cases, and Japanese erasers were the impulse buys at the checkout counter.  Spin around from there and there is a discrete, locked, wooden wardrobe that housed materials for the 18 and older audience. 

They had an original Pee-Wee doll in its box still.  It was a sign that this wouldn't be our only time here.  Little One has her work cut out for her for my next visit.  We went to the Grand Canyon on this trip as well.  Will she find something even more fun when I come back in cooler weather?  I loved how much fun we had but in all honesty, if I go back and just get to see her (and new hubby), then the trip is always amazing.  

Calm, peaceful Arizona butte at 120 degrees mid day