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Doreen
Pendgracs |
Making Arizona
Memories Arizona is indisputably a state of stunning beauty. Best known as being “The Grand Canyon State,” Arizona has so much more to see than the ever-impressive expansiveness of the Grand Canyon. The awe inspiring beauty of the Sonoran Desert and the almost other worldly stance of the red rocks of Sedona – voted the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by USA WEEKEND magazine – have become irresistible to outdoor enthusiasts like me. They are away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, but close enough to venture into civilization if that is your will. And if you do find yourself near the super-city of Phoenix and its numerous sub-cities of Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Tempe, you will be in what is called the “Valley of the Sun,” a metropolitan area with three million permanent residents – and many more Canadian snowbirds who come to spend the super sunny winters in the near-perfect climate. There is indeed ample camping in most of the above areas, but little near the posh city of Scottsdale, best known for its fabulous resorts, worldclass golf courses (there are about 200 in the Scottsdale area,) wonderful art galleries and shopping.
Just a short drive from the Valley of the Sun is the Sonoran Desert – said to be the most lush desert in the world with approximately 3,500 native species of plants. We left our RV behind and hopped aboard a bright yellow Hummer with Steve Andreasen, owner of Roadrunner Desert Adventures. Andreasen is extremely knowledgeable about the flora, fauna and history of the desert – in addition to being a darn nice guy, so it was well worth our while to let someone else do the driving as we sat back and enjoyed the scenery along the bumpy trails that only a Jeep or Hummer could safely tackle.
If you prefer to venture off on your own, you can still explore the Table Mesa, federally owned land that is ideal for four wheeling, quadding, mountain biking, hiking, archery and general exploring. Just keep an eye out for rattlesnakes as they are prevalent in the area. And be sure to bring lots of fresh water, a hat and sunscreen as the sun can be quite powerful here and there are no services out in the desert. However, we did learn how the desert can sustain human life. Andreasen taught us about the prickly pear cactus, which has edible and tasty flesh often used locally in salads. Just be careful when peeling it, as the outer needles are very sharp. Its relative, the teddybear cholla, is a prickly cactus shaped like a cucumber and known locally as “Arizona Velcro” as it sticks to you if you rub against it. And it’s no fun trying to get it off of you! Be careful, as it can be quite painful trying to remove the prickly spines from your skin or clothing. We also learned about the jojoba plant, a shrub whose brown, acorn-like seeds are similar to the cocoa bean, but not as bitter. Jojoba oil is used in many beauty products and the wax in mechanical lubricants. Who’d have thought the fruits of the desert could be so versatile? The agave is plentiful in Arizona and is one of the most useful desert plants you will find growing in the Sonoran desert. The fibres are used to make rope and fences, and the succulent leaves for medicinal purposes – including the making of tequila! But the most stunning feature of the Sonoran Desert is the saguaro, the largest cactus in the Unites States, standing 40-50 feet high when fully grown. These mature saguaros can each store up to one ton of water! Saguaros, standing tall like sentinels, grow naturally only in the Sonoran Desert and are truly a majestic sight. If you are fortunate enough to be in the desert in late spring (May and June) you will be wowed by the beauty of the white blossoms of the saguaro. They are so captivating that they have been named the state flower. Despite the fact that saguaros have been growing in this area for 8,000 years, their numbers are now dwindling, as they grow very slowly and will face many obstacles in the course of their lives (extreme weather, damage from wildlife or man).
That gives you a good idea of what you will see and learn while exploring the beautiful Sonoran Desert. If you head north up Highway 17, you will come to Highway 179, the road that takes you to Sedona. This drive will take close to two hours, and you won’t want to rush it as the colours of the rugged landscape are absolutely stunning. Sedona is a small community offering a laidback atmosphere, spectacular scenery and some great camping. We liked the Lo Lo Mai Springs Outdoor Resort as it was secluded and offered campsites along Oak Creek, a beautiful babbling brook. There were even some resident ducks and geese to keep us happily entertained during our stay. I found it very relaxing to stroll peacefully around the lovely grounds. Lo Lo Mai campground is located eight miles southwest of Sedona, making it easy to get in and out of town. They also have a few cabins available for rent, incase you are planning a holiday with friends or family who don’t have an RV. Best known for its magnificent red rocks, Sedona is a world away from the hectic pace and traffic of the cities, though only 120 miles north of Phoenix. But because you are at a much higher elevation of 4,500 feet, the climate is less intense and averages between 75? F in summer and 46 ? F in winter -- perfect for those of us who can’t take the intense heat of southern Arizona. But remember to have a good jacket with you if you are out in the evening or early morning, as frost is not uncommon during the winter months. If you are spiritually inclined or interested in the metaphysical, Sedona is a good place to spend time as it is home to the Sedona Metaphysical Spiritual Association as well as the Center for the New Age. Professionals here can guide you on your way to understanding some of the unique phenomenon of Sedona – including the fact that it is said to have approximately seven vortexes, or places of intense natural energy said to be good for your health and well being. Pick up Dennis Andres’s book, “What is a Vortex?” while in town and it will explain more about this. You can also take jeep tours to the vortex sites. We did this, and found it to be fascinating and serene as you inhale the freshness of the still, open air. Other activities to make your Sedona camping experience more memorable include hiking, horseback riding, off-roading, Jeep rides and rentals, helicopter, hot air balloon and trolley rides as well as some unique shopping opportunities. Right in town (Highway 179 at the bridge) is Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, a collection of shops in a Mexican style cobblestone village. And a short distance from Sedona along Highway 179, you’ll find the Oak Creek Factory Outlet Mall, northern Arizona’s only outlet centre and well worth the trip... page 2
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If you’re thinking about parking your RV for a night or two
and splurging on an opulent resort as we did, Scottsdale is definitely
the place to do it. There are more than 70 high-end hotel resorts in
the area, each of them with something special to offer. My favourite
is the Westin Kierland. It has a breathtakingly beautiful 27-hole golf
course, an innovative spa offering unique treatments such as Rollerssage,
great restaurants and enough art on-site to practically be classified
as an art gallery. Even if you choose not stay there, it’s worth
a visit to enjoy any of the above. 
It takes at least 50 years before a saguaro will grow an arm or appendage.
If you see one that is three feet tall, it is likely that it is anywhere
between 20 and 50 years old. You do the math! The ones that are 50
feet tall are likely to be in the area of 800 years old. It is therefore
no surprise that the saguaro is a protected species by Arizona law
and must not be cut down, moved or altered without authorization.