The Beauty of the Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is known for its beautiful landscape and diverse wildlife. The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a must see when exploring this vast desert.

Just a 168-mile drive from Tucson and you could witness what makes this monument so popular. Its cactus! Southern Arizona is only place that is home to the rare organ pipe cacti.

On your way to this monument, you will pass by Kitt Peak and the Tohono O’odham reservation. What is get about the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is that you don’t have to be an outdoor kind of person in order to enjoy it. The park can be experienced by either hiking it or simply driving through it.

Look below for a video of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on Ajo Mountain:

There is a $4 charge per vehicle and a $8 fee for overnight camping if you feel like spending more than just the day out there. For all of you extreme campers, camping is free at different campground designed for backpackers.

The organ pipe cactus is actually the second largest ing the United States at about 23 feet tall. What makes the cactus different from the rest is it actually has a cluster of branches that grow from the ground and curve upwards. The trunks store water and are approximately six inches in diameter.

The organ pipe cacti also have lavender-white flowers on their stems that bloom only at night from May to July.

Besides the organ pipe cacti, there are many other cacti throughout the park. The first is called Hedgehog. This blooms from March to April and actually grows edible fruit as well. The Hedgehog grows clusters of green cylindrical arms that grow up to 20 inches.

The Saguaro is second on the list. This is of course the Arizona state flower and the tallest cactus in the world. Saguaros grow as high as 50 feet.

There are two types of cholla at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The first is the Chain Fruit Cholla. This plant can either resemble a shrub or a tree. They are usually seen on hillsides or in the flats. The second type of cholla is the Teddy Bear Cholla. This plant is usually about five feet high and looks more like a shrub. The spines change colors throughout the cholla’s lifecycle. During the early years, the spines will change from silver to gold. And when the cholla grows older, the spines turn black.

The last cactus in the park is known as the Prickly Pear. This cactus has a circular shape with circular pads along it. The Prickly Pear has a green-blue color and typically blooms from April to June.

Besides taking in the scenery, you can have a day or weekend packed with fun activities for everyone in your family. The park offers multiple programs to its guests. The first is the guided hikes. For those of you that are interested in hiking but aren’t too sure of the terrain or what there is to see, then the guided hike is perfect.

The guided hikes usually take place from January to March. The rangers will take you bird watching, through an abandoned copper mine and on a search for wildlife around the river bed. This is a great way to start off the morning and still have time for other activities.

At the Kris Eggle Visitor Center there are 30 minute presentations given to further inform guests of the park.

Just in case you don’t want to take your car through the desert, the Ajo Mountain van tours are a good way to see the desert without having to be the one driving. In three hours time, a ranger will show you the park’s most beautiful spots.

To finish off the day, try the evening program. This allows you to sit back and relax in the Twin Peaks Campground amphitheater, while you are shown a hour long slideshow of what the monument has to offer.

Going Green on Vacation

(Photo by Christina Stymfal)

Everyone is concerned with helping the environment. Not only can you go green at home, but on vacation as well. When crossing the border into Mexico it is easier to help the environment when your hotel is green conscious too.

Hotels everywhere are making an effort to lower their energy and water usage, and reduce solid wastes. Many hotels are installing energy-efficient lighting, low flow showers and toilets, participating in recycling programs, and even contributing to their nearby communities. If you want the finer things in life at a cheap price, then there’s no need to worry. These green hotels are luxurious, even with a modest budget in-mind.

Many websites concerned about the environment are posting green scores for hotels all across the world.

See how RezHub scores these hotels on their own green rating scale.

(Photo by Christina Stymfal)

In the city of Chihuahua in Mexico, the Wingate By Wyndham Chihuahua received a one out of five green branches.

This hotel was awarded this score because it offers an earth friendly housekeeping service regarding the sheets and towels in the hotel. The Wingate By Wyndham Chihuahua also participates in green programs and educates the public about their various green programs.

The average price per night at this hotel is about seventy to seventy-five dollars.

In Ixtapa, the Barcelo Ixtapa All Inclusive a little more expensive at about a hundred dollars a night. This hotel also received a one out of five green branches on the green scale. The Barecelo Ixtapa offers a fresh-air exchange system, and also participates in green programs and educates the public about the programs.

Monterrey has a higher green scale rating of two out of five green branches for the Hilton Garden Inn Monterrey. For approximately seventy-five dollars a night, you can stay at this green conscious hotel.  This Hilton hotel received its green awards because of its earth friendly housekeeping with the sheets and towels, is involved in an energy conservation program, recycles several different items, has a fresh-air exchange system, conserves water, and also participates in green programs and educates their community about going green.

San Jose Del Cabo is home of The Grand Mayan Los Cabos Wyndham Resort. This hotel may be a little out of everyone’s price range at about six-hundred and sixty dollars per night. This hotel would be worth going to, but unfortunately it only received a score of one out of five green branches. The Grand Mayan may be worth the money for the luxurious hotel accommodations, but not for their ability to switch over to green.

In San Miguel De Allende, the La Puertecita Boutique Hotel out ranks all the others. For a hundred and sixty dollars, you can stay the night at an extremely environmentally friendly hotel in Mexico. This hotel was awarded four out of five green branches!

The La Puertecita Boutique Hotel had the same green features as the other hotels listed above such as the earth friendly housekeeping, taking part in an energy conservation program, recycling various items, participating in green programs as well as educating others, and implementing a fresh-air exchange system.

This hotel has set up native plant gardens, uses non-toxic earth friendly cleaning agents throughout the hotel, set forth different ways to conserve water, uses reusable service items, and donates to non-profit organizations.

If you can’t seem to find a green hotel at your vacation destination, then follow the steps below to make sure that you as an individual do your part.

• Try to spread the word to the hotel or local businesses about going green.
• To reduce energy and water usage, make sure you inform housekeeping not to replace your towels every single day.
• When you are out of the room, turn off all electricity.
• Don’t take forever in the shower and turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

Hot Spots for Spring Break

It’s Spring Break time already! If you’re sitting around at home don’t worry, there is still time. Get in the car and starting driving because I am going to tell you about a few great Spring Break spots in Mexico that you are going to want to visit.

(Photo by Daniel Bowen)

The first is Cabo San Lucas. Cabo is known by many students as being a hot spot for Spring Break. There are tons of activities and adventures to be had during your stay.

Cabo has multiple beaches for their Spring Break guests. The first is the main beach called Playa Medano and just a short boat ride away is Playa del Amor, also known as Lover’s Beach. Along the Sea of Cortez are miles of deserted beaches, perfect for a quick little getaway.

(Photo by Kali Thompson)

If you want to walk along a beach at Cabo and feel the need to snorkel, then the bays of Santa Maria and Chileno are the perfect destinations.

Since Spring Break is all about partying, then the Cabo nightlife should be your main concern. B Lounge is Casa Dorada’s night club located right on the beach. Cabo Wabo is a more famous nightclub in Cabo. This club is named after Sammy Hagar’s Tequila, so this place obviously offers great tequila with a night of dancing.

Caborey Dinner Cruiser is perfect for those spring breakers that want the finer things during their vacation. This cruiser offers a Cabaret style night of entertainment. The Hard Rock Cafe is an American favorite and a great time for the younger crowd.

If you are a margarita lover than Mango Deck is the place for you. However, if you have a little Irish in you, then Pub de la Chapu is bar for you.

The most famous bar in Cabo is definitely Squid Roe, with a full bar, food and even dancing.

If Cabo San Lucas is sounding good to you, then you might want to look at the fun class packages offered during Spring Break. The package includes

(Photo by Daniel Bowen)

roundtrip flights, hotel accommodations, food and events where you can get at least $250 worth of free drinks.

Mazatlan is another great spot in Mexico to spend your Spring Break. Mundo Banana’s is a club with great latin music and dancing. Senor Frog’s is a popular techno club on Fridays in Mazatlan.

For the top ten things to do in Mazatlan click here.

Flying or driving down to Mexico may not be your style. In that case, a cruise to Mexico might be the best option. The Carnival cruise line offers two different cruises into Mexico.

The Baja Mexico cruises are a fun way to experience different areas of Mexico in just 3 days.

This cruise sails out of Southern California and stops on both Ensenada and Catalina Island. While spending the day on Catalina Island, you can get a bird’s eye view of the island from inside a helicopter. If you’re afraid of heights and just want to relax on land, then visit the beaches of Catalina or shop throughout the town.

Ensenada offers many different activities for its guests. Feel the need for speed, then an ATV adventure of the inland is a good choice.

Interested in the Ensenada nightlife? Click here.

Arizona’s Wine Country

(Photo by David Tegtmeier)

Instead of traveling all the way to California, did you know you could simply travel down to Southern Arizona to visit wine country? If you are interested in a romantic getaway, then look no further. Elgin, Ariz. has a handful of wineries and vineyards to choose from.

Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery was established in 2003 by Tim and Joan Mueller. Their family owns ten acres of grapes that gets turned into award-winning wine. Currently, Canelo Hills is already sold out of Malvasia 2008.

(Photo by Danielle Dugan)

This wine was given the best white wine award in 2009 in the Arizona Wine Growers Association Grower’s Cup category. This particular white wine has a peach and nectarine flavor with a hint of mint. Malvasia 2008 is just one of many award-winning wines produced at Canelo Hills.

Besides just simply producing and distributing wine, Canelo Hills also offers wine making and wine tasting classes.

The next class offered is March 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tim Mueller will lead this workshop for all those who want to learn the winemaking process and even tour the winery. Afterwards, Joan Mueller will lead the wine tasting segment of the workshop. She will explain to everyone the five simple steps to wine-tasting.

And for all you dog lovers out there, Canelo Hills also has a dog-friendly vineyard party on April 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Your dog will eat treats, enjoy ball-tossing and kiddie pool splashing. At the same time you can tour the vineyard, participate in a wine tasting and even purchase your own wine at a discounted price.

Below is a video of the wine making process at the Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery:

Callaghan Vineyards is also located in Elgin, with about twenty-five acres. This vineyard prides itself on its Spanish variety of wines. Some of their most famous wines are Tempranillo, Monastrell, Mourvedre and Garnacha/Grenache.

However, Callaghan Vineyards also offers a white wine, Lisa’s. This particular wine is a blend of Viognier and Riesling. With every wine produced, this vineyards primary concern is the complexity and depth of the wine’s flavor.

This coming Fall the vineyard will be holding wine tastings for the 2005 and 2006 vintage wines. These two years received high amounts of rainfall, so the wine taste is deep and full of flavor.

Kief-Joshua Vineyards has a couple events going on in the month of May. The New Arizona Wine Release Festival this year is happening May 1 and 2. This is a great chance to get a peek at some new Arizona wines including a 2008 Estate Viognier, 2008 Estate Tempranillo and a 2008 Arizona Chenin Blanc.

Interested in seeing more of what wine country has to offer? There are a few other cities in Arizona that have events this Spring and Summer.

• Tempe Wine and Art Festival, March 26-28
• Wilcox Wine and Art Festival, May 15 & 16
• Sierra Vista Historical Society, May 22
• Sierra Vista Habitat for Humanity, June 5

Here is a map of different restaurants and lodging located in Elgin:

Here a list of vineyards and wineries in Elgin: