Many web sites are available about the Grand Canyon and National Park. This web site is one of the better sites I have seen, and it has a feature whereby you can download the site’s information to your PDA (palm device). A word of caution is usually extended to visitors of the Grand Canyon; DON’T expect to make overnight reservations at the canyon when you get there. Maybe at the North Rim, but if you error, other accommodations are quite a distance away. A reservation far in advance seems to be recommended.

Grand Canyon Railway & Resort is the trailhead for your journey to the Grand Canyon. Ride a historic train to the Grand Canyon. Take a motorcoach rim tour while at the South Rim. Enjoy the comfort of the Railway's resort hotel, the Fray Marcos. Have a delicious meal at the Railway's restaurant, Max & Thelma's, and go back in time at the historic Williams Depot. All are located together in Williams, Arizona, the closest city to the Grand Canyon. You can plan your whole Grand Canyon experience with just one phone call to 1-800-THE-TRAIN.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument offers visitors the opportunity to learn about Southwestern Indian history from the earliest Anaszai basketmakers to the Navajo Indians who live and farm here today. Its primary attractions are ruins of Indian villages built between 350 and 1300 AD at the base of sheer red cliffs and in canyon wall caves. This area is in Northeast Arizona along the Utah border, and could be best seen as a part of a trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim.

Sedona, Arizona is a unique, special place. Featuring the wonder of what Native Americans consider the spiritual vortex of the Southwest and absolutely sublime red rock formations, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon challenge many national parks in their beauty.

In 1876, Jerome, Arizona was built on Cleopatra Hill above a vast deposit of copper. The mines, the workers and those who sought its wealth, formed Jerome's history. This quaint old copper mining town, built on the side of a mountain, was home to over 15,000 residents in it’s peak in 1929. When the peak passed in the 1950’s, the population fell to about 50 people. Today, restoral of the old properties is underway with a few tourist shops available.

While near Jerome, the Verde Canyon Railroad excursion train is a 40 mile, 4 hour round trip from Clarkdale to Drake, Arizona. As your ride begins, you will see behind you the old mining town of Jerome, about halfway up the side of the mountain. Adult fares of $36, provide a good half-day of exciting and interesting historical entertainment. To book an overnight with train ride and all amenitities, visit the Verde Canyon Railroad for rates and details.

Arizona State University is a major university located in metropolitan Phoenix, the economic, cultural, and governmental center of Arizona. Participating in the PAC 10 collegiate athletics conference, ASU is an internationally recognized research institution and center for the promotion of cultural and performing arts.

Taliesin West is a home built by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. While most architects build 30 or so buildings in a life time, FLW was responsible for over 1000, half of which he lived to see. Some of his most famous buildings are Falling Waters near Pittsburgh, and Taliesin West based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The web site found does not give a lot of information, but this small piece will inform you that this attraction exists in Northeast Scottsdale, and is very close (about 8 miles) from our home. Others have said about Taliesin West; since Taliesin isn't a "tourist attraction" the crowds are minimal, but the views are incredible. Not great for children, perfect for students.

Kartchner Caverns State Park is an underground geological cave that has recently been opened to public viewing in the past few years. Located off of Interstate 10, a few miles east of Tucson, Kartchner Caverns is in easy reach for a day trip. Fees are charged and they do have hours of operation, so be sure to check their details on their web site.

Although we aren't out to promote the Native American's casino, the Fort McDowell Casino, the state's largest casino facility, is located just a couple of miles North of SR (State Route) 87 and Shea Blvd intersections. From our home, the casino is located just about 4 or 5 miles away. Included inside the casino is the Red Rock Café, a reasonably priced buffet arrangement that is popular.

A string of four lakes are included in the Salt River Canyon, running from the East Valley, Apache Junction, to Theodore Roosevelt Lake on State Route 88. Although this route, called the Apache Trail, does miss the first lake, Saguaro Lake, you pass by Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and join a main route at Roosevelt Lake. This hard surfaced and gravel route is about 80 miles up the Salt River Canyon to Roosevelt Lake, with the travel slow and the road mountainous and narrow. You may think you can't be in Arizona! Just past Canyon Lake before you leave the hard surfaced road, be sure to stop at Tortilla Flats, a tourist trap, but interesting to say the least. Many Arizona panorama pictures are available at this web site. These pictures will flavor what you will see in real-time, but you must have Quicktime free player in order to view these panoramic pictures. (Go to www.quicktime.com and download their free player.)

The Mogollon Rim is made up of towns and attractions found in Rim Country including Payson, Star Valley, Strawberry, Pine, Heber, Overgaard, Christopher Creek, Forest Lakes, Roosevelt, Young, Tonto National Forest, Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, Salt River Lakes, Apache Indian Reservation and others. From Fountain Hills follow SR 87 to Payson (60 miles), then SR 260 east to the Rim (another 50 to 100 miles). Elevations rise to some 7,700 feet. The Rim area will show much evidence of the terrible fire of June 2002. Going off road is best left to high profile, four-wheel drive vehicles. Regular gravel roads are fine.

Arizona has a wealth of State Parks that can be visited on the web for many, many details of their features, locations, and attractions. Many day trips can be planned around visiting the many State Parks, while some many require an overnight stay. The web link will give you a complete list of all the State Parks (29 in total) as well as a list of all their names by region of Arizona. Look for the Tonto Natural Bridge just North of Payson.