July 23, 2018

VISUAL MAGIC IN ARIZONA’S SLOT CANYONS

 Slot Canyon

See visual magic in Arizona’s Slot Canyons! When Navajo guides throw dirt into the sun’s rays, an ethereal stream of fireworks erupts!     We had seen photos of the famous Antelope Canyon, but knew nothing else about the Slot Canyons in Arizona. Slot Canyons are enchanting, unforgettable natural wonders! Our slot canyon experiences are among our very favorites in America.     Slot Canyons are narrow canyons, formed by water rushing through rock. Slot canyons are deeper than they are wide. These canyons are mostly found within the Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona and southern Utah.     Slot Canyons near Page, Arizona     Most Slot Canyons are…

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written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog, Trip Planning, Video

June 25, 2018

TAKE A BACKROADS TRIP: GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER BIRTHPLACE

  Take an educational backroads trip! We didn’t know when we drove southern Missouri backroads, we would find the birthplace of George Washington Carver.     I always root for underdogs. In my mind, they reinforce my own prospects in life. Those who leave the world a legacy are inspirational to me. The George Washington Carver birthplace is a place that traces the gifts, inspiration and obstacles faced by one of the most famous of America’s underdogs. The Ranger’s stories about Carver’s life left me in awe of the man.     Carver National Monument     The Park Service established the George Washington Carver National Monument in 1943. The monument is…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, Missouri, Video

June 15, 2018

REVIEW OF THE TUCSON DESERT MUSEUM: MANTA RAYS IN THE DESERT?

 Manta Ray

Tucson Desert Museum Rattlesnakes and lizards were expected at the Tucson Desert Museum but Manta Rays in the desert?     The Museum was founded in 1952 and is dedicated to interpreting the bi-national Sonoran Desert region. The Desert Museum came highly recommended to us, but, truthfully, we were disappointed. Now, children would love this place with live animal shows, raptors, gems, fossils, paleontology exhibits and more.     Cons     We thought the entrance fee ($19.95 per senior) was very high-even with a military discount of $17.95. We visited for the Hummingbird Aviary but there weren’t many birds there the day we went. When we visited, temperatures were…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog, Video

May 29, 2018

SAGUARO NATIONAL FOREST VISIT IN ARIZONA

Saguaro Cacti are only found in a very small portion of America. They are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert so you can only find them in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. It is estimated that these soldiers of the desert can live to be as much as 150-200 years old.     Amazingly, Saguaro grow very slowly -a 10 year-old plant may only be 1.5 inches tall. However, the cacti we saw were between 40-60 feet tall! A fully-grown Saguaro can weigh as much as a ton! Don’t miss seeing these wonders at the Saguaro National Forest (nps.gov/sagu/index.htm)!      

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written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog, Travel, Trip Planning, Video

May 29, 2018

BACKROADS PEOPLE: HAVE A NAVAJO CONVERSATION

   It was an incredible experience to meet people on backroads in Arizona. We had the opportunity to have a short “Navajo Conversation”!  We were driving down highway 89 near Page, Arizona when we saw a pull-off for a small canyon. While there, we had a fascinating conversation with a Navajo woman who touched our hearts deeply.     She was busy finding just the right beads and seeds in her square wooden box for a piece of jewelry she was making. We began talking and she was gracious and kind enough to let us video her as we asked questions about the Navajo Reservation.       NAVAJO NATION  …

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written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Meeting People, Travel, Trip Planning, Video

May 29, 2018

THE PUEBLO LAGUNA, New Mexico

Stu and I talked a lot driving backroads through the southwest about how schools we attended completely left out Native American history, culture and religions.     Exploring one backroad in New Mexico close to old Route 66, we stopped for some Indian Fry Bread (if you’ve never tasted it, you are missing amazing food). Take a backroads trip to Pueblo Laguna in New Mexico and learn what we were never taught in school.       PUEBLO LAGUNA HISTORY     Pueblo Laguna is the largest of the Keresan pueblos, covering four large counties and six villages. The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973….

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written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Blog, New Mexico, Video

May 29, 2018

EXPLORE THE GRAND CANYON: OUR FIRST VIEWS

Neither of us expected what we saw. We didn’t know you can’t see any of The Grand Canyon until you reach the rim.  Just like millions, we’d seen thousands of photographs, descriptions and documentaries about The Grand Canyon.   We actually both gasped when we saw it. NO photo, no description and no documentary prepared us for the utter magnificence and grandeur of The Grand Canyon.  

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written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog, Video