A SpeCiAl Supplement to the September 2012 iSSue of

ECO-ADVENTURES

GOLF, GOLF, GOLFCOWBOYS,

INDIANSSOUTHWEST

CUISINE

A CAnAdiAn’S guide to

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SIMPLY REMARKABLEfrom hAunting deSertS to Sizzling CitieS, no where elSe iS Quite liKe ArizonA

DESERT CONTEMPLATIONSlow down & AppreCiAte ArizonA’S gentle Side

FOREVER GREENteeing off in ArizonA iS A deSert high

AN INTRIGUING MIXArizonA CuiSine feAtureS A CornuCopiA of SpAniSh, nAtive & weStern influenCeS

HONKY TONKS & HISTORYCruiSin’ through ArizonA’S wild weStern Culture

TOTALLY AWESOMECheCK out ArizonA’S AdrenAline pumping AdventureS

A RARE LANDheAd off the beAten pAth & diSCover ArizonA’S uniQue lAndSCApeS

WIN, WIN, WINenter to win A trip for 2 to ArizonA

ArizonASeptember 2012

ArizonAA CAnAdiAn’S guide to

ARIZONA – A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE SEPTEMBER 2012 ISSUE OF CANADIAN TRAVELLER

27 CAnAdiAn trAveller September 2012 ArizonA 3

201-2080 Hartley AvenueCoquitlam, BC Canada V3K 6W5

Tel: (604) 699-9990Fax: (604) 699-9993Printed in Canada

Written by: Josephine MatyasCREDIT: NPS

Published 12 times a year by

Contents © 2012 by ACT Communications Inc.All Rights Reserved. ISBN 1207-1463

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resort | spa | conference center | amphitheater | golf

give your next event room to breathe.Casino Del Sol Resort presents a new place to gather unlike

any other in Tucson. Experience our elegantly appointed

guest rooms and suites, five great restaurants, a unique

pool, and a spa & fitness center. Our new Conference

Center features a beautiful and flexible 18,000 sq. foot

Grand Ballroom which divides into five individually

accessible meeting rooms, accommodating corporate

events from 30 to 1800 and banquets and receptions of

up to 2000 guests.

Casino Del Sol Resort also hosts outdoor events with

distinction and grace. A 13,500 square foot deck winds

through the palms surrounding the terrace and pool,

resplendent with roomy poolside cabanas, and a 30,000

sq. foot lawn adorned with a wedding gazebo. It’s all new

and it’s all spectacular…raise your expectations for your

next meeting or event at the new Casino Del Sol Resort!

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TUCSON, ARIZONA

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6 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 30

intro

This enchanting landscape is fi lled with the colour of the Painted desert, red rock mesas and buttes, gaping canyons and the wind whistling through the sagebrush across the high desert. The majority of visitors to the state who make a stop at Grand Canyon National Park look at the emptiness on the map to the east, determine there is nothing there and then point their car in the opposite direction. They drive away having missed some of the best scenery that Arizona has to offer.

There is a Navajo saying in the Four Corners: “The sun comes up, you move. The sun goes down, you stop.” And that is the way i choose to explore this mesmerizing landscape. From the Grand Canyon itself, to the spiritual red cliffs and spires at Canyon de Chelly, there are few places on Earth that match the magic of Arizona.

The punishingly dry, windswept land of the Colorado Plateau (the geological formation that makes up the Four Corners) is the remarkable backdrop for the three tribes that call the region home – the Navajo, the Hopi and the Zuni.

Think of the area in terms of deposition, uplift and erosion, and you’ll get the picture. layers of sediment were laid down, then lifted toward the sky by energies below ground, and then fi nally moulded by the forces of wind, rain and ice into the jaw-dropping mesas and canyons that punctuate the region. To the three tribes, this land is sacred. land and culture are inseparable.

There are four sacred peaks that mark the boundaries of Navajo land, the largest

reservation in the U.S., taking up one quarter of the state of Arizona as

well as smaller sections of New Mexico and Utah. Just outside Flagstaff is the most westerly of these sacred markers – the San Francisco Peaks – the mountains that are also the summer home of the 400-plus supernaturally empowered katsina spirit beings, central to the Hopi pueblo culture. An ancient covenant of trust and sacrifi ce between the Hopi and the katsina is the basis of their relationship. The Hopi people show respect to the katsina for their arduous journey from their home deep within the mountains. in return the spirits call forth the rains necessary for the pueblo’s life sustaining crops. in the Hopi ceremonial dances, each spirit dances in a ritual movement to call down every drop of nourishment from the skies.

The intertwining of culture and landscape that i fi nd in the remote Four Corners is completely captivating. But all of Arizona is just as mesmerizing. Nowhere else in America are so many different landscapes – desert, pine forests, snow-capped peaks, deep canyons, red mesas – found within the borders of one state. Visitors are often left speechless.

ArizonA CitieSArizona has been calling out to settlers for hundreds of years. The Spanish conquistadors were followed by frontier pioneers and miners who passed through the southern part of the state, establishing missions and settlements that grew into thriving cities such as Tucson, Bisbee and Yuma. in these areas, Native American and Hispanic cultures intersect and mark the adobe architecture, the work of the local artisans, and the fi ery fl avours that bring the cuisine to life.

the puniShingly dry, windSwept lAnd of the ColorAdo plAteAu iS the remArKAble bACKdrop for the three tribeS thAt CAll the region home – the nAvAJo, the hopi And the zuni.

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SiMPlY REMARKABlE

A GLANCE AT MY MAP TELLS ME THERE “NOTHING” IN NORTHEAST ARIZONA, AN AREA KNOWN AS THE FOUR CORNERS. THIS IS THE ONLY SPOT IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE FOUR STATES TOUCH BORDERS – COLORADO, UTAH, NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA – AND THE MAP SHOWS FEW ROADS AND NO TOWNS OF ANY SIZE. BUT I KNOW BETTER.

from hAunting deSertS to Sizzling CitieS, no where elSe iS Quite liKe ArizonA

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The metropolitan area surrounding Phoenix – known collectively as the Valley of the Sun encompassing the communities of Glendale, Mesa and Scottsdale – is a centre for the arts, world-class museums, fi ve-star dining, national sports teams and events, deluxe resorts and retreats and golfi ng destinations.

in the years of the Great depression, Arizona was a crossing point for dust Bowl refugees travelling westward past open desert and through small towns in search of a better life. Their history is preserved along the “The Mother Road,” famous Route 66 crossing through towns like winslow, Flagstaff and Kingman.

ArizonA deSertSThe majestic Grand Canyon – a 446-kilometre long gorge plunging a mile in depth, and one of the Seven Natural wonders of the world – draws millions of visitors to the state each year. it is Arizona’s number one draw and a sight that should not be missed.

The Sonoran desert covers the southern part of the state – an arid landscape dotted with the trademark symbol of the state, the giant saguaro cacti. Banish any thoughts of a barren, dry landscape – the Sonoran is teeming with fl ora and fauna. There is a beauty in the stillness of this desert landscape.

The Chiricahua Mountains in the southeast are a fortress of eroded peaks, crags, spires, canyons and cliffs that once attracted miners and prospectors. The old mining towns of Bisbee, willcox and douglas have discovered new life as artists’ communities. At one time, this was the land of the wild west – and towns like Tombstone keep this heritage alive.

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I do love the Four Corners, but the truth is that I love all of Arizona. And my camera does, too. It’s hard to take a bad shot here – the colours, the light, the people and the landscape are just perfect. Try some of these spots:A. Grand Canyon National

Park. I mark daybreak and twilight as special times with my camera – the rocks take on ever-shifting colours with the changing light.

B. Painted Desert. Visit when the sun is low in the sky and the hills radiate with shades of purple, pink, red and grey-blue.

C . Sedona. The spectacular sandstone red rock spires and buttes of Sedona seem to glow as the sun is setting.

D . Saguaro cactus. The giant, multi-armed symbol of the Arizona Sonoran Desert. Look for them in Saguaro National Park near Tucson.

E . Route 66. Cafes, drive-thrus and dance clubs in Flagstaff and Williams. How about that corner in Winslow made famous by the Eagles’ song?

F . Canyon de Chelly National Monument. To the Navajo people Canyon de Chelly is a very sacred site. No camera can resist Spider Rock.

G . Native American ruins. Stop at the giant Casa Grande National Monument, between Phoenix and Tucson. Or the

cliff dwellings at Walnut Creek and the desert pueblo buildings at Wupatki National Monument.

H. Monument Valley. The dreamlike spires, mesas and buttes may look familiar – Monument Valley has been a popular fi lming site for westerns and television commercials.

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8 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 32

gentle Side

dESERT CONTEMPlATiONSlow down & AppreCiAte ArizonA’S gentle Side

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TO BE BRUTALLY HONEST, I BEGAN THIS JOURNEY AS MORE SPA NEWBIE THAN SPA DIVA. MY SPA EXPERIENCES

WERE CONFINED TO RUN-OF-THE-MILL HOUR-LONG TREATMENTS AT A DAY SPA: A FACIAL, MASSAGE, PERHAPS

EVEN A BODY WRAP WHEN I FELT LIKE STEPPING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

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But the luxury surroundings and the dizzying menu selections in Arizona spas? Oh-la-la! This could turn a gal’s spa world upside down.

There’s a lot more to Arizona than the spectacular desert and mountains. luckily, the state has more than its share of luxury spas and wellness centres where they aim to bring what’s special about the desert plants, fl owers, herbs and riverbed rocks indoors and incorporate them into treatment menus.

33 CAnAdiAn trAveller September 2012 ArizonA 9

Spanish-Mediterranean designed architecture grace this beautiful mountainside resort that overlooks everything yet nothing at all.

Impeccable dining options, onsite championship golf, the refreshing Falls Water Village, rejuvenating spa services, and of course, all-suite accommodations, await you at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cli� s Resort.

Dramatic in Setting.

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10 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 34

This feels like home away from home, i muse as i help myself to chilled cucumber water and fresh fruit from the courtesy pantry before staking out a spot in the sun-

splashed relaxation room. Native Americans believe that turquoise is a protective colour and infuses a sense of positive energy – the recognizable shade is used to accent

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get your eArS on And delve into the muSiCAl inStrument muSeum’S ColleCtion of inStrumentS from Around the world.

35 CAnAdiAn trAveller September 2012 ArizonA 11

this space. what i fi rst notice is how my pace slows and my muscles relax. imagine what treatments will do!

Perusing the spa menu is a morning long task on its own. Each spa is unique, each has its trademark focus – whether relaxation, rejuvenation, wellness or healing techniques.

Many restorative and calming treatments feature indigenous elements traditional to the Southwest combined with modern healing techniques. My massage therapist tells me about the ability of smooth river stones to hold and radiate soothing heat. Spa treatments often incorporate the ancient healing rituals of Arizona’s fi rst inhabitants using ingredients found locally like red adobe clay, agave, prickly pear cactus, sage and juniper.

Choosing a treatment at my destination is challenge enough, but choosing a spa can also be a challenge. Unfolding a state map i can see that spa, wellness and health retreats are popular all across Arizona. Tucson’s clear skies and dry mountain air have given it a top-notch reputation as a place for health, recuperation and renewal. in the Valley of the Sun – Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale – most luxury resorts boast their own in-house spa, all with extensive services featuring ingredients from the surrounding Sonoran desert.

i still may not be a spa diva, but my spa stay has defi nitely moved me from newbie to dabbler. i love the way it appeals to all fi ve senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – whether it be

through hands-on treatments, soothing surroundings in the relaxation areas or the health-conscious snacks and drinks that help in the recharge process.

By the time i fi nished my stay (completely blissed out, smiling and armed with a new appreciation for well-being), i was sold on the need to continually rejuvenate mind, body and soul. it was all i could

do to shimmy off the massage table, put on my robe and stumble down the hallway. i knew i looked dishevelled. The only thing i still needed was time for the painful process of tearing myself away from my new “home away from home.”

Spas are just one part of Arizona’s soft and cultured side. it’s a beautiful place to consider for a girlfriends’ getaway, a romantic rendezvous, a destination wedding or resort honeymoon, a stay at a dude ranch, or a way to recharge your cultured side at a museum. There’s a lot on the plate of “gentle offerings.”• Scottsdale’s newly renovated hotel, The

Saguaro, brings the palette of desert colours inside to mark its vibrant décor. Bold shades of pink, green, orange and yellow emulate the desert in bloom throughout this 195-room boutique property, recently named to the Conde Nast Traveler Hot list. Open-air yoga sessions and a menu of spa tapas (mini treatments) mean rejuvenation can be part of even a tight time budget. www.jdvhotels.com

Arizona’s favorite oasis is surrounded by spectacular desert mountain vistas, all-suite accommodations, unique dining venues, relaxing spa

treatments and acres of refreshing pools and water features at the renowned River Ranch. See for yourself why Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak

Resort remains the ‘famous for fun’ Phoenix destination getaway.

Rich in History.

1-800-876-4683 pointehiltonsquawpeak.com

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SpA treAtmentS often feAture ingredientS found loCAlly liKe red Adobe ClAy, AgAve, priCKly peAr CACtuS, SAge And Juniper.

12 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 36

• Architecture buffs will want to visit Taliesin west, Frank lloyd wright’s personal masterpiece, his winter home and now a National Historic landmark. Tours include the residence, theatres, architectural studio and drafting room. www.franklloydwright.org

• The Musical instrument Museum has landed on the world stage with a blast! This “ears on,” world-class museum provides a vibrant experience of the history of musical instruments around the world. wireless hotspots play loops of streamed music, backed up by video of the instruments being played. www.themim.org

• The trip to historic Bisbee in southeast Arizona is well worth the scenic drive. Once rooted in mining history, today Bisbee is brimming with art galleries, antique and one-of-a-kind shops, cooking schools and adventures like the Queen Mine tour, deep into the operations of Bisbee’s historic copper mine. www.discoverbisbee.com

• The award-winning cabanas at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho come with a choice of amenities including a bucket of Red Bull or Fiji water, fresh fruit smoothies, homemade tortilla chips and salsa. The eight, poolside cabanas are equipped with a stocked mini-fridge, misting system and oversized chaise sun loungers. www.hotelvalleyho.com

• does a pool concierge, custom cocktails whipped up by a mixologist, a Bloody Mary bar, a facial salon and complimentary “sips and bites” sound like a retreat made for adults? That’s exactly what they’re offering (and more) at the new Seclusions Pool and Clubhouse at the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center. www.thescottsdaleresort.com

• The weather and the culture make Tucson’s year-round Gallery Row Artwalk an easy sell. located in the city’s swankiest shopping district, Gallery Row has been named Tucson Guide Magazine’s Best Art destination. Every Thursday, visitors can stroll between art galleries, enjoy live music and indulge in wine tastings. www.tucsongalleryrow.com

• it’s hard to imagine a setting more spiritual, more inspirational and more rejuvenating than among the red rocks of Sedona. This town is vibrant with arts, culture and the facilities of deluxe health and wellness resorts. in addition to its spectacular natural setting, Sedona is known for the power of its vortex enhanced energy sites. Area spas offer a full menu of spa treatments aimed to realign energy, relieve stress and restore balance in body, mind and spirit. www.visitsedona.com

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tAlieSin weSt, frAnK lloyd wright’S perSonAl mASterpieCe, wAS hiS winter home And iS now A nAtionAl hiStoriC lAndmArK.

A pool ConCierge, bloody mAry bAr And ComplimentAry “SipS And biteS” – JuSt Another Afternoon At SeCluSionS pool And ClubhouSe At the SCottSdAle reSort & ConferenCe Center.

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FOREVER GREENgolf

teeing off in ArizonA iS A deSert high

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WHEN CANADIAN GOLFERS THINK “GOLF GETAWAY” IT’S NATURAL FOR THEM TO THINK OF ARIZONA. TAKE MORE THAN 330 DAYS OF SUNSHINE ANNUALLY, ADD IN HUNDREDS OF TOP-NOTCH COURSES WITH CLINICS, SCHOOLS AND FACILITIES TO SATISFY ANY GOLFING LEVEL AND YOU’VE GOT A WINNING COMBINATION.

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Most of the Arizona courses are concentrated in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa) and a large number are also found in the southern part of the state, near Tucson. But across Arizona you’ll fi nd dry skies, sunshine and stunning mountain and high desert scenery, along with friendly, affordable clubs and courses that provide a variety of challenges. Many offer getaways designed for golfers.

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ABOVE: we-Ko-pA golf Club TOP RIGHT: the boulderS BOTTOM RIGHT: turQuoiSe vAlley golf.

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• The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, dove Mountain near Tucson hosts the PGA TOUR world Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship February 18-24, 2013. The event features the top 64 players in the world from the Offi cial world Golf Ranking. www.worldgolfchampionships.com

• whether your musical tastes lean towards Aerosmith, Van Morrison or the Eagles, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Range practice facility at the Grayhawk Golf Club has got you covered. Classic rock hits are piped into the practice facility to help golfers get warmed up for a day on one of Grayhawk’s two 18-hole courses –Talon and Raptor. www.grayhawkgolf.com

• The historic Tubac Golf Resort & Spa was made famous on the big screen as one of the fi lming sites for Kevin Costner’s hit Tin Cup. The course was recognized by Conde Nast Johansens as one of two fi nalists for the prestigious 2011 Awards for Excellence as The Most Excellent Golf Resort. The three very playable nine-hole courses have lush green fairways lined with mesquites and old growth cottonwoods. www.tubacgolfresort.com

• The FORE-MAX training system at the Kierland Golf Club at The westin Kierland Resort & Spa offers a program that blends the best of exercise physiology with top golf instruction. FORE-MAX’s personalized workout program teaches golfers how to make lifelong fi tness changes that result ingreater driving distance and stamina on the course. www.kierlandresort.com

• Scottsdale’s Talking Stick Golf Club provides play for all skill levels in a stunning desert panorama setting. Two courses offer different styles of play – one with links style through grasslands and the other on more traditional tree-lined fairways. Add an award-winning golf shop and large clubhouse facility and you’ve got the makings of a fantastic golf holiday. www.talkingstickgolfclub.com

• The Phoenician Golf Club, managed by Troon Golf, features three different nine-hole courses with verdant greens, stunning Sonoran desert views and Arizona’s only sand-island green. The Phoenician’s courses have been ranked among the Top 75 Golf Resorts in America by Golf Digest. Add

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into the experience a 2,508 square-metre practice facility with driving range, chipping green and oversized putting green. www.thephoenician.com/golf/

• Novice golfers will feel comfortable at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club in the heart of Scottsdale. The club was awarded Beginner Friendly Course Certifi cation by the National Golf Course Owners Association. An extensive practice facility has one of the Southwest’s largest putting greens, a spacious driving range and a bunkered chipping green. www.mccormickranchgolf.com

• The Troon Golf-managed whirlwind Golf Club at the Sheraton wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa is ringed by the spectacular Sierra Estrella Mountains, creating a pristine desert setting. The club is home to the PGA’s Nationwide insurance Tour, the Gila River Golf Classic, held every year in October. Two courses, devil’s

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Claw and Cattail, challenge golfers of all skill levels. www.whirlwindgolf.com

• The 18-hole course at the Sedona Golf resort consistently receives a four-star rating from Golf Digest. designed by Gary Panks, the course fl ows through a cedar-strewn valley between the area’s massive red rocks. The spectacular view of Cathedral Rock from the tee on the tenth hole is one of the most photographed golf spots in the western U.S. www.sedonagolfresort.com

• when the Valley courses are hot, golfers can seek relief and play at Elephant Rocks Golf Course in williams (one of the gateway towns to the Grand Canyon). Elephant Rocks winds through a forest of tall Ponderosa pines at a cool 2,130 metres elevation. The club boasts a Gary Panks-designed 18-hole golf course. At this elevation above sea level, it usually takes golfers a few holes to adjust to the extra distance their ball is fl ying. www.elephant-rocks.com

• lookout Mountain Golf Club at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort is set in unique rugged terrain, with both an inland and links course set on a mountain. The club has been honoured with a place on Golf Digest’s list of the top 450 courses in the country. Consistently making the list of top courses on surveys and in publications, lookout Mountain’s 18-hole course features lush greens set in the dramatic Sonoran desert. The onsite Hilton Golf Academy offers on-course instruction, short game techniques and tips for mastering even the most diffi cult shots. www.lookoutmountaingolfclub.com

• The legacy Golf Resort, at the foot of Phoenix’s South Mountain, has a Gary Panks-designed, par 71 course, the site of the 2000 lPGA Standard Register PiNG tournament. Golf Digest named the legacy as One of the Top 10 Golf Courses to Play in Phoenix. www.shellhospitality.com

• The quintessential desert golf experience can be found at Troon Golf

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Club at the base of Pinnacle Peak in North Phoenix. Troon boasts two Tom wesikopf-designed 18-hole courses (Monument and Pinnacle), weaving through the natural ravines and foothills in the Sonoran desert landscape. Forecaddie service provides players with tips and professional strategies for each golf hole. www.troonnorthgolf.com

• Naco is home to Arizona’s oldest continuously operated course at Turquoise Valley Golf. located near Bisbee in the southeast part of the state, Turquoise Valley is famous for the 747-yard Rattler, the only par 6 in Arizona and the fi fth longest golf hole in the United States. Founded over 100 years ago, the original course was crisscrossed by train tracks, providing an extra hazard that could literally carry the ball away! www.turquoisevalley.com

• They call it The Greatest Show on Grass. Every year, up to half a million spectators

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Looking for a holiday that has everything from A to Zed? Think Tempe First!With over 300 days of sunshine, take in everything Tempe has to offer—from endless outdoor activities including swimming, hiking, biking and boating to outstanding cuisine and fabulous shopping in the famous Mill Avenue District. For the destination that has it all and more, head south to warmer weather and enjoy a lively, energetic atmosphere that is uniquely Tempe.

Visit ExploreTempe.com or call 800.283.6734 to heat up your next vacation.

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descend on TPC Scottsdale for the waste Management Phoenix Open. The event claims the largest crowds on the PGA TOUR, which makes people-watching almost as entertaining as watching the pros on the course. The website for the 2013 event has tips for spectators: come prepared with a hat, sunscreen and binoculars and plan your day depending on whether you’ll watch the action “parade style” or follow the players around the course “cross-country style.”www.phoenixopen.com

• Golf Digest rates the Emerald Canyon Golf Course overlooking the Colorado River at Parker as a four-star golfi ng experience. The 18-hole, par 72, championship course also offers two practice greens and a lighted driving range. www.emeralcanyongolf.com

• Surrounded by two courses regularly ranked as one of the nation’s top golf courses by GOLF Magazine and Travel and Leisure, The Golf Academy at The Boulders offers immersive multi-day packages taught one-on-one on the resort’s two championship-level, Jay Morrish-designed courses. www.theboulders.com

• On the desert outskir ts of Scottsdale, bordered by the rugged Mcdowell Mountains, the Cholla and the Saguaro courses of the we-Ko-Pa Golf Club offer golfers a balance between gentle and rugged play. The award-winning clubhouse integrates design inspired by the Yavapai tribe culture. www.wekopa.com

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THERE ARE FOOD MOMENTS THAT YOU NEVER FORGET. AND THE CUISINES OF THE SOUTHWEST

ARE RICH WITH CULINARY MEMORIES FOR ME: THE SPICY DIP IN A PHOENIX RESTAURANT THAT WAS

MY KIDS’ INTRODUCTION TO FIERY JALAPENOS; THE TASTY SALSAS, TAMALES AND CHIMICHANGAS IN TUCSON’S MEXICAN EATERIES; AND THE PUFFY

NAVAJO FRY BREAD, TRADITIONALLY FRIED ON THE END OF A GREEN PIÑON TWIG.

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ArizonA CuiSine feAtureS A CornuCopiA of SpAniSh, nAtive & weStern influenCeS

Cited AS one of the top 50 plAteS in the Country by uSA todAy, tuCSon’S el ChArro CAfÉ iS the oldeSt meXiCAn reStAurAnt in ContinuouS operAtion by the SAme fAmily in the uS.

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Traditional Southwest cooking is rooted in a pantry of corn, beans, squash and chiles. From small corner eateries to Phoenix’s upscale restaurants, i’ve found good-quality ingredients and dishes that are a treat for the tastebuds.

what makes Arizona’s Southwest cuisine unique is the intersection of several cultures – primarily the conquistadors of Spain and the Native Americans. The pioneers, ranchers and cowboys who homesteaded the western frontier brought their own touches to the ingredients of the ranch lands, the high desert and the mountains. Chuckwagon steaks grilled over a mesquite fi re? You’ll fi nd everywhere from a ranch stay to a fi ve-star city restaurant. Chiles served stuffed, fried, battered and as a seasoning? Try any of a thousand Mexican restaurants.

24 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 48

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in Arizona’s big cities – like Tucson and Phoenix – creative chefs are experimenting with fusion-style cooking. Combined with the traditional eateries of the Southwest, the choices for a dinner out are endless.

And while you may not think of wine when you think of Arizona, the state’s microclimates are home to three main wine trails, linking a dozen vineyards and more than 60 wineries. Arizona’s growing wineries are one of the state’s best-kept secrets.

There’s no shortage of fl avours to excite just about any foodie:• Chocolate-covered bacon anyone? in February

the city of Glendale (on the outskirts of Phoenix) hosts The Chocolate Affaire, a true romance with the decadent treat. Chocolate is found in every form, on its own and coating everything from bits of Key lime pie to deep-fried churros to bacon. www.glendaleaz.com

• in the southern part of the state, the Old west Highway is the route for the Salsa Trail, linking communities and businesses that grow, produce and serve the spicy Mexican condiment, farm fresh chiles and homemade corn and wheat tortillas. in September the annual SalsaFest in Safford puts on a salsa challenge, jalapeno eating contest and hot air balloon rides. www.salsatrail.com

• The brand-new Grand Canyon dinner Theatre & Steakhouse brings world-class dinner theatre

three mAin wine trAilS offer A vAriety of SKilfully CrAfted wineS – CheCK them out through guided tourS, tASting roomS, feStivAlS And wine/food pAiringS.

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to the South Rim gateway community of Tusayan. The hour-long musical show features song and performance. dinner is served family-style and includes all the traditional fi xins’. www.grandcanyondinnertheatre.com

• Prepare for a road that twists and turns to the mile-high arts community of Jerome, home of The Haunted Hamburger. The menu is peppered with Arizona specials – Prickly Pear Mojitos, the 16-oz Haunted Sirloin, or the massive double Haunted Burger topped with guacamole and green chiles. www.thehauntedhamburger.com

• The newly-opened Brat Haus in downtown Scottsdale shakes up things with over two-dozen craft beers on the menu as well as house-made gourmet sausages from traditional style to the more exotic, including habanero chicken, wild boar and rattlesnake. www.brathausaz.com

• Foodies get to share table space with the chef at Feast, the interactive communal meal held on the last Tuesday of every month at Talavera, the signature restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. The meal focuses on locally-sourced ingredients and Arizona Stronghold wines. www.talaverarestaurant.com

• in Tucson, one of the nation’s great botanical gardens, the Tohono Chul Park, has opened the new Tohono Chul Garden Bistro. Breakfast and lunch are served in the garden surroundings, with a focus on dishes made with local, organic ingredients. www.tohonochulpark.org

• Follow the neon saguaro sign in Tucson to the Monterey Court Café and Bistro, in a repurposed 1930s motor court motel. The historical property also has live music and a weekly farmers’ market. www.montereycourtaz.com

• The ASU performing arts theatre, ASU Gammage, has teamed up with over a dozen Tempe restaurants to offer special dinner

and a show deals to Broadway and BEYONd ticketholders on days of performances. www.asugammage.com

• Named as One of the Top 50 Plates in the Country by USA Today, El Charro Café in Tucson is the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. The menu is a who’s-who of Mexican dinner favourites – from fresh made guacamole to fajita platters and colourful banderas. www.elcharrocafe.com

• Three main wine trails – the Verde Valley wine Trail in the north, the Sonoita/Elgin wine Trail in the far south, and the willcox wine Trail in the southeast offer a variety of skilfully crafted wines to satisfy any wine taster. There are guided tours, tasting rooms, festivals and wine/food pairings. www.arizonawine.org

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S H O PD I N EE X P L O R EChandler is only 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and full of terrific hotels, restaurants, golf, attractions and abundant sunshine, creating a spectacular, warm weather destination.

Be sure to visit Downtown Chandler where visitors and residents enjoy award-winning dining in local restaurants, trendy shops, eclectic galleries and museums. The downtown area, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is also home to Arizona’s original golf resort and many unique festivals.

For more information and brochures about Chandler, log on to visitChandler.com or call 888-663-2489 today.

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28 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 52

HONKY TONKS & HISTORY

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THE YOUNG FELLOW BEHIND THE COUNTER AT GENE’S WESTERN WEAR AND SHOE HOSPITAL IN FLAGSTAFF LOOKS AND SOUNDS JUST LIKE A COWBOY

SHOULD. HIS MAMMOTH BELT BUCKLE IDENTIFIES HIM AS A RODEO CHAMPION. HE’S GOT THE BOOTS TO MATCH. AND HE

KNOWS HOW TO CUSTOM STEAM THE BRIM OF A BLACK BOUND HAT SO IT SITS JUST RIGHT.

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In days gone by, Flagstaff was a dusty frontier town that grew because of the railroad, the livestock industry and the lumber that was cut from the neighbouring Ponderosa pine forest. Today, it’s a popular overnight stop for people making the 90-minute hop north to Grand Canyon National Park.

In Flag, they like to say: They don’t make towns like this anymore. Where else can you fi nd a store that carries over 300 different styles of western boots, 70 types of cowboy hats, plus provides on-site professional cowboy boot repair? And how about a local distillery that produces Prickly Pear Vodka, fl avoured and named after the ubiquitous prickly pear cactus, a

fl at-paddled plant they claim is “impossible to kill without a stick of dynamite.”

The historic downtown has been restored to save the fl avour of the area: brick walkways, historic light posts and Willie or Merle blaring from every truck radio. There’s a quirky mixture of shops – outdoors gear, western wear, arts and crafts galleries. Shopkeepers lean on their wooden counters and talk with locals and visitors alike about every day things like the weather or the price of gas.

One of my favourites is a Flag landmark: the Weatherford Hotel, a commanding red brick building with wrap-around porches that was built at the turn to the 20th century, a time when gunslingers ruled the streets of the town. They say the grand old hotel is haunted. Over the decades, it has found purpose as a general store, restaurant, theatre, billiards hall and radio station.

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onCe home to 47 rowdy SAloonS, mile-high biSbee hAS morphed into An ArtiStS’ Colony with Art gAllerieS And CrAft ShopS JoStling for SpACe with well preServed viCtoriAn-erA buildingS.

CAtCh A glimpSe of 19th-Century life behind bArS on A tour of the ruinS At yumA territoriAl priSon StAte hiStoriC pArK. yumA wAS A Stop on the trAil to the CAliforniA gold fieldS.

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visitTucson.org

For group tours, contact Judy Wood at jwood@visitTucson.org

32 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 56

The main floor pub serves a wicked roast beef sandwich called the Flagstaff Dip, best served with extra jalapenos.

The famous Mother Road, Route 66, passes through Flagstaff. On it, the city’s iconic western honky tonk – The Museum Club – draws weekend crowds who two-step across a dance floor built around standing Ponderosa pines (branches and all). Aspiring country and western stars – including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Barbara Mandrell and Asleep at the Wheel – have stopped to play The Museum Club while chasing fame and fortune from Nashville to Las Vegas. Posted on the wall is Nelson’s signed contract for a 1968 gig – the country music legend and his band received $700 for the evening’s work. It’s easy to spot the storied Route 66 landmark: look for the huge pine log cabin with the large neon guitar-shaped sign and the parking lot full of mud-spattered pickups.

All of Arizona is infused with a friendly frontier personality. You’ll find it in towns like Flagstaff and

Tombstone, at dude resorts and cattle ranches, in the western-themed arts and crafts, and in the mesquite-grilled steaks the size of hubcaps.

• One of the most popular ways to travel to the Grand Canyon is aboard the vintage Grand Canyon Railway (departing from Williams). It’s a two-hour voyage in style aboard restored passenger cars. Train crew can answer questions about railway and Grand Canyon history, strolling musicians and cowboys provide a little on board entertainment and there’s even a light-hearted replaying of an Old West shoot out and train robbery. www.thetrain.com

• In Yuma, one of the signs of the Old West stands at the ruins of the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. In the mid-1800s, Yuma was a busy place, as gold seekers passed through on their way to the California gold fields. A tour of the prison ruins provides a glimpse into convict life more than a century ago. www.azstateparks.com/parks/yute

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deemed “to tough to die” tombStone CelebrAteS itS plACe in hiStory AS the Site of the fAmouS gunfight At the o.K. CorrAl. tAKe in the dAily re-enACtment, hop A StAge CoACh or tAKe A ghoSt town tour.

57 CAnAdiAn trAveller September 2012 ArizonA 33

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L-R: Jasmine Pickner at the 2012 Hoop Dance, Heard Museum. Dan Namingha (Hopi-Tewa), “Red Tailed Hawk Katsina,” 1986, on exhibit in the Heard Museum’s Sam and Betty Kitchell Gallery, Heard Museum Collection. Heard Museum entry photo, Heard Museum.

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34 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 58

• Nicknamed “The Town Too Tough to Die,” Tombstone likes to play up its dusty image of the Wild West. Tombstone is home to one of the most notorious streets in western lore – the place where heroes and outlaws squared off at the infamous gunfi ght at the O.K. Corral. There’s a daily re-enactment of the shootout, stagecoach rides, jeep expeditions to ghost towns and underground mine tours. www.cityoftombstone.com

• The Wild West even lives on through the arts. Each February, the Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering in Sierra Vista headlines leading western poets and musicians. In the old gold mining town

of Wickenburg, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum holds the annual springtime Cowgirl Up! art event, celebrating the country’s best western women artists.

• One of Arizona’s hidden gems is the Highway 89-A Loop Scenic Drive, touching on some of the most photo-friendly reminders of Old West

history at the historic copper mining town of Jerome. Over one billion dollars worth of copper was pulled from Jerome’s lucrative hills, but with the closing of the mines it almost became a ghost town. These days it has found new life as a hotspot for artists, musicians and writers. All with a spectacular mile-high view. www.jeromechamber.com

• Arizona’s ranch stays offer the whole spectrum, from rustic getaways on a working cattle ranch to amenity-infused luxury at guest dude ranches. Ranch stays are a popular venue for family reunions, out-of-the-box weddings and honeymoons, and small-scale corporate retreats. Activities include horseback riding, hayrides, campfi re cookouts, as well as a good dose of R&R. Search “guest ranches” at www.arizonaguide.com

• In its Wild West heyday, tiny Bisbee’s streets were home to 47 rowdy saloons, mostly along a stretch known as Brewery Gulch. The mile-high town – tucked into the Mule Mountains – was once home to a thriving copper mining industry. Today, Bisbee is known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture, art galleries and crafts shops, and the historic Copper Queen Hotel. www.discoverbisbee.com

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Shoot our, even A trAin robbery.

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36 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 60

TOTAllY AwESOME

plAy hArd

CHECK OUT ARIZONA’S ADRENALINE PUMPING ADVENTURES

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ENTERING INTO ARIZONA’S GRAND CANYON FROM MID AIR? THAT’S AN ADRENALINE RUSH LIKE NO OTHER. OUR HELICOPTER SMOOTHLY LIFTS OFF THE PAD, HOVERS FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN ZIPS ABOVE THE PINE FORESTS OF THE FLAT KAIBAB PLATEAU. BLADES THUMPING THE AIR, SWEEPING OVER THE TREETOPS, THE PILOT CHATS ON ABOUT CLIMATE, TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY AS WE HEAD TOWARD THE EDGE.

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There are fi ve of us in the chopper, connected through puffy headphones and microphones – and we’re able to carry on a crackly conversation. A few are fi lled with anxiety, hanging on for dear life. Mostly there is anticipation, excitement and awe. But as we cross over the rim and dip into the canyon, there is complete silence. No words can describe that feeling.

i was one of the anxious ones. But crossing the rim of the nation’s largest canyon – one like no other – and dragon-flying into the countless side gorges? well, i am quickly hooked.

There’s something about the unfathomable dimensions of the Grand Canyon that makes it one of the world’s must-see natural wonders. The scale of this red and orange abyss overwhelms hikers, rafters and experienced canyoneers. it’s a dramatic place that could easily swallow buildings into its deep gorge: it would take three CN Towers stacked from the canyon floor before the spire would even break the rim.

Arizona is known as “Canyon Country.” if not the largest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon is unarguably the most famous. when discovered by mapmaker John wesley Powell in 1869, the sheer size of it was unimaginable – well outside the scope of previous explorations.

Our pilot chats into the headphones, describing rock formations that form a calendar equivalent to almost half the estimated age of the Earth. The walls and layers are geologic snapshots of at least 10 large-scale events occurring during the last two billion years. Erosion has left massive features like temples and pillars scattered through the length of the canyon.

it was Powell’s surveyor, Charles dutton, who began the tradition of naming these geological features after mythological and religious deities: Buddha Temple, Thor Temple, Jupiter Temple and Cathedral Stairs. we fl y by dozens of them, as well as multi-coloured cliffs, buttes, gorges, waterfalls and pools.

i pull out binoculars and gaze down at the brown ribbon of water that snakes along the canyon floor. From above, the Colorado River looks tiny. But it is a powerful, silt-laden fluvial chisel that drains Arizona’s deser ts, canyons and mountains, all the while carving through the stone in the same way it has for the past six million years. Almost all of Arizona’s land eventually drains into the Colorado River, through more than 75 tributaries.

with binoculars i can spot several bright blue rafts tied up along the shoreline, waiting to run the rapids. These rafts are large enough – holding passengers and enough gear for the popular multi-day river expeditions. But

from up here, they look like tiny specks, easily missed.

A trek from the rim to the canyon fl oor crosses four different life zones – from an environmental standpoint it is the vegetative equivalent of hiking from Mexico to Canada. There is evidence that the ancient Anasazi people were travelling through the Grand Canyon almost a millennium ago. From the ground and from the air, the beautiful canyon is a transit way that has always captured the imagination.

• The new Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course is an elevated obstacle course set in a forest of Ponderosa pines. Networks of suspended bridges, ziplines, swings, slides, wobbly bridges and hanging nets are colour-coded by skill level for both adults and youth. The course is a challenging way to test personal limits in a safe and controlled environment. www.fl agstaffextreme.com

• Guys’ getaways have a new home at Mancation Nation, a one-of-a-kind package experience located right on the Colorado River. Guests can choose from extreme water sports like wakeboarding, sky skiing, water surfi ng, tubing and kneeboarding. The Tactical weapons Experience gives pro instruction in the handling and operation of powerful, exotic weaponry. And to make sure no one goes hungry – packages include a

hArd Core bAll fAnS Know All About bASebAll’S CACtuS leAgue Spring

trAining, feAturing gAmeS between 15 mAJor leAgue bASebAll teAmS

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personal chef and a party boat that always has food and drink at the ready. www.mancationnation.com

• in the forested white Mountains, Sunrise Park Resort offers mountain biking, archery, fi shing, horseback riding and hiking. when the snow falls (yes, the high country of Arizona does get snow!) the resort opens its 65 ski runs, snowboarding park, terrain park, children’s’ hill and cross-country ski trails. www.sunriseskiparkaz.com

• Tempe was named to Bicycling Magazine’s prestigious list of Top 50 Bicycle Cities in America. The city boasts one of the highest percentages of bicycle commuters in the country – supported by a comprehensive 280-kilometre network of biking trails that are also perfect for two-wheeling visitors. Try a romantic pedal around town, and cross the new, illuminated pedestrian and bike bridge at night. www.tempe.gov/tim

• in the summer months, Arizona Territorial Adventures offers High Moon tours, a 4wd jeep excursion into the desert to watch the setting sun and the rising moon. Year-round desert tours are a fantastic way to explore the Sonoran desert and its majestic Saguaro cacti. www.arizonaterritorialadventures.com

• when the desert heats up, the best thing to do is to slow down, seek shade and head for water. The new FlowRider boardsport simulator (opening September 2012) at the Scottsdale area westin Kierland Resort is part snowboarding, part skateboarding and part wakeboarding designed for thrill seekers. www.kierlandresort.com

• Hard core ball fans know all about baseball’s Cactus league Spring Training. Ten Valley of the Sun area stadiums feature games between 15 Major league Baseball teams – it’s a chance for fans to get up close to players with the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and, of course, the Arizona diamondbacks. www.cactusleague.com

• The Great Bisbee Stair Climb was picked by Runner’s World magazine as one of the must-do, featured events in the country. Participants use any combination of walking, running and resting to traverse nine sets of steps and numerous back-roads at a challenging mile-high altitude. it’s not all gruelling: musicians serenade runners along the seven-kilometre route. www.bisbee1000.org

personal chef and a party boat that always personal chef and a party boat that always has food and drink at the ready. www.mancationnation.com

• in the forested white Mountains, Sunrise • in the forested white Mountains, Sunrise Park Resort offers mountain biking, Park Resort offers mountain biking, archery, fi shing, horseback riding and hiking. when the snow falls (yes, the high country of Arizona does get snow!) the

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42 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 66

A RARE lANdHEAD OFF THE BEATEN PATH & DISCOVER ARIZONA’S UNIQUE LANDSCAPES

Slot CAnyonS, liKe Antelope CAnyon, Are

CurvACeouS mASterpieCeS of eddying And twiSting

red SAndStone, CArved by the forCeS of wind

And wAter.

THE BEAT-UP CHEVY TRUCK HAS BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE. AT LEAST THAT’S MY TAKE FROM THE GROANING OF THE ENGINE, THE CRACKS IN THE SEATING, AND THE UPHOLSTERED PANEL MISSING FROM THE INSIDE PASSENGER SIDE. WE’RE BUMPING ALONG JUST OUTSIDE THE SMALL COMMUNITY OF PAGE IN NORTHERN ARIZONA, HEADING INTO THE HEART OF NAVAJO NATION FOR A DAY OF HIKING IN THE MYSTERIOUS DEPTHS OF SLOT CANYONS.

Slot CAnyonS, liKe Antelope CAnyon, Are

CurvACeouS mASterpieCeS of eddying And twiSting

red SAndStone, CArved by the forCeS of wind

And wAter.

THE BEAT-UP CHEVY TRUCK HAS BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE. AT LEAST THAT’S MY TAKE

eCo Adventure

67 CAnAdiAn trAveller September 2012 ArizonA 43

Getting there is an excruciatingly slow,

teeth-jarring, potholed drive from Page. One-way, it takes almost an hour to

cover 26 kilometres across wide-open desert, punctuated by the low puffs of green sagebrush and the occasional locked gate blocking the way.

Canyons – large and small – are a part of the Southwest landscape. The narrow slot canyons have an intimacy that is lost in the grander canyons. They are deep, swirling fi ssures that began eons ago as hairline cracks in the sandstone blocks that largely

make up the sweeping Colorado Plateau. Slots are rare

and elusive; curvaceous masterpieces of eddying and twisting red sandstone, carved by the forces of wind and water. The surface appears fl uid but it is solid rock.

we’re headed for the mysterious Canyon X, a spot the guides like to protect from the onslaught of tourists that have overrun its better-known neighbour, Antelope Canyon, the most photographed and visited slot canyon in the American Southwest. Canyon X was named by a member of the Navajo Nation whose aunt owns the grazing rights to the land – its namesake is the mysterious and haunting television show, The X-Files.

From the air, slot canyons appear as a slash on the landscape; a calligraphy mark inked onto

A RARE lANd

it’S illegAl to remove petrified wood from petrified foreSt nAtionAl pArK. oh, it’S AlSo CurSed.

Getting there is an excruciatingly slow,

teeth-jarring, potholed drive from

make up the sweeping Colorado Plateau. Slots are rare

and elusive; curvaceous masterpieces of eddying and twisting red sandstone, carved by the forces of wind and water. The surface appears fl uid but it is solid rock.

we’re headed for the mysterious Canyon X, a spot the guides like to protect from the onslaught

it’S illegAl it’S illegAl to remove to remove petrified petrified wood from wood from petrified petrified foreSt foreSt nAtionAl nAtionAl pArK. oh, it’S pArK. oh, it’S AlSo CurSed.AlSo CurSed.

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44 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 68

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re the expanse of the plateau. water collects and

moves through the cracks, rushing through the cut in the rock, and even the slightest irregularity causes the water to swirl and eventually carve a round hollow in the sandstone. The slot is a series of these swirling, twisting hollows, connected by narrow passageways of varying length. They are extremely narrow cuts into steep-walled sandstone; sometimes just a metre wide at the top and hundreds of metres high from the rim to the natural, sand fl oor.

it takes a bit of scrambling to make the hike down into the start of Canyon X. Along the way, wildfl owers cling in spots where it seems no growth was ever meant to survive. The canyon is also home to bobcats, coyotes, porcupines and the occasional rattlesnake.

Through daylight hours, the beams of light fi lter in from above and bounce from one reddish wall to the next, creating a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns enhanced by the shadows, arches and curls of the contoured stone. The way the light bounces and the colours shift makes slot canyons popular outings for photographers.

Across Arizona there are spots off the beaten path where it really is best to just take your fi nger off the map, fold it up, put it away, and sit back to enjoy the ride. Come with us to explore some of Arizona’s unique landscapes.

CleAr SKieS And low pollution mAKe ArizonA A hotSpot for AStronomy.

there Are SeverAl obServAtorieS Around the StAte, inCluding Kitt peAK nAtionAl

obServAtory neAr tuCSon.

leArn About deSert plAnt And AnimAl life At the world-renowned ArizonA-

SonorAn deSert muSeum. Cool feAtureS inClude rAptor free-flight

demonStrAtionS.

Entry InformationComplete all information and fax to the number below or visit http://www.canadiantraveller.net/Contests/2011ArizonaToll Free Fax: 1 866 562-4405

Win A Trip For 2 Win A Trip Trip T For 2To Sunny Arizona There really is nowhere else on Earth like Arizona. Sunny skies, natural wonders, golf, golf golf and spas, spas spa, rich cultural history and a warmth that comes just as much for the people and the weather.

The Prize: Always a Pointe Perfect Stay

YOUR CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE ARIZONA

Questions

Terms and Conditions1. To enter the contest, the entrant must be a bona fi de travel agent actively working in the industry,

a resident of Canada who has reached the age of majority in the province in which he/she resides, who is not an employee of, a member of the immediate family of, or domiciled with, an employee of ACT Communications Inc., its agents or distributors, or any of the prize donors. Note: Contest is not valid in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Odds of winning are contingent upon the number of entries received.

2. Entrants must complete all questions, and include their name, telephone number and signature.

3. Mail or fax entries to “Arizona Contest” Canadian Traveller, 201-2080 Hartley Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 6W5. Fax: 1 (866) 562-4405. Entries must be received by December 31, 2012.

4. The draw will be made January 15, 2013 from all correct entries received. All questions must be answered. The solutions can be found in the Arizona Destination Guide.

6. The prize redemption dates will be provided to the winner. It must be accepted as awarded, is not redeemable for cash and is not transferable.

7. The winner will be advised by telephone during the week of January 15, 2013 and announced in the March issue of Canadian Traveller.

8. All entries become property of Canadian Traveller which assumes no responsibility for printing error or lost or misdirected entries. No communication will be entered into except with the winning entrant.

9. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be disqualifi ed.

10. If more than one agent in your offi ce wishes to enter, please photocopy this page.

• Five Nights Stay at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak

• Arizona Renaissance Festival Admission for 2• Arizona Helicopter tour for 2• Rainbow Ryders, Inc. Balloon Ride for 2• McCormick Ranch Golf Club 2 rounds of golf• Travel Golf Center 2 golf club rentals

1. Today ________________________ is brimming with art galleries, antique and one-of-a-kind shops, cooking schools and adventures like the Queen Mine tour.

2. The McCormick Ranch Golf Club was awarded _________________________________ Certification by the National Golf Course Owners Association.

3. Aspiring country and western stars – including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Barbara Mandrell and Asleep at the Wheel – have stopped to play ____________________ while chasing fame and fortune from Nashville to Las Vegas.

4. I pull out binoculars and gaze down at the brown ribbon of water that snakes along the canyon floor. From above, the ____________________________ looks tiny.

5. ________________________ was named by a member of the Navajo Nation whose aunt owns the grazing rights to the land – its namesake is the mysterious and haunting television show, The X-Files.

5. One prize will be awarded consisting of 5 nights at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak for 2; admission for 2 to the Arizona Renaissance Festival; helicopter tour for 2 with Arizona Helicopters; balloon ride for 2 with Rainbow Ryders; 2 rounds of golf at McCormick Ranch Golf Club; 2 golf club rentals from Travel Golf Center.

46 ArizonA September 2012 CAnAdiAn trAveller 70

eCo Adventure

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• if not the largest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon is, by far, the most famous. it certainly caught the attention of adventurer and mapmaker John wesley Powell, the fi rst explorer to voyage through the canyon on the Colorado River in a stout wooden boat on his landmark 1869 expedition. Modern day ecotravellers can explore the “layer-cake geology” on foot, by multi-day raft tours and on donkey excursions. For the adventurous, a trek from the rim to the canyon fl oor crosses four different life zones. www.nps.gov/grca/

• Chiricahua National Monument in southeast Arizona is known as “a wonderland of rocks,” because of the balanced rocks, columns, spires and pinnacles remaining from the violent geological activity that dominated the area for millions of years. The region is popular for camping and hiking. www.nps.gov/chir/

• There is no better introduction to the Sonoran desert than through the Arizona-Sonora desert Museum at Tucson. it’s a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, with exhibits of more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants. Some of the more unique features are the behind-the-scenes animal keeper tours and the raptor free-fl ight demonstrations. After learning about what makes this desert environment unique, you can step outside and hike the trails at the Saguaro National Park. www.desertmuseum.org

• The clear skies and low pollution make Arizona a hotspot for astronomy. Observatories are found at the lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Mt. Graham in the Coronado National Forest. Mt. lemmon and the Kitt Peak National Observatory, both outside Tucson. Several resorts and guided businesses offer stargazing programs. in

the Sedona area, Sedona Star Gazing offers customized tours of the night sky led by professional astronomers. www.eveningskytours.com

• Over 225 million years ago, the grasslands of central Arizona were more like a humid, tropical soup. dinosaurs and giant reptiles roamed the forests of huge trees. The region was uplifted, the climate changed and the landscape became the high, dry grasslands we see today. The giant logs from fallen trees – once buried in silica-laden groundwater – have been preserved as colourful petrifi ed wood. The park can be explored along a 45-km drive (the best petrifi ed wood is in the southern part of the park) or along several short trails. warning: it is illegal to remove any of the petrifi ed wood. Mysteriously bad luck follows those who do! www.nps.gov/pefo

• Almost a thousand years ago, the volcano at Sunset Crater erupted with lava fl ows and burning cinders, raining down on the pithouses of the people who farmed there at the time. The lava fl ows destroyed all living things in their paths. At Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument you can walk the two-kilometre lava Flow Trail at the base of the volcano. it crosses through an eerie landscape of hardened black cinder and lava. www.nps.gov/sucr

• Just north of Tucson, the University of Arizona Biosphere 2 has recreated a western hemisphere rainforest under an enormous roof of glass. Recently named one of the 50 must see wonders of the world by Time life Books, the pathway inside the Biosphere leads through a simulated Brazilian rainforest with over 150 species of plants. www.b2science.org

the univerSity of ArizonA bioSphere 2, in tuCSon, hAS been nAmed of the 50 muSt-See wonderS of the world.

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