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Flagstaff & Grand Canyon ArizonaPainted Deserts and Natural WondersStory and photos by Naeem Randhawa Somewhere in the vast reaches of space, a dark solid body of matter composed of iron and nickel hurtles into our solar system. This seemingly immovable body of rock and ice, birthed from some unknown cosmic event, begins to gather momentum as the Sun’s gravity takes hold of it. The object measuring 150 feet across, and weighing several hundred thousand tons, accelerates into an unrelenting pursuit towards impending fate, with Earth clearly in its line of sight. As the meteor pummels into the Earth’s atmosphere, the friction of the air around the objects heats up, luminous like an enormous scorching ball of fire, and is observed by some grazing unknowing animals from the Earth’s surface. The meteor, now traveling at 40,000 miles per hour, meets the Earth, and explodes with the equivalent ferocity of 20 million tons of TNT, and disintegrates on impact.
Flagstaff as a destination, or a base to northern Arizona deserts and Grand Canyon is a gateway to natural landmarks. With Northern Arizona University close by, downtown Flagstaff is a hangout for students, locals and visitors, in the pubs, restaurants, shops and cafes. Spend some hours visiting downtown, and inevitably a friendly local will guide you to the local sights and day-trip around Flagstaff. More than 70,000 people visit Lowell Observatory each year. Founded in 1894, it is situated at an elevation of 7,260 feet, allowing astronomers the advantage of altitude and the remoteness to study and observe our solar system and space. Although, the city’s sprawl around the area has caused an increased level of luminosity that concerns scientists and astronomers trying to keep the telescope clear of man-made lights. The observatory is best known for the discovery of Pluto, and the evidence of the expanding universe. Group tours, multimedia presentations and an observation telescope are available for the visiting public. Another destination is The Museum of Northern Arizona, which offers a glimpse into the area’s rich history and culture, including displays of Hopi, Navajo, Pai, Zuni and prehistoric peoples. Study dinosaurs, geology, fossils and native plants and animals. Visitors can also explore the outdoors on hikes, raft trips, llama treks and expeditions. Coconino National Forest is the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest that surrounds Flagstaff. Nature trails vary from simple to difficult in skill and stamina. The forest elevation varies from 2,600 to 12,633 feet, and is home to a variety of wildlife including the American bald eagle and the black bear, as well as a host of plant life. The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a great way to spend the afternoon, observe the collection of plants, flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees of the high country on over 200 yards of botanic gardens. Self-guided nature trails display information of all the species of flora on display. The Arizona Snowbowl is a skiing destination, with a 2,300 feet vertical drop, and an average snowfall of 260 inches. Skiing season is from mid-December through mid-April, during the summer a scenic ride operates, taking visitors to the top of the summit for a beautiful view of the landscape. The Inn at 410 Bed
& Breakfast is a popular stay for visitors as witnessed by the numerous
accolades and high ratings it has received from local and national travel
writers. Howard, an avid road
biker, Fall Inn to Nature
is another highly recommended bed and breakfast in Flagstaff. With a view
of the San Francisco Peaks from the main parlor, this one-story cedar
style home is surrounded by a natural setting of Poderosa Pine and wild
flowers that
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, it has moved rivers through rock, land through time, and it has moved men to tears. Over 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year, as if the great chasm was calling to all to come and witness the wonders of the Earth. The South Rim is the most popular point in Grand Canyon, open year round and providing all the tourist amenities at Grand Canyon Village. Due to its elevation, the North Rim is only open from mid-May to mid-October. Grand Canyon Village offers all you need including hotels, visitors center, souvenir shops, restaurants, and tour operators. The canyon itself
extends 277 miles across in length, from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead, at its
widest point, it is 18 miles across and covers more than 19.04 square To experience the Grand Canyon with an expert’s guidance, you should make reservations with a tour operator. Grand Canyon Coaches offer convenient charter services with knowledgeable guides, who provide informative narratives of the history and culture of the Grand Canyon, the Native Americans, and early settlers who first established in the area. Ric Ovalle, one of the experienced guides, offers visitors insight into the local fauna, and wildlife, while working out a driving route based on the time of the day. He sets it so that visitors can be at the right place at the right time to capture the perfect moment of sunset – and is quick to point out where to view the effect of light on the canyon. He is also quick to let visitors know that the observations points are not all fenced, so that caution should be taken at the edge. The missing person posters hanging in the hotels and restaurants, could easily be of someone who decided to take a stroll near the edge, and lost their footing. Taking in the view
from above, in a guided flight is also a terrific way to witness the All South Rim tour
operators operate from Grand Canyon Village, which is the base for all
activities in the area. During the peak season, hotels and activities are
booked
In the village, the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater plays IMAX films including Grand Canyon – The Hidden Secrets. A 34 minute narrative on the relationship between man and the canyon, it takes viewers through the earliest time period of the Anasazi Indians who inhabited the canyon 4000 years ago, through to the Spanish explorers on to Major John Wesley Powell as he challenged the unexplored canyon and raging Colorado River in 1869. If you drive along Interstate 40 or fly into Flagstaff, and drive to the Grand Canyon, take the extra time to drive through North on highway 89 (instead of highways 180 or 64 North), which will take you an extra hour to get there, but will be entirely worth the time. You will get to visit Sunset Crater Volcano, where you can see the natural black lake of hardened lava flow against, which gives visitors a feeling of a moon-like landscape. The route also offers one of the most beautiful drives with a panoramic view of the red-orange desert plains and hills of the Painted Desert on the Eastern horizon. Stopping along the various outlooks and spending some time amongst the complete desolate and solitude of nature is a transcendental experience. Whether you go for the unequivocal beauty of the natural wonders of the land or to witness the Earth’s history of ever changing cultures and people, Northern Arizona offers an experience not soon forgotten.
For more information:
The Inn at 410 Bed & Breakfast(800) 774-2008
Fall into Nature Bed & Breakfast/www.bbonline.com/az/fallinn/index.html (888) 920-0237Grand Canyon Squire Inn(800) 622-6966
Meteor Crater(520) 289-5898
Air Grand Canyon(800) AIR-GRAND
Grand Canyon Coaches(520) 638-0821
Grand Canyon IMAX Theaterwww.grandcanyonimaxtheater.com
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JustSayGO Travel Show
50,000
years ago, that Earth altering event took place, and left a permanent mark
on the desert plain in northern Arizona. Today, Meteor Crater, as it is
known, is the site for wide-eyed youths as well as adults who gaze at the
stars and wonder about cosmic phenomenon. About 35 miles east of
Flagstaff, off I-40, the Meteor Crater Visitors Center is open year round.
The 550 feet deep and 2.4 miles circumference crater could host 20
football games simultaneously in its base or could hold the Statue of
Liberty and still have room to the top of the crater. The natural
landmark, includes the Museum of Astrogeology, the Astronaut Hall of Fame,
a gift shop, a self-guided tour of exhibits, an animated recreation of the
impact in the video room, and a 1,406 lb meteorite fragment (largest ever
found) on display. To understand some of the historical perspective of the
crater, and to experience the site up close, a guided rim tour also
operates, with three look out points for taking great pictures and views.
The tour is offered everyday, weather permitting.
and Sally Krueger, a professionally trained chorale singer, o
lend
to the name. Annette and Ron Fallaha host guests on their private 2.5-acre
getaway by maintaining a theme true to nature, from the nature inspired
themes for each of the rooms, Butterfly Room, South West Bird Room, to the
redwood outdoor deck that leads to an enclosed area home to some goats,
chicken and rabbits. After enjoying a hearty home baked continental
breakfast, kids and guests get a thrill from feeding and petting the
animals in the backyard. After breakfast, Annette serves tea in her
collection of fine china and will be happy show visitors the collection of
Native American pottery relics found on the property or her collection of
completed and framed giant gigsaw puzzles. The Fallaha’s also operate
private tours to the Grand Canyon, hosting up to fifteen passengers on a
private charter and providing the historical perspective on the area.
miles. It is the second most visited park in the U.S. Formed by the
erosion from water, ice and wind as well as the effects of volcanism,
continental drift, and variations in the Earth’s orbit, the canyon began
to form about five or six million years ago, although the roots of the
ancient mountain range that lie at the bottom of the canyon were formed
about 1.7 billion years ago. The sequence of events that took place to
form the Grand Canyon, causes the layers of various rocks levels to
reflect color in different ways, these natural reflections are best viewed
at dawn or sunset, when the light of the Sun hits them at the right angle
to bring out the inspirational effects in full panoramic splendor.
grandeur of the canyon. Air Grand Canyon, operates from the Grand Canyon
Airport, located minutes from the Grand Canyon Village, the planes are
built and equipped so that all visitors get a window seat, and can get the
best view. The large windows of the high wing Cessnas allow for great
camera angles, while listening to the pilot’s narration over the provided
headsets. The flights, ranging from 30 minutes to 100 minutes give
visitors a bird’s eye-view of the sheer canyon walls, the course of the
Colorado river winding through the rocks, and a visible horizon extending
from the Painted Desert to the East of the canyon. A special “Eat with the
Indians” flight is also available, where you can fly over the canyon, and
sit for an authentic Navajo meal at the Navajo Indian Reservation at
Marble Canyon.
in
advance, so be sure to plan reservations well in advance so that you don’t
miss out. The Grand Canyon Squire Inn is a full service hotel resort
property, located in the heart of Grand Canyon Village. The resort is a
perfect family destination with something for everyone, a sports bar,
restaurants, salon, fitness facilities, outdoor pool, tennis, billiard,
bowling, family center, a cowboy museum, and meeting facilities. The
Squire Inn also has a great casual fine dining restaurant, the Coronado
Restaurant; enjoy some mouth-watering lobster bisque and Elk Tournedos
(tender morsels of meat from elk). The hotel is a favorite family
destination, because of the many activities and services offered on the
premises, be sure to make reservations well in advance.
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