Naylor - Arizona: off the beaten path: discover your fun

Roger Naylor spends his days rambling around the backroads of his beloved Arizona and writes about what he finds. He is the author of several books and is a member of the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame. He lives in Cottonwood, AZ. For more information, visit www.rogernaylor.com.

While the Grand Canyon may be the defining feature of Arizona, it only begins to hint at the scenic diversity of the state. From the red rocks of Sedona to the snow-capped peaks rising above Flagstaff, from the green farm fields of Yuma to the tall saguaros of the Sonoran Desert, from the sparkling lakes of the White Mountains to the lonely monoliths spread across the Navajo Nation, prepare to be surprised and delighted at every turn.

Veer off the interstates and youll find hidden treasures that the Sunday travel sections often overlook. From secluded inlets on massive Lake Powell and stunning swimming holes in little-traveled regions of the Grand Canyon to an annual jousting fest in the desert and a folklore preserve tucked into a wildlife-rich canyon, Arizona holds more curiosities than any weeklong vacation itinerary could even begin to include.

Arizona is the sixth largest state so theres a lot of ground to cover. This is where youll find the first International Dark Sky Community. Ancient archeological wonders are scattered across the landscape. Some rodeos here date back to the Old West era. Arizona is known for world-renowned birding hotspots, some of the best Mexican food this side of the border, and hiking trails galore. Bountiful sunshine is another inducement. This is where you go to revel in 70 degree winter daysunless youre skiing the snowy slopes. Feel free to take advantage of both. Arizona is where you go to ski and swim on the same day.

Far from a cultural desert, Arizona has just about any arts-related diversion visitors might wish to enjoy, including Broadway-style shows; resident symphony, ballet, and theatrical companies; and venues for rock concerts and jazz jams. Add to this a generous supply of top-notch museumsshowcasing Native American heritage, contemporary fine art, lifestyles of long-gone civilizations, and the flora and fauna of the enigmatic Sonoran Desertand youll quickly discover that there is infinitely more here than is often believed.

Sports fans will find their nirvana in Phoenix, the nations fifth largest city, with professional teams wearing the uniforms of nearly every league imaginablefrom the NBAs Phoenix Suns and the major leagues Arizona Diamondbacks to the NHLs Arizona Coyotes and the NFLs Arizona Cardinals. Fans can even root for their own home teams during spring-training exhibition games that bring the boys of summer to intimate ballparks throughout the Valley of the Sun. Longtime local favorites include the Arizona State University Sun Devils and their rivals to the south, the University of Arizona Wildcats. For an even wilder sport, visitors should check out one of the many rodeos that are staged each year, demonstrating the best skills that area cowboys have to offer!

At the end of the day, relax and unwind in some of Arizonas unique lodgings. Nowhere will you find your accommodations as diverse orin many casesluxurious. City slickers can relive their childhood fantasies at one of the many authentic guest ranches, and those in search of the ultimate in service and style can choose from dozens of top-rated resort hotels that offer activities ranging from their own water parks and European-style spas to horseback riding and championship golf. And if a day on the links is your idea of heaven, Arizona has a course for nearly every day of the year.

Even film buffs will find a fascinating array of locations that include working movie sets to scenic vistas that have served as studio back lots for decades. Wander among the landscapes that John Wayne galloped through. This is also where Princess Leia garroted Jabba the Hutt, where Curly McLain sang about the surrey with the fringe on top, where the planet was ruled by apes, where Mars launched not one but two invasions, and where swarms of piranhas munched a bunch of spring break partiersin gory 3D no less.

Some of the destinations in this book will have you traveling on the main drag into the heart of cities and towns; others will send you down winding back roads where youll encounter startling beauty, wide-open spaces, and a treasure trove of memory-making sights and attractions. And oh yeahthe sunsets are often lavish extravaganzas of fiery sky and dazzling light.

One of the most surprising facts about Arizona is the variety of climates and landscapes. Its not all desert; its not all lowland. In fact, the terrain ranges from 70 feet above sea level at the Colorado River south of Yuma to 12,633 feet and alpine tundra atop the San Francisco Peaks. Arizona has 27 peaks that tower above 10,000 feet. Even Phoenix is at a higher elevation than you might imagine at 1,117 feet. The ride through the center of the state is a nice surprise as it climbs from the lower deserts, up the Mogollon Rim to 7,000 feet at Flagstaff where the great plateau of the Grand Canyon and the Navajo-Hopi Reservations begins.

ARIZONA CLIMATE AT A GLANCE

Greater Phoenix Average Temperatures