Again, a mulitude of TRIPS - Tequila, Rock n Roll, Insanity, People, Sports to write about as the last day of March is passing. A Great month and a Great day as I am out by the “My Bad Tequila” swimming pool (see pictures at end of Blog) hanging out and enjoying the 90 degree day and listening to the roar of Harley Davidsons, Triumphs, Victorys and other loud bikes afar in the distance.
Bike Week in Arizona ends tomorrow, April 1st and that is not an April Fool’s Joke or Prank – Bike Week really does come to a close but not before we make one more trip to the World Famous Hideaway Grill http://www.hideaway-usa.com/ owned by Amigo Mark Bradshaw in the not-so-quiet little town of Cave Creek, AZ. It seems like Bike Week just started as Paradise Valley / Scottsdale resident Bret Michaels kicked off Bike Week on Friday, March 23rd which was Kansas Amigo Richard L.’s Birthday of which he left Lake Wabunsee to party in Scottsdale to celebrate the Big 60 along with his Fabulous wife Cindy and Amiga Su with many Arizonans such as Ricky D., Shawn, Jacque, Howie, Jan, Connie, Carrie, Carrie's Mom & moi. Mr. Birthday Boy - Richard did ask me to autograph 2 copies for our Atlanta Brave Amigos, Dan Uggla & Chipper Jones as he would be seeing them in the near future as he is in-law related to the Uggla Clan. Here's to Dan Uggla having an All Star Year and Chipper Jones getting healthy so that the Braves can make a run at the Pennant.
Well back to the story and Hideaway, yesterday afternoon I was able to talk with Mark briefly after he returned from a ride that went up to Anthem to visit Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley – Davidson store. Jay Allen of the Broken Spoke in Sturgis, SD was present: http://www.brokenspokecampground.com/index.php http://www.brokenspokesaloon.com/index.php
Jay asked me to sign his white shirt along with another 20 or 30 other individuals for a souvenir of his time spent in Arizona. The legendary icon bar owner also picked up a copy of the epic, award winning novel “My Bad Tequila” and asked me to personally autograph it for him; I also gave him the CD of Quarterdeck with the number 4 song “My Bad Tequila” which was inspired by the novel and co-written by Elly Garrison and Rico Austin (yea, that’s me.) Also the World Famous Mr. Buddy Stubbs of Arizona Harley Davidson fame was on the ride (Buddy Stubbs is a real character in the epic, adventure & mystery story “MY BAD TEQUILA.” Amigo Tom who works with my wife was also on the ride and he needed a Jack Daniels and water to wash down the meal given to all that attended the ride and I did a shot of Cruz Tequila (Cruz del Sol) of which I will spend more time writing about a bit later as it deserves its own paragraph.
Mark Bradshaw is an incredible Amigo and a Marketing Genius – he has transported ARIZONA into the newest Harley Davidson Hotspot and had a Super Fun Time while doing it. Mark and his team of dedicated Bartenders, Security, Managers and Partying Amigos & Amigas has helped bring Arizona in its 100th Year Birthday a notch and one half above the Rest. I heard a very cool story today from another Amigo named Mark with the last initial H. of whom was at the Hideaway Grill from the very 1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day and 4th day. Mr. Mark H. is a great, standup Guy as is longtime Manager – Rick who just seems to quietly go with the flow. One word of possible advice – Rick may seem like a cuddly teddy bear from the outside; but, do not cross this Hombre or else! Gracias Connie, Mark, Carol, Bambi, C.K., Diana, Dennis, Dana, Austin, Dawn, Tom, Mike, Jan, George, and Char and a bunch of other Amigas & Amigos. Missed Amigo Mark B. as he was at the Biker Festivities anc CycleFest at WestWorld in Scottsdale and attended REO Speedwagon, Puddle of Mud, Tesla and the AC / DC experience. I am sure Amigo Mark B. was also at Dirty Dogg Saloon once or twice during the week.
Top Biker Bars listed in order of importance to Biker Week in the Greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area:
(1) The Hideaway – Cave Creek www.hideaway-usa.com
2) Greasewood Flat – Scottsdale www.greasewoodflat.net
(3) Dirty Dogg Saloon – Scottsdale www.dirtydoggsaloon.com
(4) Steel Horse Saloon – Phoenix www.steelhorsesaloon.com
(5) San Tan Flat – Queen Creek www.santanflat.com
(6) Buffalo Chip Saloon – Cave Creek www.buffalochipsaloon.com
(7) Goat Head Saloon – Mesa www.goatheadsaloon.com
(8) Chopper John’s – Phoenix www.chopperjohns.com
(9) Sandbar Mexican Grill - Peoria www.sandbaraz.com
(10) Red Onion Lounge – Phoenix www.redonionlounge.com
Honorable Mention (11) Harold’s Corral – Cave Creek www.haroldscorral.com
*AZ newest Biker Bar moving up the list in the future (12) Tap Haus - ????
List as chosen by 60,000 riding Bikers and Rico of My Bad Tequila. If You guessed Tap Haus being in Cave Creek then You are one Bad Ass Biker Chick or Dude. As I looked over this list once more I came to the conclusion that if You are truly going to enjoy Bike Week in Arizona, You’ll want to begin in Cave Creek while then visiting hotspots in Scottsdale, Mesa, Queen Creek, Peoria, Phoenix, back to Scottsdale and ending up once again in Cave Creek with the closing day of the Crawdad Feed at where else but The Hideaway Grill somewhere in Cave Creek, Arizona.
Pink Cadillac Boutique is another must stop while visiting the Carefree area of Cave Creek, AZ; Carefree and Cave Creek are both small, interesting and gorgeous Arizona towns just North of Scottsdale with plenty of Saguaro Cacti, Ocotillos, Barrel Cacti and other desert plant life to make the short drive north of Phoenix or Scottsdale worth the drive. Co-owners Linda and Tammy of Pink Cadillac Boutique are a pleasure to meet and purchase from. www.pinkcadillacboutique.com
Cruz Tequila was founded in May 2005 by partners and Arizona State University alumni Joseph Pep and Saulo Katcher and Todd Nelson, and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Cruz Tequila has since won numerous international spirit awards and is currently distributed in Arizona, Texas, Illinois, West Virginia, Utah, Idaho, and nationwide online. Here is what Cruz Tequila’s website reads and I couldn’t have phrased it better so: The proof is inside the beautiful artisan bottle. To taste the difference, pour ½ an ounce of CRUZ Tequila into a glass (ideally the Reidel Ouverture Tequila glass). Swirl it to let the oxygen unlock the bouquet and flavors. Notice the aromatic scents from the glass before sipping. Then take a very small sip, taking the time to feel the taste on front of your tongue and in the back of your palate as you swallow. Be warned, if you are looking for “the bite,” you simple won’t find it here. My Bad Tequila had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Pep Katcher – (El Presidente) before the famous ice sculpture of CRUZ Tequila and Mr. Bradshaw sending or pouring CRUZ Tequila down the ice shute and meeting palate after palate of Tasteful Tequila. Todd E. the Arizona Market Manager kept the party alive while wearing his Bandana of CRUZ del Sol TEQUILA!
Now a word about Wyoming, famous for Buffalo and Antelope roaming the plains. Got to see my Old Amigo David Watson, staff writer for WYO Sports www.wyosports.net and part time Bartender extraordinaire at 3rd Street Bar and Grill in downtown Laramie.
Notice the lawn chair on the ledge and broken window! This is ANIMAL HOUSE in Laramie, WYOMING!!!! We couldn't have a beer in our hands for the photo as Pi Kappa Alpha is on Probation from underage drinking party last semester! LMAO My Kind of Frat! 20 Fraternity Brothers are now fighting over who gets to read the epic novel “My Bad Tequila” first, second, third, etc., etc. This should keep them busy until alcohol aka Tequila and Cervezas are allowed to flow once again onto this hallowed Fraternity Ground on Sorority Row. That last part is no joke, that is their street name and location in Laramie at the University of Wyoming.! Go Pokes aka Cowboys!!!
St. Patrick’s Day in Ahwatukee– golf with John, Pete and Chris and My Bad Tequila for a good cause – Hot Chicks that love Green ..........! As a 4 man scramble team we shot 66 and we didn’t win, place or show! Tied for 4th but I do predict final NCCA Tourney will be played between Kansas Jayhawks and Kentucky Wildcats! I like both teams so Good Luck to each at the Superdome in New Orleans. Congrats to Kentucky, but please don't continue to Riot, Act Like You've Been There Before!
I cannot wait to watch The Masters Golf Tournament being played at Augusta beginning this April 5th with the final round being played on Sunday April 8th; Here’s hoping the final round includes Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy vying for the Green Jacket. Speaking of Augusta some of my Arizona Amigos will be walking the course on Tuesday’s practice round on April 3rd. Have Fun Doug B. & Mike P. and the rest of YOU Guys that did not include me in the winning lottery to join. I have to work, but I could have worked around it. Get it? Worked around working at my work.
And now a little something extra that happened in 2003 - this is like a Train Wreck; YOU can't look away as there is no telling what Crazy Man Uncle Rico will do next in this youtube video: Enjoy & Share! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q22H3a_QNVA
Saludos y Vaya Con Dios,
Uncle Rico Rico Austin Author, Blogger, Tequila Connoisseur, Co-Songwriter, Part-time Movie Star, CEO, Amigo & One Righteous Dude - MY BAD TEQUILA "Have a Double Shot of Reality" TM
www.mybadtequila.com
Hideaway Owner Mr. Mark Bradshaw spreading the word about the epic, award winning novel "My Bad Tequila" at Hideaway - Somewhere in Cave Creek AZ!
Maker's Mark Whisky & a whole lot of other Alcohol!
That's All Folks!