Arizona

Arizona state activities

Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson

Posted by Scott on November 7, 2011

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The Mission San Xavier del Bac is an active Catholic mission that dates back to 1692, with the current building started in 1793. It is a unique National Historical Landmark with its combination of ongoing masses open to everyone, but marriages, baptisms, and its own school are only open to the local participating community. When not in active use for Catholic events, the public can wander its museum, side chapel, and the main church, usually with devoted Catholics intermixed in the pews.

The property has been damaged over time by weather and earthquakes, but the restoration is now very active and visible onsite. On the outside the white walls and well-defined forms are returning, and inside the colors are regaining their former visual pizzazz.

All Souls Procession in Tucson

Posted by Scott on November 6, 2011

Posted in: Arizona, Festivals, North America, Performance, Tucson, United States. Leave a Comment

The All Souls Procession has been around since 1990, growing every year into a Day Of The Dead party that encompasses a parade with many thousands of lost souls walking the streets of Tucson Arizona. It incorporates interactive art reminiscent of Burning Man on a small scale, and many people performing. There are fire spinners, gymnastic dancers, singers, bands, and performance artists. All free and open to everyone who comes, whether or not their face is painted to look like a skeleton.

All Souls Procession in Tuscon Arizona large lit puppet

12 foot tall lit puppet at All Souls Procession

All Souls Procession fire spinner dancer in Tuscon Arizona

Tucson fire spinner dancer

All Souls Procession Tuscon Arizona Day Of The Dead mariachi band and urn on crane above stage

Day Of The Dead mariachi band plus large urn that is to be burnt on stage (filled with people's written thoughts, memories, issues) being moved into position by crane

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson

Posted by Scott on November 6, 2011

Posted in: Arizona, Etcetera, Hiking, North America, Tucson, United States. Leave a Comment

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was an interactive and immersive “living museum” that revolved around the animals, plants, and insects of the Arizona desert. It is more of a low-key zoo than what most people would think of as a museum. The facility can be found on a barren desert road due west of Tucson Arizona, best approached by going over pretty Gates Pass in the surrounding mountains.

After the gift shop and introductory history lessons, the desert museum opens up to a well hidden network of outdoor walking trails that connect a wide variety of exhibits. The plants are visible and labeled throughout, as well. Unexpected things emerge. There is an open walk-through hummingbird aviary where the birds whir right up to take a look at you, as well as a separate very large aviary that hosts a many large and colorful birds. An artificial series of tree-covered pools provide a home for beavers and river otters, visible both from above and from underwater via underground glass walls. Large mammals such as javelinas, coyotes, and coatis run loose in areas with well hidden fine net fencing that give the appearance of open countryside. And larger beasts such as bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, and Mexican wolves are all closely viewed in artificial but natural-looking rocky areas. Smaller creatures are also readily accessible, such as prairie dogs, owls, and many species of snakes, fish, and creepy crawly insects of all shapes and sizes. A cave and mining exhibit rounds out the experience.

There are informative docents wandering about, some with birds or animals on their arms. The raptor free flight show is also a highlight, where a family of Harris Hawks demonstrate how they converge together to hone in on prey that gets shared after the kill.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is well recommended, and surprisingly interesting.

Harris hawk

Harris hawks and saguaro cactus

Harris Hawk calling from branch at Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Harris hawk calling at raptor free flight demonstration

Harris Hawks perched on branches at Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Harris hawks looking out across Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum area

Hummingbird aviary

Walk-in aviary

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum area view and trails

The walking trails and exhibits are hidden here within the landscape

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum reflection of Sun and saguaro cactus in sunglasses

Saguaro and Sun

Phone Line Trail in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area near Tucson

Posted by Scott on November 5, 2011

Posted in: Arizona, Hiking, North America, Tucson, United States. Leave a Comment

The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area was a pretty and accessible example of Sonoran Desert, located northeast of Tucson Arizona in the Coronado National Forest.

At the Visitors Center, an open air tram (truck pulling trailers with open air rows of seats) was available that drove to the end of the road, meandering along the canyon bottom while criss-crossing over a dry but flood-prone riverbed. The tram driver narrated along the way about history, geology, and local life. Our particular narrator was inadvertently quite entertaining since his I’m-stoned, slow, monotone voice was comical. His minute long explanation that he didn’t know why a particular cliff had its name was good for a giggle.

At the end of the road, passengers could either return via the tram to the bottom of the canyon or else a few folks hopped off and hiked back along the canyon’s upper reaches via the Phone Line Trail. Except for some ascending switchbacks at the beginning, the entire 4 miles of trail was a gradual and steady downhill back to our cars. Plant life and the occasional critter poked out among the desert scenery, with distant mountain and canyon views along the way. It was a very good introduction to the area, its topography, and its ecosystem.