Okay, I've been meaning to share this video attempt at viewing another one of my listings in Gold Canyon, Arizona. This is - yes - another sister. I have/had seven of them. This video is too long, and I've recently listed another property and took a shorter video - less than two minutes - to be shared soon. Meanwhile, sit back, enjoy the show, and let me know? What do you think? ;-)

I've hopefully turned down the sound 'cause it's too loud for even me, but I think this was one of my first experiments....as you can see with the wavy flip video routine. ;-)

I've got lots more to share, but I've been so busy now that I'm back in the valley. I'll try to be a bit more prolific like some of the rest of you! ;-)

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

It is an absolutely beautiful morning with highs promised to be in the mid-70's. I need to get out of the house, get my Vitamin D rays, and go for a ride. Since we had never been to the Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace, and it's only about 12 miles east of where we live, we head out to see what we have been missing. Today is the first day of eight weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. including President's Day. The last day of the Festival is on the 30th of March.

As we head east, we notice carloads of people going in the same direction. Keep in mind, the Festival is located out in the desert on about 30 acres of - well - um - desert. Much to our surprise, as we pulled off of the main road and headed through the entrance, there were TONS of cars in the parking lots. Highway 60 was policed heavily, signs posted to slow the traffic down, and everything very organized.

As we entered the site, I was amazed to see the primeval buildings, costumes and regalia. Those working at the Festival were delightful, and many of those who attend the Festival regularly, were donned in period costumes.

There was lots of good food - turkey legs, pizza, cinnamon almonds, ice cream and more. There were jewelry and pottery shops, shoe shops for those special period boots and costume shops for those having their photos taken, caricatures, etc. Palm reading, horoscope, tarot cards and more.

There were at least 12 Stages or Theatres with entertainment going continually. We sat down and watched the Wyldmen at the Mud Stage. There are photos on the Real Estate Show. It was a riot. The two "stars" did an act in slow motion, and eventually ended up in the mud. Very funny. The little ones were invited to sit in front if they wanted to with the explanation that there would be mud flying. The kids who were okay (and their parents were okay with it) all sat close to the mud pit. They did get splattered as warned.

The tree that I show in the video was some guy on stilts, and he was able to move around very well. As we were coming up to the tree, I had no idea it was live until he started to talk and to move.

There is so much to do here in our Phoenix Valley. For those of you visiting or living in or around Mesa or Phoenix, it's well worth the trip. There are lots of things to do for young and old. As for me and my hubby? Two hours was just perfect. Lots of fun.

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

Since I took so many pictures of this picturesque community, I sorted through and came up with a few more to share. I had several golf course views that I hadn't shared, and since this particular area is a golfer's paradise, I decided to focus a bit more on golf.

Did you know? Besides beautiful accomodations, a restaurant and a spa, Gold Canyon Golf Resort boasts two 18-hole championship golf courses: Dinosaur Mountain and The Sidewinder. Some of the photos in the Real Estate Show Tour will give you glimpses of these courses which meander through the foothills along the eastern and northern edges of Dinosaur Mountain. Many of our winter visitors stay at the Resort and enjoy the amenities it has to offer.

On the way out of Gold Canyon just north of the 60, and nestled in between Superstition Foothills and East Gold Canyon lies an adult community - Mountainbrook Village. This community also has a golf course. I've provided a link to each so that if any of you wish to call for a tee time, or locate information, it's at your fingertips.

I didn't take you back into the Superstition Mountain which is located behind a guard gate, but I might do that another time. This private and gated community is very up close and personal to the Mountain as well as to a private golf club and two golf courses and incredible homes - another Lyle Anderson community.  Prospector and Lost Gold Golf courses lay neatly at the base of Superstition Mountain foothills. The views of this area are dramatic and breathtaking. The homes are incredibly beautiful and are situated just so. Many rules are in place to protect the views of other homes, and just about every home in that community has an awesome vista. Please feel free to contact me if you have any interest in purchasing in this community.

Enjoy the tour:

Call me, Teri Ellis, at: 480.216-3334 or email me at: Teri@TeriEllis.com for any questions or for help in searching for or selling a home.

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

Continuing our journey and my story about Gold Canyon, just nine miles east of Mesa, Arizona, in the beautiful Superstition Mountain foothills lies Gold Canyon Golf Resort boasting two 18-hole championship golf courses: Dinosaur Mountain and The Sidewinder. It also has many pampering services including massages. ;-)

With views the envy of our state, this is a popular landing spot for many from the colder climates in our United States of America.

Lots of golfing, hiking and relaxation is always on the menu in this fabulous area. Close by is the Arizona Renaissance Festival, a medieval amusement park and Renaissance Fair in Arizona just east of Gold Canyon East. Popular with residents from the Phoenix Valley, the Festival usually runs from late winter to mid-spring every year.

In addition, the Safeway International LPGA golf tournament is held at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in Gold Canyon.

As we traveled from the Superstition Foothills, we entered the eastern portion of Gold Canyon which also touts views galore as evidenced by the photographs taken on this virtual tour of the area. Just double click here. No less beautiful than the west side, many custom homes spot the landscape in the mountains and hills, with panoramic views. This is definitely a breathtaking area with great history and just far enough away from the city lights to feel a lot like country.

Enjoy my virtual tour, and be sure to click two times if needed:

More photos to come including Queen Creek, more of Gold Canyon, Mesa, so be sure to stay tuned.

Active listings as of January 28, 2008, 55,491. Great time to buy, so give me a call at: 480.216-3334 or email me at: Teri@TeriEllis.com when you're ready.

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

As promised, though pictures don't come close to showing the beauty of this area, I have put together a virtual tour of the Superstition Foothills community located in the beautiful area of Gold Canyon, Pinal County, Arizona. Many of the homes in this specific community are custom built, and several builders joined in and built the community into the mountains, and the vegetation - with untouched and natural views.

Specific rules of the community include no overhead lighting (all of the lighting is set down in the plants alongside the road). This was put into place in order to allow the homeowners to enjoy the stars and the quiet beauty of the area. You will also not see any overhead electrical wiring since it is all underground in Supersititon Foothills.

Required: all front yard landscaping is to be natural desert vegetation. Hiking paths, trails, and natural washes are plentiful throughout the community as well.

I was asked to share the story behind how Supersititon Mountain got its name. As a child, my dad would often tell us the story of the miner who had found gold. The story continues as he comes out to take a nugget with him to have tested. (Remember, this is what my dad told me and what I can remember.)  There are many variations of this story, but as I was told, he - the miner - was never able to find this mine again.

Meanwhile, many other prospectors continued to search for the lost mine, and never found it.  According to Wikipedia, "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine (also known by many similar names) is reportedly a very rich gold mine hidden in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, Arizona, east of Phoenix, Arizona in the United States. The land is a designated Wilderness Area, and mining is now prohibited there."  For visitors, there is the Lost Dutchman State Park along Highway 88, just to the west of the mountain from Apache Junction.

Wikipedia goes on to cite: "

"According to many versions of the tale, the mine is either cursed, or protected by enigmatic guardians who wish to keep the mine's location a secret."

There is also another area in the Goldfield Mountains adjacent to Superstition Mountain that did have rich ore that was mined as well. Another story I've been told is that the Indians named the mountain because it was cursed. As Wikipedia tells us, many stories have been told and written about the Lost Mine.

Enjoy my virtual tour:

Anyone thinking of relocating to Arizona, would find this area a spectacular area to live and to enjoy our wonderful Arizona weather and pristine beauty.

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

Taking a drive east of the Valley of the Sun along Highway 60, I continue beyond Mesa, beyond the city of Apache Junction, and turn left/north onto the road entitled "Superstition Mountain Drive". I am now looking directly at Superstition Mountain and entering the community of  Superstition Foothills.

I continue my drive enjoying the beautiful mountain, foothills, the blue skies, beautiful homes nestled in the foothills, the neat and scenic views and come to Don Donnelly Road.  I turn right and on my immediate left is the clubhouse for this community complete with a pool, picnic tables, club house, and lots of green grass.

I think a virtual tour is in order, so the next post will include more of the photos taken. This is such a beautiful area that even photos are not enough. Many of my out of state clients have purchased their home in Gold Canyon - specifically in Superstition Foothills because of the pristine, untouched feeling of this area. There are hiking trails throughout the entire community, golf courses and peaceful and quiet away from the city feeling.

As I continue my drive along Don Donnelly Road, there are more and more mountain vistas, shrubbery, cacti, and I feel the peace. My drive will continue in Part II and will include East Gold Canyon and the 55+ community of Mountain Brook.

Today, our active listings totaled 55,022. Remember, you heard it here! Now is the time to buy!

Give me a call when you're ready to list or to buy: 480.216-3334 or email me at: Teri@TeriEllis.com for Exceptional Customer Service - Always!

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog