Phoenix Arizona The Firewalk The Apache Trail The Native American Spa The Cowboy Ranch The Awakening And The Skunk

There’s a reason this place is called Phoenix. We talk about awakening, awareness and other terms in healing, they’ve become quite the buzz words (along with “woke,”) but, for me, what I would call my awakening was a momentary death of ego and a rebirth of mind, body and spirit. Was it the firewalk, the driving, the teachers I met along the way? ...or just the Native American ritual in a world class spa? I’ve experienced so many types of healing - all I know is that what works for one person is wrong for another. Every body is different. Although I started writing these mini-guides to share the hotel, spa and the rest, the retreat in a box I dreamt of when I first began Pearl Escapes, they are also just stories... ...for the unadventurous adventurer, as well as the keen explorer, we each have our own way of experiencing life. From the Amazon Best Selling author of the "Camino de la Luna" series and the Pearl Escapes guides.

In pioneer lore, the Lost Dutchman's Mine remains an intriguing mystery of the Old West. What became Apache Junction in the Salt River Valley was already an established home for prehistoric Native Americans and the Apache tribe, when it was further settled and cultivated by Spanish and Mexican expeditions, American wagon trains, mountain men, and the U.S. military in the late 19th century. But Apache Junction became legendary when German immigrant Jacob Waltz discovered a secret gold mine. Thousands of prospectors traversed the "crooked top" Superstition Mountains in search of this treasure, enriching the area's history and leading to the development of a unique community that has endured and grown alongside the famous legend.

Pres. Theodore Roosevelt once referred to the Apache Trail as one of the most spectacular best-worth-seeing sights of the world. The once narrow, ancient foot trail built as a supply road for the construction of Roosevelt Dam has now evolved into a state highway with majestic scenic vistas and historical grandeur. Even in the 1920s, the Southern Pacific Railroad touted this road as a must-see side trip. Each year, thousands of people venture along the trail to take a step back in time and relish the breathtaking experience of this fabulous journey. The Fish Creek Hill section remains much as it was back in the early 1900s, a narrow one-vehicle passage on an extremely steep incline that drops 900 feet within a mile along the edge of a steep cliff. Although several miles of the road are now paved, dirt portions remain that allow tourists a sense of perilous adventure.

Whether you're hiking red rock trails in the Valley of the Sun or relaxing in Scottsdale's resorts, take Arizona at your own speed with Moon Phoenix, Scottsdale & Sedona. Inside you'll find: Strategic, flexible itineraries like a luxurious desert getaway, a family road trip, and the 4-day best of the Valley of the Sun Unique experiences and can't-miss sights: Explore the local art scene, from Native American exhibits to contemporary galleries, and taste the best Sonoran-style cuisine this side of the Mexican border. Luxuriate in five-star resorts, world-class spas, and gourmet restaurants. Go stargazing in Sedona or bar-hopping in Scottsdale. Hike water-carved canyons and climb mountains or hit the links in the golf capital of the West. Discover the rich culture of the Native American people who first settled the Valley, and venture to the leafy respite of Oak Creek Canyon to picnic between trout-filled ponds and towering red-rock monoliths The top spots for outdoor adventures, from rock climbing and hiking along hidden mountain trails to sunset hot air ballooning and exhilarating desert Jeep tours Expert advice from Phoenix local Lilia Menconi on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, with special focus on the best resorts in the area Full-color, vibrant photos and detailed maps throughout Thorough background on the culture, environment, wildlife, and history With Moon's practical tips and local know-how, you can experience Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona your way. Expanding your trip? Try Moon Arizona & the Grand Canyon. Hitting the road? Try Moon Southwest Road Trip.

Hiking is perhaps the perfect outdoor activity, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Highlighting the unique geography of metropolitan Phoenix and surrounding areas, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles; Phoenix introduces readers to some of the best hiking trails in Arizona. Arguably the Southwest's premier city, Phoenix offers its four million residents a mind-boggling array of hiking destinations, from the three major mountain preserves to area parks, greenbelts, and preserves. All roughly within an hour's drive of the Valley of the Sun, the trails highlighted in this updated edition begin right inside the city limits with the likes of popular Camelback Mountain. From Hidden Valley to the south to the Superstition Wilderness to the north, author Charles Liu leads hikers and walkers along a superb collection of diverse trails. Newbies and seasoned veterans will all find a worthwhile hike and discover that the book is merely a beginning to the endless possibilities of hiking experiences in central Arizona.

Enjoy a welcome change of pace and discover a world you may not know exists in your own backyard. Day Trips(R) describes hundreds of fascinating and exciting things to do, many free-of-charge and most within a two-hour drive of Phoenix, Tucson, or Flagstaff. View a bald eagle's nest, Native American ruins, and sandstone cliffs while riding on the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale. Feast on a chuck wagon supper and watch staged gunfights at Rockin' R Ranch, Arizona's Wild West town in Mesa. Bathe in tiled Roman-style tubs and enjoy a massage at the Kachina Mineral Springs Spa in Safford. Take a guided hike to Keet Seel, Arizona's largest cliff dwelling, in a remote canyon at Navajo National Monument. Each Day Trip Includes Travel directions; destination highlights; other places to visit along the way; choice restaurants and lodging (including price ranges); shopping.

This is the eBook version of the printed book. This digtial Short Cut provides a concise and supremely useful guide to the emerging trend of User Acceptance Testing (UAT). The ultimate goal of UAT is to validate that a system of products is of sufficient quality to be accepted by the users and, ultimately, the sponsors. This Short Cut is unique in that it views UAT through the concept that the user should be represented in every step of the software delivery lifecycle--including requirements, designs, testing, and maintenance--so that the user community is prepared, and even eager, to accept the software once it is completed. Rob Cimperman offers an informal explanation of testing, software development, and project management to equip business testers with both theory and practical examples, without the overwhelming details often associated with books written for "professional" testers. Rather than simply explaining what to do, this resource is the only one that explains why and how to do it by addressing this market segment in simple, actionable language. Throughout the author’s considerable experience coordinating UAT and guiding business testers, he has learned precisely what testers do and do not intuitively understand about the software development process. UAT Defined informs the reader about the unfamiliar political landscape they will encounter. Giving the UAT team the tools they need to comprehend the process on their own saves the IT staff from having to explain test management from the beginning. The result is a practice that increases productivity and eliminates the costs associated with unnecessary mistakes, tedious rework, and avoidable delays. Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Defining UAT–What It Is...and What It Is Not Chapter 3 Test Planning–Setting the Stage for UAT Success Chapter 4 Building the Team–Transforming Users into Testers Chapter 5 Executing UAT–Tracking and Reporting Chapter 6 Mitigating Risk–Your Primary Responsibility

All the Documentation You Need for Successfully Deploying Exchange Server 2003 Author Barry Gerber shares his extensive real-world experience in easy-to-understand language in this comprehensive guide to Microsoft's messaging and collaboration server. Mastering Exchange Server 2003 systematically and sequentially walks you through all the essential concepts of planning and design, installation, deployment, administration and management, maintenance, and troubleshooting. With detailed background information, clear step-by-step, hands-on instructions, and realistic examples, Gerber teaches you how to devise and implement a system that is just right for your environment. He then leads you to the next level with advanced coverage on reliability and availability, disaster recovery, security solutions, wireless access, and building custom e-mail forms for Outlook. Coverage Includes: Designing a new Exchange 2003 system Upgrading to Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003 Installing and configuring Exchange Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 as a domain controller, and Outlook 2003 from a customized server image Organizing Exchange users, distribution groups, and contacts Managing the Exchange Server hierarchy and core components Managing Exchange 2003 Internet services and services for Internet clients Installing and administrating additional Exchange Servers Performing advanced administration and management Ensuring Exchange Server reliability and availability Building Exchange Server system security Configuring wireless access to Exchange Server 2003 Creating and managing Outlook forms designer applications Exploring third-party applications for Exchange/Outlook clients and Exchange Server