Arizona's Sunset Beach

   The Valley of the Sun is blessed with not only an abundance of summer sunshine but with many world-class resorts that offer tremendous deals for family stay-cations.  This year is no different, but the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort may have bettered its summer completion with the opening of their new Sunset Beach.
    No longer do you have to make that 6-hour drive to San Diego to enjoy lounging on the beach.  Some 830 tons of crystal white sand surrounds the Princess’s newest and biggest pool creating an ocean paradise just 40 minutes from north Phoenix residents.  Glamorous cabanas and 102 luxurious new, surrounding guest rooms make Sunset Beach not only a marvelous stay-cation but also a dreamy play-cation. 
    Each weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day a “Summer Beach Party” celebration will occur. This celebration is a splashy mix of fun throughout the resort with cool rides down waterslides, Techno Glo pool parties, Dive In movies, the new 4-story Aqua Flyer inflatable waterslide, the new Mermaid University, Swashbuckler Academy and three summer fairies, Dew Drop, Sparkles and Poppy Pixie, who are delightful new Fairmont friends to meet. Plus, the resort has two relaxing pools just for grown-ups.
    At the lagoons, fishing is fun with Ranger Rick, who also leads nature walks and bird watching with the resort’s falconers. Other unique experiences, for adults, include sampling any of 240 tequilas a La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval, escaping to Well & Being Spa, savoring a dish at Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak or enjoy the sunset and Pan-Latin fare at Toro at TPC Scottsdale.
    Fireworks explode into the sky each summer Saturday evening as well as the holiday weekends of the 4th of July Freedom Fest and the Labor Day Dreamcation offering even a greater line-up of festivities.
    So this year you don’t have to go to California to enjoy the beach.  All you have to do is get out and make a 45 minute drive to discover the best white sand beach in all of Arizona - Sunset Beach at the Fairmount Scottsdale Princess.  The Sip, Savor & Sand Package start from $179/night with a $50 daily credit. 



Other Stay-cation offerings…

 -Copperwynd Resort and Spa, Fountain Hills (480-333-1900) - complete $5 million renovations-many offering for staycationers who are into fitness - from $157/night

-Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North (480-515-5700) - Monthly Mashup dinner series and Kids for All Seasons programs as well as resort’s #FSSummer Story social media contest - from $179/night

-Camelback Inn, Paradise Valley (480-948-1700 - the historic Camelback Inn offers the “Escape Your Way” package that include pools, spas and golf - from $159/night

-The Boulders, Carefree (480-488-9009) - the “Truly Boulders Package” includes the new “Waterfall Rapple” adventure - from $109/night

-Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley (602-955-8614) - historic old inn decorated with the Western art work of Lon Megargee and the famous Lon’s restaurant.  The “80th Anniversary Stay Package” is more ideal for adults who enjoy great dining and longing in a smaller resort environment - from $179/night 









All Pictures belong to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princes Resort

   

Saguaros and Cardóns

      The Sonoran Desert is located in both the southwest region of the United States as well as the northern region of Sonora and central Baja, Mexico.  Within the Mexican region is found the cardón cactus, a close cousin to the saguaro cactus of our Arizona.  Cardóns are the largest cactus in the world and unless one spends time in Baja California, not a common sight.

     But in north Phoenix, along Cave Creek Road, a local plant nursery has several specimens of the world's largest cactus growing.  Over the past two months we have photographed these cardóns as they bloomed, develop seed pods and then open those seeds pods to the birds and animals of the area.  Here are a series of 12 photos comparing the flowers, seed pods and fruits of the giant cardón and saguaro cacti.

Saguaro in bloom

Cardón in bloom

Closer look at cardón blooms

A cluster of saguaro seed pods in the center with a single cardón seed pod to the right

Some more cardón seed pods

Saguaro seed pods open exposing the thousands of tiny, black seeds

Cardón seed pod open exposing the thousands of tiny, black seeds

Saguaro seed pods open

Cardón seed pods with two that have opened

A cluster of cardón seed pods

Cardón seed pods - two open; one not yet ready

Another cluster of saguaro seed pods ripe and ready to open

2016 Saguaro Flowers & Fruits

May 20, 2016

     In the Spring of 2015 we commented about how few of the saguaro cacti that grow around the Anthem, Arizona area had bloomed.  It was the fewest blooming saguaros that we had ever remembered seeing.  Why, we don't know but we do know that has not been true in the Spring 2016.  Saguaros everywhere were blooming this spring and here are a few of out most favorite 2016 pictures.  Hope you enjoy them...

May 6, 2016

May 20, 2016

May 2016

May 23, 2016 - two opened

May 24, 2016 - same two now closed

May 17, 2016

June 9, 2016

June 10, 2016

June 13, 2016

June 13, 2016

June 13, 2016

June 14, 2016

June 13, 2016

June 13, 2016

June 16, 2016

June 16, 2016

June 16, 2016

 

Bullock's Oriole

      On May 7, 2016 a beautiful Bullock's Oriole was sitting atop a giant saguaro probably looking for some nectar from the beautiful saguaro flower upon which to dine.  Beautiful bird/beautiful flowers.

Urban Trailhead - Desert Vista

    Over the many years we have lived, studied and taught about Arizona, the cities of the Valley of the Sun have done a tremendous jobs in preserving the amazing mountains and mountain foothills found here.  Each year more and more land in put into preservation and new trailheads are open to the general public.  Here is our story about one of the newest trailheads...  

      For those of us who live in the far North Valley the nearby Phoenix Sonoran Preserve continues to offer new opportunities to explore and enjoy the rugged beauty of our local Sonoran Desert.  And if you enjoy hiking, mountain biking and/or horseback riding, the newly opened Desert Vista Trailhead just might become your favorite local hangout. 
    The Desert Vista Trailhead is located just to the northeast of the Fireside at Norterra Community Center.  From here outdoor lovers can access 10 trails leading into the interior of this lush desert preserve and covering over 14  miles.   A new restroom facility and fresh water station are also found at this trailhead. 
     All 10 trails are wide and easy to follow but difficulty varies usually based on elevation change.  The Cactus Wren Trail is considered easy to moderate and has an elevation change of only 234 feet.  While the Dixie Mountain Summit Trail is a steep, 346 foot ascent to the mountain top with panoramic views of Camelback Mountain, Shaw Butte and Piestewa Peak.
    The 3.82 mile Dixie Mountain Loop Trail was the first trail built in the Sonoran Preserve opening in 2010.  It is rated “moderate” as the many small climbs throughout the trail results in an elevation change of 1,322 feet.
    Many desert washes cut through the desert landscape as the trails skirt along the hillsides.  Stunning views of undisturbed desert landscapes change at every turn and twist of the trails.
    When completed the Sonoran Preserve will encompass some 20,000 acres which will make it larger than both the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and South Mountain Park.  Since this new preserve is still not surrounded by housing developments, these trails are relatively uncrowded and hikers can often find themselves alone on the trail with only nature as a companion.
    The main protected land that is encompassed by the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve is bordered by the Carefree Highway to the north, North Valley Parkway to the west, Cave Creek Road  to the east and the Central Arizona Project Canal to the south.  The Desert Vista Trailhead is just the newest facility to open within the preserve with more trailhead and parks coming in the near future.
    So, if you are looking to quickly escape back into undisturbed nature, get out and discover for yourself the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve and the new Desert Vista Trailhead.  You will surely enjoy this nearby desert experience - just remember your sun screen, water and hat!

Amazing Vermilion Cliffs

    We have long been writing stories about the natural world for the web site, Live Science - http://www.livescience.com/54510-ocotillo-desert-plants-photos.html .  It is a great site for anyone interested in science and all the wonders of the world.  We have decided to also put those stories and pictures onto our Finding Arizona website.  Hope you enjoy our stories and the Live Science site.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher  
      1. The Vermilion Cliffs of southern Utah and northern
Arizona are one of the more isolated and undisturbed regions of the Colorado Plateau. It is the “second step” of the larger geological region found here and known as the Grand Staircase.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher
2. The Vermilion Cliffs extend west from Paige, Arizona and is a classic high desert region of spectacular beauty and rugged wilderness. This arid region varies in elevation from 3100 (945 m) feet to 7300 (2225 m) feet.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher
     3. The weather across the Vermilion Cliffs region
ranges from 100 degrees F. (37.7C) in the summer to freezing and snow covered mountain tops in the winter. Only the most rugged of flora and fauna are naturally found in this vast, inhospitable region.

Credit: BLM      
4. Flash flooding in many of the regions slot canyons
are caused by the violent summer thunderstorms and are a potential danger for any hiker who might be exploring in the narrow, canyon crevasses.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher
     5. The reddish or “vermilion” cliffs that make up this
region are composed of layers of silt laid down by the ancient seas that covered this Colorado Plateau some 165 - 200 million years ago. Colored red by iron oxide and bluish by manganese the layers of silt and ancient desert sand dunes were cemented together over time by the penetration of carbonates.

Credit: Linda Buscher        
6. The Colorado River cuts through the Colorado
Plateau and the southern border of the Vermilion Cliffs to form what is known today as Marble Canyon.
A short distance from Marble Canyon in 1873 John D. Lee established the historic Lee Ferry. This is the only place for hundreds of miles where early Mormon settlers could cross the mighty Colorado River from both the east and west sides.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher
       7. The Vermilion Cliffs are also the site of one of the
most successful reintroduction into the wild of an endangered species. In 1996 six captive-bred young California Condors were released back into the wild in the Vermilion Cliffs. This was the first time since 1924 that these majestic birds could be seen once again flying over the Grand Canyon.

Credit: Linda Buscher
         8. Today over seventy condors soar above the
Vermilion Cliff region of Utah and Arizona. At least seven of those birds wild-bred condors having been successfully raised in nesting caves found within the Vermilion Cliffs and along the Colorado River.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher     
9. Regions of the Vermilion Cliffs are covered with
green, grassy valleys and meadows making an ideal habitat for Desert Bighorn Sheep, dear, elks and Pronghorn, Antilocapra americana. The pronghorn’s scientific name translates to “American antelope goat.” But these Vermilion Cliffs inhabitants are neither antelope nor goat as they are the only surviving member of the ancient hoofed mammal family Antilocapridae (order Artiodactyla) dating back some 20 million years.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher
     10. In 2000 the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
was established by presidential proclamation forever protecting some 280,000 unspoiled acres of geological treasures. This national monument is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management and includes the spectacular Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area.

Credit: BLM
11. Three areas of this national monument are best known for their spectacular geological beauty. The Wave in Coyote Buttes (North) the Cottonwood Cove and the Teepees in Coyote Buttes (South) and the White Pocket region are all a special destination for both hikers and photographers. Shown here is the region known as Coyote Butte.

Credit: Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher
      12. The Vermilion Cliffs are one of the many
sensational geological locations found throughout the western United States. Their rugged beauty and remote wilderness still allows one to grasp, experience and enjoy the natural beauty and wilderness of the American West before the arrival of our modern civilization.