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ARIZONA'S NEWEST WONDER Kartchner Caverns State Park Kartchner Caverns State Park opened in 1999.  This stunning limestone cave system is one of the top in the world.   It has been held from public view since its discovery and only recently has been opened to reveal the caverns in near pristine condition. Kartchner is a living limestone cave and as such is extremely fragile.  Exposure to the outside dry are could end its growth and the exquisite formations it holds.  Gorgeous clusters of stalactites hang from the ceiling and the calcium carbonate formations resemble marble when dripping with water. Great effort has gone into preserving the cave;  hermetically sealed doors closing before the next doors open, the idea of course is to maintain the humid interior of the cave.  Misting systems have been installed to assist in that effort. The trail in the cave allows viewing but is designed to keep human hands away from the more delicate formations. FASCINATING..UNBELIEVABLE..RARE..EXOTIC FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

Arizona Highways ~ September 2006 (Special Issue: Complete Guide to 28 State Parks, Vol. 82)

Kartchner Caverns State Park: Nature's underground wonderland

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BENSON AZ .. the way to Kartchner

TOMBSTONE AZ.. the history

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ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COLOSSAL CAVE MOUNTAIN PARK Just a few miles perched on a mountainside is COLOSSAL CAVE, a dormant or dry cave, packed with history, mystery and romance. Guided tours take about 50 minutes and you'll learn about the history, legends and geology as you make your way walking some six and a half stories making up the public viewing areas.  See beautiful formations:  stalactites, stalagmites, helictities! CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

ARIZONA The nation's sixth largest state, covers an area of more than 113,000 square miles of cactus-dotted deserts, multicolored canyons and history-rich towns. From the red rocks of Sedona and the eerie beauty of Monument Valley to the Navajo Indian Reservation and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Phoenix, Arizona is replete with loads of activities and things to do and see for visitors and natives alike.

PATAGONIA 19 MILES from OLD MEXICO Patagonia is an artist's hamlet and international birding destination. Charming downtown shops and galleries feature the work of local and regional artists. The Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve and Patagonia Lake State Park are known worldwide for the 300 species of birds that migrate through or nest along their creeks and waterways. Paton's house is well known for its hospitality to hummingbirds and the people who like to watch them. Patagonia also offers access to numerous hiking trails, including the historic Arizona Trail, and is just 19 miles from Sonora, Mexico. TAKE ME TO PATAGONIA AREA

In & Around Tucson Southern Arizona Northern Arizona - Las Vegas - Grand Canyon

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument celebrates the life and landscape of the Sonoran Desert. Here, in this desert wilderness of plants and animals and dramatic mountains and plains scenery, you can drive a lonely road, hike a backcountry trail, camp beneath a clear desert sky, or just soak in the warmth and beauty of the Southwest. The Monument exhibits an extraordinary collection of plants of the Sonoran Desert, including the organ pipe cactus, a large cactus rarely found in the United States.

Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), supports the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the Sun. Founded in 1958, KPNO operates 3 major nighttime telescopes and hosts operations of the National Solar Observatory and university consortia running 19 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes. Kitt Peak is located 56 miles southwest of Tucson, AZ, and has a Visitor Center open daily to the public.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Tucson. The zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden offers displays of living animals and plants native to the Sonoran Desert. Virtual zoo tour includes animal photos, descriptions, and desert information. General information, park history, education program sumary, conservation information.

In and around Tucson and Southern Arizona....Click for new page New in southern Arizona: Two Native American CASINOS Now in the Tucson area total of four...More in the Phoenix area and around the state. Not the sparkle of Las Vegas...but for the gaming its there. Golf is still big, but not as expensive or exclusive as up around Scottsdale. Difficult but not impossible housing; both prices on purchasing and renting have gone up...a lot over the past couple of years...but where in the country hasn't it? SNOWBIRDS...those coming to visit Tucson just for the winter months up North. Still a big factor in the area, both from the stand point of the economic value and strain on the resources to serve the community. BIG FACTOR...the aging population moving to the desert for health, recreation, retirement...services are expanding but not at the rate or affordability as in the past years. INTERESTING FACTOR from 2000 Census.. Tucson has almost 11,000 permanent homes vacant during part of the year waiting for their owners to return when the winter season hits up North.