Arizona Help

Virtually every state in America has a tourism office, and they are usually very helpful. Arizona is a tourism state more than many others, so give it a try. I'm sure they have websites. Car rentals here are very competitive, so check into them carefully.

Thomas,

You can hire a car if you're under 25, but it may cost you more. I will let you contact rental companies to ask about specific rates.

I have lived in southern Arizona for almost two years, and I haven't been everywhere yet. Granted, I do have to work for a living, but there are plenty of places to see. Using your categories, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Nature: Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe National Monument, Chiricahua National Monument, Kartchner Caverns State Park.

Birds: The Huachucas (Miller Canyon, Garden Canyon, Carr Canyon), the San Pedro River valley, Aravaipa Canyon.

Culture: Mission of San Xavier del Bac, Tubac, Tucson, Bisbee.

Ghost towns (yeah, I made up this category): Plenty anywhere you look; see http://www.ghosttowns.com or http://www.azghosttowns.com, or even my website, http://cldphoto.com.

If you have specific questions, email me.

I'm going to the US for the first time! We are planning a 2-week trip in and around Arizona in the beginning of May, with a return flight on Phoenix.

Here are a couple of questions: - what places should we absolutely visit (our interests are nature, photography, some culture, and birds).

I was in Arizona several years ago, it is an incredible state. A Few places not to miss

North to Central

Phoenix- *Botanical Gardens Heard Museum (I think that's what it's called, an incredible Native American Museum)

Sedona area and the REd Rock Canyon

****Cayon de Chelly Sunset Crater *****Grand Canyon (of course)

***Pertified Forest **Painted Desert

And there are scattered ruins thoughout the state.

Southern Arizona

Tuscon Area-

*** Saguaro National Park-FANTASTIC bird life, and the Saguaro's are something not to miss

**Missions

Organ Pipe National Park (esp if the Wildflowers are coming out)

- one of us has done the most important NP's in the North (grand canyon, arches

(Arches is actually in Utah)

etc). Do you think we can fill two weeks without going to the 'famous' places, or should we split up?

Easily.

- how about flying to the States: with the increased security, is it still possible to take a tripod,

Put it in your checked luggage. Put ANYTHING that you think they might take and put it in the checked luggage, I'm sure you can guess many of the things.

and what do you have to do with film - are there any good and cheap photo shops in Phoenix.

I don't know, but you'll find film is MUCH cheaper in the US than in Europe. If all you want is print film try (gulp) Wal-Mart don't worry the stores are (unfortunately) everywhere. I don't live in Arizona so I can't comment on camera stores. If you shoot slide I think I'd try and purcahse film from an outfit like B&H in bulk and have it sent somewhere that you can pick it up. Interestingly I get all my Fuji slide film processed in Arizona (where Fuji does it mail order processing here in the States).

It might be cheaper and easier to buy film there instead of in Belgium - can you hire a car if you're under 25? Is booking locally and last- minute cheaper than booking well in advance with one of the major companies (Avis, hertz...)?

Not in my experience. And you risk not getting an afordable car.

If you are giong to Arches N.P.in southern Utah, also visit Canyonlands N.P. and Dead Horse Point State Park. Their entrances are close to Arches, just west of Moab. Magnificent scenery, unrivaled anywhere

Alex!

If you can combine a trip between Arizona and Utah, I would also consider Zion and Bryce in addition to Arches and Canyonlands Alex suggests. Your main problem will be time. We are taking about very large areas and two weeks is hardly enough. You need to do some "homework" in advance to pick out the places you want to visit. Also, keep in mind that even in May, some areas may still be closed because of snow, such as the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (South Rim is open).

As long as you carry a reasonable amount of equipment, flying isn't going to be an issue. In fact, last September I carried an unreasonable mount of stuffs (4 camera bodies, including 645 and digital, 500mm/f4 lens, etc. etc.) to Australia and didn't have any problems.

Hi Thomas,

I have lived in the Arizona for quite a few years and have been able to travel quite a bit in the state. The previous posts have a lot of good information so I just try to add to them.

First, congratulations on picking Arizona. I think your going to have a really good time!

May is warm, especially with the EL Nino effect we might be a bit wetter then typical. Based on your activity list I would suggest you drink lots of water, dress in cool/light colored clothing, bring or buy a hat, and bring one pair of, well broken in, sturdy footwear (like light weight hiking boots). Once your here buy some sunscreen and USE IT.

Depending on the climate you will have your best chances to see and photograph birds in the southern part of the state as mentioned. If the birds are not cooperating you trip south will not be wasted. As the previous posts state, there are many terrific places to see and photograph. One site I did not see listed was the Desert Sonora Museum located just outside of Tucson. The museum itself is located in a pretty area and provides a chance to see many of the floras and fauna of the region.

The cities and towns listed are also well worth stopping and seeing. I might add stops in downtown Tempe for people watching and goofing off. And of course, there is Flagstaff. Flagstaff is at a much higher elevation and the climate is alpine rather than desert. There are many great hikes and places to go in and near Flagstaff, some of which are mentioned already. I suggest you try any of the hikes or drives in the area called the "San Francisco Peaks" just outside of Flagstaff.

If you drive to Page Arizona a stop in the Marble Canyon area may be something you would enjoy. (If you want to make the trip to the North Rim of the GC it is on the way)

Going to Page takes you through part of the Navajo Indian Reservation. Unless you’re pressed for time I would take an extra day or two and spend some time in the area. The Hopi Reservation is located within the Navajo Res and worth a look. It takes a few days to see past the tourist traps and get a little bit closer to what the Indian Peoples are all about. The Heard Museum in Phoenix, and several other in the state will provide great background in this area. Once in Page you can take a trip on Lake Powell and check out one of the many slot canyons on the area. (Warning...If the weather looks anything like rain, even afternoon rain, be out of the slot canyons!)

There lots more things to do then I can tell you here so if you think something sounds interesting send me an email and I can try and help.

You can spend two weeks packed full of things and not venture out of Arizona if you choose.

With regard to your tripod, I would bring it. You should have no problems as long as you place it on your checked baggage.

I would make a reservation to rent your car prior to your trip. You should have no problems as long as your over 21 years and have a credit card like Visa/MasterCard/Diners/American Express.

Take a look at this site; http://www.az.gov/webapp/portal/topic.jsp?id=1160 for some general information.

Best of luck!

I made a quick trip through AZ last summer. Second time there. It wasn't warm. It was scorching hot!!! I'll be there in May of this year as well and I know it will be better but still too hot in my opinion, but I'm coming from Alaska so my opinion is a bit biased. I still haven't forgiven my son & daughter-in-law for moving that far south, but they're having their first kid in April, so what can I do? Forgive & endure, I guess. :~)

I really expected to hate AZ, it's so dry & brown. But I found that parts were very interesting. Oddly, I think I liked Bisbee the best, but there was a lot to see in many areas. There were even nice green areas.

Are you pressed for time? I remember that the definition of a mummy was "an Egytian pressed for time."

Alex

That should be "...an Egyptian..."

I was there in October. In Phoenix two big stores, Photomark and Tempe Camera. Both very good but also expensive for my italian tastes. Bring your film from Belgium I guess it's going to be cheaper. Processing of 35 or 120 film is twice as expensive than in Italy. 4x5 processing is half though. I also visited shops in Denver and Las Vegas. In Vegas maybe cheaper, but still more costly than Europe. The only thing that cost less if LF stuff & processing. Have a nice trip

Hi Thomas -- For info on birds and birding, see the American Birding Association. For their birding books go to americanbirding.org/abasales/ . Look under Books for Traveling Birders, North American Field Guides, Regional Guides, Birding Arizona. All of the N.Am. field guides listed are excellent; I like National Geographic's Field guide to the Birds of North America, and the Sibley guide best, and Peterson's Western Birds. If you are a birder, you probably already know about these books.

The two meccas for birders hunting rare species are the Patagonia-Madera Canyon area south of Tucson (sometimes more birders and photographers than birds), and the several mountain ranges in the southeast corner of the state. I've had success in photographing birds in the Desert Sonoran Musueum (it has lots of desert as well as museum buildings),Organ Pipes National Monument, especially at Quitobaquito springs. Common desert are nearly everywhere, and many are fairly approachable and large enough to photography easily -- cactus wren, curve-billed thresher, Mexican jay, gilded flicker....

Get up early -- the birds are out and singing, and it's a lot cooler!

Good luck!

Ray Breuninger

I think splitting up isn't a great idea. If nothing else, you'll blow any savings from finding cheaper film, cheaper rentals, etc., Two cheap cars won't be cheap. Two sets of lodging won't be cheap. Besides, having two to a car gives you someone to talk to on the long stretches. And you don't have to carry everything, all the time! You could certainly handle two weeks in Arizona and southern Utah without seeing the Grand Canyon (but the one that hasn't, probably should). You could easily work out of either Phoenix and cover the southern areas or out of Flagstaff and cover the north. I do think that it's really easy to try to hit too many places. Don't underestimate the size of the area and distances you could travel.

One thing that may not be a sure bet but is a possibility is that there are released California Condors in the Grand Canyon area. I don't know if they are still hanging around the South Rim but one was when we were there a couple of years ago. The loop or day trips out of Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon and/or Page are easily done. Flag is close to Sedona and the Oak Creek Canyon area. That area has a wide variety of scenic areas and cultural/historic monuments as well. You can reach east to the Painted Desert as well.

Thomas,

There is a nice scenic drive east of Phoenix called "The Apache Trail". You take US 60 east to Apache Junction and then north on AZ 88 past The Lost Dutchman's campground, a very nice camp area. You drive east along Canyon Lake, which I'll try to load with this post. The road turns to dirt after Canyon Lake but is 2WD accessible all the way to Roosevelt Lake. Lots of Saguaro Cactus scenery. Turning south onto AZ 188 takes you to Globe and U.S. 160 and back to Phoenix. Great Mexican restaurant on the west side of Miami, AZ. Tonto National Monument is along 188 near Roosevelt Lake.

I would add to the suggestion to consider east and northeast Arizona, from Globe east to the New Mexico border and/or north to Showlow and Pinetop. The Salt River Canyon and the Apache Reservation are interesting places to explore (just remember you're on Tribal property). And from Showlow you can go any direction on the plateau, such as west to Flagstaff (better to follow the Mogollon Rim highway to Payson). Going east from Globe (interesting place for copper mine history and landscape) you can circumnavigate the Apache Reservation and get into the Apache National Forest back to Showlow.

Good luck. The two weeks will go fast.