The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is one of
Tucson's best loved desert treasures. Noted
as "the most distinctive zoo in the United
States", it is a combination zoological
park and botanical garden. It's a delightful
place to view and enjoy all the area's desert
wonders - - animal, plant, reptile and insect.
Included in the exhibits are a walk-in aviary
(with a separate facility for hummingbirds),
natural desert gardens, reptile displays and
the underground earth sciences center - - a
representation of the origin and development
of the earth. A life underground exhibit simulates
a cave. Actual roots are woven into the natural-looking
concrete banks to add authenticity. The odd
rock squirrel hole, plenty of natural gravel,
and the right colors will convince critics the
banks were moved in from the surrounding desert.
4-5 hour event.
Located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina
Mountains north of Tucson, Biosphere 2 is the
largest man-made, self-sustaining ecosystem ever
built. Included within this three-acre, domed
complex of steel and glass are seven distinct
biomes: desert, marsh, savannah, ocean, rainforest,
intensive agriculture and human habitat. Also
contained inside Biosphere 2 are over 4,000 species
of insects, plants and animals carefully selected
to sustain one another within the sealed system.
All air, water and waste is recycled. World attention
is focused on the futuristic Biosphere 2. It is
anticipated that the research from these experiments
will lead to new applications in the areas of
global ecology, atmospheric purification, waste
management and pest control. It is hoped that
what may be learned from Biosphere 2 will help
us to understand more about the complex world
in which we live and ultimately serve as a model
for potential future colonies in space. Group
visitors to Biosphere 2 will partake in a two
hour tour around the perimeter of the facility
including the Orientation Theatre, Analog Biome
Exhibit, "Meet the Biospherians" Interactive
Exhibit, Biosphere 2 Test Module, Lab Exhibit
and Ocean Biome Viewing Gallery, as well as, a
45-minute outside walking tour of Biosphere 2
itself. In addition, the Human Habitat has recently
been opened to the public and visitors may view
where and how the Biospherians lived first hand.
Groups more technically inclined may also elect
to tour the Energy Center for a behind-the-scenes
look at what makes Biosphere 2 tick. 4 hour event.
Along the Old Spanish Trail like a Tibetan Monastery,
the massive hewn-rock entrance to Colossal Cave
clings to Rincon Mountain slopes just twenty-two
miles from Tucson. A cave that has earned its
name, Colossal is the largest dry cave in the
country. Cave explorers (speleologists) have never
found the end of Colossal Cave. They continue
to search in remote areas many miles from the
entrance.
Near the entrance, soot-blackened ceilings, bones
and artifacts attest to the cave's long history
as a home for ancient people, many tribes of Indians,
outlaws and explorers. No special clothing or
gear is needed for a comfortable visit to the
cave's interior. Colossal Cave maintains a year
round temperature of 72 degrees. A modern system
of hidden lights illuminates more spectacular
formations, including Frozen Waterfall, Kingdom
of the Elves, Drapery Room, Madonna, and Praying
Nuns. 4 hour event.
Located in Southeastern Arizona, the park encompasses
550 acres at the base of the Whetstone Mountains.
The seven acres of pristine caverns that have
become the focus for this new State Park are hidden
beneath one of the small hills which dots the
Majestic Chihuahuan Desert.
Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen, two cave enthusiasts,
first discovered the cave in 1974 and named it
"Xanadu". In 1978 Tufts and Tenen told
the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner
about their discovery and in 1988 Arizona State
Parks purchased the site and named it Kartchner
Caverns State Park.
The two main galleries, both the size of football
fields, are a kaleidoscope of color with 100-foot
high ceilings dripping with multi-hued stalactites
and floors jutting up with matching stalagmites.
Giant white columns form when the two features
meet. Dainty white helectites, translucent orange
bacon strips, and shields of white calcite adorn
this natural wonder. An extraordinarily thin stalactite,
called a soda straw, hangs tenuously 21 feet 2
inches from the cave's ceiling. Rare quartz needles
form "bird nests," nitrocalcite forms
the "cotton," and an extensive array
of brushite moonmilk are the cavern jewels.
Kartchner is a wet "live" cave. Water
percolates from the surface and calcium carbonate
features continue to grow in the darkness. From
May to mid-September the cave serves as a maternity
ward for about 1,000 female Myotis Velifer Bats
who roost there.
The Park includes a Discovery Center, gift shop,
regional displays, and educational information
about the caverns and the surrounding landscape.
Other facilities include campgrounds, hiking trails,
a shaded dining area, picnic area, vending area,
children's play area, and amphitheater.
The Pima Air Museum is home of the largest
privately owned collection of historical aircraft
in the country. From a mockup of the X-15 to
a full scale model of the Wright Brother's 1903
Wright Flyer - or step right into the restored
Douglas DC-6, used by both
Presidents Kennedy and Johnson during their
terms. Some of the aircraft on display have
been loaned from the Smithsonian, the U.S. Navy
and the U.S. Air Force
The "Bone Yard" is a testament to
dry air, hard ground and a defense budget second
to none. Its inventory is also worth more than
the assessed valuation of all land and structures
in Pima County. The "Bone Yard" holds
5,000 aircraft and missiles cooling their jets
and/or props. It's the country's only large-scale
military plane storage maintenance site.
Twelve thousand years ago, Columbian
mammoth roamed here. About 1,200 A.D., irrigation
dams were placed in the creek by Hohokam Indians.
In the 1870's, pony soldiers from Fort Lowell
enjoyed horseback excursions to the "ol'
swimmin' hole" still in use today. In the
1930's, civilian conservation groups built bridges
and cut hiking trails 3.8 miles into the Santa
Catalina Mountains. Wildlife and fauna flourish
in this preserve. An outdoor tram ride gets
you up close - cameras are a must! The tram
operates 365 days a year. En route from Sabino
Canyon, we will visit DeGrazia's Gallery in
the Sun. The DeGrazia Gallery, designed by the
artist himself, consists of a group of low slung
adobes exhibiting his earliest and latest works.
Within the museum, there are six galleries of
paintings and displays. Each gallery has a different
collection. You will immediately recognize the
works of DeGrazia as he is the most reproduced
artist in the world. The gift shop is open for
browsing and shopping. 3 hour event.
About 12 miles south of Tucson stands Mission
San Xavier del Bac, a remarkable church which
has been maintained to look much as it did in
1797. What you will see is a view into the Spanish/Mexican
baroque world. Life as it was then is forever
captured in the frozen gestures of the saints,
the drama of the paintings, and the broken outlines
of the architectural detail. The saints, the
Holy Family, angels, symbolic plants, animals,
and objects, and even the famous cat and mouse
on the facade, all create the impression that
they have been brought together from their different
places for a purpose.
San Xavier is still being used for the purpose
for which it was built, as a Catholic Church
serving the Tohono O'odham villagers who live
around it. It is still served by the Franciscan
Friars, members of the same order that built
it in the 1790's. Mass is offered daily and
on Sundays there is a service in Spanish. The
church recently opened a museum devoted to the
native people of Bac, mission architecture and
religious artifacts. 3 hour event.
Just 2 hours down the road is Bank One
Ball Park, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Experience Major League Baseball at its
finest, in the climate controlled stadium.
Private group boxes are available. Cheer
on your favorite team and players.
Note: Games begin in early April and run
through late September.
Tucson is home to Major League Baseball's
Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, and
Arizona Diamondbacks for Spring Training.
Spend a fun filled afternoon or evening
cheering for your favorite team and players.
Private dining areas are available for group
lunches or dinners.
Note: All games begin in early March and
run through early April.
DOWNTOWN HISTORICAL
TOUR AND SHOPPING AT OLD TOWN ARTISANS
Tucson is a city with an exciting and colorful
past, rich in Indian, Spanish, Mexican, and
Anglo culture, and is fortunate to have entire
neighborhoods where this history has been
preserved. The Barrio Viejo and Armory Park
have well preserved Sonoran, Mission Revival,
and Victorian buildings. Prior to arriving
at the El Presidio Historic District, you
will tour the Arizona Historical Society.
The Historical Society houses many exhibits
from 19th century women's clothing to the
Indian cultures. Next is Old Town Artisans,
a collection of shops located in Tucson's
El Presidio Historic District. "Unique",
"charming", and "historic"
seem to best describe Old Town Artisans. There
are a variety of shops, wares, and a cafe
found within this 1850's restored adobe structure.
Housed within these historic walls are the
works of hundreds of artists and craftsman
representing numerous cultures as well as
countries. 5 hour event.
Option:
Lunch may be included at
one of the many downtown cafes
NOGALES - SOUTH OF THE
BORDER AND TUBAC ARTIST COLONY
60 miles south of Tucson is Old Mexico - Nogales,
Sonora, Mexico. Founded in 1880, the first Arizona-Mexico
Customs Office was established to monitor the
international commercial exchange between the
two countries. Today, Nogales is a thriving city
of 150,000 people. Crossing the border doesn't
cause culture shock, but you certainly know you're
in a country with different habits - and a different
language. Nogales is not only an exhilarating
change of pace, but it's also great for shopping
(liquor, leather, jewelry and clothes in particular).
Remember to haggle for your best price, as there
are open shops (bargaining) as well as closed
shops (no bargaining).
After departing Nogales we will also visit Tubac
- a colorful artist colony that at one time was
the site of a Spanish presidio built to protect
nearby missions. Today Tubac is the town "where
art and history meet." 6.5 hour event.
This combination special interest tour is an
aviation lover's dream. The Pima Air Museum is
home of the largest privately owned collection
of historical aircraft in the country. View a
mockup of the X-15 and a full scale model of the
Wright Brothers' 1903 Wright Flyer, or step right
into the restored Douglas DC-9 used by both Presidents
Kennedy and Johnson during their terms. Some of
the aircraft on display have been loaned from
the Smithsonian, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air
Force.
Our tour takes us next to the Titan Missile Site.
Originally, eighteen missile sites were located
in the Tucson area. Titan missiles were also located
at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas and Little
Rock, Arkansas. All Titan missile sites have been
or are in the process of being deactivated. The
Tucson Titan missile site is the only one of its
kind in the world. It was assigned to the 390th
Strategic Missile Wing, headquartered at Davis
Monthan Air Force Base from 1963 until July 1984.
This site has been preserved as a museum and stands
as a tribute to those who maintained peace and
freedom with the Titan weapon system. 5-6 hour
event.
This is a great full day tour of two of Arizona's
most unique historic towns. Our first stop is
Bisbee. This old mining town and artists' enclave
winds through the old residential neighborhood
known as the Warren area. View the steeply tiered
houses clinging to hillsides and browse the antique
shops and fine galleries that feature works in
a variety of genre and mediums.
Take an adventure-filled expedition into the
cool, deep shafts of the Copper Queen Mine. Miner's
hard hats and heavy slickers are provided to tour
participants for this rail trip through 6,000
feet of solid rock. Drilling and blasting techniques
are explained and tools and equipment used not
so long ago are on display. Then it's lunch at
the historic Copper Queen Hotel.
Next, it's on to Tombstone, "the town too
tough to die", where Doc Holliday and Wyatt
Earp shot it out. It features the famous OK Corral,
Boothill Cemetery and Crystal Palace Saloon. Tombstone
was dedicated in 1962 as a Registered National
Historic Landmark; the American West of the 1880's
is still very much alive here today. During a
stop at Tombstone Historama, a unique electronic
audio/visual presentation will tell the full and
factual story of the roaring silver mining camp.
7-8 hour event.
This tour is filled with early Arizona history.
Forty-five miles south of Tucson, Tubac was at
one time the site of a Spanish presidio built
to protect nearby missions and settlements from
Indian attack. Today, it's the town "where
art and history meet." Artists and crafts
people live and work in Tubac and offer the visitor
prints, poetry, jewelry, batiks and paintings.
History buffs will love to tour the historic Tubac
Presidio State Park and Museum. Travel the Juan
Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail to the
nearby Tumacacori Mission. Art buffs will enjoy
the Tubac center of the arts which features free
performances and changing exhibits of visual art
from September through May.
The Tumacacori Mission was built in 1795, and
this Franciscan mission church was regularly besieged
by the Apaches. You can safely visit now and see
a garden of plants similar to those grown by the
padres 200 years ago. 5-6 hour event.
