AZTOURIST.COM

Inside Arizona: Rocky Point And Nearby VOLCANIC Zone

2010-01-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

I brought in the new year in Rocky Point, Mexico. Travel to Rocky Point is as safe and desirable as ever, and this modern resort destination is full of all the activities my family enjoys in beach destinations across the world at half the expense. I always enjoyed the hospitality and beautiful beaches that have become valued in this area by Arizonans for decades and can now testify that nothing has changed. It's just gotten better in 2010.When visiting Rocky Point you need to include a stopover at The Grand Pinacate and Grand Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, considered one of the most interesting volcanic zones in the world. The conservation of these gigantic craters and the surrounding areas are important to the history of our region.

Believe it or not, El Pinacate and Great Altar Desert Biosphere Reserve are only three hours' drive from the East Valley and 30 minutes from Rocky Point, where I started a 24-hour off-road and camping adventure during my vacation.

Leaving Rocky Point at 5 p.m., we reached the biological station just before sunset. The sun began to touch the horizon decorated with thousands of sahuaro, cholla and ocotillo trees. After filling out the entry forms, we moved ahead rapidly in our Jeep on dirt and volcanic stone road. Rabbits and jackrabbits were jumping everywhere.

It was dark when we arrived to the campsite known as El Tecolote, located 21 miles north of the park's entrance. It was a starry sky. We unpacked, set up the camp, and checked our plan for the next day.

The first rays of sunlight fell over one of the most impressive natural monuments I have ever seen, the El Elegante crater. Located in this inhospitable land that seems to host no life at all, El Elegante is one of the 10 volcanic craters that can be found in this reserve, which has a land extension of 1,700,000 acres.

In this same place - 4,200 feet wide by 460 feet deep - astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., commander of the Apollo 14 lunar landing mission, carried out a training and lunar surface simulation in the 1970s because the geological characteristics are very similar to those of the moon.

El Pinacate zone was decreed a protected area in 1993 because it is home to hundreds of plant-life species, including cholla, ocotillo, and saguaro, and the famous creosote bush or "gobernadora" - which is known for its long life span -all form part of this majestic landscape.

Although the 122-degree heat is intense and the rain is scarce, this natural park shelters 46 species of mammals, 41 of which are endemic. In addition this area hosts 327 species of migratory and resident birds like the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), which has a wingspan of almost 5.6 feet.

El Pinacate is also the home of 45 species of reptiles and five species of amphibians. At least 20 of these species are under the protection of Mexico's environmental laws, including the scorpion, the desert turtle and the Gila monster.

Because of the extreme weather, visit El Pinacate between November and April. During these months temperature ranges between 86 degrees during the day and 32 degrees at night.

After weleft the site, I thought it would be great to come back again to explore the rest of the craters and to enjoy the famous sand dunes of the Great Altar Desert. Soon I was back in the balcony of my suite at Rocky Point, enjoying a breathtaking sunset at Sandy Beach.

To get to El Pinacate take state Route 85 from Gila Bend south to Lukeville. When you reach the international border, follow Highway 8. The park's entrance is about a half-hour drive from the border or from Rocky Point.

USEFUL TIPS

Bring one gallon of water to drink per person per day. Wear cotton pants and long-sleeve shirts. You should wear a light sweater during the day and a thick coat at night. Do not forget to use sunblock, and bring dark glasses, a hat and binoculars.

Firearms and pets are not allowed at this biosphere reserve. If you drive, use a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a car or truck high enough to cross through this type of terrain. Off-road driving, hunting and collection of animals or plants are not allowed.

The border towns of northern Sonora, including Rocky Point, are part of the "free zone." Americans and Canadians do not need a visa to enter these areas, as long as the stay is less than 72 hours. You do, however, need proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, while in Sonora. If you are traveling beyond the "free zone," or staying longer than 72 hours, you will need a Mexican entry visa of some type. When returning from Mexico you will be required to have a United States or Canadian passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license or SENTRI card to re-enter Arizona.

Inside Arizona: Enjoy The 4 Corners with Half The Driving

2009-12-27T07:49:00.000-08:00

Four Corners National Monument is the only place in the United States where you can be in four states at one time. It’s a picturesque moment standing in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado all at once, so bring your camera and favorite road trip companion to document all of the natural beauty of the snow-covered, high-desert region of northeastern Arizona. For those of us who want to see Four Corners without driving the whole way to Monument Valley, now you can. Instead of six hours to Four Corners by car from the East Valley, you can now make it by tour operation from Tuba City, cutting your drive by almost half.
Beginning in the new year, one can book an unforgettable Monument Valley tour from the convenience of the Quality Inn Navajo Nation in Tuba City. Tuba City is situated nicely between the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell, and Monument Valley. Here is how your Four Corners weekend could go: Relax and arrive in Tuba City on Friday. Check in and enjoy a wonderful tour of the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum. A one-stop cultural experience, it is an extraordinary look at the Navajo people, its society, its accomplishments and its historic contributions. The museum was created with the help of leading Navajo scholars, museum personnel and the Navajo artistic community to provide a vibrant experience for people of all ages and all nations. The premiere of this cultural exhibit was at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The showcase marked the first time the Navajo Nation, in its own words, told its story to the world. Come view this exquisite glimpse into a world and culture like no other.
After a hearty dinner at the Hogan Family Restaurant, slip into the Hogan Espresso & More coffee shop for a nice warm cup of coffee on the patio and enjoy the Southwest sunset. Slowly relax into a meditation that gets you prepared for the journey the next day.
Arise the next morning and order your choice of complimentary hot breakfast. From sausage biscuit to French toast, there is something to enjoy. Someone from Harold Simpson’s Trailhandler Tours meets you after breakfast for a quick rundown of the day’s itinerary. You begin your route to Monument Valley aboard one of Simpson’s vans. Along the way, you’ll see several historical sites and modern homes to contrast. Navajoland has so much to offer. Stories and myths dated from many years before bring clarity to this country within a country.
Arrive in Monument Valley and explore for a couple of hours. Have local guides tell you the stories that were handed down to them from previous generations. Listen to songs and music while searching for the serene moment you realize a connection. After the final group photo is taken, Simpson’s Trailhandlers brings you back to Tuba City. Enjoy dinner and kick off your shoes in your room. Review digital photos and make a couple of last notes. Place stamps on your postcards and call it a day.
You have enjoyed an amazing weekend, and now it’s time to head home. Enjoy yourself on this Arizona trip, which you can bring up around the campfire the next time someone asks where you have traveled recently.

Inside Arizona: Quartzite, A Gem of A Time

2009-12-20T06:55:00.000-08:00

Every winter, the tiny town of Quartzsite transforms into the vendor capital of the world. More than a million visitors congregate to browse through swap meets, gem shows, art and crafts shows as well as scores of other booths offering antiques, souvenirs and “stuff” of all kinds.

Many visitors from the north, affectionately called “snowbirds,” spend the winter in Quartzsite’s 70-plus RV parks or “boondock” in the Sonoran Desert on BLM land, where camping is free or nearly so. Others arrive for shorter stays — rockhounds and treasure hunters from around the world who come to check out the shows.
Beautiful weather, sunshine and great deals — what more can you ask for?
Adding to the fun are numerous events throughout the season, including the Hi Jolly Daze parade on Jan. 9, the Sports, Vacation & RV Show Jan. 16-24, the QIA Pow Wow Gem & Mineral Show on Jan. 20-24, and the annual ATV Parade on Feb. 13.
Besides a warm welcome, Quartzsite also offers wonderful activities to fill your time when you need a break from shopping: golf, hiking, fishing, four-wheeler excursions, jam sessions, dancing, bingo, a visit to Celia’s Rainbow Garden and the Hi Jolly Monu
ment.

Two dozen seasonal swap meets and nearly as many shows cover acres of land, include hundreds of vendors, and present an amazing array of items. This year, according to one local resident, the quality of goods offered is exceptionally high and the prices are great. It’s the year to come experience Quartzsite.

FIRST STOP: TYSON WELLS WITH

THREE MAJOR SHOWS
Located on the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Highway 95, the Tyson Wells Showgrounds is one of Quartzsite’s biggest draws. More than 25 acres are covered with hundreds of vendors, and 2.2 miles of aisle frontage give visitors easy access.
The fun begins right on New Year’s Day with the Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show. Rock enthusiasts from around the world head to this huge show where almost 300 dealers offer quality minerals, gems, fossils, jewelry and lapidary tools. Show dates are Jan. 1-10.

Next is the Tyson Wells Sell-ARama on Jan. 15-24, where some 500 dealers showcase an unbelievable variety of items: antiques, coins, crafts, hobbies, jewelry, even more gems and rocks, and great food. Following is the Tyson Wells Arts & Crafts Fair from Jan. 29-Feb.7, offering creative, custom and handcrafted works by about 200 national artisans. Admission to all of these events is free. To find out more about the vendors, check out the Web site at www. tysonwells.com or call (928) 927-6364.

A GREAT DEAL: $1,000 FOR THE BEST CHILI IN QUARTZSITE
All you chili and salsa lovers, mark your calendar for Feb. 27. That’s the day to polish off your best recipes for the seventh annual “It’s Chili in Quartzsite” Chili Cookoff & State Salsa Championship. Held at Tyson Wells Showgrounds, this event attracts entrants from all over the U.S.
The cook-off actually consists of three different contests: the Chili Appreciation Society International event, a showmanship contest, and the People’s Choice Award competition. CASI entrants earn awards and points toward their international finals in Texas. Winners of the People’s Choice receive trophies and cash prizes.
Cooking starts at 10 a.m. and the $4 tasting cup goes on sale at noon. Visitors will determine who wins the People’s Choice $1,000 first prize, $500 second prize and $250 third prize. There will also be several winners in the state salsa championship.
Live bands add to the fun throughout the afternoon, and a big raffle is sponsored by the Quartzsite Business Chamber of Commerce. Call the chamber for information on the cook-off, (928) 927-9321.

QUARTZSITE DOES IT AGAIN: “NAKED MAN’S BOOKSTORE”
A must-see attraction in this funky desert town is Reader’s Oasis Books. Owner Paul Winer offers an eclectic mix of paperback, hardcover and audiobooks for every taste and interest, more than 180,000 titles in all — dressed in a thong with a smile for all and the motto “If books were clothes, I’d be considered well dressed.”
Known as legendary performer Sweet Pie back on the East Coast and Canada in the 1970s and ’80s, Paul plays a mean boogie and blues piano. Check out his CD “Please Remember Your Love for Me.” The store carries all types of music, including an expanded section of blues, early jazz and swing, and classic country-western CDs, cassettes and vinyl. An authors fair takes place daily throughout January and February, with writers present for book signings. Reader’s Oasis is located at 690 E. Main St.; for more information, call (928) 927-6551. Reader’s Oasis is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Inside Arizona: Verde Valley Wine Trail

2009-12-20T06:54:00.000-08:00

I have never claimed to be a wine expert, but I feel I have the bare essentials down. I know the difference between a shiraz and syrah, and have a basic familiarity with the major wine regions of the world.

This basic foundation qualifies me for sommelier duty when dining with friends on the rare occasion we find ourselves somewhere with a wine list rather than a kids menu.

That said, I was very interested in learning about the emerging wineries of northern Arizona. I had been pleasantly surprised by wines from Javelina Leap Vineyards. At this year’s Arizona Wine Growers Festival, wines from northern Arizona earned serious attention.

Especially of interest was the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Centered around Cottonwood and Jerome, the Wine Trail consists of four wineries and two tasting rooms.

I was determined to explore the Wine Trail and began creating a weekend getaway. As my itinerary grew, my girlfriend Susan became more interested in a trip that included a resort stay and sipping wine as opposed to previous trips that had featured tents and beer.

Leaving the Valley in our rearview one recent Friday, we started our trip in Sedona, the jumping-off point for our Wine Trail experience. We stayed at the picturesque Sedona Rouge Resort and Spa. The romance of the resort helped set the tone for our trip, as did dinner and wine at the resort’s restaurant, Reds.

Saturday morning brought an amazing view of the Sedona red rocks from our room. As beautiful as it was, there was no time to linger; our goal was to experience all six stops on the Verde Valley Wine Trail in one day. A short drive out of Sedona brought us to Oak Creek, home of three of the wineries on the trail.

As we took the scenic drive into Oak Creek, it was surprisingly green, and many of the trees were showing fall colors, a sight that is rare in Arizona. The beauty of Oak Creek made the concept of northern Arizona wine much more feasible. The elements of hillside, water and sun were all in place. It is worth noting that the latitude of Cottonwood is 38.28 degrees north, not far from the latitude of California’s wine regions.

Our first stop was Javelina Leap Vineyards. Nestled at the foot of a hill, the winery was surrounded by dormant vines, beautiful in their potential. After walking the grounds, we made our way to the tasting room, the interior of which had the feel of an old saloon. Susan and I were lucky to catch the winemaker himself, Rod Snapp, who welcomed us heartily and shared with us the story of Javelina Leap as we tasted the award-winning zinfandel.

Listening to Rod share the story of his winery, his passion for his craft was apparent. His maverick attitude was as bold as the wine he makes. As we left, Rod was kind enough to sign a bottle of his wine for us, a real conversation piece for our next dinner party.

The next winery on the tour, Oak Creek Vineyards, was within walking distance. The inviting tasting room was very similar to the tasting rooms I had seen in Napa Valley. Susan and I tasted some very good wines as we asked questions from the upbeat crew in the tasting room, continuing our informal education on northern Arizona wines.

It was after my third taste that I realized the importance of spitting versus swallowing. I was not attempting to be a “swish and spit” wine snob, but instead some quick math, including six stops with multiple tastes at each, made spitting a necessity for responsible driving between the wineries. We bought a bottle of Oak Creek Vineyards’ port wine.

Down the road from Javelina Leap and Oak Creek Vineyards is Page Springs. This large winery is located on a historic piece of land, and the main building features a beautiful patio overlooking a surprisingly large and picturesque vineyard. The winery has the feel of a country club.

Corey Turnbull, who manages the tasting room, provided Susan and I with a tour of the winemaking process from grape to bottle. To stand between rows and rows of barrels, floor to ceiling, you get an appreciation for the art of winemaking.

As Corey spoke about the alchemy of wine and many delicate factors that affect the final glass, his passion for Page Springs and the wine produced there became clear. Just as both Javelina Leap’s winemaker and zinfandel were bold, Page Springs’ wines were complex and layered. Same passion, different varietal.

We proceeded to the tasting room and sampled some of the same varieties we had seen resting in barrels. Before we left, Susan and I strolled under the grape arbors. There is a patio overlooking the creek, perfect for a picnic lunch with a bottle of wine.

The next stop took us through beautiful Cottonwood on our way to Alcantara Vineyards. Alcantara is on the Verde River, and is reached by driving down a winding road into a beautiful valley.

The tasting room has the feel of being in someone’s home, with original art and a patio that offers a beautiful view of the vines and the rocky hills beyond. The homey feel of Alcantara is only increased by the presence of Barbra Predmore, whose passion for her vineyard and wine produced there is nothing short of infectious.

Susan and I shared a cheese plate and tasted wonderful, straightforward wines as Barbra told us about the vines and the winemaking process. Some of the original art on the walls is by the same artist on the Alcantara labels. It would have been very easy to abandon the rest of the trail and spend the rest of the day at Alcantara Vineyards; however, we had a mission.

Next was the winding road to Jerome. At this point, I was very glad I had adhered to my swish and spit routine. The switchback turns up to Jerome demand a sober driver.

Jerome, with its mining and cowboy history and artist colony vibe, is home to two tasting rooms that are the last two official stops on the Verde Valley Wine Trail.

The first stop was the Jerome Winery tasting room, which clearly reflected the ecliptic spirit of Jerome. The wine guide was offered to provide a tarot reading as we sipped. Next was The Caduceus Cellars Tasting Room. Caduceus Cellars is famous for the quality wines it produces, as well as its owner, Maynard James Keenan of the rock group Tool. The Caduceus Cellars tasting room had a classy yet edgy vibe that represented the rock-star winemaker.

We bought a bottle of the exceptional Nagual del Judith. Dinner was at Belgian Jennie’s Bordello Bistro & Pizzeria, where restaurant owner and civic leader Tom Pitts detailed the history of Jerome as it related to Arizona’s past.

The next morning was for relaxing. Susan enjoyed a massage at the Sedona Rouge’s spa, and I opted for a hike in the desert.

As we drove back to the Valley, with our bottles of wine clinking in the backseat, it was clear: Northern Arizona wine is not just some fad. There are real vineyards, real people, and their passion, like their wines, comes in many flavors.

Inside Arizona: Surround Yourself With Joyful Holiday Events

2009-12-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Explore Arizona this holiday season and travel its natural theme park. Featuring family-friendly festivals and fiestas, these events will keep your family active and in the spirit. Get lost in the festivities and visit the hospitality that Arizonans have to offer during this joyful season.
Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights: West-World will turn into a fantasy of color, lights and design this holiday season for the first Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights. This spectacular drive-through holiday lighting event features giant animated displays for you and your family and friends to enjoy. Admission on Mondays and Tuesdays: $12 per car; Wednesdays through Sundays: $15 per car. Bring the family anytime between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily including holidays through Jan. 2. The Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights is partnering with Hope Kids — “Restoring Hope, Transforming Lives.” Glendale Glitters: Glendale Glitters is an annual holiday festival held on Friday and Saturday nights at Murphy Park and the Glendale Visitors Center in historic downtown. Glendale Glitters runs through Jan. 16 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. In Glendale’s spirit of giving, the holidays are a time of generosity, so what could be better than a whole weekend recognizing those who give back to our community? It’ll do your heart good to get into the spirit of giving by paying tribute to those selfless organizations that make our community a better place to live. Support local food banks with a canned food drive for St. Mary’s Food Bank, and kids can enjoy a free “Madagascar” movie Friday and Saturday.
Polar Express: The Polar Express comes to life as the train departs Williams for a journey through the dark and quiet wilderness for a special visit to the North Pole. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to the magical story. Watch the joy on children’s faces when the train arrives at the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express and hand each child their own special gift. Make this a family holiday tradition. The train leaves each day at 6:30 p.m. Most days have a second departure time at 8 p.m. Book online now or call 1-888-848-3511.
North Pole Experience: Enjoy The North Pole Experience in Greer and ride the Candy Cane Express to Santa’s Factory, where children can roll up their sleeves and build toys with the elves and tour Santa’s factory, the elves’ quarters, Santa’s office and Santa’s Command Center. Families can see Santa’s reindeer and spend time with Mrs. Claus for cookies, cocoa and storytelling. Find out more at www.northpoleexperience.com.

Inside Arizona: Mountain Empire Brings Visitors Back In Time

2009-11-29T07:43:00.000-08:00

When you head to the Mountain Empire, you are stepping back in time to a place steeped in the mining, ranching, and railroad history that built the West. It's a place where residents share stories at the post office, and local businesses are still owned by local people. This area of southern Arizona - which includes the communities of Patagonia, Sonoita, and Elgin - is full of beautiful rolling ranch land and relaxing roadways for your driving enjoyment.

Relax on a leisurely drive along one of the region's many scenic roads. Unwind with a fresh cup of coffee at one of the local cafes or enjoy a glass of wine made in the region while dining at one of the area's restaurants.

Locals Michael and Grace Wystrach have operated the Steak Out Restaurant & Saloon in Sonoita since 1979 with the help of their six children. When all of the kids had grown, the original restaurant burned to ground after a hot water heater malfunctioned. The restaurant was open when the fire started and within minutes the entire dining room was engulfed in flames. Everyone got out safely, but the only memorabilia that survived were cast-iron bean pots and two bronze statues.

In 2000, the Wystrachs reopened the restaurant, mimicking much of the same character and design of old building. The cast-iron bean pots are still used today, and the bronze statues are on display in the dining room and bar. The Steak Out remains the best place to "cowboy up and party down" during your tour of southern Arizona.

Here, ranching is still a way of life, and the cowboy way is celebrated annually with horse races, a rodeo and the oldest quarter-horse show in the nation.

When you plan your trip, stay awhile in a bed and breakfast, inn or retreat center.

I recommend The Sonoita Inn. Its interior rooms, lounges and hallways capture Sonoita's history through photos, artifacts and artwork, and the building itself is a historic tribute to the world's most celebrated thoroughbred, Secretariat. Built in 1980, the building was the fulfillment of a dream for Margaret Carmichael, co-owner of Secretariat - the famed racehorse that in 1973 won the Triple Crown. Today, photographs of Secretariat, press clippings and racing programs are on display in the lobby. Each room is named in honor of area ranches that have been operating in the area for centuries. Historic photos and biographical accounts of these local ranches adorn the hallways.

During your stay, explore the area's many unique galleries and shops. Discover why the Mountain Empire provides the perfect destination for a long weekend getaway or a leisurely day away from the city.

The drive to the Mountain Empire is scenic and beautiful. From the East Valley take Interstate 10 east, then exit at state Route 83. Head south for 24 miles and you will find Sonoita at the crossroads of state routes 83 and 82. Another 12 miles west on state Route 82 will bring you to Patagonia. From Sonoita, continuing east on Route 83 to Elgin Road will bring you to Elgin

Inside Arizona: Montezuma’s Castle Part Of Our Rich Collection Of Archaeological Sites

2009-11-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

Many artifacts of ancient civilizations can be found throughout the Southwest and the nation, especially in Arizona. Unfortunately, many artifacts and fragile structures are being lost, damaged or destroyed by visitors.
So what’s the big deal? Who cares about our past, and why should we care about this “ancient history”?
Our state is blessed with real connections to ancient cultures that offer clues to our past — and a celebration of the enormous accomplishments of these indigenous peoples. An increased understanding of the gifts of these cultures to our contemporary society will result in a greater appreciation for Arizona’s diverse cultural groups, and for the land that served as their homes. Conservation of the fragile environment of our state, along with preservation of its natural beauty, has brought us Montezuma’s Castle.
Montezuma’s Castle, located five miles from Camp Verde, has nothing to do with Montezuma, nor is it a castle. Early European settlers were so impressed by the magnificent structure that they thought it must be a palace built by Aztec refugees for their emperor. We now know that Montezuma never strayed this far north from his home in Mexico, but the name has stuck.
So who built this five-story pueblo tucked into a cliff recess 100 feet above Beaver Creek? A culture known as the Sinagua (Spanish for “without water”) moved from the foothills and plateau beyond the Verde Valley down into the bottom lands around the year 1125. They occupied land that was vacated by the previous dwellers, the Hohokam, who had migrated to an area farther north. About 1150, the Sinagua began constructing above-ground masonry buildings, an idea they may have borrowed from the Anasazi.
The Sinagua were peaceful village dwellers. They lived principally by farming; there was abundant water and fertile land in the central valley. They supplemented their staple crops of corn, beans, and squash by hunting and gathering. The Sinagua were also well off in the important commodity of salt, which they mined at a deposit a few miles from the present town of Camp Verde.
Life was good and they built their large, carefully constructed pueblos on hilltops and in cliffs. Montezuma’s Castle was home to 35 or so of these people. Why did they choose this particular alcove high in the north wall of Beaver Creek? It may have been for protection from the elements, defensibility against intruders, or for the benefits of daylong solar heat … or for a combination of these factors.
This farming community of perhaps 200 people prospered here for three centuries. Yet sometime in the early 1400s they mysteriously abandoned the entire valley. Was it disease, drought, or overpopulation, resulting in scarce farmland and game? Was it invasion or intergroup strife, perhaps conflict with the Yavapai? Hopi Indian legends suggest that the Sinagua may have joined them on their mesas to the northwest.
Montezuma’s Castle was so securely built that it has stood for more than 600 years and is one of the bestpreserved prehistoric structures in the Southwest. Today you can view this pueblo high in a cliff recess at the site administered by the National Park Service. There are short, hardsurfaced walking trails, fully accessible to wheelchairs. Visitors can take a self-guided tour to a second, larger pueblo at the base of the cliff. Once an imposing six-story apartment with about 45 rooms, it is now a ruin, much more deteriorated than the better protected “castle.”
There is a visitor center with exhibits describing the life of the Sinagua people. They were fine artisans who made stone tools, turned bones into awls and needles, and wove handsome garments of cotton. They also fashioned ornaments out of shells, turquoise and a local red stone for personal decoration. After enjoying the exhibits, make use of the picnic area or have a meal at a restaurant in nearby Camp Verde.
To get there from Phoenix take Interstate 17 to exit 289 and follow signs for two miles. From Camp Verde drive north on Montezuma Castle Road for three miles. Take a right and travel for two more miles at the sign.
As you approach an archaeological site, stop for a moment and reflect on how you would want a visitor to behave if visiting the home of an elderly relative. Please exercise care and respect for the area.
The following guidelines are helpful when visiting an archaeological site:
Please stay on the trail and avoid walking along the base of walls built on slopes. Fragile walls that are stressed once too often can suddenly collapse. Please don’t use them as handholds when getting into a site, and don’t stand or climb on them.
Removing artifacts from an archaeological site is illegal, often under both state and federal laws. If you pick up an artifact at a site, please replace it where it was picked up from. Moving artifacts from one portion of a site to another makes it difficult to chart a site’s growth. Never keep an artifact from a site.
Refrain from touching or attempting to enhance (for photographic purposes) the rock art that is found at many sites.
New technology allows us to date rock art by analyzing the patina that has built up through the millennia. Touching or attempting to enhance the images can damage the patina and compromise dating techniques.

Inside Arizona: Take a Road Trip Through Arizona & New Mexico

2009-11-15T13:15:00.001-08:00

Have you ever wanted to take a road trip with little direction and just wanted to get lost for a couple of days from family and friends, away from cell phone towers and e-mail, but still enjoy natural beauty and the company that comes from a tour of small towns? If so, then there is a road trip in Arizona and New Mexico I would recommend to you.

Taking the U.S. 60 east from Mesa one recent Friday morning, I made it to Globe in a little more than an hour and hopped on the U.S. 70 to my first stop in Clifton, about three hours from the Valley, to take a tour of the Morenci Mines. The Morenci Mines hold tours on Fridays and Saturdays, and I enjoyed the Friday afternoon tour with the raw natural feel of the mining tradition that continues as a common theme for the communities on this road trip.

Continuing north on the Coronado Trail, now on the U.S. 191, I was about to find out why this highway is breathtaking in its beauty and terrifying in its curves and heights all at the same time. The Coronado Trail is a famous byway, and as I climbed, the air became cooler and cleaner. I left the desert floor far below and reached the magnificent pines of eastern Arizona.

So far, the trip had met all of my expectations as I drove down the highway, watching for animals and the Alpine Inn, my destination for the evening. The inn is set off the highway, and across the road is a meadow, surrounded by tall pines. As I climbed the steps to the inn, I saw two hummingbird feeders hanging from the porch and about 20 hummingbirds flitting about. As I watched these little beauties flutter back and forth, I knew I was in a different place and time. The sun was low in the West when out of the pines came does to graze in the meadow. It was a magical moment, but then the male made a brief appearance just behind the tree line to lead the does away from my picture-perfect moment. The night included good food and wine, friendly folks to converse with and a peaceful evening. Returning to my room in this turn of the century farmhouse replica gave me time to reflect on the day and to get a good night’s sleep, for the next morning I was headed to Silver City, N.M.

The next morning, I headed down Main Street to the Bear Wallow Café for some breakfast. After breakfast, I started on my trip over the state line to New Mexico, just 20 minutes away. Now, I was on the 180 heading south toward Silver City, about two hours from Alpine.

After getting to Silver City, an active mining town, in the late morning, I visited the Western New Mexico University Museum, which houses one of the largest permanent displays of Mimbres Indian Pottery and Culture in the world. Fleming Hall, the museum’s building, was built in 1916-17 and was designed by the Trost and Trost Architectural Firm of El Paso.

The original function of Fleming Hall was to serve as a gymnasium and science hall for the New Mexico Normal School. In 1974, Fleming Hall was opened to the public as the Western New Mexico University Museum. The museum celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2009.

After my curiosity was piqued about the Mimbres by the pottery and culture, I was directed by a local museum member to visit the Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch. I left the university and hopped on Highway 152 east to San Lorenzo. To find the Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch, which is six miles south of San Lorenzo off Highway 61, I had to follow signs for about 2 1/2 miles to the ranch, which was clearly marked. I had to drive for a little more than a half-hour. Entertaining the idea of a natural hot springs bath was on the top of my mind, and after finding a member of the ranch to announce my invitation and intent, I found the ranch to be very pleasant and private, with a community of artists and residents who encouraged me to remember that strong membership to an organization that allows visitors encourages new experiences like natural hot baths to a traveler like myself.

The ranch is visited by invitation only, but on Dec. 5 and 6 is the 29th annual Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch Studio Sale, which is open to the public to view and purchase art created locally.

It had been a long day, so I decided to find my lodgings and settle in for the evening. I had reservations at the Bear Creek Motel and Cabins in Pinos Altos, which is just seven miles from the center of Silver City but a lifetime away from traffic and noise and about a 45-minute drive from the ranch.

Pinos Altos (Tall Pines) is at the foot of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. I settled in on the porch and watched the dark clouds gather in the sky, hearing thunder in the distance. I found a book on the shelf and sat down to read, a pastime I cannot resist wherever I go. The cabin was well stocked with everything I needed. A soft rain fell, leaving the scent of pine in the air. I decided to call it a day and went to bed.

Sunday morning, I was ready to visit historic downtown Silver City. My first stop was Diane’s Bakery for a fresh cup of coffee and one of their cream cheese Danishes. After dining, I headed up the street to the local farmers market. Many vendors were displaying their local fare of crafts, homemade goodies and locally grown vegetables.

I wish I could have stayed longer on Sunday, but I had been told about a lodge on the other side of the Black Range Mountains a little more than an hour away in an area of New Mexico that used to rival San Francisco as the largest population base west of the Mississippi River that I had to visit.

As a responsible traveler, I made a phone call to check on availability at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston to make sure I had a room for the evening.

After booking my stay, I crossed the Black Range and Emory Pass on the beautiful mountain drive. Emory Pass allows for a great view of the Gila National Forest. Arriving in Kingston and checking into the historic Black Range Lodge by late afternoon gave me time to explore this historic place.

I felt like I was stepping into the Old West while entering the lodge’s spacious lobby. Its massive stone walls and log-beamed ceilings — built from the tumbled-down ruins of Pretty Sam’s Casino and the Monarch Saloon — were completed in 1940. The original plastered brick construction dates back to the 1880s, when the lodge housed miners and cavalry.

Furnished for comfort, the lodge invites you to relive Kingston’s wild and woolly past, with modern conveniences. All guest rooms have private baths, thick towels and cozy down comforters. Via satellite, they have a wireless high-speed Internet connection, and recent renovations make the lodge more wheelchair friendly.

The first floor lobby offers area information and history books. An adjacent game room invites people to play pool and foosball and to try the “antique” PacMan video game. Also, a computer connected to the Internet allows for Web surfing or e-mail.

I had brought my own laptop, and made use of the Wi-Fi connection, letting my work know I would be in a little late on Monday if I was in at all.

My guest room was on the second floor, and opened into a large common room, where I watched a movie on the VCR and challenged a mate to Scrabble. The influence of international and interesting travelers was evident everywhere at the lodge. I then took in the evening by reclining, relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air from my balcony. Nestled in the foothills of the Gila National Forest, the lodge provides easy access to its 3 million acres of wild, natural beauty. On Monday morning, a short walk in the clean air took me across Percha Creek and into the shade of tall ponderosa pines and a last take of this secluded but cozy mountain town.

To make reservations, contact the Black Range Lodge Bed and Breakfast at cat@blackrangelodge.com. Their Web site is www.blackrangelodge.com.

The drive back to Arizona on Interstate 25 south and then on to Interstate 10 west to the Valley was a seven-hour trip. I was back at home Monday before dark. My four-day weekend adventure through Arizona and its neighbor state had given me just the right retreat.

Inside Arizona: Unwrap Some Holiday Cheer

2009-11-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

All across Arizona, communities are planning festivities filled with the spirit of the holiday season: parades, lights festivals, arts markets and fairs filled with wonderful items for gift-giving, concerts, caroling, the Southwestern treat of luminaria displays. Here are four events to get you in the spirit:

TUCSON
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair

One of the premier street fairs in the nation, this gigantic event is a Tucson tradition that is packed with fun and has stuffed many a stocking over the years with an outstanding selection of gift items. The 40th annual Winter Street Fair will be Dec. 11-13 between Ninth Street and University Boulevard along Fourth Avenue. Free to attend, the fair offers 400 arts and crafts booths that cover the spectrum from fine art to country crafts, clothing, jewelry and specialty foods. More than 35 food vendors keep the crowds’ hunger at bay with Greek, Chinese, Mexican, barbecue and fry bread among them. Two stages present live music and entertainment, while street performers cover the gamut from the Andes to violin music. Kids will have a blast at the “Van Grow” hands-on art pavilion as well as other fun activities. As Tucson’s biggest event, the fair draws crowds of 200,000 to 300,000 people, yet despite its size, the atmosphere is homey and friendly. Visitors head home with bulging bags of gifts, full tummies, echoes of music and a happy smile. Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, (520) 624-5004, www.fourthavenue.org.

SEDONA
Red Rock Fantasy

A festival of nearly 1 million lights, Red Rock Fantasy is a magical way to get a big dose of holiday spirit. It takes place at Los Abrigados Resort, nestled within Sedona’s red rocks. “Lights On” for this 19th annual event will be 5 p.m. Nov. 19. The festival lasts through New Year’s, with “Lights Out” on Jan. 2, 2010. Families create nearly two dozen displays featuring a variety of themes — comic, fanciful, religious. Each marvel brings forth oohs and aahs as the crowds wander from one creation to the next. Visitors may choose five favorite displays, and the winner receives a lifetime vacation ownership through ILX Premiere Vacation Club. Runners-up also receive prizes. The festival is open each evening (weather permitting) from 5to 10 on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 9 Sundays through Thursdays. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, and $2 children ages 4 to 12. Red Rock Fantasy, (928) 282-1777, (800) 521-3131, www. redrockfantasy.com.

PARKER
Lighted Boat Parade

Beautifully decorated boats blazing against a dark sky, Santa Claus, a free showing of “The Polar Express,” free hot chocolate and popcorn — what a great way for family fun on Thanksgiving weekend. The Parker Area Chamber of Commerce Lighted Boat Parade takes place on Nov. 28, starting at the Blue Water Resort & Casino Marina. Judging of entries takes place and attendees have time to marvel at the detailed decorations of the boats before the parade starts at 6 p.m. “The Polar Express” will be shown at the Blue Water Resort & Casino Amphitheatre. Then it’s off to River Lodge Resort, where the parade ends and Santa awaits. Parker Area Chamber of Commerce Lighted Boat Parade, (928) 669-2174.

WILLIAMS
Mountain Village Holiday

Holiday spirit will be in abundance on Route 66 in Williams from Nov. 28-Jan. 9 at the town’s Mountain Village Holiday. Activities include tubing and snow play in the Kaibab National Forest, horse-drawn sleigh rides down Main Street, and a ride aboard Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express in your best pajamas. The Williams Light Parade and the lighting of the community Christmas tree will be Nov. 28 starting at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Time for Christmas, Christmas Time in Williams.” Strolling Dickens Carolers will get you in the mood as you get your hot chocolate and find your spot along Route 66 to view entries with colorful lights and festive music. Santa will light the 2009 Williams Christmas tree in the town center. Mountain Village Holiday, (800) 863-0546, www.williamschamber. com.

Inside Arizona: It’s not fall without trip to Apple Annie’s

2009-10-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

I’ve been taking my family and friends to Apple Annie’s for several years now and have made it a fall tradition that everyone loves.

So why not celebrate this Halloween with a day out in the country and an evening back in the city for trick or treating. Let’s take advantage of Halloween falling on a Saturday and make a full day of celebration by traveling somewhere new.

The kids have a blast picking their own pumpkins at Apple Annie’s, and the people who work there are friendly and helpful — and always in costume.

Besides the pumpkin patch, the farm has great fall produce to pick for meals to enjoy at home after the road trip. I would highly recommend a trip to Apple Annie’s but beware, it’s easy to overpick because it’s so much fun.

You’ll find Apple Annie’s in the Sulphur Springs Valley of southeastern Arizona, near the town of Willcox. The 4,300-foot elevation means warm days and cool nights — a situation ideal for fruit and vegetable growing.

Adventures await in Arizonas night skies

The orchard is known for tree-ripened apples, peaches, pears and Asian pears as well as farm-fresh vegetables, including sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, chilies and pumpkins.

During the fall celebration, enjoy old-fashioned family fun picking your own pumpkins and vegetables. Taste freshly pressed apple cider and pick-your-own apples.

Pumpkins of all sizes are ready for adoption from their huge pumpkin patch. For a small fee, enjoy a hayride to the pumpkin patch and children’s play area (children 2 and younger are admitted for free). Also, you don’t want to miss Arizona’s newest and largest corn maze. There are three levels of difficulty, so it is perfect for the whole family. And don’t forget to bring a jacket because fall days can be comfortably cool in Willcox.

For dining, an all-you-can-eat peach pancake breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and apple-smoked burger lunches are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day of the fest. Or, head to the Peach Pavilion — this is Peach Mania, after all — for free samples of Apple Annie’s many peach products. Peach pie will be for sale, by the whole pie or slice, as will homemade peach ice cream. If none of the above sounds good, The Burger Barn is great for lunch (and breakfast when they offer it) along with the gift and fudge shops.

This road trip is highly recommended for the entire family. There are dirt roads to get there, so be prepared to wear comfy clothes and shoes. But you won’t regret the day and will make it a yearly trip as we do.

Apple Annie’s
Hours: Open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; will close for the season Oct. 31.
Apple Annie’s Orchard: 2081 W. Hardy Road, Willcox, AZ 85643; (520) 384-2084
Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkins: 6405 W. Williams Road, Willcox, AZ 85643; (520) 384-4685
Directions: To get to the Fall Festival, take Interstate 10 to Willcox, exit 340. Turn west on Fort Grant Road and travel 11.5 miles to the Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkins sign; turn left on Williams Road, then turn left into the farm. Your drive time should be no more than three hours to get to the patch.

Inside Arizona: Kokopelli Krush

2009-10-18T17:09:00.001-07:00

Have you been thinking about a weekend of fun and activities that surround you with great company, food and wine? I encourage you to come out and taste, cheer, laugh and get great pictures of these two local and regional wine events that are sure to please.
Arizona’s largest and most decorated winery, Kokopelli Winery in Chandler, will host the biggest event in its Krush history — the eighth annual Kokopelli Krush, voted one of the top 10 things to do in the Valley.
The Krush will take place Friday through Oct. 25 and will include the now famous “Krush competition” for teams of two to win great prizes ranging from wine to trips.
The event will feature live jazz, reggae and blues all weekend, as well as great food and award-winning wine. Kokopelli Winery is a local, family-owned winery and restaurant celebrating its 15th year in operation and produces more than 20 wines, which collectively have won more than 65 medals to date. Kokopelli wine is distributed in more than 400 retail outlets across the state.
Bigger and better than ever, Krush ’09 will be the central focus of historic downtown Chandler next weekend.
Sponsors will display their wares, local arts and crafts will be exhibited, travel companies will be on hand, and kids can play in an inflatable play area.
The Krush begins Friday and runs from 5 p.m. to midnight. There will be two Krush heats on Friday: 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; and on Saturday three heats: 1:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
On Sunday, there will be one heat at 1 p.m., and then the finalists from each day will compete for the grand prize. Registration for the Krush is $20 per team and can be done in advance or the day of the event. At a $10 cost, tastings include a Kokopelli Krush commemorative glass, six tasting tickets and $2 off every bottle of Kokopelli wine purchased.
If you can’t Krush, starting today through Nov. 1, The Wine, Wolves & Witches private four-hour exclusive tasting tour, arranged and presented by White Tie Sedona Events, is a great way to enjoy a wonderful day out of town and enjoy the red rocks of Sedona.
The tasting tour begins at 11:30 a.m. and features Alcantara Vineyards and Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery. Alcantara’s beautiful Tuscan-style farmhouse is perched on 86 acres of vineyard and is your destination for tasting with the wine goddess.
Lunch is included and prepared, paired with Alcantara wines by Red’s Restaurant executive chef Ron Moler.
Your next vineyard tour is Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery with winemaker Rod Snapp.
Javelina Leap is a 10-acre estate vineyard with a tasting room that was designed after an old Jerome saloon and overlooks the lush greenbelt of Oak Creek.
Dessert is included, prepared and paired with Javelina Leap wines, again by Red’s Restaurant executive chef Ron Moler.
Keeping up with the spirit that food and wine provide as a complement to travel, please be respectful of the fun that comes with these events and drive responsibly.
I look forward to seeing you out and about at these wonderful events.

Inside Arizona: Adventures Await In Night Sky

2009-10-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Did you know Arizona enjoys more clear sunny days and starry nights than any other state in the nation? The remarkably transparent air of Arizona offers 100-plus miles of visibility by day and world-class views of the stars and beyond at night. In Arizona, we have access to another outdoor adventure, stargazing and galaxy and universe chasing!
You might be surprised to learn you don’t need a telescope in order to explore the wonders of the night sky. Of course, there are many deepsky objects that can only be seen through a telescope, but binoculars are ideal for learning your way around as you take your first steps in astronomy. By encouraging a wide view rather than a narrow focus on individual objects, binoculars help you make sense of the seemingly impossible jumble of stars, until soon the constellations become familiar signposts and navigational aides. It was by using binoculars that I rst to
the fascination of exploring the stars. What was just a fairly uninteresting and dull — to my mind — patch of sky exploded into brilliance when I looked at it through binoculars. I was amazed at what I could see! An incredible number of stars suddenly filled the sky. You can also see craters, seas and mountains on the moon.
Even more impressive, I discovered that nebulae and galaxies are actually visible without a telescope! One of the wondrous objects of the fall sky is the Orion Nebula. The constellation of Orion is prominent in the eastern sky in the evening, and the three stars that make up his “sword” are easy to spot. However, the middle “star” is actually not a star at all, but a gaseous “star factory,” a nebula. Binoculars will clearly reveal thousands of newly born stars and the remnants of their birth.
How to get started with binocular astronomy? Binoculars come in many styles, sizes, powers, field widths and prices. Your local astronomy shop will not only have a suitable selection but will often let you “test drive” prospective binoculars. Considerations include image quality, field of view and power of magnification. Stars should be clear and sharply defined with both barrels perfectly aligned so that you see a single bright image with no overlapping.
Some binoculars come with an extra wide field of view; these are excellent for constellation hunting, as the whole pattern of stars can be seen at once. In choosing the power of magnification, it’s important to remember that the higher the power, the more difficult it is to hold the binoculars steady against the natural tremor of your hands or gusts of wind. A magnification of 7x or 8x is easily managed. Binoculars can come as high as 25x; anything over 10x should be set upon a tripod. Armed with your binoculars, you are now set to learn your way around the night sky.
Two world-class observatories I would recommend for everyone to start their new hobby are Kitt Peak Observatory southeast of Tucson, which offers a nightly observing program that provides a great orientation as well as viewing many exciting objects through the 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, which also provides stargazing workshops weekly.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab those binoculars and head outside to enjoy the beautiful fall sky.

Inside Arizona: Fall full of music, art, history, festivals

2009-10-05T19:37:00.001-07:00

Every weekend in the fall, festivals and events take place all around this great state, with the chance of getting rained-out almost none. Our sunny skies put everyone in a cheery mood and ready to enjoy the fun.

Experience our cowboy and Indian heritage through rodeos, powwows, gunfight re-enactments and cowboy poetry gatherings. Look for gifts, souvenirs or home decor at art festivals showcasing works in every media and style. Arizona is known for its myriad gem shows, specialty birding and nature festivals, bluegrass music, and much more. Here are three events you won’t want to miss.

Tucson Celtic Festival

(520) 807-9509; www.tucsoncelticfestival.org

Come and see what a Celtic Festival and Highland Games is all about, Nov. 7-8, at Rillito Park Raceway, First Avenue and River Road.

Tap your toes as Highland Dancers and Irish Stepdancers strut their stuff. Be amazed as the Games’ athletes toss the caber — flipping a log up to 18 feet in length. Enjoy great food and browse the shops for unusual Celtic gifts.

Plan to stay late on Saturday night for A Celtic Tribal Celebration with Brother, the legendary powerhouse Trio, plus the fire-dancing mystique of Elemental Artistry. The Village Pub and shops will be open.

Enjoy pipes and drums, a sheepherding demonstration, and outstanding musical entertainment. Urchins Corner boasts a life-sized board game, Quest at the Castle Keep, plus a petting zoo and jumping castles.

The festival kicks off Friday evening with The Feast of Tara Dinner, Torchlight Clan Ceremony and a Ceilidh — Gaelic for party. Dinner reservations are required by Oct. 28.

Hours are Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 at the gate for adults, $9 for seniors (65-plus) and military (with ID), $5 for youth 6 to 15, with children younger than 6 admitted for free.

Holy Trinity Monastery’s Festival of the Arts

(520) 720-4642

For more than 25 years, Holy Trinity Monastery has gathered artists, craftsmen and entertainers for their annual Festival of the Arts.

Come along on Nov. 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The beauty of the fall colors adds to this outdoor experience. More than 160 participants offer a wide variety of items. In addition, the monastery bookstore, thrift store, bakery booth and used-book kiosk are popular with shoppers.

Don’t miss the Benedictine Bread, tamales and pies. Entertainers include the popular Tongan singers and dancers, The Arthritis Brothers String Band, and many others.

The festival is noted for delicious food served sit-down style, including barbecue beef dinners, Italian fare, salads, and hamburgers and hot dogs. New this year, the first raffle prize is a week’s stay at a timeshare in Orlando, Fla. There are also cash prizes of $500 and two for $250.

Masses will be on Saturday at 5 p.m. with the Schmidt Family, Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with the Tongan Choir and at noon with the Holy Trinity Music Ministry.

Holy Trinity Monastery is between Benson and Tombstone, two miles south of St. David on state Highway 80 between milepost 302 and 303.

Tombstone’s Helldorado Days

www.tombstonechamber.com or www.helldoradodays.com

“The town too tough to die,” Tombstone is an icon in the chronicles of the American West. Thanks to movies and TV, Tombstone will be forever known for the famous “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.” There’s more, though, than Wyatt Earp and his posse.

Tombstone has been a living, breathing town for 130 years, and its history began with the discovery of silver by Ed Schieffelin in 1877. Tombstone was a mining town and a very rich one at that. In the early years, its only rival for sophistication was San Francisco.

By 1883, there were five ice cream parlors, fresh seafood delivered every day, the baseball club played in the infield of the racetrack, telephones had been installed, and the first swimming pool in Arizona was built at the end of Fifth Street.

Tombstone, one of the first National Historic Landmarks, today hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, drawn by history and legend.

Come celebrate the oldest continuous event in Tombstone: Helldorado Days, Oct. 16-18. Helldorado, full of re-enactments, skits and gunfights in the streets, will be Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday from 11 a.m. on features a parade and walkdown with continuous street entertainment until 4 p.m., when the black powder pistol raffle will be drawn.

Inside Arizona: Celebrate Willcox’s Rex Allen Days

2009-09-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

“If you have ever or never enjoyed the charm of an annual small-town celebration, we have a classic example for all ages right here in Willcox, original home of a famous singing cowboy,” said Rex Allen Days committee president Peggy Judd.

“Join us, as we 'Cowboy through it all’ during the 58th Annual Rex Allen Days, held this year (Thursday through Sunday).”

A carnival is offered all four days of the celebration, while a country fair with food booths, souvenirs, mariachi dancers and the Ronald McDonald magic show will be featured Friday through Sunday.

“It gets better every year, though we have no idea how or why,” said Rex Allen Jr.

Former TV star Bob Hoy said, “You know, I love coming to Willcox. It’s like coming home because everyone here makes you feel so welcome.”

The Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame will induct four new cowboys into the hall on Thursday night. Keith Klump, 70, of Bowie, Jack Tunks, 68, of Benson, Jim Self, 65, of St. David, and Larry Moore, 64, of Elfrida, all now call Willcox their home and will be honored in the Cowboy Hall to kick off this year’s Rex Allen Days weekend.

The Rex Allen Days Rodeo is a Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo event held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Fans sit so close you can smell the bull’s breath during the spectacular bull-riding finales both days.

Other rodeo events include bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, calf roping, breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing.

Willcox produces some of the finest amateur rodeo competitors in the state and they’ll get a chance to compete with the pros during the local events, which start at 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

The annual parade runs through downtown at 10 a.m. Saturday and will feature the theme “Cowboy Through It All.”

Well-known cowboys, politicians and entertainers love to join in the parade of tractors, marching bands and rodeo queens.

Kids bring out their competitive nature by entering their unique desert pets in the annual Orlando B. Willcox turtle race at noon on Saturday. The event features heats and a final crawl to the finish line for the championship in an event that is in its 27th year.

Tractor pulls, car shows, softball and golf tournaments also highlight the weekend for spectators and participants alike.

The stage show features Rex Allen, Jr. and sons, saluting their patriarch and the last of the silver screen’s singing cowboys, Rex Allen, Sr. This professional show is the backbone to a remarkable weekend and shows run at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Rex Allen, Sr. grew up in Willcox playing his guitar and singing at local functions, said Peta Anne-Tenney, who publishes the Rex Allen Days magazine. When singing cowboys Roy Rogers and Gene Autry were very much in Vogue, she said, Republic Pictures in Hollywood discovered Allen in 1949 and cast him in 19 movies in the leading role, with his horse Koko and comic relief sidekicks like Slim Pickens and Buddy Ebsen. He has the distinction of making the last singing western in 1954.

Allen was gifted with a rich, pleasant voice, leading him to write and record many of the songs featured in his own films and creating a “side” job as narrator for the popular Disney wildlife films and TV shows in the 1960s. He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983.

His music is heard daily on historic Railroad Avenue in downtown Willcox, and his films will be revived again at the local twin theaters this weekend during the Rex Allen Film Festival. The Rex Allen Museum also memorializes his talent by hosting their 11th Annual Western Music and Cowboy Poetry Festival on Friday and Saturday.

“The stars think this is most hospitable and wonderful town they can come to,” said museum director Delcie Schultz.

The museum will celebrate its 20th year of displaying the Hollywood memorabilia of Rex Allen, Sr. with a wine and cheese reception Friday at 6 p.m. in the local community center.

Many of the entertainers enjoy the weekend so much, they hang around on Sunday morning to mingle with the crowd during the cowboy church and chuckwagon breakfast from 8-10 a.m.

“They think Willcox is a wonderful, wonderful place,” said Schultz.

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative and the City of Willcox co-sponsor the celebration at exit 340 off of I-10 in southeastern Arizona.

Visit rexallendays.org for more information.

Tickets for the rodeo, stage shows and Hall of Fame dinner are still available by calling the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at (520) 384-2272.

Willcox and the Rex Allen Days are an Arizona cowboy legacy. I would recommend a trip back in time with this Arizona legend and his hometown on display for your enjoyment.

Inside Arizona: Tortilla Flat Is Timeless Fun

2009-09-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

Arizona is home to hundreds of interesting destinations, from scenic stops to tour shops. But perhaps just as exciting as the destination is the journey to get there. One of the most popular drives is the scenic day trip up to Tortilla Flat, northeast of the East Valley.

Neither flood nor fire could bring down this town, nestled in the Superstition Mountains and settled in 1904 as a stagecoach stop. It is seemingly untouched by time.

The small community of six people is charming enough to draw in its own crowds, but the curvy mountain roads are the main attraction for Arizona tourists.

One suggested route for the best views is to start from the intersection of Brown and Crismon roads in Mesa, accessible from U.S. 60, and head north, or from the Loop 202 Higley exit, heading south to Brown Road. By taking Brown Road east, it eventually turns into Lost Dutchman Road, where you can indulge in the spectacular views of the Superstition Mountains.

Once you hit Apache Trail/state Route 88, follow it northeast.

This road will take you through the Superstition Mountains, a ghost town named Goldfield and into the Tonto National Forest. Here is where the fun begins, as the 11-mile road has more than 130 twists and turns. Take some time to enjoy all of the different visual splendors, including Canyon Lake.

Soon you will see the signs guiding you to your destination, Tortilla Flat. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy the various wildlife that come through. Tarantulas are often out around sunset at Tortilla Flat when the crowds aren’t around and it’s warm out; hawks can often be seen riding the currents above the mountains that surround Tortilla Flat .

Day trippers can refuel at the Tortilla Flat Restaurant that serves Old West breakfasts, appetizers, burgers with “Killer Chili” and cold drinks. Mosey on down the boardwalk and visit the Superstition Saloon, where real saddles serve as bar stools where you can enjoy a cold brew or sarsaparilla. The unique wallpaper is a collection of real dollar bills from visitors worldwide.

The round trip is roughly three hours to and from the East Valley and can be enjoyed by anyone. The breathtaking views are also enjoyed by car interest groups, outdoor adventure seekers and everyday folks looking to escape city life for a day.

Enjoy this road trip by car or motorcycle; just don’t miss out on the fun this fall with a trip out to Tortilla Flat.

Inside Arizona: Enjoy a spa day over the holiday weekend

2009-09-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

If you need a little indulgence and pampering this Labor Day weekend, you couldn’t choose a better spot than the Grand Canyon State for this relaxing and rewarding activity. Day spas, destination spas and resort spas all offer affordable options for a personal reinvestment in your body, mind and spirit.
Arizona is home to spas that offer treatments inspired by Asian and European cultures, as well as unique body wraps, scrubs and therapies inspired by the state’s Native American culture. Set in stunning backdrops, these treatments will soothe your mind and rejuvenate your soul. After a respite at one of the various around the state you’re sure to feel relaxed and ready to take on the world!
A simple way to treat yourself is with a visit to a day spa. Day spas provide beauty, health and therapeutic treatments, including soothing massages, beautifying facials and rejuvenating body wraps. Treatments can be started and completed in a single session and provide a restorative break from your everyday routine.
Arizona’s destination spas provide the ultimate spa experience with an entire program of treatments laid out over the course of a few days. These renowned spas provide guests with structured, personalized programs that are a blend of wellness education, physical fitness, healthful cuisine and relaxing spa services.
Resort spas provide a myriad of spa services, recreational activities and amenities for a weekend getaway or an extended retreat. Guests are offered activities such as golf, tennis, horseback riding, skiing or water sports, and renewing spa experiences. Resort spas are a perfect way to spend a day trip here in town. Here are a couple of local locations.
Amansala Spa: Enjoy the best of spa and fitness at Amansala Spa/Salon at Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center. You may arrange spa appointments and activities by calling (480) 596-7555. Ask about the Serenity Spa Package, which includes a $100 credit toward spa services and treatments with the purchase of deluxe overnight accommodations at the resort.
Jurlique Spa — FireSky Resort: At Jurlique Spa in Old Town Scottsdale, the philosophy focuses on restoring the elements of energy and healing from within, and remembering that outer beauty and inner health go hand in hand. Jurlique is dedicated to helping you discover the key elements of overall well-being — sound nutrition, regular exercise, peace of mind and care of the face and body. Jurlique Spa is offering its de-stress for less treatments through the end of September. Those who retreat to the spa on a Wednesday or a Sunday morning can enjoy a complimentary yoga session. To make reservations, call (480) 424-6072.

Inside Arizona: Explore Indian Heritage at Navajo Nation Fair

2009-08-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Navajo Nation is celebrating with a fair and rodeo Sept. 6-13 in Window Rock. The fair is an Arizona and Native American tradition, with a mission “to preserve and promote pride in the Navajo heritage and culture for the benefit of the Navajo Nation.”

The Navajo Nation Fair, in its 63rd year, is the largest American Indian fair and rodeo in the Southwest, with an average daily attendance of 10,000 to 15,000 visitors. It starts each year after Labor Day weekend and ends the following Sunday. This year’s fair will consist of 20-plus coordinated events, including an Indian rodeo, wild horse race, Navajo song and dance, powwow, Bucky Covington concert, champion bull riding, fine arts and crafts, Miss Navajo competition, Ashkii happy kids day, children’s exceptional rodeo, James & Ernie comedy show, basketball tournament, baby contest, horticulture exhibit, livestock show, 4-H competition, hip-hop dance and concert, parade and carnival.

The Navajo Nation Fair was established in 1938 to stimulate livestock improvements and management through exhibits for the Navajo people.
This year’s theme is “Yesterday’s artisan, for the future generation.” The fair has become a world-renowned event that showcases Navajo agriculture and fine arts and crafts. It aims to promote and preserve the Navajo heritage by providing cultural entertainment. The fair offers a unique cultural setting for all visitors, one of the few fairs at which you can experience the Navajo culture, tradition and food all in one place. For this reason, the Navajo Nation Fair receives many visitors from afar, especially professional photographers and travel writers from all over the world. The visitors have a good opportunity to experience local foods. It is also a great place to shop for Native American jewelry and apparel made by local artists.

Country music artist Bucky Covington will perform at 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 11. Covington made it to the final eight during the 2006 season of the television show “American Idol.” The 29-year-old North Carolina singer’s debut single, “A Different World,” has him on the country charts and airwaves.
The rodeo and concert admission is $15 for children and seniors and $20 for adults. The Indian rodeo will showcase some of the most talented cowboys in the Southwest.

In the Miss Navajo competition, the contestants are evaluated on their traditional and contemporary skills. Some of the demonstrations include butchery, corn grinding, being fluent in the Navajo language and rug weaving. Once crowned, the winner will serve as an ambassador of the Navajo Nation and carry out duties that help Navajo communities with education and leadership.

On Saturday night, dancers from other tribes perform for thousands of spectators. These performers include Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Aztec and Apache Crown Dancers. The performance includes singing and dancing from most Southwestern tribes.
The Navajo Nation Fair and its events can provide you with a great itinerary to include in your next exploration of Arizona. For information, visit www.navajo nationfair.com.

Inside Arizona: Take A Scenic Trip Through Sedona

2009-08-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

Sedona is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Southwest. Known for its magnificent views and glowing rock towers, it draws those seeking relaxation or adventure, wellness or the arts.

The uniqueness of Sedona is that nearly everyone can experience their passion in this small but extraordinary town.

When a destination like this is a two-hour drive from our homes, we have no excuses to not pack up the car for a day trip or a stay over in the Sedona area.

Here are some of my suggestions for outdoor family fun in the Sedona area.

Nature is at its best in Oak Creek Canyon, one of the state’s biggest attractions and a flowing waterway that runs through Sedona. The canyon’s vibrant colors, lush greenery and clear waters draw anglers and hikers, artists and sightseers. If you wish, you can view the gorgeous scenery from the seat of a car by driving the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road — state Route 89A — which heads toward Flagstaff with elevation ranging from 4,500 feet to 7,000 feet.

Two state parks provide wonderful outdoor recreation as well.

Red Rock State Park is a riparian habitat lush with plants and wildlife and a five-mile network of interconnecting hiking trails.

The Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Information Center can give you current information about the trails in the area.

Red Rock State Park is framed by the majestic red rocks of Sedona and surrounded by native vegetation. It provides the ideal location for nature study, hiking, picnicking and bird-watching. Trails throughout the park wind through manzanita and juniper to reach the banks of Oak Creek. The creek wanders through the park, creating a diverse riparian habitat that is plentiful with plants and wildlife.

Red Rock State Park opened to the public in 1991 to serve as an Environmental Education Center. Facilities include an elaborate visitors center, a classroom, theater and gift shop.

The park offers moonlight hikes, guided bird walks and slide and video programs.

In Slide Rock State Park, Oak Creek’s water flow has created a natural, curving water slide the whole family will enjoy. It is the location of the Pedley Homestead and apple orchard.

Don’t miss the upcoming Slide Rock Apple Festival on Sept. 19-20. The theme this year is “What’s Old is New Again,” celebrating the agriculture and farming history of the area.

There will be homemade arts and crafts, live bands, kids’ activities, apple products and interpretive programming.

Admission is the park fee of $8 per vehicle.

Other opportunities for fun and adventure under the gaze of red rocks include mountain biking, ATV rides, camping, horseback rides and jeep tours.

For more information, call (928) 203-2900 or visit www.redrockcountry.org

Inside Arizona: Numerous destinations for pet-friendly travel

2009-08-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

Heading north this summer? Are you always trying to find a place to stay with your puppy but struggle at the end of the day’s journey, sneaking your best friend in the back door?

I know this comes as a surprise, but your pet is not always welcome at lodging establishments. But from Sedona to the White Mountains and up to the Grand Canyon, numerous pet-friendly establishments can make it easy to enjoy a cool summer getaway without having to leave your furry friend behind.

El Portal, a boutique inn located in majestic Sedona, is not only pet-friendly but also encourages you to come with your dogs the next time you visit.

El Portal is offering a great incentive program this August : stay one weeknight and get the second night for free when you book your stay with your pet. El Portal is a nonsmoking, adobe-style, upscale hotel that was recognized as one of America’s finest hotels by Harper’s Hideaway.

By way of their lifetime involvement in the pet food and care industry, El Portal owners Steve and Connie Segner are committed to making a memorable experience for both you and your pet. Your pet will have his or her own bed and special treat basket, and you can request special feeding requirements.

The Best Western Paint Pony Lodge in Show Low welcomes doggie guests with no size restrictions and an affordable $10 per pet, per night fee (two pets maximum). There is a dog park only a 5-minute walk away (within Show Low City Park) divided into two sections: one for smaller, shyer dogs and the other for larger, more boisterous dogs.

The Silver Creek Rodeway Inn located in Taylor also has no size restrictions. Their fee is $15 per night with a limit of two pets per room and a $50 deposit. Folks will appreciate the free full breakfast offered at this hotel.

Reed’s Lodge in Springerville is very pet-friendly! Owners Roxanne and Galyn enjoy meeting their pet visitors. They provide doggy treats and charge no pet deposits or fees. There are no size restrictions either. The lodge has a designated dog walk area, and next to the motel there’s a large, fenced-in grassy area that allows dogs to run and play.

The Econo Lodge in Winslow is economical for dog owners — a $5 fee no matter how many pets or how long the stay. There are also no size restrictions. You will see that this property is very pet-friendly as the manager’s dog is always on duty with her.

The family-owned and -operated Grand Canyon Red Feather Lodge is located only one mile from the south entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. Pets are welcome in the motel section of the property with a $50 refundable deposit and a fee of $10 per day, per pet, with no size restrictions. Note that pets may not be left unattended.

When traveling with your pets, you can now look at them as welcome guests by using these lodging accommodations the next time you travel Inside Arizona!

Inside Arizona: Round em' Up for worlds oldest continuos rodeo

2009-08-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

The 125th annual World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo takes place in Payson from Friday through Sunday. This Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo continues the tradition of cowboys, horses and cranky bulls.
In the beginning, during the 1800s, Payson was mostly a flat, grassy spot where cowboys could gather up their scattered, near-wild herds during the fall roundups and prepare to drive them down to Phoenix or to the railroad line in Winslow.
Naturally enough, the cowboys spent a lot of time boasting and then staging impromptu contests to both establish bragging rights and win enough money to have some fun during their time off. So began the August Doin’s, and 125 years later we celebrate the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo.
This rodeo gets you “up close and personal” with the cowboys, the livestock and the traditions of rodeo. There are a huge variety of vendors selling food and cowboy clothing, hats and western items. The “mutton bustin’” for kids gives a child the chance to ride a real sheep, with the crowd going wild.
The annual rodeo parade will return to its roots and be held on Payson’s historic Main Street, beginning at Green Valley Park and ending at Sawmill Crossing. Phoenix Suns broadcaster Al McCoy will be the main announcer for the parade. Assistant coach Dan Majerle and broadcaster and Tim Kempton, both former Suns players, will be special ambassadors for this year’s parade.
The color pink is not something you would associate with the tough sport of rodeo, however, breast cancer has touched the lives of many rodeo families. The 125th annual World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo has designated the 7 p.m. performance on Friday as the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” event. Anyone wearing pink to the performance will generate a $1 donation to Payson’s Healthy Woman Program. Pink items will be on sale to benefit breast cancer research and the Healthy Woman Program.
The rodeo parade will feature riders, floats, classic cars, tractors, bands, cowboys, cowgirls and lots of surprises. The parade will end at the lush, cool, relaxing Green Valley Park, where you can sit by the lakes, do a little fishing or just stroll with the geese and ducks. While at the park you can swing by the Zane Grey Museum and take the historical tour of this Arizona homesteader and poet’s home, the inspiration for several cowboy tales of the Old West.
All of this is less than a tank of gas away. Leave from the Valley by taking state Route 87 out of town and go join in the entertainment and cowboy spirit at the cool mountain town of Payson.
Rodeo schedule
Friday
• “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” benefit for breast cancer research
• First performance, World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, 7 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.)
Saturday
• Second performance, World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, 1 p.m. (gates open at 11 a.m.)
• Third performance, World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, 7 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.)
Sunday
• Fourth performance, World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, 1 p.m. (gates open at 11 a.m.)
Ticket prices
Preferred seating: $22 online Adults: $14.50 online, $18 at the gate Seniors: $12 at the gate Children (ages 5-12): $7 at the gate Under 5: Free

Inside Arizona: Lake Mead Houseboating

2009-08-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

When Arizonans mention lakes, the ones that jump to mind are Havasu, Saguaro and Powell. So it wasn’t surprising that when friends and co-workers heard about my upcoming houseboating adventure, the majority assumed Lake Powell. But I was headed to Arizona’s other “great lake”: Lake Mead.

Lake Mead Recreation Area, on Arizona’s northwestern border, offers hiking, camping and spectacular lakeside views.

I was, however, determined to experience the lake close up and decided the way to do that is by houseboat.

Having never houseboated before, I did my research. Forever Resorts operates the only marina on the Arizona side of the border, Temple Bar Marina, which has a variety of boats, including luxury houseboats for rent.

A co-worker compared it to being in an RV on the water. My version of camping includes a tent and mountain bike, so the RV comparison didn’t offer a lot of insight.

I often travel by myself, but this was a trip to share. I put my list together, inviting friends to join me on the boat. My anticipation grew, and when my packet from Temple Bar Marina arrived, I tore into it with the enthusiasm of a kid tearing into a birthday present.

After an easy and scenic drive though Wickenburg and Kingman, I found myself headed toward Hoover Dam and Las Vegas. This trip was destined for relaxation, fun and sun, not the frenetic pace of Vegas. Rounding the bend at Temple Bar Road, the lake came into view, shining in the desert.

Temple Bar Marina is named for the massive Temple Bar rock formation across the water. Upon arrival at the marina, I met up with friends who had already checked in to the marina’s comfortable hotel rooms.

I arrived at sunset, but the staff at Temple Bar had my boat waiting for me, a 59-foot Deluxe Houseboat. The houseboat was more spacious and comfortable than I could have imagined; it was more like a floating hotel suite with a full kitchen than an RV.

After seeing how nice it was, my friends opted to sleep on the boat rather than in their hotel rooms at the marina. The six of us slept comfortably with plenty of space.

The next morning, we received our orientation from Sara, a member of the marina staff. After she provided us with our training — a good mix of important safety points, common sense and some tips on how to maximize our fun — we were under way.

Being on the water provided a whole new view of the beauty that is Mead. Powerful rock formations sat between a huge blue sky and the glistening lake. Small coves with unusual names like “The Jawbone” and “Burro Bay” peeked out between the rocks, waiting to be explored. My “crew” and I (accepting the title of “captain” is surprisingly easy) were astounded as we went through a channel known as “The Narrows.” Sheer cliff walls towered over us as we navigated easily through.

Houseboating is a unique travel experience. Your transport and your lodging are one in the same. Cruising on the open water, there is no “When are we going to get there?” You are “there.” The question now is “Where do we want to go?” With no time constraints and the level of comfort, the pace on the boat slows to a very relaxed speed. The boat itself cruises along on a steady clip and requires the same level of skill to drive as automatic transmission.

The change in pace was evident in the demeanor of my friends as we rolled along, enjoying the sun and breeze. After the initial excitement of getting unpacked and learning our way around the boat, we began to settle in, tanning, reading and relaxing. We enjoyed great weather: It never got too hot, and those who wanted to cool down simply went inside to the air-conditioned main cabin.

The first day out, we found a secluded cove for lunch. Grilling our burgers on deck, as the boat was up on a sandy beach, sheer rock walls surrounding us, was a memorable part of the trip. Swimming and sliding off the boat’s water slide cooled everyone down. A quick hike into the desert was as easy as stepping off the bow.

Wildlife abounded, fish were jumping and swam under our boat, leading some to lament fishing rods left home. Huge birds swooped into the canyons. One night as we prepared dinner at dusk, two massive bighorn sheep came down just across the cove from us to get a drink.

In the evening, we would find a beaching spot and secure the boat. Settling in allowed for good conversation as night fell. We experienced the same type of camaraderie that camping provides, with a much higher level of comfort.

What was noticeable through the trip was the quiet. Several times, we marveled at the exceptional stillness of the lake. The night sky exploded into countless stars, and they glistened off the mirrored water. I was amazed to think this calm and quiet was being experienced less than 75 miles from Las Vegas.

On the last morning, the tone was subdued as my friends packed up, most likely thinking of the responsibilities waiting for them at home and work. On the trip back to Temple Bar Marina, the lake was virtually empty and amazingly calm.

Handing the boat over to Bob, the dockmaster at the marina, and watching my “crew” unload the boat that had been our vacation home, I realized my time as “captain” was over. I felt refreshed from a highly relaxing getaway and the amazing sights of Arizona’s other “great lake.”

Inside Arizona: Summer heats up Scottsdale arts and culture

2009-07-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

Like the colorful threads of a Navajo rug, Scottsdale is an intricate melding of past and present. The rich, vibrant cultures of the Native Americans have blended with those from Mexico and the Old West to create the center of life in Scottsdale today.

The magnificent beauty of the Sonoran desert, Scottsdale's neighbor to the northeast, make it an outdoor adventure destination. From a breakfast trail ride into the McDowell foothills, to a refreshing rafting adventure on the Salt or Verde rivers, you can find yourself stimulated with outdoor fun all day.

I enjoy those outdoor adventures, but sometimes I want to explore the arts and culture, and Scottsdale has tons to offer.

Today, Scottsdale is a premier cultural and entertainment tourist destination. I enjoy it most on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when the streets in Old Town Scottsdale are usually filled with walking traffic after 10 p.m. Here, the streets, stores and art galleries evoke the old cowboy era. But it's not home to just Western-themed art. Scottsdale is also home to many nationally known contemporary art galleries.

Scottsdale has a long history of commitment and dedication to the arts. Grants and gifts from individuals and organizations, including Scottsdale school children, funded the first public art pieces in Scottsdale. The results are seen throughout the city in parks, public buildings and streetscapes.

A dramatic "Night Lights on the Desert" tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Arizona home in Scottsdale is a special ongoing event through October at Taliesin West. -In the evening, the site, considered one of Wright's greatest masterpieces, assumes a luminous, jewel-like quality, with a carpet of city lights spread out below. The dramatic masonry structures, lighted from within, appear as lanterns in the landscape.

The two-hour twilight tour is offered twice on Thursdays and Fridays, starting at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The entrance to Taliesin West is located at the intersection of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard (114th Street) and Cactus Road in Scottsdale.

The tour costs $43 per person and there are discounts for seniors, students and active military.

For Night Lights on the Desert reservations, call (480) 860-2700 ext. 494.

I know that the heat is on, but I have two other recommendations for you while visiting Scottsdale and its arts commununity in the summer.

First, I would recommend traveling around town in cool comfort on the downtown trolley. All trolleys are equipped with air conditioning systems and I found them to be a great way to get around the Old Town arts district in the evening.

After window shopping and people watching all night, you'll be looking for a cool, comfortable place to stay that offers oversized outdoor pools and a cool lush landscaped courtyard to relax in.

The FireSky Resort & Spa is the place for you. Nature's fundamental elements are elegantly evoked at FireSky Resort & Spa. When I entered FireSky's gardens, I stepped into an oasis in the desert, surrounded by what seemed to be a swimming lagoon with sandy beaches. From the poolside patio with dining tables, cabanas and fire pits, I enjoyed the end of a great day of Scottsdale exploration.

Also, FireSky has a great summer playground package for the whole family to enjoy, which includes summer pricing at Jurlique Spa, free ice pops in the lobby each afternoon, wine hour, Nintendo Wii gaming for the kids, free luggage tags, and pet-friendly accommodations with Bosco the chocolate cocker spaniel serving as the director of pet relations and welcoming guests and fellow creatures.

Call (480) 945-7666 to get more information on these hot summer specials at FireSky Resort and Spa through early September.

With more than 125 galleries, studios, museums, and performing arts venues, Scottsdale shines as an internationally renowned art center. Scottsdale has just about any attraction or activity that may appeal to your sense of curiosity or quest for excitement.

Inside Arizona: Safford Is Perfect For A Weekend Away

2009-07-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

There is no better way to expand on your family's summer travels than a trip to Graham County and its capital of Safford.

The small-town atmosphere is perfect for a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the Valley. Friendliness, more than 4 million acres of national forest and protected wilderness lands, pristine high-desert beauty, the lush Gila Valley, and towering pines on Mount Graham invite you to come play.

Graham County is filled with many things to do in its terrific little communities and has some of the most beautiful scenic terrain in the Southwest. It's no wonder first-time visitors frequently come back. A lot of people have a notion of what "hometown America" is, and that is exactly what you will experience when you walk the streets of downtown Safford, stroll through the town square, and visit with the people you meet on the street. As a matter of fact, it's like that in all the Graham County communities - just plain friendly folks.

Foodies will find dining a treat here. Sprinkled through the small Graham County communities are a dozen Mexican restaurants, a family-owned tortilla factory and a lady who grows chilies, and they all joined together to make up the Salsa Trail. In a world where change seems constant, the constant on the Salsa Trail is good food and consistency of service that spans decades.

There is also tons to do outside in Graham County. Outdoor activities for your family include everything from hiking to museums, and bird watching to mountain biking.

For fishing, swimming and camping, take the family to Roper Lake State Park.

Try tubing or rafting down the Gila River or a long, relaxing soak in the hot springs and mineral baths around the county.

Head to the Black Hills Backcountry Byway for biking, birding, fishing or wildlife viewing.

Rock hounds love the Round Mountain Rockhound and Black Hills Rockhound areas.

Hiking trails and campgrounds are available throughout the Coronado and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The Aravaipa, Fishhooks, Santa Teresa and Galiuro Wilderness areas await for the truly adventuresome to explore.

If you are looking for an authentic Southwestern adventure, saddle up a horse and head for the backcountry. Off-road vehicle enthusiasts of all skill levels can ride rolling sand dunes at Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area. The 2,000-acre area has been designated open to all types of vehicles, including sand rails, ATVs, motorbikes and four-wheel-drive trucks.

Play a round of golf, go bowling, take a drive along the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, or visit local museums.

Escape the daily rigors of life and come to Graham County, where the pace of life is just a little slower. The climate is outstanding, the scenery is awe-inspiring, and the people are friendly. Discover for yourself the charm of Graham County.

Inside Arizona: You Will Dig Fourth of July in Bisbee Arizona

2009-06-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

If you have never celebrated the Fourth of July in Bisbee you have not experienced part of Arizona's rare living history. This small, historic, copper-mining town was celebrating Independence Day long before Arizona became a state and continues to make a mark in history with this event.

Bisbee has a storybook look, with its deep blue sky above and Victorian-era, European-style structures below, colorfully decorating from hilltop to bottom the deep red hills and canyons of the Mule Mountains. The Tombstone Canyon buildings remain little changed from their original form of 100 years ago.

Few small, historic towns have been able to preserve their past while managing to survive economically into the present. If not for the dedication of diverse groups within this community over the years, Bisbee would have become just another ghost town, scavenged beyond repair or recognition.

At over a mile high in elevation, even the hottest summers here include cool breezes, and three-digit temperatures are rare.

A variety of events make Bisbee's Fourth of July unique and popular, drawing thousands of spectators over the years. These include one of the oldest continuous Fourth of July parades in Arizona, the Ruthless Run and B-Hill foot races, the hard rock drilling and mucking mining contests and the famous coaster races for kids.

In 1909 the first race for kids who would build their own coasters went three miles down Tombstone Canyon to the post office. There were originally two boys to a coaster, one being the driver, the other the brakeman. Coasters were built from wagons, roller skates, wheelbarrows, mine wheelbarrows and bicycles, anything that would roll down the bumpy hill.

The coaster race was limited to boys under 18 until after World War II, when grown men began entering, with the coasters becoming bigger and more dangerous. By 1952 coasters reached 1,000 pounds. After a collision of two coasters, resulting in serious injuries, adult coaster racing was banned.

In 1976 men's coaster racing was brought back briefly again with coasters limited to 600 pounds, using pneumatic tires, which thrilled both the riders and the crowds. Coasters reached speeds of more than 60 miles per hour. A fatal accident in 1980 ended the adult races again.

In the 1990s local resident Michael Bednorz helped to bring back the kids coaster races, which now have a 300-pound weight limit, including the rider, and are much safer due to the use of disc brakes.

Bednorz placed 11th in the world championship drilling contest in Carson City, Nev., several years ago. There is great skill involved in the mining contests that, unless witnessed, cannot be really appreciated.

Before the turn of the century miners used hand-held drill steel, which they drove into solid rock with either single-jack (4-pound) hammers, swung with one hand, or double-jack (8-pound) hammers, swung using both hands. Dynamite was then packed into the holes and set off, after which the miners then "mucked" the debris into wheelbarrows for removal with their mucksticks. Miners used their drill steel, with either one man holding the drill and also hammering it with a single-jack hammer or with one man holding the drill and the other using a double-jack hammer, to drill into standardized blocks of granite for a solid 15 minutes.

Today's drilling contest is a single-jack contest - one man, who holds both the drill steel and hammer. The deepest hole drilled in 15 minutes still wins, just like in the original contest.

The mucking contest is also a timed event, with two-man teams of muckers who shovel 500 pounds of crumbled rock into an ore car using square-tipped shovels. The clock stops when the car is declared filled by the judges. The team that fills the ore car in the least amount of time wins.

The Ruthless Run and the B-Hill Run are tough races. The B-Hill run is simple. Just run from the starting point up to the white B on the hill, touch it and run down, hopefully without falling. The Ruthless Run is a race run on Tombstone Canyon and kicks off the other events each year.

In the early 1900s residents hung red, white and blue streamers from every balcony and window on Tombstone Canyon to decorate for the Fourth of July Parade. Participants included the governor, local marshals and sheriffs and included elaborate floats and orators for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The parade was used back then as a tool for teaching about U.S. history and citizenship, since so many early residents came from other countries around the world to work in the copper mines.

Today the parade continues to have political dignitaries, marching bands and pretty girls on floats, continuing a tradition that is more than 120 years old. The population is diverse, and Bisbee still attracts folks from all walks of life and from all over the world to both visit and live here.

Come and enjoy some of the living history of Arizona this Fourth of July in Bisbee.

Inside Arizona: Solar Calendar Celebrates Sun at Petrified Forest

2009-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Solar calendars have been discovered throughout the Southwest, marking the summer and winter solstice and the equinoxes. In Arizona, nowhere is the evidence more visual than at the Petrified Forest National Park outside Holbrook, where solar calendars were used by ancient civilizations to plan their seasons.
Around the world, cultures have been fascinated with the passage of the seasons and the movements of the sun and moon, creating such places as Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, Carnac Stones of France, and Uxmal in the Yucatan. For several thousand years, the prehistoric people of the Southwest have made their own versions of these ancient calendars. Solar calendars are petroglyphs that interact with sunlight and shadow as the sun moves across the sky to mark the passage of the seasons.
Starting today and continuing daily from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. through June 28, the U.S. Forest Rangers at Puerco Pueblo in the Petrified Forest will help visitors watch an ancient solar calendar — which peaks about 9 a.m. each day — as part of the park’s Summer Solstice Celebration.
Puerco Pueblo is located in the middle of the park on the main road, 11 miles from the north entrance. A short paved trail leads through Puerco Pueblo to a boulder featuring a small spiral petroglyph that marks the summer solstice. During the sun’s morning trek, a shaft of light is projected onto the boulder and travels down the side to touch the center of the spiral.
While visiting the forest, you will find that not all plants at the Petrified Forest National Park are fossils. Living plants are critical components within the grassland ecosystem found throughout the park. Plants capture particulate dust in the air, filter gaseous pollutants, convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, provide habitat for animals and supply raw materials for humans.
Plants make use of soil pockets, even those collected within petrified wood pieces. Plants of arid climates have adaptations that enable them to survive the extremes of temperature and precipitation. These adaptations can be grouped into two basic categories: drought escapers and drought resistors.
Drought escapers are plants that take advantage of favorable growing conditions when they exist, but go dormant when those conditions disappear. They are usually annuals, growing only when enough water is available. Seeds produced under good conditions can lie dormant for years if conditions are not favorable for germination. Most grasses and wildflowers are drought escapers.
Drought resistors are typically perennials. They have mechanisms for reducing the damage a drought can cause. For example, some will drop their leaves if water is unavailable. Many have small, hairy leaves that reduce exposure to air currents and solar radiation and thereby limit the amount of water lost to evaporation. Cactuses, yuccas and mosses are examples of drought resistors. Yuccas have extensive taproots that can reach water beyond the ability of other plants. Mosses can tolerate complete dehydration. When rains return after extensive dry periods, mosses green up immediately.
Enjoy this unique Arizona event, highlighting Arizona as a natural playground.

Inside Arizona: Phoenix Attractions Accommodate Disabled

2009-06-14T01:24:00.000-07:00

Traveling in Arizona is about our ability to access the natural theme park we call home. If you or someone you know is challenged by the ability to navigate the beauty of Arizona due to physical limitations, then here are some great activities in our own backyard.

Phoenix has been recognized nationally for its excellent service and accessibility and for programs that facilitate the involvement of people with disabilities. Phoenix Parks and Recreation has a great program called Daring Adventures for people who push chairs, use canes or need accessible travel paths while exploring Arizona.

The program is designed to get everyone up and out and doing something recreational. The Challenge is a four-part recreational walk at four parks in Phoenix that feature accessible trails: South Mountain, Rio Salado, North Mountain and Papago. Contact Loren Worthington at loren85022@gmail.com with questions about the parks.

Another great activity is the Desert Botanical Garden located on the borders of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe next to the Phoenix Zoo and Papago Park, one mile north of Metro light-rail station 19.

The Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to get wheelchair exercise as well. The paths twist and wind for about a mile. And there is a number of good inclines for cardio fun. A few laps will have anybody catching their breath; wheeling or walking this is a great way to get exercise.

For those interested in the desert, you will find cactuses and other plants indigenous to deserts and arid regions spread throughout the park. It is definitely not just plants from the Sonoran Desert. So even to locals, there are plenty of reasons to visit. Probably the best reason to come to Desert Botanical Garden is that it is a relaxing, convenient place to explore the desert. There is plenty of shade, water and concession stands for food and drink. The garden hosts small musical concerts, weddings, and art-related festivals.

As for accessibility, Desert Botanical Garden gets high ratings. There are paved paths and dirt paths. All of the concessions and restrooms are convenient as well. If you are a photographer in a wheelchair constantly wishing you could get at ground level for close-up pictures, this is a great place for you. In a place such as this you are looking at planters that are about 24 inches high with a retaining wall beside the path for great shots. Now you can shoot from "ground level."

Desert Botanical Garden stays open past dark to allow you to experience sunsets and how the desert changes when darkness arrives.

Inside Arizona: Farmers Markets

2009-06-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Staying healthy is part of being an active traveler. How else can we plan energy-packed excursions to enjoy with friends and family like the ones I write about weekly? We need energy.

Today I discuss the fun and food we can enjoy at local farmers markets across the Valley. For generations, the diverse geography of Arizona has allowed its farmers to cultivate a variety of fruits and vegetables. Farmers markets all over the state bring the best of these crops directly to you.

Generally the producers are small local growers or farmers. The typical farming method is pesticide-free or organic. The size of farms range from large backyards to a few hundred acres. Other participants are cottage industry producers of things such as jellies, honeys, baked goods and other food items, and in some markets, arts and crafts.

Come experience the vibrant colors, the smell of freshly harvested produce, the joyful sounds of an outdoor community market and the juicy taste of the season’s finest fruits and vegetables with me. Participants in the following markets are required to be direct producers, family members or agents of producers from Arizona:

• The Scottsdale Old Town Farmers Market has tried something new this year and moved the market underground to the covered parking area below the current site. Starting on Saturday, signs above ground directed shoppers to find the new location at Brown and First Street. Below ground, there’s lighting, ventilating fans and cooling fans to make the experience comfortable. The summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• This summer, the Arizona Community Farmers Markets are co-sponsoring a special Twilight Farmers Market at the Citadelle Plaza at 59th Avenue and Utopia Road in Glendale. The Citadelle caters to independently owned businesses and looks to be a good match for the farmers market. The market will run on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9p.m. for the next eight weeks.

• The Mesa Community Farmers Market, at Center Street just south of University Drive, began its summer hours on May 8 and is currently open 9 a.m. to noon every Friday.

• The Ahwatukee Market, 4700 E. Warner Road in Phoenix, has also begun summer hours, 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

• The Downtown Chandler Farmers Market began summer hours in mid-May and is currently open Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

• The Roadrunner Park Farmers Market, 3502 E. Cactus Road in Phoenix, starts its summer schedule in June and will be open 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday.

• The Town and Country Market, 2021 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix, remains open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Downtown Phoenix Public Market, 721 N. Central Ave., is open two days a week, regardless of weather. It always opens at 8 a.m. Saturdays and closes by noon in the summer. Wednesday nights it is open 4 to 8.

Market tips

Come early: For the best selection of produce, come early in the morning and bring change and small bills for the vendors. Ask the grower what’s new and how do they use their product (any recipes?). Bring your own bags: Some growers recycle shopping bags also. Stay cool: Bring a cooler to keep the produce fresh until it gets home. It’s summer in Arizona so wear cool clothes, a hat and sunscreen. Also bring drinking water.

Inside Arizona: White Mountains' weekends packed with fun

2009-06-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

The White Mountains area and its vibrant communities are not only known for their wonderful seasonal weather and outdoor attractions, they also know how to have a good time. The Mountain - the locals' endearing term - has a strong tradition of hosting festivals of all kinds that celebrate the Native American arts, bluegrass and everything in between.

During the cool summer months, when the rest of the Southwest is battling severe heat, the region attracts visitors to community events virtually each weekend. Most of them are locally produced and include arts and crafts shows, car shows, rodeos, parades and more, as well as local musical entertainment.

The weekends during June, July and August are filled with one show or festival after the other. One popular event that starts off the summer is the three-day Show Low Days Still Cruizin' Car Show, featuring the Friday Night Burger Burn, Ice Cream Social, live music all weekend long and, of course, the Still Cruizin' Car Show.

Summer Concerts in the Park take advantage of the gorgeous evenings, also in Show Low, with shows scheduled throughout the summer, including the White Mountain Showcase and the Knocking the Blues Out of Hunger show, a blues concert and canned food drive.

Art, wine and music in the cool pines ... what could be better? The recreational community Torreon hosts the White Mountain community to a series of outdoor art, wine and music festivals at the Juniper Park complex in Show Low. The Jewell's Fine Art Festival features 40-plus juried artists from across the state, musical entertainment and a wine-tasting opportunity benefiting Summit Healthcare pediatrics department and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

There's no better place in the state of Arizona than the White Mountains to celebrate our country's freedom. Who says you have to sweat to watch fireworks? Independence Day celebrations start a week early with parades, ice cream socials, concerts and fireworks all across the region.

One of the most popular festivals in this part of the state is the annual White Mountain Native American Art Festival. Now in its 22nd year, this festival celebrates the history and culture of the indigenous people of the region. With more than 80 of the Southwest's finest Native American juried artists, demonstrations, performances and Native American foods, this event is perfect for the whole family.

The 19th annual White Mountain Bluegrass Musical Festival is the place to be for bluegrass musicians and enthusiasts alike. This two-day event attracts visitors from far and wide for a terrific lineup of great bluegrass music. Held at the Hon-Dah festival grounds, camping facilities, a kids' zone and refreshments make this festival fun for everyone.

In conjunction with these annual festivals, each of the communities - Springerville, Eagar, St. Johns, White Mountain Apache Reservation, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake and Taylor - has active arts organizations that provide a number of arts activities for visitors and residents alike. Endorsed and sponsored by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, many professional performing artists are featured at summer events.

The White Mountains have attracted many artists who have made this creative and relaxing environment their home. The local galleries and annual festivals are testament to the area's creative and innovative residents. In support of this passion, the Arts Alliance of the White Mountains, established in 1999, promotes visual, performing and media arts, including a film society, art scholarships and events.

Other arts organizations do their part to promote the arts in this beautiful area of Arizona. The Silver Creek Performing Arts Association sponsors local choirs and world-acclaimed concert musicians and performers. The White Mountains Symphony Orchestra, whose repertoire includes full orchestral works, chamber music, concertos and collaborative performances with choirs and dance troupes, aspires to offer new opportunities and experiences each season.

Whether you're in the mood for music, art, dance or other forms of entertainment, the White Mountains offers a plethora of options to enjoy cool summer days. And it's only a short drive away.

Inside Arizona: Scenery offers great subjects for photographers

2009-06-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

Arizona is home to some of the most spectacular and most photographed scenery to be found anywhere. Photographers from all over the world come to Arizona to capture its unique beauty on film. I was eager to travel north to photograph it myself.
Planning your photography is just as important as planning your trip. Before leaving, do some research about what you want to photograph, and local customs or restrictions on photography. Figure out how much film you will need and double it. You may not be able to find your favorite film in some locations, and film can be expensive at many popular tourist attractions. Make sure to take extra batteries and carry them with you. Modern cameras need fresh batteries to operate properly, and lithium batteries can die without warning. That once-in-a-lifetime sunset over the Arizona landscape is not going to wait while you go get another battery, so be prepared.

My first stop was Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, right at the northern Arizona border with Utah. The park is administered by the Navajo Nation and is not part of the U.S. National Park system.
Even if you have never been to Monument Valley, you have probably seen it in movies or commercials. Classic westerns, many starring John Wayne, were filmed there. “Stagecoach,” “The Searchers,” “Fort Apache” and “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” were all filmed in Monument Valley.
This place is a photographer’s dream. In fact, it’s hard to take a bad photo here. With its spectacular buttes, magnificent red mesas and towering spires, the scenery is simply spellbinding. You will never be at a loss for great photo subjects while you are there. Monument Valley is in the middle of The Navajo Nation. That is part of its appeal. The town of Kayenta, 25 miles to the south, is a great community you can visit while there.

Contact the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department about park hours and photography standards while in the park. Much of Monument Valley is off-limits to the public. To drive on any of the side roads, hike from the main road or enter Monument Valley at sunrise or sunset, you need a Navajo guide. A contact phone number for the department and questions is (928) 871-6647.

Early morning and late afternoon usually provide the best light for photography. That “magic hour” right after sunrise and before sunset will make your photos much more dramatic and give them a depth and texture not possible with flat mid-day light. A photo of an average subject with great lighting is usually more interesting than one of a great subject with boring lighting. When you have great light on a beautiful subject you can get a truly great photograph. Plan to be at that beautiful subject when the light is great, and your photography will improve.

My next stop was the red rock country of Sedona. A break in the morning weather, which had been overcast and rainy, left me hopeful for excellent lighting for photography in the red rock canyons, so I arranged a sunset tour with Pink Jeep Tours. They have been providing guided tours of Sedona for over 40 years. My guide was friendly and accommodating and even told me of a good place to have breakfast the next morning. Unfortunately, by the time of the tour the heavy gray clouds had returned and limited my photographic opportunities. But the tour was still interesting and a good way to see Sedona, especially if your time there is limited.

Monument Valley and Sedona are both beautiful and offer many wondrous photo opportunities. One of the great things about these areas is that you can return again and again at different times of the year to create totally different photographic memories.

Inside Arizona: Water in Arizona? Believe It!

2009-05-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

Think of the word Arizona and what images come to mind? I'll bet a saguaro standing in the desert was the first, followed perhaps by the rocky layers of the Grand Canyon, the harsh but beautiful mesas and buttes of Navajo land or maybe the desert hills you see from the plane as you fly into Phoenix looking like sand piled in a sandbox.

Something's missing from this picture and that is - water! Few people from out of state picture water when conjuring up Arizona, and even many residents may be unaware of just how much water flows through this mainly dry state.

Some folks might be aware that there are lakes and rivers in the White Mountains, but do you know that there are more than 450 miles of rivers and streams and more than 24 lakes? Perusing a recent fishing report from the Arizona Game & Fish Department, I counted around the rest of the state. There are more than eight southern lakes, 20 in the central mountains (including nine in the Flagstaff area alone), numerous lakes, ponds and canals along the once-mighty Colorado River and some seven or so lakes in the central part of the state.

Many of these lakes were formed as man sought to control the forces of nature to reduce flooding and provide a steady source of water for residential and agricultural use. The end result, though, produced wonderful bodies of water that supply all manner of recreation opportunities. Rivers like the Gila, Salt and Verde offer great places to raft, canoe, fish and bird watch. Of course, the Colorado River is the most important of all in terms of irrigation, recreation and wildlife conservation.

For those of us who live in the Valley we have water recreation activities close at hand. A mere 30 miles north of Phoenix, Lake Pleasant offers water sports and fishing for bass, catfish and crappie. At full capacity, this lake stretches for some 12 miles. If you don't have your own boat, the marina will rent you jet skis, fishing boats, sports boats or pontoon boats. Their new store and deli has everything you'll need for your outing. Of course, they also offer slips and repair services.

Another fine recreation spot is Canyon Lake, less than an hour's drive from Phoenix along Interstate 60 and Highway 88, the scenic Apache Trail. The roads wind through some of the most colorful desert scenery in central Arizona. Water ski, jet ski or wind sail over 950 surface acres of sparkling water. Fish for walleye, bass, rainbow trout, bluegill and more.

Everything you'll need is available on the premises of the marina at Canyon Lake. Electricity to each boat slip, fuel, water, a pump-out facility and restrooms and showers are at hand, as well as boat rentals, water ski equipment, bait and tackle. The marina also manages the beach area and camping sites for tents or RVs. The Dolly Steamboat will float you away into the surrounding canyons on a "nature cruise" or "twilight dinner cruise."

Lake Powell, the second largest manmade lake in the U.S., was created by the construction of Glen Canyon Dam. The lake has almost 2,000 miles of shoreline. There are 96 canyons with walls of rock soaring as high as 400 feet.

Millions of visitors come to fish, water ski, houseboat and swim on Lake Powell. Check out the houseboat company Forever Resorts at the Antelope Point Marina on the Navajo Reservation for a great family outing on the lake. If you like to houseboat, rental prices a very reasonable and it's a great time to enjoy this incredibly scenic lake.

The city of Page is a perfect base for exploring Lake Powell and the surrounding area. Located on Highway 89 or Lake Powell Boulevard, The Lake Powell Quality Inn offers panoramic views of the lake, Glen Canyon Dam and the Vermilion Cliffs. Comfortable rooms, outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, golf packages, free continental breakfast and ample boat and RV parking make this a favorite lodging with visitors to Lake Powell.

Black Canyon Lake, a high elevation lake located in the tall pines of the Mogollon Rim, provides a peaceful retreat with fishing and camping adventures around each corner.

About three hours by car north and east of the Phoenix area this cool lake just southwest of Heber is also the entrance to a historical trip back into the rich Basque culture of Arizona. The Baca Meadow is a beautiful testament to places where time has stood still. The Lake is also accessible from the State Highway 260 just past Forest Lakes. Overnight accommodations can be made at the Forest Lakes Lodge about thirty minutes from the Lake. Follow your signs off of the highway as they will lead you into this jewel of the pines.

Lakes, rivers and water features would not be how most residents think about Arizona, but that's not a secret now. Enjoy the natural wonderland we have here in Arizona, I encourage you to take this summer and run up to these natural playgrounds

Inside Arizona: The Trail of Many Tracks Road Trip

2009-05-12T07:44:00.000-07:00

With The Trail of Many Tracks, I’ve journeyed back in time exploring one of the last frontiers of the American West by car, located in northeastern Arizona. This self-guided auto adventure uses an interpretive CD and map.

The route covers from 280 to 440 miles, depending on how many side trips you make and can be done in segments or in its entirety. Directions are clearly given to take you from one stop to the next.

The Trail starts on Interstate 40 either at Winslow or the Lupton Welcome Center near the New Mexico border and loops through the White Mountains region; choose the CD for east or west travel depending on the route you prefer.

A fascinating history unfolds as you travel from Sanders and Zuni through St. Johns to the Round Valley, on to Greer, then Hon-Dah and Fort Apache and back up the loop through Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, Shumway, Taylor, Snowflake, Holbrook and Winslow — or the reverse.

TALES ARE TOLD

Travelers on the Trail can experience most of the varied cultures and influences involved from earliest times to the settlement of the American West. The area is rich in fossils and the tracks of dinosaurs. Numerous prehistoric ruins of native peoples are situated along the waterways.

Tales are told of Spanish sheepmen and New York bankers, Mormon colonists and Texas cowboys, black cavalrymen and Apache and Navajo Indians.

Follow or cross the Spanish explorer Coronado’s expedition route, Beale’s Camel Trail, Mormon Honeymoon Trail, great cattle trails from Texas, Santa Fe and Apache Railroads, the famed Route 66, and more. Drive through vast high grasslands and small farming valleys, between extinct volcanoes, and over forested alpine mountains replete with a variety of wildlife.

When the interpretive CD was first made available to the public, I was fortunate to be part of a media tour that explored a portion of the Trail. The tales told by the narrators were fascinating and gave a real sense of the continuity between past and present.

In fact, one of the special treats of the CD is that there are many “voices” — descendents of those who settled the area. I came away with a huge appreciation of our forebears and those who preceded them.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

The Trail of Many Tracks not only guides you to the major attractions of the region, it takes you to hidden treasures that you might otherwise miss.

Off the beaten track you’ll find the Shumway Schoolhouse, oldest one-room school in Arizona; historic photos in the Hon-Dah Casino’s convenience store; a beautiful old Lutheran Church in Whiteriver and a historic cemetery at Fort Apache; the Little House Museum on the grounds of X Diamond Ranch; the Petroglyph Trail at Lyman Lake State Park; the murals on the Mission walls in Zuni Pueblo; and so much more.

HOW IT CAME TO BE

The inspiration for this guide came from the Four Corners network of heritage trails, including The Trail of the Ancients. Folks in the White Mountains area wanted to develop a route to tie in the Navajo, Zuni and Apache peoples and the many other groups that followed, to celebrate their very varied heritage.

It was a grass-roots effort and a labor of love: to work together to create a balanced representation of all involved while creating a route that worked for the traveler.

Grant aid from the Arizona Humanities Council and the U.S. Forest Service Community Development made possible the hiring of professional historian Richard Lynch. AmeriCorps volunteers recorded oral histories. A script was written and revised, and the route was driven numerous times to get the logistics completely worked out. Of all the heritage trails, this is the only one with an audio tour guide!

FREE, USER FRIENDLY

Two to four leisurely days is recommended for visitors to enjoy each of the stops along the way. Your user-friendly CD package can be obtained at visitor centers and chambers of commerce along the trail. It’s free.

You will be asked to fill out a brief information card that helps track who is using the CDs and, after your travels, the return of a survey card to share your reactions would be much appreciated. These will be entered in an annual drawing for a free weekend getaway and gift basket.

You may also download the CDs to burn your own. Or, if you wish, download the files to your iPod (or other portable audio player). You will find the files online.

Add a new dimension to your travels, expand your knowledge, and just plain have fun exploring this corner of the American West. And as you go, stop at one of the many rodeos, quilting bees, tribal fairs, or other small town events and get to know the friendly people along the Trail of Many Tracks.

Do you like to explore hidden byways? Does our pioneer history fascinate you? Are you curious about the story behind a name, a building, a route? Do you enjoy driving through beautiful scenic countryside? If you are that special kind of traveler who likes to look beneath the surface and beyond the obvious, The Trail of Many Tracks auto tour is tailor-made for you.

Inside Arizona: Escape Stress With Visit to Pinetop-Lakeside

2009-05-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Nature’s bounty overflows in Pinetop-Lakeside. Surrounded by the largest stand of ponderosa pines in the world, pristine lakes, clear streams and invigorating mountain air, this community is the perfect destination at any season.

Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers will find plenty of scope to enjoy their hobbies. Those who just want to get away from it all and relax will find the peaceful beauty a soothing antidote to life’s stresses and strains.

Hiking is a popular pastime that can be enjoyed by everyone. Trails range from pleasant walks on 20 miles of in-town trails to more difficult hikes at elevations of 8,300 feet. There are 180 miles of trails in all, and most are loops so that you can enjoy the walks without backtracking. Mountain bikers and horse riders also use the trail system to enjoy the solitude, grand views and spectacular fall colors. There are bicycle rental shops and riding stables, too.

More than 40 lakes and hundreds of miles of mountain streams in the area provide endless opportunities for anglers. Have a try for trout, crappie, bass and bluegill, catfish, walleye, northern pike and Arctic grayling. You can fish from the shoreline of Woodland Lake or use the boat launch there. Rainbow Lake, known for trout and bass, is located in Lakeside, and nearby is Scott Reservoir. The Alchesay and Williams Creek national fish hatcheries stock many of the waters. Boat rentals are available.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is located nearby as well. Elevations ranging from 3,500 feet to more than 11,000 feet result in a diverse climate and a variety of vegetation types, including desert scrub, piñon-juniper, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and spruce-fir.

Visitors explore both developed and undeveloped areas. Water is a major attraction, with 24 lakes and reservoirs and more than 400 miles of rivers and streams — more than can be found in any other Southwestern forest. Needless to say, Apache-Sitgreaves is popular with paddlers. The Alpine Ranger District has two noteworthy rivers — the Black and the Blue. When the streams dry up, which they do fairly early on after the snow melt, there’s excellent biking.

Camping is permitted in nearly all areas of the forest. At several heavily used locations (Lee Valley Reservoir, Greer Lakes, Woods Canyon Lake and Big Lake), camping in the area is restricted to campgrounds. There are more than 800 developed family camp and picnic units in the forest.

The rules and regulations (copies are available from Forest Service offices) posted in developed recreation sites are common-sense rules meant to prevent disturbance to visitors and to protect sites. Visitors may stay a limit of 14 days in any one location within the forest.

When visiting Pinetop-Lakeside, you can fish, hike and camp. Take the time to also visit with the locals, shop and enjoy some of the restaurants that are located in this wonderful Arizona community.

Inside Arizona: Not All Ghost Towns Populated By Spirits

2009-05-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

There are numerous old ghost towns in Arizona, which are as diverse as the landscape that surrounds them. Many of them have left little evidence of ever having existed and are in Cochise County. These were once communities in which the pioneers of the Old West gathered to seek food, water, shelter and fortune in the high desert mountains and valleys. It is the passion and leisure pastime of many to search out and discover these remnants of our past that can still can be found in the ghost towns of the Old West.

Cochise County is also full of quaint communities that have tourism as a major part of their economic base. These towns grew into cities that survived abandonment and subsequent extinction after their mines were closed down. Tombstone and Bisbee were both originally mining camps; each has survived into the future by both honoring and promoting their past.

Not all historic towns of the West have been so loved or so lucky. Many ghost towns were mining camps that never developed into towns or that disappeared with time after the ore veins ran out and the local folks passed or moved on to greener pastures. Some ghost towns were also infamous outlaw hideouts, provision supply centers and mill, smelter, water or railroad junction sites. All but a few were eventually left to the elements of time.

Many of the little known and more remote ghost towns are hard to reach today without a 4x4 vehicle and some planning and research. To find these sites, one must do some homework and wisely hire an experienced local tour guide, in order to make a safe and sane visit to these historic town sites. They are on both public and private lands, and the rule is always "Look but do not touch." Always ask permission for special access and about safety concerns.

Of the more notorious ghost towns in the Cochise County area, many are located in the vicinity of Tombstone. Gleeson and Courtland are both within 20 miles east of Tombstone, on the east side of the Dragoon Mountains. Gleeson was originally a small copper and turquoise mining town and has some nice old ruins left to view. Courtland was both a copper mining town and a supply center in its heyday and has several buildings and foundations left today.

On the west side of the Dragoons near Tombstone lies the ghost town of Charleston, a one-time silver mining town and outlaw hideout; it is also located near the site of the historic Battle of the Bull. The ghost town of Fairbanks, also located west of Tombstone, was originally named after Nathaniel Kellogg Fairbank. Another, called Contention City, is just north of Fairbanks and is along the San Pedro River near the small town of St. David.

In the nearby northern part of Cochise County are the ghost towns of Dos Cabezas, Pearce and Cochise. All of these are partial ghost towns, with people still living in them. Dos Cabezas was both a supply center and a stage station. It is located about 15 miles southeast of Willcox and is an easy stop while driving up into the nearby Chiricahua National Monument. There are a number of old buildings to view. The old town of Pearce, located about 18 miles south of Interstate 10 at the base of the Cochise Stronghold, has some great historic buildings left, including an old store and post office. It was once a short-lived gold mining town, founded in the early 1890s. The town of Cochise, also partially populated, was once a railroad junction and train stop. The train still goes through the middle of town. The Cochise Hotel, an original 1880s boarding house, is still in operation along with a gift shop and post office. Many famous Westerners, including Wyatt Earp, stayed at the Cochise Hotel. This ghost town still entertains guests from around the world.

Inside Arizona: Pima County Fair

2009-04-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

In these days of economic difficulties and stress, everyone is looking for some light relief. But fun isn’t always affordable, and retail therapy can break the budget. My family’s solution is at hand — it’s the Pima County Fair to the rescue! Located in southeast Tucson, The Pima County Fairgrounds is off of Houghton Road, south of Interstate 10 on exit No. 275 and within two hours of the East Valley.

With no increases in prices for anything and lots of discount days, this extravaganza of fun is affordable for everyone’s budget. Not to mention that for one low admission price, dozens of entertaining acts, exhibits, concert performances and more can all be yours.

Monday is family discount day with $2 admission and $2 parking. On Tuesday there are $1 carnival rides starting at 3 p.m., and Wednesday is Wendy’s discount coupon day. Regular prices are $7 for adults, $2 for kids 6-10, $5 for parking. So whatever your budget, there’s a day to make it easy for you to come enjoy the Pima County Fair.

GUESS WHO’S COMING

Some of the most popular concert acts ever to grace the stage at the Pima County Fair. Let’s start with the Nickelodeon stars Nat and Alex Wolff of The Naked Brothers Band Movie Friday. Nat, 14, and Alex, 11, are hugely popular actors and musicians with the younger set. Forming their band in preschool, the boys have been singing and writing songs for years.

Another eagerly anticipated concert is Bret Michaels’ performance on Saturday. Lead singer/ songwriter for the rock band Poison, Michaels has sold 25 million records and achieved 15 Top 40 Hits. Television credits include being a judge on “Nashville Star,” while his own show, “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels,” has been the highest-rated series on VH1.

An Arizona favorite, Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers, perform on April 26. This rock ’n’ roll band of four has a huge local following and is the only independent band to debut in the top 10 on Billboard’s internet sales chart for six consecutive albums.

SOMETHING NEW!

New this year is “Break! The Urban Funk Spectacular.” Fresh and cutting edge, the show traces the history of Hip Hop Dancing and forms a tribute to this American urban art form. Cast members are supremely talented artists from the world of break dancing, locking, popping, power tumbling, and bucket drumming.
New in the carnival offerings is the Sky Flier — the tallest portable swing ride in North America. The swing lifts riders 115 feet into the air. New for the fair in the animal realm are the Bengal Tigers of India. In the wild, the tigers are on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and poaching. Dr. Josip Marcan, one of the foremost experts on tigers in the world, has created an 80-acre natural habitat preserve dedicated to their preservation. One component of this project is the show “Tigers of India,” which gives people an up close and personal vantage point to learn about these magnificent creatures. Come meet the Bengal Tigers.
New from day to day is the giant sand sculpture that will be built during the course of the fair.

THE HEART OF THE FAIR

In the midst of all the new and wonderful remains the heart of the fair, all the food and booths, school exhibits, baking contests, freak shows, livestock auctions, carnival rides and other familiar and nostalgic components of a county fair that we have come to know and love. Back by popular demand are the racing pigs, the demolition derby, Tammy Harris — hypnotist extraordinaire, the Budweiser Clydesdales, and the elephant rides. Let the kids get sticky with cotton candy, tryto win the stuffed toys on the midway, visit the 4-H barn, and check out the latest things offered by the commercial vendors. Whether new or tried and true, the acts, exhibits and concerts at the Pima County Fair add up to one thing — big fun at big savings. Call (520) 762-3247 or check out the Web site at www.pimacountyfair.com.

Inside Arizona: A Southern Arizona Adventure

2009-04-16T13:35:00.001-07:00

My adventure began at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, west of Tucson. This unusual "outdoor museum" encompasses 21 acres of desert, with nearly two miles of paths that provide a look at over 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants, all in their native Sonoran Desert habitat. The volunteers here were both helpful and interesting as they answered my many questions. Shaded resting spots, water fountains and restrooms are provided at various locations as well as a snack bar and a restaurant. Don't forget either water or sunscreen while visiting this sunny habitat.

I also fit a visit to nearby Saguaro National Park into the day's itinerary, and I stopped at the beautiful San Xavier Mission while in Tucson, just off Interstate 19. Sunset was the perfect time to visit the mission, providing dramatic lighting that only the Sonoran Desert can provide.

My next stop was in nearby Tubac, a short drive south of Tucson on I-19 and a great place to stay the night and relax. Tubac offers a shopper's heaven, with gift shops, jewelry and art galleries galore.

I began my next day with a visit to nearby Tumacacori Mission, abandoned in the early 1800s before it had been completed, and a great starting point to a daylong driving tour of southern Arizona.

In Tombstone, just 45 minutes to the East of Tubac, I made all the must-see stops; Boot Hill, the O.K. Corral, the Tombstone Epitaph and the Bird Cage Theatre.

My wanderings then took me to Nogales, where I enjoyed the celebration of two countries' cultures coming together as one.

Next, the town of Bisbee, where I did some shopping along the curved streets and saw the copper mines that made this city bigger than San Francisco in the 19th century.

I also drove over to the Chiricahua mountain range with its awesome rock formations and balancing rocks into Sierra Vista and then Benson.

I had made my loop, coming back to Tucson, where I stayed at the beautiful Embassy Suites Resort, settled in the Foothills of the Catalina Mountains. I enjoyed the opportunity to relax on my beautiful balcony and rest for the evening.

I still had one more day to visit and crammed all I could into it. Biosphere 2 was on my list, and I enjoyed the drive north on state Route 77 through the scenic hills to get there. You can wander about on your own, but the tour guides are so full of information that I would not recommend it until after taking a tour. This facility owned by the University of Arizona is an airtight greenhouse of over three acres. It contains five ecosystems under one roof where ongoing studies of the effects of varying levels of carbon dioxide on the earth's plants take place.

As the sun sank slowly into the West, we found a restaurant just off of state Route 77, west on Tangerine Road, named The Steak Out. My authentic Arizona adventure could not have come to a better end. How fitting that I should end my trip with the grand spectacle of a glorious sunset viewed from this Old West Steakhouse and Saloon, the cactus silhouetted against a blazing red sky, hazy purple mountains in the distance. Isn't that how all good Westerns are supposed to end?

Inside Arizona: Reservations, preserves waiting for your visit

2009-04-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

Arizona is the heart of the Southwest, and our native peoples and lands are our heartbeat.

For thousands of years before the West was "wild," Arizona was wildly beautiful, home to ancient peoples who understood how to live in harmony with the Earth, and how to draw sustenance, spirit and strength from our deserts, our skies, our waters and our mountains - without depleting or scarring them.

Arizona has one of the largest American Indian populations in the United States and more land devoted to Indian reservations than any other state. The prehistoric or pre-Columbian Indian tribes that preceded modern-day Arizonans - tribes such as the Hohokam of southern Arizona, the Sinagua of central Arizona and the Anasazi of northern Arizona - left records, ruins and relics that attest to their high degree of sophistication in dry farming, water management, far-flung trade routes, and the making of jewelry, pottery and textiles. Today, visitors can explore ruins, assist archaeologists and even spend the night in an authentic Navajo Hogan.

The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian Nation in North America, covering over 27,000 square miles in parts of Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Lake Powell, which borders a portion of the reservation, is the second-largest man-made lake in the United States with 1,960 miles of shoreline - more than the entire west coast from Canada to Mexico. Diné Bikéyah, or Navajoland, is larger than 10 of the 50 U.S. States. It contains more than a dozen national monuments, tribal parks, and historical sites, as well as 12 lakes and ponds. Window Rock is the capital, located just west of the Arizona/New Mexico border. Tribal headquarters and the Navajo Veterans' Memorial are located in close proximity to the mystical rock formation for which the town was named. Kayenta, founded in 1909 as a trading post, is the gateway to the Navajo Tribal Park at Monument Valley and another great place to visit.

Of Arizona's 118,000 square miles, only about 15 percent, or an area roughly the size of Delaware, is privately owned. The rest is devoted to forests, parks, wilderness, wildlife preserves, recreation areas, and Native American reservations. From seas of stoic Saguaro cactus to thick groves of fragrant pine trees, Arizona's vast open spaces beg for exploration. Arizona boasts more national monuments than any other state in the continental United States and is second only to Alaska nationwide. The world's largest stretch of ponderosa pine forest meanders from the Eastern Arizona town of Alpine through Flagstaff, Prescott and Payson. The northwest corner boasts pine, spruce, and fir conifers, large stands of aspen, and lush grassy meadows to explore. The state's southeast corner offers a sea of lush, honey-colored meadows and is home to a rare orchid known as Canelo or Lady Slipper, which grows streamside in the San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area.

Northern Arizona, central Arizona, southern Arizona and the Colorado River region all have preserves, recreation and reservations that are waiting for you to visit.

I encourage you to take time and find your Native Arizona.

Inside Arizona: More To Lake Havasu Then Spring Break

2009-04-03T07:12:00.000-07:00

I’ve found Lake Havasu City’s comfortable spring temperatures and festive atmosphere are most inviting to the Arizona tourist. After visiting this year-round boating destination, I discovered more to this beautiful Arizona city than spring break.

Although many visitors come to Lake Havasu City to escape the cold in winter and relax, what they find is much more than a temperate hideaway. Festive events and fun attractions as well as shopping, dining and outdoor recreation make this a great destination year-round.

Travelers may prefer to spend their days enjoying outdoor activities while in Lake Havasu City, such as a walk along the London Bridge, purchased from the city of London in 1968.

The bridge was rebuilt and dedicated in this Arizona city in 1971; the London Bridge is the third most popular attraction in the state. This beautiful granite structure is a link to history spanning two continents.

Other options are tours to experience the uniqueness of the Colorado River and the surrounding desert that borders Lake Havasu City or a cruise along the Colorado River after sightseeing and bird-watching from the London Bridge.

You can also take a trip up the Colorado River amid some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. From ancient Native American petroglyphs to wild desert big horn sheep, something interesting awaits those who take to the water.

Maybe you prefer a leisurely cruise on a replica paddlewheel that harkens back to the days when similar craft brought men and material to the mines along the Colorado River.

For those looking to stay on land, exciting trips through the desert often surprise the most experienced of travelers with the sheer beauty and bountiful life that can be found in the “barren” desert bordering Lake Havasu City.

Try renting a kayak to experience the river on a more intimate basis, getting to know some of the more than 300 species of birds that call the area home.

Golfers will be delighted to learn that Lake Havasu City boasts 11 golf courses within an hour’s drive. Various hiking trails also get one in touch with nature, and boating opportunities are plenty, with fishing great this time of year.

Lake Havasu City offers a variety of shopping and lodging experiences as well, from the unique shops found in the English Village to the Island Fashion Mall and the Agave Retail Plaza.

How does easing your budget with discounts sound? That’s why the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau has teamed up with local hotels and RV parks to try to take some of the burden off travelers’ budgets. Several properties are offering discounts, from free nights with a stay of a set number of nights to percentages off room rates.

Go to the bureau’s Web site, www.golakehavasu.com, print a coupon and present it to the front desk clerk at the property.

The coupon must be presented to receive the discount, but remember lodging is already affordable and varied in Lake Havasu City. Choices include resorts, inns, hotels, motels, condominiums, houseboats, campsites and RV parks.

With its main office at 314 London Bridge Road or the visitors center at the English Village, the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau is there to give you the tools and information you need to make your stay memorable.

If you are looking for a destination with fun and sun and friendly folks, a wide selection of activities, as well as affordability, it’s easy to choose Lake Havasu City.

Inside Arizona: Spring Into Wild Flower Season

2009-03-22T08:23:00.001-07:00

The first days of spring bring the peak wildflower season in Arizona. Although autumn rains weren’t bounteous in 2008, areas such as Boyce Thompson Arboretum near the scenic, copper-mining town of Superior received enough rainfall for a fine show of spring color.
The arboretum, a perennial favorite for wildflowers, offers guided tours during March and April and a chance to photograph unusual species alongside convenient walking paths. During March, tours are daily at noon and are included with the daily admission of $7.50 for adults.
The arboretum is a convenient drive from the East Valley, has more than two miles worth of walking paths that meander through 320 acres of desert gardens and offers a vivid mix of native plants and exotics from desert ecosystems around the globe. Photogenic native wildflowers reported in recent weeks include Red Mint, Desert Chicory, Hopbush and Monkey Flower.
WHAT’S IN BLOOM — AND WHERE
Look for the last of the Fiddlenecks along with London Rocket blooming along trails below the visitors center.
You can also see Desert Marigold, Mormon Tea, Jojoba and Canaigre or “Wild Rhubarb.”
The Boyce Thompson Hedgehog Cactus, a park signature, has impressive magenta flowers that are easy to photograph but hadn’t yet begun to bloom as of this report. Look for these in the Cactus Garden.
Cactus flowers should be more numerous this week and in colors such as magenta, yellow, red and pink. Early spring species such as yellow Fiddlenecks, Blue Phacelia and Popcorn Flower were the most common wildflower species reported at the arboretum during March, and a few of those should linger into April.
Those who knew what they were looking for during the past month could find more unusual blossoms farther into the gardens. They were rewarded with Desert Anemone at the west end of the High Trail, Wishbone Four O’Clock along the switchbacks, and Rhyolite Bush in sheltered areas at the bottom of volcanic rock formations.
Near Ayer Lake you might be able to spot a Pimpernel (tiny, orange, and blooming near the wooden shade ramada). Continuing uphill you’ll find Blue Phacelia blooming above the Quincho Argentine shade structure. Look for robust clumps of Blackfoot Daisies along trails behind this building, too, and Parry’s Penstemon.
Uphill, as the trail proceeds from the lake toward Picket Post Mansion, watch for Flattop Buckwheat, Rattlesnake Weed, Hopbush and reddish-purple Henbit. Those white flower clusters up above Ayer Lake? Those are Purple Bladderpod, which are mostly white, despite the word “purple” in their name.
The highest point of the main trail gives a fine view of Picket Post Mansion. This scenic structure was Col. William Boyce Thompson’s winter home during the founding years of the arboretum nearly eight decades ago. Blue Phacelia dominate this area, but watch over the next few weeks for Parish’s Larkspur.
As you descend the switchbacks section of trail below the mansion, watch for golden Brittlebush, small, white Peppergrass, and the cloverish Melilotus, which can be found along the trail closer to Queen Creek. Wishbone Four O’Clock, named for its jointed stem structure, is just beginning to bloom here, too.
The shady, flat riparian path along Queen Creek below the mansion has robust vines of Wild Cucumber climbing over the native jojoba shrubs and tendrils of tiny, white, starshaped flowers.
The arboretum’s High Trail is not accessible by wheelchair but does have a few species you won’t find elsewhere. Watch for Miner’s Lettuce, Wallflower (yellow globes on thin stalks) and Rock Cress, along with robust Wild Cucumber. Look for more Red Mint here, too, growing in the wet seeps along the north-facing cliffs.
Now we need to get you there! Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is near U.S. 60 as you approach Superior, east of Mesa. Check the flower report page at http://ag.arizona.edu/bta for the most up-to-date information, and make sure to bring your camera.

Inside Arizona: Fountain Hills A Pocket of Paradise

2009-03-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

In the northeast Valley lies one of the great unknown day trips in the Phoenix Area. Tucked into the McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the beauty of the high desert, Fountain Hills has disguised its beauty from many East Valley residents for years.
Fountain Hills is home to one of the tallest fountain in the world. It shoots water 560 feet into the air every hour on the hour, creating a geyser 5 feet taller than the Washington Monument. When you visit the fountain you are surrounded by a beautiful park with recreation and retail all around.
This active city sponsors many exciting events throughout the year. Great shopping opportunities abound — painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, metal wood, culinary and more.
The city was established in 1970 by Wood and McCulloch, the same developers who initiated Lake Havasu City and transported London Bridge from England to be reassembled stone by stone in Arizona. Wood, the man credited with designing Disneyland, also drew up the plans for Fountain Hills.
This beautiful pocket of desert land and mountains has always been a valuable part of the Arizona landscape. The nearby Verde River was a natural travel route for both Native Americans and then for fur trappers, in addition to providing water.
In 1865 the only fort in Maricopa County, nearby Fort McDowell, was established to protect settlers. With the presence of the fort, a booming cattle and farming industry grew up around the settlement of Phoenix in order to feed the soldiers and their horses.
Later, in 1910, the Page Land and Cattle Company began acquiring land, including the P-Bar Ranch, which later became part of Fountain Hills.
In 1968 this and other land was bought by the McCulloch Corporation. They first considered the name of “Scottsdale East” and then “Chaparral City” for the development they had planned. However, a writer in the Phoenix Gazette had suggested “Let There Be Fountains” as a unique landmark for the city.
Wood and McCulloch liked this idea and had a fountain designed in Switzerland and set in the middle of a man-made 28-acre lake. Fountain Hills was opened for property sales in 1971 with “fly-in” programs bringing people on McCulloch’s airline from throughout the United States and Canada. Fountain Hills has since become a wonderful home for many full-time and parttime residents.

Inside Arizona: Surprise! Enjoy Spring Baseball & More

2009-03-08T08:14:00.001-07:00

Spring training is just one of the exciting happenings that makes Surprise a city on the move. Surprise, located in the northwest Valley, has emerged almost overnight.

With a population pushing 110,000, it has grown so popular that it earned Money magazine’s No. 1 ranking in 2006 for five-year job growth.

This thriving community is one that everyone is watching.

The seventh year of spring baseball training in Surprise goes into full swing during the month of March. The year’s annual celebration of baseball again welcomes the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers to Surprise.

Also making appearances will be college baseball teams Arizona State, Kansas and Kansas State, in addition to the return of major league baseball’s alumni game.

The 2009 spring training schedule delivers a record 34-game season at Surprise Stadium.

Every Saturday and Sunday is family fun day at the ballpark, with the APS Kid Zone featuring a carousel, clowns, face painter and “kid’s only” concession stand. In addition, the Nolan Ryan “All You Can Eat and Drink Patio” will be introduced on Saturdays and Sundays. Baseball fans also have an opportunity to view the game from a different point of view — the Home Run Party Deck, located in right-center field.

7th Annual Coca-Cola Midweek Classic

The seventh annual Coca-Cola Midweek Classic will return to Surprise with a new midweek format featuring Arizona State, Kansas State and Kansas. On March 10 and March 11, ASU will play host to Kansas State, and from March 13-15 the Sun Devils will take on Kansas.

Any game-day spring training ticket will give you admission to the college games, or you may purchase individual tickets for the Coca-Cola Midweek Classic at the Surprise Recreation Campus Box Office.

Western Heritage Trail — One Road. Endless Possibilities.

Whether you are looking for a rugged adventure or a family-friendly excursion, the Western Heritage Trail delivers an experience that can fill volumes in your travel albums and business reports.

The Scenic Driving Route to the Grand Canyon starts in Surprise. Take the Olive Avenue entrance to the White Tank Mountains and wind through the city. Be sure to stop by the Heard Museum West for history on the original inhabitants of the area, the Hohokam and Yavapai tribes.

Then take historic state Route 89 or the U.S. 60 out of town to Wickenburg and visit the Castle Hot Springs and Hassayampa River Reserve before you get into town. Immerse yourself in the cowboy culture of Wickenburg for the day and head north to Prescott after you’ve had lunch. Three points of interest and fun stops on your way to the Prescott area are the Stanton Mine, Kirkland Junction and the city of Yarnell.

Prescott offers many overnight options, and you will not be disappointed with its rich history and beautiful weather. The next day while traveling to the Grand Canyon you will drive on historic state Route 89. This is a stress-free drive, and to add to the relaxation you will want to stop in Chino Valley at organic winery Granite Creek for lunch. Enjoy the afternoon driving through Arizona communities Ash Fork and Williams before you end this road less traveled at the Grand Canyon before sundown.

From the majestic White Tank Mountains in Surprise to Prescott’s famed Whiskey Row to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, the Western Heritage Trail will challenge you, delight you, entertain you and provide you with a thousand reasons to return.

Inside Arizona: Globe Historic & Neighborly

2009-02-22T18:10:00.000-08:00

Some of the friendliest people in Arizona live in Globe. The best way to get the flavor of a town is to explore it by foot, so I went on the Historic Home & Building Tour featuring six old homes that bring alive the excitement and history of territorial Globe.

Among the stops was the historic Globe Post Office, which at one time housed the federal courtroom. Another stop, the Globe Cafe downtown, was a gathering place for years before it fell into disrepair in the 1980s and has since been handsomely renovated. Craftsman homes, cottages and two-story buildings dominate the landscape, which features exhilarating views of the Pinal Mountains.

Globe's history is tied to the development of mineral wealth. It's said that the town got its name from a large piece of silver, in the shape of a globe, found in a local mine. As silver became exhausted, the first copper mining began in 1878.

The oldest building on the tour was constructed around 1876, the year of Globe's founding. I walked about, peering at the map and then up at buildings. Many of the structures have interesting features that give an insight into Globe's past, including renovations that provide Globe with two of the best bed-and-breakfasts in Arizona.

Many people ask, Why stay at a bed-and-breakfast? What can they offer me that a hotel cannot? Bed-and-breakfasts reflect the uniqueness and flavor of their surrounding communities. The rooms are individually designed for comfort so that you feel at home while still experiencing a new area. The hosts typically know the inside information on where to go, what to eat, things to do and places to shop.

The Cedar Hill bed-and-breakfast located in the Historic Downtown District and built in 1903 reflects the culture and ambiance of the area. It is conveniently located near the many shops, restaurants, museum and galleries. The bed-and-breakfast is operated by a mother and daughter and attracts visitors from as far away as Australia, Nigeria and Finland. Cedar Hill is pet-friendly andoffers both guest rooms and furnished apartments.

The Noftsger Hill Inn must be one of the most amazing bed-and-breakfasts in all of Arizona. Built as a school in 1907 with an addition in 1917, it stands high above Globe's Historic Main Street in the shadow of the Old Dominion Mine. Polished original wooden floors and cozy chairs gathered by a gas log fire add a warm feeling to this large bed-and-breakfast. The rooms are enormous, 20 feet by 33 feet, but so attractively decorated that the space seems relaxing rather than overwhelming. The old cloakrooms are now bathrooms. With my breakfast served family style around a large table, I enjoyed my fellow guests as we chatted about the unique character that Globe offers its visitors.

That was my impression of the town. It's a place with a historic charm, and it's a laid-back, relaxing getaway that offers a wide variety of attractions and recreation opportunities. The folks are courteous and neighborly, and make your visit extra pleasant.

Inside Arizona: Grand Canyon Hiking Trails

2009-02-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

If you have ever dreamed about enjoying the Grand Canyon through exploration of its walls, do not be discouraged about it being too vigorous to add to your travel chronicles. There are more than 19 trails into the Grand Canyon, originally made by deer, bighorn sheep, American Indians and prospectors.

The National Park Service maintains only the Bright Angel Trail and the Kaibab Trails. The Bright Angel Trail begins near Grand Canyon Village and drops some 4,500 feet to the Colorado River in about eight miles, where it joins the Kaibab Trail. The trail averages five feet in width, and mules have the right of way.

The South Kaibab Trail begins near Yaki Point about four and a half miles east of Grand Canyon Village and descends 4,800 feet in seven miles, where it joins the Bright Angel Trail and crosses a suspension bridge (The Black Bridge) over the Colorado River. The North Kaibab Trail follows Bright Angel Canyon about a half-mile to Phantom Ranch and then northward 13 miles to the North Rim, ending near Grand Canyon Lodge at an elevation of 8,200 feet. Constructed between 1924 and 1928, part of the trail was built using jackhammers and tons of dynamite.

Other trails include the Hermit Trail, Granview Trail, Bass Trail, Boucher Trail and Tonto Trail. Hikers who want to travel these abandoned trails must register at the ranger station, file a hike plan and submit to an equipment inspection. The ranger may refuse permission to hike the closed areas.

Hikers and mule riders both view the remains of ancient American Indian occupation, plant species and animals including mountain sheep and burros while on the trails. The mules are a great way to navigate the canyon without having to carry the equipment and supplies needed.

The first mule ride operation from the Grand Canyon Village area began in 1904 by the Fred Harvey Co. and has operated continuously for more then 100 years. Grand Canyon mules are considered the best in the world. They are judged as smart, big-hearted, gentle, calm and not easily spooked by noises.

After arriving at the Grand Canyon the mule spends several days in the corral getting to know the new surroundings and acclimating to the 6,000-foot elevation. Then begins training by first packing groceries and other supplies down to Phantom Ranch and the nearby ranger station. On the return trip they pack garbage back.

After several months as pack mules, the mules are ridden by the wranglers or guides in and out of the canyon, first with the pack train and then with tourist groups. The wranglers know the personality of each mule, and the trail boss tries to match each mule with the individual rider.

Both trail hikers and mule riders enjoy their own adventure down the Grand Canyon. We can maintain the Grand Canyon tradition of new exploration and great pioneering by attempting this great expedition.

Inside Arizona: Enjoy The "WOW" in Pow Wow

2009-02-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

How fortunate we are in Arizona to have a vital, living culture to explore right on our doorstep. Native American tribal communities around the state enrich our lives with their colorful festivals while sharing their heritage, beliefs, beautiful crafts, songs and dances, delicious foods, and a whole lot of fun.

Here is a sampling of the events coming up in February and March:

13TH ANNUAL INTERTRIBAL POW WOW

The San Carlos Apache Tribe will have its 13th annual Intertribal Pow Wow on March 13-15 at Apache Gold Casino Resort. The Pow Wow is a first nation gathering focusing on dance, song and family celebration. Traditionally, it is presented by one tribe or band to welcome, honor, respect and show generosity toward another.
It is interesting to learn about the drums and the dances. There are two types of drums, Northern and Southern. These refer to styles rather than location, and each has its own protocol. The grand entry parade of dancers leads off each session of the Pow Wow. Grand entries will be at 7 p.m. March 13; noon and 7 p.m. March 14; and noon March 15. Apache Gold Casino Resort is located on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, 5 miles east of Globe on Hwy 70.

MUL-CHU-THA FAIR AND RODEO

The 47th annual Mul-Chu-Tha Fair and Rodeo will be held March 19-22 in Sacaton. This huge event encompasses a powwow, rodeo, parade, entertainment, cultural demonstrations, a barbecue, carnival, chicken scratch music and sporting events.
The Gila River Indian Community has a long history that dates back to the ancient HuHuKam, who first farmed the area around 300 B.C. Following in their footsteps were the Akimel O’odham (Pima tribe) and the Pee Posh (Maricopa), who now reside on the 372,000 acres of the community. The Mul-Chu-Tha Fair and Rodeo was established in 1962 from a desire to have positive events for the community’s young people and to promote community spirit. “Mul-Chu-Tha” means footraces in Pima, an activity that the tribe used to have for entertainment or to share news. At the very first fair, footraces were held as well as the traditional O’odham game of “toka,” which is similar to lacrosse. The Mul-Chu-Tha has become one of the most recognized tribal fairs in Indian country. The Mul-Chu-Tha fair grounds are located in Sacaton. Take Exit 175 from Interstate 10.

SOUTHWEST INDIAN ART FAIR

Southern Arizona’s premier Indian art show and market takes place on Feb. 21-22 at the Arizona State Museum in Tucson. Whether you are a serious collector, casual buyer, or first-time visitor to the world of Indian art, you will find much to learn and enjoy. Gathered together in this one place are 200 of the finest artists in the region. No need to travel to seek out fine jewelry, pottery or kachinas. Making it even more exciting is the opportunity to chat with the artists and watch demonstrations. The featured artist for this 15th annual event is Julius Keyonnie, a Navajo designer of contemporary jewelry. Take a break from shopping to sample Indian foods and enjoy live performances by groups such as Southern Scratch, an award-winning waila group, No:ligk Traditional Dancers from the Tohono O’odham Nation, and Bird Singing and Dancing by the River from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The Arizona State Museum is located on the University of Arizona campus, 1013 E. University Blvd. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 22.

CASA GRANDE INDIAN DAYS

“Gathering of the People” at Casa Grande Indian Days, also known as the O’odham Tash, is another megafestival you won’t want to miss for four days, Friday through Feb. 16. It is packed full of events: an all-Indian rodeo, rodeo queen contest, powwow, carnival and softball and basketball tournaments. The parade takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday. There will be somewhere between 75 and 100 entries with equestrians, bands, floats and lots more. Live Native American bands and commercial and food vendors. The O’odham Tash began in 1967 when the town of Casa Grande held a barbecue for their Native American neighbors — the Tohono O’odham Nation, Ak-Chin, Gila River, and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian communities. The tradition continued and grew into the multifaceted event of today. Profits from the event fund scholarships and achievement awards to Native American students. Hop in the car, drive over and have some fun!

MORE ONLINE
Find more Arizona travel tips at www.aztourist.com

Inside Arizona: A Haven For Bird-Watching

2009-02-03T06:36:00.000-08:00

Attention hikers, golfers, fishermen, garden lovers, heritage hunters, photographers, and others here to visit relatives, go sightseeing, or just plain enjoy Arizona’s wonderful weather. I want to introduce you to bird-watching, one of the country’s fastest growing recreational activities.
People find that it fits in with other hobbies, is fun and easy to do on a casual basis and gives a sense of connection with the natural world that is deeply satisfying.
Arizona offers superb bird-watching opportunities year-round. Many species come here for winter. Ducks, herons, cranes, hawks and sparrows that have cheered us since autumn are still with us.
Soon the migrants will be on the move, traversing the invisible pathways in the sky. From hummingbirds to warblers, it’s thrilling to catch a glimpse of these travelers as they stop here briefly to feed and rest. Exotic visitors from Mexico slip over the border to breed. And yearround residents provide many hours of pleasurable birding.
Here are some suggestions for places to enjoy and view birds of all kinds.

COLORADO RIVER AREA

February is an excellent time to spot geese, ducks, American avocets, blacknecked stilts, sandhill cranes, wintering warblers and wrens, bluebirds and bald eagles along the Colorado River Valley.
There are numerous recreation areas, state parks, national wildlife refuges, marinas, flooded agricultural fields, and RV resorts where birds are to be found.
In Lake Havasu City, you can find great waterbirdwatching. Lake Havasu State Park’s beaches and coves offer views of many species, including loons, three kinds of grebes and gulls. Lovely to see are great egrets and snowy egrets, black-necked stilts and marbled godwits, not to mention great horned and burrowing owls.
NORTHERN ARIZONA
Up to 36 bald and golden eagles make Verde Canyon their winter refuge. Many wintering birds can be found throughout the Verde Valley in a variety of habitats, including riparian areas along three permanent streams.
Elevation ranges from 3,100 feet in Camp Verde to the 7,700-foot summit of Mingus Mountain.
Waterfowl and sparrows arrive for the winter as well. Look for juncos, kinglets, hermit thrushes and yellow-rumped warblers. Bird-watching opportunities abound in the national forests and in Slide Rock, Red Rock and Dead Horse Ranch state parks surrounding Sedona.
CENTRAL ARIZONA
Despite its increasingly urban character, the Valley is still full of bird life. In Maricopa County, 427 species have been recorded over the years. Boyce Thompson Arboretum has more than three miles of nature paths that wind their way through the 323 acres at the arboretum. It’s a great place to spot birds — about 250 species have been recorded in the varied habitats of desert, riparian, rocky cliffs and small lake.
Harris hawks, whitethroated swifts, Anna’s hummingbirds, Canyon and rock wrens are to be seen year-round, while soras and red-naped sapsuckers are great winter finds.

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

The Chiricahua Mountains are one of the top birding destinations in North America.
From the gateway of Portal, a community of about 50 residents, you can explore the breathtaking scenery of Cave Creek Canyon.
Keep your binoculars handy, you won’t want to miss such resident species as Montezuma, scaled and gambel’s quail, painted redstart and juniper titmouse. The Mexican chickadee is a winter visitor as are hawks and sparrows.
Another premier birding area, designated as globally important, is the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area extending along 40 miles of the San Pedro River from the Mexican border to St. David. The combination of mesquite bosque, grassland and desert scrub supports over 300 species of birds, 80 species of mammals and over 40 species of reptiles and amphibians. Species to look out for include vermilion flycatcher, green kingfisher, greenbacked heron, black-bellied whistling-duck and crissal thrasher.
A third destination for birders is the famous Patagonia/Sonoita Creek Preserve. Tall cottonwoods and willows line the stream, while open fields, a mesquite bosque, and a cienega help attract the 275 species recorded here. Winter finds can include vermilion flycatcher, birdled titmouse, verdin, Mexican jay, red-shafted flicker and many sparrows.

Inside Arizona: Lake Powell Is Unique Experience

2009-01-28T12:44:00.000-08:00

There are many exciting and rewarding things to see and do in Arizona. Today I’m recommending a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience in Arizona, America’s Natural Theme Park.

Lake Powell, which borders the Navajo Reservation, Page and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is my destination.

Nowhere else are you able to find an area with this amazing beauty, culture and recreation. On my journey I will come across intriguing people, captivating views, and several wonders of the land and water.

The Navajo Nation extends into the states of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, covering more than 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty. It is also home to more than a dozen national monuments, tribal parks and historical sites and is peppered with 12 lakes and ponds.

In order to visit you must travel to the city of Page. Page dates back to April 1956, when Congress authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to build a dam on the Colorado River. In order to create Page, a reciprocal agreement was made by the federal government with the Navajo Nation to transfer 16.7 square miles of Manson Mesa to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in exchange for desirable lands in southeastern Utah going to the Navajo Nation.

Starting as a construction camp, Page has begun to be the one of the best Northern Arizona getaways. Today Page boasts some of the finest facilities in the state, for education and cultural activities.

Page has the most magnificent “backyard” any recreationist could want — Lake Powell.

Lake Powell, the center attraction of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, was created by the construction of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, and it is the second-largest man-made lake in the United States.

The lake is normally 200 miles long with 1,960 miles of shoreline and 96 major canyons. As the thriving Colorado River runs down from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California; it stops in Lake Powell to refresh the people seeking sanctuary from the sun. Featured in several movies, commercials and books; Lake Powell has seen its share of spotlight.

During my stay, I took the 100-mile, seven-hour boat tour offered on Lake Powell. I stopped and saw Rainbow Bridge, which is the world’s largest natural sandstone bridge, reaching a height of 290 feet.

After a long day of sightseeing and souvenir hunting I relaxed at the Quality Inn in Page and took in a good meal and a spectacular sunset off my balcony.

The following day I visited Upper Antelope Canyon, which is a beautiful sandstone slot canyon a quarter mile in length whose rich, warm sandstone walls glow with diffused daylight. The colors of the canyon walls are spectacular, and the light beams that occur midday will leave you speechless.

According to Navajo tribal regulations, visitors must be accompanied by an authorized guide and are permitted to be inside the canyon for two hours.

There are several lodging and watercraft options for those who want to take their vacation and determine their own itinerary. Lake Powell is a vast recreation destination with so much to offer that one trip does not suffice. So whether you are planning a getaway weekend or a leisurely week on a houseboat, the ever changing landscape of the lake and countless activities make this a perfect year-round destination.

Inside Arizona: Quartzite Draws Snowbirds

2009-01-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

Are you a winter visitor looking for fun in the sun? Put Quartzsite on the top of your list. Are you a resident looking to experience some of Arizona’s unique charm? It doesn’t get any better than this.

Quartzsite is a haven in the desert, the pot of gold at the end of the snowbird’s travels to the Southwest. It’s a little town of 3,600 folks who welcome more than a million visitors with open arms.

Quartzsite welcomes you like your hometown. All the clubs and groups open their get-togethers to visitors so that no matter what your interest, You can indulge in the company of new friends all winter long.

Play in a “jam session” or just relax and listen to the music — sessions go on every day of the week. Try karaoke or dance your heart out at square, line or ballroom dancing nights. The Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) and the Quartzsite Senior Citizens Center offer bingo, craft classes, pancake suppers, quilting and sewing, and exercise groups to wile away the winter days.

If you are outdoors inclined, Quartzsite sits among acres of beautiful desert 20 minutes from the Colorado River, just perfect for riding ATVs, hiking, hunting, fishing, golfing and bird-watching.

Lots of special events add to the excitement of the winter season. On Friday-Sunday, the Hit and Miss Engine Show brings back the very popular gathering of old-time tractors — up to 150 of all sizes.

During the winter season, Quartzsite is one gigantic swap meet. Acres are covered in vendor booths selling everything under the sun. The Tyson Wells Showgrounds is one of Quartzsite’s biggest draws, hosting three major events of its own as well as a Bluegrass Festival on Feb. 27 through March 1 and the Chili Cookoff and Salsa Championship on Feb. 28.

Located on the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and state Route 95, the showgrounds’ vendors line up for 2.2 miles of aisle frontage, giving visitors access to items.

Now through Jan. 25 is the Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama with antiques, coins, crafts, hobbies, jewelry, gems, rocks and lapidary equipment, great food, and much more from 500 vendors. The Tyson Wells Art & Craft Fair on Jan. 30-Feb. 8 offers a huge array of creative, custom, and handcrafted works from some 200 artisans. Admission to all these events is free.

You’ll be warmed by hot, spicy tasting of chili and salsa at one of the most popular events of the year in Quartzsite — the sixth annual Chili Cookoff and State Salsa Championship. Held at Tyson Wells Showground. This event, sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International, attracts entrants from all over the United States.

Admission is free to the public. Cooking starts at 10 a.m. with a $4 tasting cup on sale starting at noon. Three live bands and a big raffle add to the fun of the event, which finishes at 4 p.m.

It’s a tradition for long-term visitors and those just passing through to stop at Reader’s Oasis to exchange their books.

With over 180,000 titles, the store has something for every taste and interest.

From sunup to sundown there’s something to do in Quartzsite, and you can share the fun with your new best friends — some of the million-plus visitors who come annually to check out this amazing snowbird heaven.

Inside Arizona: Central Arizona Has Many Fun Attractions

2009-01-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

Where are you totally in your zone? Is it out of doors rafting down a river? Is it out with friends sharing wine and laughter? Is it interacting with your children as they are absorbed in the wonder of a new experience?

There’s a zone of another kind, a slice of Arizona where you can find all the elements that make your particular brand of fun possible to the highest level. And that is the action-packed core of the state, that central area that encompasses Camp Verde, Prescott, Clarkdale and Cottonwood.

Consider some of my favorite options for recreation and tours while in the Zone:

Out of Africa Wildlife Park is fun for young and old alike. The Zoo can be found at this unique park set on 104 wilderness acres in Camp Verde and is home to more than 400 animals, many rescued from unfortunate circumstances.

Out of Africa offers exciting ways for the public to interact with tigers, snakes, and other creatures. Take a photo safari; watch the Predator Feed as 800 pounds of raw meat are thrown to anxiously waiting carnivores; touch, pet, and hold a Python or Boa Constrictor; feed a tiger; and watch the Tiger Splash, a spontaneous play between tigers and people, culminating with tigers leaping into a pool of water.

To find Out of Africa Wildlife Park, take exit 287 from Interstate 17 three miles west toward Cottonwood. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Less than a two-hour drive from the Valley gives you time to work up a hearty appetite.

Do you want to experience your inner cowboy? Head to Blazin’ M Ranch and eat your fill of chuck wagon grub after the park, then enjoy the cowboy music, storytelling, and comedy, or …

Is an afternoon of wine-tasting more to your liking? Check out Alcantara Vineyards, where a newly constructed Tuscan farmhouse serves as the tasting room overlooking the Verde River and Oak Creek.

Maybe your interests lie in past civilizations. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, a five-level “high-rise apartment building” built in a cliff by Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago for a great Arizona History activity.

Two tours that I enjoy are The Verde Canyon Railroad and The Cowboy Jeep Tour. The Verde Canyon Railroad train ride is for all seasons. With fall colors, winter beauty, and spring rain with a cool alternative ride on the rails available in the summer, this is a can’t-miss attraction.

Try out the Caboose Deal for six (adults only) while with friends. Champagne, hors d’ouvres, private impeccable service, and spectacular scenery is what you can expect.

The Cowboy Jeep Tour is a ride in the West with “real” cowboy tales and yarns of yesteryear. They have plenty of stops for scenic pictures, and the tour does an excellent job of showing you the landscape of Central Arizona. Ask for the Ya-Hoo Sleep 'N Jeep package if you want to stay an evening.

Inside Arizona: Tucson, Arizona

2008-03-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

While thinking of Tucson Arizona you can think of an "Old West" meets "University." It has a mix of both traditional Hispanic culture and the influence of education from the oldest University in the state. The tradition of the Indian and Mexican culture is seen through art, music and heritage. Generations of Natives still live in the area and they provide a reminder daily of the culture here. While the "University symbolizes the melting pot of residents. Made famous for its geology and astronomy programs the University is a great institution for higher learning. Traveling the city can be cumbersome, outdated roads and congestion make road traffic difficult. When you visit the "old Pueblo" take some time to look for its history and you will enjoy its natural surroundings.

Inside Arizona: Travel to New Mexico

2008-02-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

I wanted to talk today about the streach of road from Tucson to Silver City New Mexico. The I-10 Interstate connects the city of Tucson to the border town of Lordsburg New Mexico. On the way from Tucson you go through the communities of Benson, Wilcox an area of Arizona called Texas Canyon and other small traditional Arizona communities. Famous for its ranches and farms the area of southwest Arizona is known for its cowboys and farmers. One of the most recognizable crops is the pecan. In Lordsburg you can stop for a lunch and have some famous Green Chili at the El Charro. Have a great time on your short trip over to New Mexico, it should be about a three hour adventure!

Inside Arizona

2007-08-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

I wanted to focus on the Mogollon Rim area and the beauty it has for all of the residents of Arizona to enjoy. Our focus in on the Mogollon today will start in the Payson area and then move to the Northeast through Star Valley, Forest Lakes, Heber & Overgaard.

Payson is a high desert by all I can recognize it seems to be a nice gateway city to the elevation rise into the Christopher Creek community. I think that this is a great entry to the high elevation of the Rim. Moving along I would reccomend taking you time driving through the rim

Inside Arizona: AZTOURIST.COM

2007-08-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

Look For All Your Arizona Information at:

www.aztourist.com

Inside Arizona: AZ Tourist News

2007-08-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! This is an opportunity for my family to show off our newspaper AZ Tourist News and our web site aztourist.com.

We are a monthly newspaper that works on promoting tourism in the state of Arizona. We also look at ourselves as a conduit for the travel and tourist community to plan their vacation's to our great region.

Our paper will discuss a broad range of activities and areas to visit while planning your excursion. We have a broad range of topics including the four regions of Arizona. The Colorado River Region, Northern Arizona, Central Arizona and Southern Arizona. We also feature a special section dedicated to Mexico specifically the states of Sonora and Baja Norte y Baja Sur.

Special topics that we report on are Pet Friendly Travel, Native American Culture, Attractions and RV travel.

We are always looking to expand on our knowledge of the state as well as learn about you experiences in Arizona, please let me know if I can ever be a help to your next Arizona Getaway!

Thank You,
Byron Marlowe
bmarlowe@actarizona.com
byron.marlowe@gmail.com