Category Archives: Environment

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area: Photos by Francie Hills

Purple Cholla Blossoms resized copy

An amateur photographer, Francie Hills is a retired teacher from New Hampshire who currently lives in Sierra Vista. We first saw Francie’s photographs at the San Pedro House, the visitor center operated by Friends of the San Pedro River. This 57,000 acre preserve protects one of the last remaining year-round free-flowing rivers in Arizona. People have lived in this area for at least 11,000 years. Here you will find pleasant hiking trails, dozens of bird species, a ghost town, and an archeological site. … Continue reading

Reptiles of the San Pedro River

Watch this informative video on Reptiles of the Sonoran Desert including detailed information on many of the snakes and lizards in the desert.
Thanks to the Friends of the San Pedro River at: SanPedroRiver.org. The Friends of the San Pedro River work for the conservation, education, and restoration of the San Pedro River.
This and other videos are available to teachers for educational purposes at: Friends of the San Pedro River Educational Series

Black Hills Back Country Byway

Old Safford Bridge built with convict labor over the Gila River on what is now the scenic Black Hills Back Country Byway.

Other than to explore the abandoned old downtown and a few scattered artifacts, there isn’t much to do in Clifton except take photographs and say you’ve been there. But there is a reason to go to Clifton. Clifton is the northern entrance to the Black Hills Back Country Byway, a delightful couple-hours drive through the rugged beauty of Greenlee County that takes you from Clifton to Soloman on Hwy 70 near Safford. In fact, before modern highways, this unpaved 21 mile scenic drive was the only road from Safford to the mines at Clifton. The Byway crosses the Gila River several times and offers travelers many campsites and picnic areas. The campsites are barren places with a ramada, BBQ, and firepit. The picnic areas are completely different. Some offer magnificent vistas. Others are in thick riparian areas along the Gila, particularly at Gila Box. You can see for yourself on … Continue reading

Tucson Botanical Gardens

Tucson Botanical Gardens

There are many reasons to love Tucson Botanical Gardens. First, of course, are the many different types of gardens. Second, every spring they have a “Weird Plant Sale” where you can purchase living conversation pieces. Third, TBG is a peaceful place in the midst of a bustling urban environment. Fourth, they have concerts & art shows. Fifth, you can rent the facilities and have a magnificent party there, be it for a wedding, reunion, or whatever special occasion. Go to our Tucson Botanical Gardens to discover reasons #6, #7, & #8.

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Extraordinary Photographs Of Powerful Monsoon Storms

One of the perks of my job is discovering extraordinary pictures of our Sonoran Desert. Some of the most extraordinary come from John Edwards, a local photographer and illustrator.We both live in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains, only his home is a little higher than mine. His vantage point affords him an excellent view [...]

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Saguaro National Park West – Bajada Loop Drive

Saguaro Nat'l Park West

This back road is one of our favorites, partly because it’s practically in our back yard and because it’s so indicative of the Sonoran Desert. Here in Saguaro National Park West you will be driving through a forest of giant Saguaros. And, within an easy quarter mile hike, you can get up close and personal with ancient Hohokam petroglyphs. From Tucson, take Speedway west from the I-10 Freeway (A). After a few miles, Speedway merges with Gates Pass Road which takes you over the Pass, down the other side (steep) and eventually to Kinney Road. At Kinney Road, you’ll see a sign for the Desert Museum. Turn right and head for the Desert Museum. Two miles past the Desert Museum is the Red Hills Visitors Center (B). Park and go in. Watch the brief orientation movie, get a map, and ask the Park Ranger or docent about current road conditions … Continue reading

The Road to Mt. Lemmon

Road To Mt. Lemmon

A short video about what you might encounter on the Road up to Mt. Lemmon. Mt. Lemmon is a year round destination. The road is 26 miles long. Along the way there will be hiking, biking, rock climbing, camping, skiing and at the top is the Sky Center.

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Ironwood National Monument

Flowering Ironwood

Created in 2000 by the Clinton administration, and administered by the BLM, Bureau of Land Management, Ironwood National Monument supports some of the oldest trees in the world. The wood is VERY hard, hence the name of the tree for which this Monument is named. Carbon dating suggests that they can live up to 800 years. For more information on the Ironwood tree visit this website. Did You Know? The difference between a National Monument and a National Park is the way they are created. National Parks require Congressional approval but National Monuments are established by Executive Order of the President. … Continue reading

Coronado National Forest Recreation

The Coronado National Forest is big and diverse. It includes the Santa Catalina Mountains and Mt. Lemmon. The principle activities in the forest are biking, hiking, and camping. All of the picnic areas and campgrounds on Mt. Lemmon have toilets. For camping, our favorite is Spencer Campground, located at 8,000 feet elevation. It’s more spacious and adjacent to some of the best hiking trails. Visit the Website … Continue reading

Brooklyn Pizza Company

I have yet to eat at Brooklyn Pizza on 4th Ave. However, until I can get there, I can tell you that the Yelp & TripAdvisor customer reviews are generally 3-4 Stars. And the Weekly’s readers say it’s the best of 2011. AND for all you environmentally conscious people out there, Brooklyn Pizza Company has gone 100% solar. Of the negative reviews I have read, the issue seems to be the wait staff rather than the food. Visit the Website 534 N. 4th Ave. Tucson … Continue reading

Saguaro National Park-West

Saguaro National Park Visitor Center West

About 2 miles down the road from the Desert Museum is the Saguaro National Park Visitors Center. I know this is odd, but there are two Saguaro National Parks – East & West. In between is Metropolitan Tucson. If you only have time to visit one, go West. Pictured here is an unusual rainy day in April. Most Tucsonans wish we had a few more rainy days. Six inches in spring and six inches during the monsoon season is supposed to be normal. We haven’t had normal in years. We have family living in the Northwest. They just laugh when we talk about our drought. They say they will send us all the water we’re willing to pay for. Suggestion: get directions and a map at the visitors center. Then head out to explore the most exquisite desert in the world. Picnic at the Signal Hill picnic area and walk … Continue reading