Arizona

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the nation’s largest privately owned, non-profit zoological parks. It is located on 125 acres in Phoenix’s Papago Park. The Phoenix zoo is a very lively attraction for the entire family. The zoo is located at 455 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, Arizona. The zoo’s phone number is (602) 273-1341. The Phoenix Zoo is home to approximately 1,400 animals including 200 species of endangered or threatened birds, mammals and reptiles from around the world. The zoo attracts many tourists visiting this desert city. The zoo has exhibits that make you feel like you are in the animals’ natural habitat. I especially enjoyed the monkies.

The Phoenix Zoo is open year-round. You can buy your tickets online. The zoo has four themed areas that lead visitors to exhibits that represent different areas in the world. These areas are the Arizona Trail, the Africa Trail, the Tropics Trail, and the Discovery/Children’s Trail. There are lots of special events at the zoo such as Starry Safari and Nights at the Zoo. You can check these events out online. Phoenix zoo offers many programs, lectures and workshops for people of all ages from children to adults. A visit to the Phoenix Zoo is sure to be a lot of fun.

Tuzigoot National Monument is a magnificent place to visit. There is a fee to enter the area. There is museum exhibiting Sinaguan artifacts in Arizona. There is also a small bookstore in the Visitor Center. Summers are generally hot and dry. Tuzigoot National Monument is 52 miles south of Flagstaff and 90 miles north of Phoenix and is located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The ancient village is located near the towns of Clarkdale and Cottonwood. The ruins are close to the Verde River valley. Tuzigoot is the largest and best-preserved of the many Sinagua pueblo ruins in the Verde Valley. At Tuzigoot there is a cluster of buildings on top of a small ridge. This ridge sits above Arizona’s Verde River. Tuzigoot is an Apache word meaning “crooked water”.

At Tuzigoot you will find the ruins of the Sinagua Indians and; these ruins are dated between 1100 and 1450 AD. The ruins consisted of two stories and 110 rooms. The Sinagua people were peaceful prehistoric people who were farmers as well as hunters. They grew corn, beans and squash. Sinagua is the Spanish word for “without water”. The origins of the Sinagua people are uncertain as well as why they vanished.

Sabino Canyon, known for its magnificent canyons and running water creeks, is a natural desert oasis located in Tucson’s Coronado National Forest. No cars are allowed in Sabino Canyon. There is a system of hiking trails that lead into the high country and also lead deeper into the canyon. There is also a paved roadway for the tram and those people who don’t want to walk down the trails. There are lots of picnic tables along the way, so it might be fun to bring along a lunch.

Sabino Canyon is rugged and beautiful area. The canyon is rich in plant and wildlife. Sabino Canyon has over a million visitors a year. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is open to visitors 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. The visitor’s center has restrooms, beverage machines, and information about trails in the canyon. A shuttle tram operates in the canyon. It is a narrated tram ride that takes visitors up and down the canyon throughout the day. There is a fee for entering the canyon as well as a fee for riding the tram. The tour last about 45 minute and you can exit the tram at different locations to explore the area and catch the next shuttle back. The tram crosses the creek on nine stone bridges as it winds its way up the canyon. Lower Sabino Canyon is a popular area for picnicing and wading. Mountain lions have been spotted in the canyon as well as deer and other wildlife. The canyon is a great place for spotting birds. Moonlight tram rides on nights when there is a full moon is another great way to experience the canyon.

Set in an incrediblly lush Sonoran Desert landscape, with views of nearby mountains, spectacular sunsets, and views of the Phoenix North Valley, Anthem, Arizona, a master planned community is located just north of Phoenix, Arizona. Take Interstate 17 north about 34 miles. I-17 is a congested road and traffic slows down as you leave Phoenix heading north. Located in Maricopa County Arizona, Anthem is built on the foothills of Daisy Mountain. The town’s elevation ranges from 1,760 to 2,428 feet. Anthem is currently an unincorporated community that opened in 1998. The quiet residential community has two championship golf courses winding thru the desert and the Anthem community. It is a community of about 35,000 people.

Anthem is being built on 5,856 acres, or nearly 10 square miles. Anthem award winning master planned community, is located in a desert setting that has diverse desert vegetation and animals. Anthem is planned for approximately 10,000 homes. Anthem offers a wide variety of housing, medical, commercial, recreational and educational facilities. It one of the best places to live in Arizona. You can participate in golf, tennis, swimming, baseball, basketball, rock climbing, hiking, walking trails, fishing, skating, fitness gym, the waterpark, train rides. They even have community park with stocked lakes for catch & release fishing, The area is close to other desirable areas, such as Cave Creek and Sun City and Anthem is a great place to appreciate the mountains, deserts and lakes in the region. For shopping there is the Anthem Outlet Mall.

Nogales, Arizona is Arizona’s largest international border town. Nogales, Arizona is a small town with a small population. It is mainly a freight crossing place and a place for tourists to cross the border into Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Nogales takes its name from the Spanish word for “walnut”. Nogales, Arizona sits across the border from its “twin city” of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Head south on Interstate 19 from Tucson, Arizona and within an hour you will arrive in Nogales, Arizona. The town of Nogales, Sonora has hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. You can step across the border from one town to the other in a matter of minutes and a huge contrast of cultures is notable. It is suggested that you park your car on the American side and walk across the border. There are pay parking lots near the border. Most American insurance policies do not cover their vehicles when driving into Mexico. If you feel you need your car be sure and purchase Mexican insurance to protect yourself and your vehicle. The town is home to a wide array of unique shops and restaurants. Nogales is a wonderful place to experience the Mexican culture and traditions. Nogales is an interesting and festive town and well worth a quick trip across the border to see it. No passport is needed. Be advised, do not drink the water or use ice in your drinks or you may risk an intestinal upset called Montezuma’s Revenge. Do not eat food from street vendors carts. The climate in Nogales is delightful all year round. Most of Nogales’ economy is based on agribusiness and produce distributors. Billions of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables cross through the Nogales Port of Entry each year. The neighboring towns are Tubac, Patagonia, Sonoita and Elgin.

Historic Route 66 passes through Flagstaff, the largest city in Northern Arizona. Flagstaff has an elevation of 7,000 feet. Unlike southern Arizona deserts, Flagstaff has a four-season climate. Flagstaff’s early economy was based on the lumber, railroad, and ranching industries but now also includes the tourist industry. Flagstaff offers hotels, bed & breakfasts, lodging choices and dining. The are many shops to visit in the downtown area and along route 66. Grand Canyon National Park is about 75 miles north of Flagstaff. Many people make Flagstaff their headquarters for daytrips. Sunset Crater Volcano and Meteor Crater are all within easy driving distance. Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College, Arizona Snow Bowl, and Lowell Observatory.

In summer there is hiking and mountain biking in the cool air of the Coconino Forest, and it won’t take you long to spot deer and elk in the summer months. In the winter there is cross country skiing, snowmobiling and downhill skiing at the Snow Bowl. Flagstaff has panoramic views of the San Francisco Peaks. The highest summit in the range is Humphreys Peak. It is the highest point in the state of Arizona. Seasoned hikers often hike Humphreys Peak.

Celebrate the seasons in the scenic White Mountains of Arizona, one of the state’s best getaways. The White Mountains of Arizona is a mountain range in the northeastern part of the state. It is approximately 225 miles from Phoenix. Many Phoenix and Tucson residents escape the heat of the desert and urban living by vacationing in the White Mountains. Rim Country and the White Mountains of Arizona are mountain lifestyle living. You will feel more relaxed in the tall pines and cooler temperatures. Deer, elk. black bear and lots of other wildlife, including wild turkeys can be seen in this area. There are charming cabins available to rent and they are the perfect summer getaway.

The slopes at nearby Sunrise has one of Arizona’s largest ski resorts. In the winter you can try cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. Arizona residents can apply for a permit from the U.S. Forest Service to cut their own Christmas tree in mountains. Pinetop, Lakeside, Eager, Greer, Springerville, Show Low, and Snowflake are just a few of the towns located in the White Mountains. The White Mountains stretches from Payson’s Rim Country through Show Low and points beyond. Campsites, lodges and rental cabins ensure that almost anyone can enjoy the White Mountains. You can hike along mountains streams under the Ponderosa pines. You can fish one of the areas 65 lakes. Many cabin owners have opened their vacation retreats to anyone interested in renting them. If you are looking for natural beauty and something to do during any time of the year, plan a trip to the White Mountains.

Page, Arizona is a small town of about 10,000 people and is located about 120 miles northeast of the Grand Canyon North Rim. It is the “Gateway” to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell, the hottest destination for water recreation in the state of Arizona. Page has an interesting history. The city of Page offers numerous visitor services and is centrally located in Canyon Country. Page is within driving distance to numerous national parks and state parks including, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon. What separates Lake Powell from other lakes is the unique geological formations. You can rent motorboats, houseboats and kayaks and explore the lake and its 96 major side canyons. Water recreation, boating, hiking, sightseeing, lakeside lodging, water sport adventures, and RV/camping are just a few of the fun activities that visitors participate in. Parks and campgrounds are fully equipped to meet your needs. Each year three million visitors flock to the Page, Arizona area. There is always something interesting going on in Page.

Casa Grande, Arizona in Pinal County has had such rapid growth in the past couple of years that it has created demands for more shopping, restaurants and entertainment. The city of Casa Grande has grown to be the largest community in western Pinal County. Casa Grande is approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson in the Golden Corridor.

Recently constructed and still growing, “The Promenade” at Casa Grande, is a regional outdoor shopping center which sits off of I-10 and Florence Blvd in Casa Grande. Over 100,000 travelers drive along that area each day. The Promenade at Casa Grande features an open-air and pedestrian-friendly layout, but you’ll probably want use your car to go from store to store in the heat of the summer.

You can spend the day shopping at the new Promenade Mall or Tanger Outlet Mall only minutes from each other both off Interstate 10. Victoria Secret, Aeropostle, Tillys, Ah Ho Sushi, the Olive Garden, Mimi’s, Dillards, Target, Michaels, J.C. Penney’s, Petsmart, Kohls, Best Buy, Olive Garden are just a few of the stores at the Promenade. An In-and-Out Burger place is just being built. You can take in a movie at the mall at one of the 14 shows in the Harkin Theater.

Today I looked out my patio window and saw a massive swarm of angry bees buzzing around the patio. The buzzing sound was loud enough that I could hear it from inside my home. I quickly made sure that my dogs were all inside and closed the doggie door so none of them would venture outside. I was very relieved to see that my pets were all still inside. Early this morning one of my dogs was snooping around the area where I had spotted a few bees. I knew these bees were most definitely Africanized bees by their attack. They are fiercely defensive and will leave a hive in swarms to attack a person or animal that disturbs them. Africanized Bees are also known as ‘Killer Bees’ due to their aggressive territorial gang up defensive behavior. Africanized bees are an extremely vicious type of honeybee when it comes to protecting their hive. I was extremely upset to see the bees attacking some baby doves that appeared to have just fallen from a nest. In a matter of minutes the poor little birds were stung to death. I felt so helpless that I couldn’t rescue them.

I do know that disturbed colonies may remain agitated for as long as 24 hours, attacking perceived threats up to a quarter mile from the hive. Once disturbed, colonies may remain agitated for 24 hours, attacking people and animals within a range of a quarter mile from the hive. As the number of Africanized bee colonies increases in an area, so, too, does the likelihood of human and animal encounters with them. I will stay inside today, a prisoner in my own home until the bee service arrives to fumigate them.

Every year I have to deal with this problem. I try to be very vigilant in sealing outside openings in my home and walls. Last year they came and nested in my meter box. The year before, they entered a tiny crack in a block wall. A lot of my neighbors have had problems with the bees as well. One of my neighbors even purchased a beekeepers suit to try and take care of the problem. This is certainly a bad idea if you are not experienced. People in Arizona have died as a result of an attack. It is not necessary to disturb the hive itself to initiate an African bee attack. The bees do not like loud sounds such as lawn mower. They do not like perfumed smells or dark colors either. The best method of escaping a bee attack is to cover your head and run for shelter.