JOURNEY (ATA IN-FLIGHT)

Cowboy Lies and Indian Legends
By Kathy Summers

     The glory days of the American cowboy and Indian may have faded, but their symbolic power over the national psyche still shines like the Arizona sun at high noon. Believe that and some folks at the National Festival Of The West (16601 N. Pima Rd., 602-996-4387) will tell you another. In fact they're running a contest to see who can tell the biggest cowboy lie, uh, tale. And they’re not just squatting with their spurs on either. If last year’s crowd was any indication, more than 60,000 dreamers will drift over to Scottsdale’s WestWorld to rediscover the tales and travails of the American Old West.

     The annual celebration rustles up more cowboy entertainment than most people can throw a rope at in one day, including mounted shooting contests, chuck wagon cookin', Western music, movies and film celebrities, a tribute to John Wayne, cowboy poetry, Western art and collectibles. And cow tales--like the one about the old cowboy who told his grandson the secret to long life was sprinkling gunpowder on his oatmeal. When the grandson died at age 93, he left 35 grandchildren and a 15-foot hole in the wall of the crematorium.

     Meanwhile, an American Indian over at Native Trails (7340 E. Second St., 480-421-1004) is whispering his secrets to a butterfly–and a crowd of spellbound spectators. Legend has it, for a wish to come true you must first capture a butterfly and whisper your wish. Since a butterfly can’t speak, it can only reveal the wish to the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In gratitude for giving the butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish.

     Located in the heart of Scottsdale’s art and shopping district, Native Trails draws crowds for a taste of Indian lore and legends, foods, arts, crafts, and jewelry. Hopi, Apache, and Navajo performers entertain audiences with traditional flute, drum and guitar music and tribal dances, including world-champion hoop dancer Derrick “Suwaima” Davis’ creations of hoop animals, butterflies and globes. Says Davis, “To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.”

National Festival of the West: WestWorld (602-996-4387) 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, (North of Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.) March 18-21, 10-dusk. Admission: $6-12 (children 5 and under free; children 6-12 free on Fridays).

Native Trails: Scottsdale Civic Center Mall (480-421-1004) 7340 E. Second St., Scottsdale. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Nov. 1-17). Special all-day event Saturday, April 3. Admission: Free.

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City Sights: Bank One Ballpark

By Kathy Summers

Bank One Ballpark--aka "the BOB"--is Major League Baseball's only stadium with a pool (complete with lifeguards). Even if you don't have the $5,000 it takes to reserve it for a private party, it's fun to watch right-center-field home run balls make a splash.

Good To Know: Home to the Diamondbacks, the BOB is noted for it's retractable roof that zips open or closed in 4.5 minutes, and it's air-conditioning that prevents spectator meltdown in the 100-degree-plus summer heat. It's kid-friendly, too, with a video-game-filled arcade, toddler play area, and concession stand selling wee-sized portions, all behind left-center field.

Food: Garcia's Mexican food is a fan favorite, as are the Taste of the Majors stands, with featured food-stuffs from other MLB parks, like Philly steak sandwiches and Cincinnati chili.

Directions: The BOB is down-town at 401 E. Jefferson Street, off the Seventh Street exit from either I-10 or I-17. Parking is ample, garages frame the ballpark and cost about $10, or street parking is free after 6 pm.

Tickets: Unbelievable , but true, $1 tickets (350 of them) go on sale two hours before each game. Otherwise, tickets range from $7 to $95 (weekdays are less expensive than weekends), and are available at the stadium, by phone (888-777-4664), or online (www.azdiamondbacks.com).

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City Frights: Haunted Hotel San Carlos

By Kathy Summers

Guests wandering the haunted hallways of the Hotel San Carlos (202 N. Central Ave. 866-253-4121; (www.hotelsancarlos.com, www.hauntedaccommodations.com) often report hearing the unearthly laughter and frolicking footsteps of four schoolchildren fatefully lost in time. Others notice an aura of water from the old well that drowned them.

Haunted legend: Built in 1874 for the city’s first schoolhouse, the well pumps water from the historic hotel’s basement. The site sits at the center of a countercurrent, say local Native Americans, giving it mystical properties associated with the gods of learning.

Resident specters: Despite a recent $4 million renovation, the hotel’s original architect is said to haunt the penthouse while the original head housekeeper resides in the maid’s closets and basement, according to hotel lore. But the most tragic legend belongs to Miss Leone Jensen who, shattered by the loss of a bellboy’s love in 1928, jumped to an untimely death from the hotel’s seventh floor. Guests still report seeing her young, ethereal figure dressed in white, accompanied by unexplainable breezes.

Spook yourself: Take a 45-minute walking tour, including haunted areas generally off limits and other haunted sites in the neighborhood. Offered October-May, Friday and Saturday 8 pm; tickets for the tour are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger.