Camelback Mountain

A hike up Camelback Mountain offers stunning views of the entire Phoenix Valley. It is centrally located, and offers two trails with different intensities. The Echo Canyon Trail is for experienced hikers/climbers who want a challenge, and may take 1.5-3 hours for inexperienced climbers. The Cholla Trail is easier for inexperienced hikers and provides a winding trail with beautiful views of Phoenix and Scottsdale, but the last 1/3 mile is still challenging if you decide to go all the way to the top. Be sure to bring lots of water and your camera!

Warning: The parking lot of the Echo Canyon trail fills quickly, and according to the city website,"Hikers cannot idle or park vehicles on McDonald Drive and Tatum Boulevard to wait for the gates to reopen. Police will ticket hikers who idle their cars on McDonald and will tow vehicles parked illegally on the street."

Cholla Trailhead: 6131 E Cholla Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85253

Echo Canyon Trailhead: 5700 North Echo Canyon Parkway, Phoenix,AZ 85018

https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback-mountain#_=_



Relationship Reconnection:
Huffing and puffing is a part of your hike. Huffing and puffing is a part of our lives. When you get to the top and look down at the perfect views of the alligators, tell your partner what makes you huff and puff in life. Is there something they can do or you can do to release the stress? After you’ve shared a stress or two, share a Hug and Puff. What makes you so happy you want to hug your partner? What makes you so puffed with pride that you’re happy to call them yours?

Let's Fly

Sky venture Arizona

People love to skydive. I never really understood why, but I wanted to know what all the hype was about. If you have had similar feelings check out SkyVenture Arizona Indoor Skydiving. There is no stress of jumping out of a plane, or worrying about a parachute. With indoor skydiving, you are wearing a jump suit, googles and helmet, and are put in a vertical wind tunnel. It is safe, fun and gives you the same adrenaline rush as real skydiving. This is a great date to do with your spouse, and will give both of you and instant high for the rest of the day, and maybe even a few days after.

For more information visit: http://www.skyventureaz.com/

Relationship Reconnection!

Relationships have their ups and downs. It is part of life, and part of the learning experience. How do you view your spouse during easy and difficult times? How well do you handle positive and negative situations with your spouse? Discuss these questions with each other, and see where improvement can be made together. 

Photo Scavenger Hunt

photo courtesy of http://mattpwnsall.deviantart.com/
art/Alphabet-Scavenger-Hunt-163297832

For this date you will need a digital camera or your smart phone and your imagination. You are going
 to go on a photo scavenger hunt. The object is that you must find something that begins with each letter of the alphabet! Take a picture of it as proof that you found it. Make sure that you take most of the pictures with one or both of you in it. That’s more fun for posterity purposes. When you are done you can make a photo collage of your findings! 

You might want to see if you can find everything on one given street – perhaps downtown where there are a lot of shops…

Another twist you can put on it…go to a toy store, split up, and race the clock finding everything in the store. The sky is the limit. Have fun!

This date can be fun done in a group as well. If you choose to do it as a group, set a time limit and report back to your starting point at a given time – perhaps an hour later. 

Relationship Reconnection:

Buy a treat for yourselves and while you are enjoying it answer these questions…you answer for your spouse…this is to see how well you know each other. Talk about something you wouldn’t normally think to talk about. Perhaps these questions will lead to others.

Of all the people we both know, who do I like the least?

Do I have a secret ambition? What is it?

Horseback Riding Mountain Trails

"You are in the desert southwest, experiencing it, and seeing it the way it was meant to be seen... on the back of a horse." The Ponderosa Livery Stable offers horse rentals and guided trail rides through South Mountain Park. For an additional fee you will also be provided with a steak dinner at the conclusion of your trail ride at T-Bone Steakhouse. If you're looking to get outdoors and see the beauty of the desert mountains and wildlife, a horseback ride with Ponderosa Stables is one of the best ways to do it.

10215 South Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85042

http://www.arizona-horses.com/

Relationship Reconnection:
Since you are taking a casual ride, why not have a casual talk too.  How about a talk about each others hobbies, how you can support each other with them, and maybe even discover a few you can plan to do together.  Talking and supporting each other helps you bond as a couple and can strengthen your marriage.

Arizona Outdoor Fun

Arizona Outdoor Fun offers a diverse menu of adventures, from offroad ATV trail rides, to shooting sports, to jet skis on Lake Pleasant, this company has many options for outdoor enthusiasts.  A popular option is the 2 or 3 hour guided ATV tour, where a professional tour guide will lead your party on an ATV ride through the beautiful Arizona desert.  There are a variety of packages for different levels of thrill seekers, and for different budgets.

http://www.arizonaoutdoorfun.com/

Relationship Reconnection:
Your spouse has a lot of admirable qualities.  It's your job to point them out.  Take turns and set the timer on your phone and list as many qualities for each other as you can in 60 seconds. Highlighting each others strengths can contribute to the health of your relationship!