Ladee's Travels

  Tucked away in a quiet plaza on Thomas Road, A.T. Oasis Coffee & Tea Shop offers more than just a caffeine fix—it serves up a soulful experience. From the moment you walk in, the warm aroma of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee greets you like an old friend. The interior blends cozy café culture with vibrant African heritage: hand-carved wooden maps of Africa, colorful woven baskets, and traditional jebena coffee pots line the walls and shelves. The space is bright and inviting, perfect for lingering over a flaky, savory quiche and a rich cup of house-roasted coffee. On any given morning, you might find a few locals chatting at outdoor tables under red umbrellas, or someone quietly reading a Hemingway novel with a steaming cup at their side. The vibe is relaxed, the food homemade, and the coffee full of heart. A.T. Oasis isn’t just a place to grab a latte—it’s a local gem where the Phoenix community meets culture, comfort, and tradition in every sip.

  Nestled in the Sonoran Desert near Coolidge, Arizona, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a doorway into the ancient past. As a travel writer, I was captivated not only by the iconic “Great House”—a towering four-story adobe marvel—but also by the rich history and enduring spirit of the landscape and its people. 🏜️ A Monument Steeped in Time The Great House, constructed around 1350 CE, dominates the site with its caliche walls—Adobe crafted from desert subsoil hardened over centuries  . The structure is surrounded by a bustling Hohokam agricultural community that flourished from around 1150 to 1450 CE, sustained by an ingenious system of irrigation canals tapping into the Gila River  . Archaeologists believe Casa Grande served multiple roles: a ceremonial observatory aligned with solar and lunar events, a gathering spot, and a central node in a thriving trade network . While the Hohokam mysteriously abandoned the site around 1450 CE, descendants in the O’o...