Shitkickers and S’mores: Wickenburg, Arizona

Wickenburg, AZ

Wickenburg is probably responsible for some of the happiest moments of my youth: hayrides, s’mores, making art, punching holes into hand painted leather belts, and riding horses (of course). There’s really little not to love about this old style Arizona ranch town. In fact, it’s one of the oldest, most beloved towns of it’s kind. So, this fall, we say… lasso up the kiddes and check out their 32^nd Annual Four Corners States Bluegrass Festival which will welcome musicians and spectators from around the great southwest and beyond from Nov. 11 – 13 at Wickenburg’s Everett Bowman Rodeo Grounds.

Sponsored by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, the southwest’s bluegrass festival will feature bluegrass greats The Brombies, Sonoran Dogs and Thomas Porter & Copper Creek, in addition to performances and contests by lesser-known enthusiasts competing for cash and prizes in more than 13 categories including open fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo. Yeehaw!

Gates open at 11:00 am. Friday, with live entertainment running from 1pm – 5:30 pm. The best part for the chilluns? Saturday and Sunday’s lineups feature a pancake breakfast beginning at 7 am.

Additional festivities will include food and drink concessions, arts and crafts, and a designated Kid Zone for the smaller budding enthusiasts. Single-day tickets purchased in advance are only $15 for adults, $8 for children and $12 for senior citizens. Three-day passes are also available for $40, $20 and $35, respectively. Tickets purchased at the gate will be higher.

The Everett Bowman Rodeo Grounds are located at 935 Constellation Road, just 1/2 mile east of Highway 60/93 in Wickenburg. Reserved self-contained RV camping may be arranged in advance through the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce. While general bleacher seating will be available, spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Just note that outside alcohol, dogs, food and coolers are prohibited.

For more info on where to stay or what to do:

www.wickenburgchamber.com

Nicaragua: Private Island Pilates Retreat

Nicaragua Beach Pilates Retreat: Jicaro Island Ecolodge

This just in, kiddos.

Now who’s taking me?

Jan. 29 – Feb. 4, 2011

Alycea Ungaro, celebrated author, celebrity trainer and wellness expert, will host Real Wellness, a private island retreat in Nicaragua. Real wellness will take place at Jicaro Island Ecolodge Nicaragua, a tranquil, 500 square meter private island in the Granada Islestas from January 29 to February 4, 2011.

Developed by Ungaro, the retreat is based upon her signature Principles of Wellness. Attendees will experience an immersion of healthy eating, exercise and wellness training. Known for motivating some of the world’s leading A-list celebrities at her Tribeca studio, Real Pilates in New York City, in addition to twice daily Pilates practice, each day, students will be guided through the teachings taken from her soon to be released book, The Pilates Practice Companion. Since the program was created to forge a foundation for sustainable and realistic lifestyle changes, customized take-home workouts and nutritional planning will be created for each participant. Through a combination of nutrition and learning, the group will gain knowledge that translates to life-changing possibilities for health and well-being. Jicaro, a secluded getaway,named in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2010 Hot List, the private island is ideal for relaxation or an out of the ordinary wellness vacation. Jicaro’s Eco-luxury accommodations offer the perfect refuge for relaxation and renewal designed in harmony with nature. Guest suites also provide an exceptional experience within the lush tropical forest.

I could really use an eco-luxury private island pilates retreat, couldn’t you?

 

Alycea Ungaro, Pilates Instructor Extraordinaire

Package Includes:

 

6-night accommodations at JICARO ISLAND ECOLODGE

Roundtrip ground transportation (Managua Airport to AQUA)

2x Daily Group Pilates Sessions with Alycea

All organic meals

Guided nature walk, lake kayaking, visit to local school

Package Pricing:

Single (Master Studio Accommodation) – US $2795

Double (Penthouse Accommodation) – US $2450

http://www.bigworldsmallplanet.com/ALYCEA_UNGARO_PILATES_RETREAT_2.html

FITCAMP Malibu

 

Ms. Fitness Greta Blackburn

 

Oh Malibu… you sure do conjure up images of Pamela Anderson in her red hot one piece and Cindy Crawford  building castles in the sand with her gorgeous kiddies and hunky husband, Rande, don’t you?

Sigh.

How dare you? Well, if you want to roll with the taut and tanned, it’s time to tone up, slim down and learn the secrets of longevity with the one and only Ms. Fitness Greta Blackburn (check out those guns <–).

Along with leading scientists, physicians and fitness pros from around the globe, Blackburn, founding editor of Ms. Fitness Magazine and originator of the “boot camp” concept, will join forces for FITCAMP Malibu—a health and fitness experience from Nov. 17-21, 2010, at the Steven Breuer Conference Center in Malibu, California.

FITCAMP Malibu will build on the momentum of FITCAMP Cancun, held in April 2010, and will feature physical and mental challenges, which include the powerhouse Sprint 8 20-minute anti-aging exercise protocol featured in Blackburn’s upcoming book “The Immortality Edge” co-authored by Michael Fossel, MD, PhD and David Woynarowski, MD.

FITCAMP Malibu workouts will include:

•    Yoga for Stiffies: Hard-core practice designed to increase flexibility for new, intermediate and seasoned mat practitioners;
•    Pilates: Pioneer Mari Windsor will showcase her at-home system to help FitCampers develop a strong, sleek, toned body;
•    A mix of Hell Hikes, Power Walks, and Mixed Martial Arts-style workouts;
•    Ropes Course that will challenge entrenched fears, help with goal-setting and foster team-building; and
•    FITCAMP favorites: Butt ‘N Guts and indoor cycling with RealRyder bikes.

Physical offerings will complement FITCAMP Malibu’s “Nuke Aging” program, featuring seminars led by noted health experts recognized for their contributions to the field of anti-aging medicine. Presenters include Michael Fossel, MD, PhD, and author of Reversing Human Aging and The Immortality Edge; and David Kekich, founder and president of The Maximum Life Foundation.  David will outline his 7-step Life Extension Express program and give an insider’s overview of the conclusions from last fall’s Manhattan Beach Project.  Top Masters Athletic Performance Coach, Phil Campbell, of Ready Set Go Synergy Fitness; Fulcrum Adventures, which provides Transformational Learning Experiences; Mari Winsor, Pilates pioneer; Robert Martin of www.lookgreatnakedatanyage.com; and Taryn Bagrosky, Ms. Fitness USA, will also appear.

 

FITCAMP 2010

 

Together with Blackburn, this group of medical and fitness visionaries will declassify the secrets behind the science to help FitCampers change their physiology at a cellular level.

FITCAMP Malibu seminars will include:

•    Teleomere Basics and Beyond with Michael Fossel, MD, PhD;
•    Think and Grow Young with Dr. Kat Cotter, a certified clinical hypnotherapist; Look Great Naked at Any Age with Robert Martin;

•    Supplements That Work and Advanced Hormone Replacement Therapies, led by Dr. Kent Holtorf, Founder of The Holtorf Medical Group and a leading expert in the field of Endocrinology;
•    Life Extension Express with David Kekich;
•    The Genius Diet, a nutritional GPS to living a healthy 150 and beyond;
•    DETOX/Cleanse; an A to Z look at a process designed to fine-tune your metabolism; and
•    Meditation Secrets for the Hyper-Active Mind.

Rates for FITCAMP Malibu start at $1595 and include food, accommodations, classes, and camp-sanctioned events; previous FitCampers will receive a $100 rebate.

Airfare, airport transfers and extra nights at the resort excluded.  Registration fees are non-refundable.

So what are you waiting for? Pamela to swim out and save the beached whale?

www.fitcamp.com

Napa Valley, CA: The Yoga Boot Camp Retreat

Yoga. There’s simply nothing like stretching, breathing, meditating, and focusing on your inner-core. Forgetting to remember. Aligning oneself with peace. And, since most members of our trusty staff at Jaunt love their yoga (and their wine), we recently thought, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be great to do a yoga retreat in Napa?’

After careful consideration, this Napa Valley Yoga Boot Camp caught our eye.

 

It’s a 4 day – 4 night upscale “Napa Style” Boot Camp Training Program at a Private Vineyard Residence Estate in the beautiful Wine Country of Northern California. Consistently rated as one of the “Top Ten Travel Destinations” in the world, the vineyard country climate and relaxing atmosphere is the perfect place to shape up your Body and have fun doing it Napa-style.

Morning hikes through the vineyards, aerobics, yoga, hatha, power, pilates, swimming, and yes, massage, The Napa Yoga Boot Camp is an all Inclusive package, offering only the freshest, healthiest foods. Meals are personally prepared by an in-house Gourmet Chef where you’ll learn the hottest tips of diet, supplementation, and fitness. ‘Experience a spiritual journey you’ll never forget!’ they say.

We believe ’em.

Camp is limited to 10 women per session so, as they say, get with “The Program” and book your training dates early in advance.

http://www.NapaValleyYogaRetreats.com