Arizona is a land of contradictions. For many people, the state is synonymous with hot, low-elevation deserts, covered with cacti and creosote bushes. In point of fact, more than half of the state lies at an elevation of at least 4,000 feet above sea level, and it possesses the largest stand of evergreen Ponderosa Pine [...]

Who would guess that in the Spring, wildflowers bloom in profusion, even in the deserts areas of Arizona? Yet Arizona is famous for its yearly displays of color. However, there are two distinct wildflowers seasons, owing to the ranges in altitude. Therefore, we’ve broken this article into two sections — the top 5 place to [...]

For more than 1,000 years, the Hohokam peoples occupied the land that would become Phoenix and The Valley of the Sun. These amazing people created 135 miles of irrigation canals, growing crops and building a great civilization. Their irrigation channels were eventually modernized and adapted by several companies in Phoenix to continue carrying water to [...]

Arizona has a turbulent geologic past — covered by large inland seas on several occasions, uplifted, stretched, squeezed, uplifted again, rocked by thousands of volcanic explosions, weathered and worn. Thanks to these titanic forces, it also has a huge diversity of minerals found in few other places on Earth. In particular, the state of Arizona [...]

The people of Flagstaff, Arizona, have a unique way to ring in the New Year. No Waterford Crystal glittering ball for these folks! Instead, courtesy of the Weatherford Hotel, citizens and guests get to watch a 70-pound silver pine cone (8 feet long by 4 feet wide) make an elegant descent to mark the midnight [...]

On January 16, 2010 the See The Southwest Family, visited the Vulture Gold Mine in Wickenburg, Arizona. Before we visited the Vulture Mine we spent some time in Wickenburg exploring the Desert Caballeros Western Museum and learning about the Hassayampa River Preserve. But this was all a warm-up for our visit to the Vulture Mine. [...]

Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon is a humbling experience. The enormous vistas make you feel so small and the wonder and beauty creeps into your soul. The first time you look out over the Grand Canyon, you will find it almost impossible to believe. It’s so big, so deep, so impressive, it [...]

Tombstone, Arizona, may be one of the most haunted cities in the country. That’s not surprising considering it proudly held the title as one of the most violent towns in the U.S. back in the early days. Tombstone’s post office was established in December 1878, thanks to the discovery of silver by  Ed Schieffelin. According [...]

Tucked into the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness in Arizona and Utah, are a series of amazing slot canyons that you have to see to believe. Paria Canyon is the most famous and among the longest and deepest slot canyons in the world. Paria (originally spelled Pareah) is a Ute Indian word meaning “salty” or “muddy water” [...]

Jerome, Arizona, has a unique and exciting history. In the late 1800s, copper was discovered and the mining boom began. During its heyday, the copper mine produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month (not to mention a nice bit of gold and silver as well) At its high point, Jerome’s population peaked [...]