I’itoi Country: Tohono O’odham Nation

This wild, scenic, and isolated corner of the Tohono O’Odham Indian Reservation (southeast of Sells, AZ) lies at the base of the Baboquivari Mountains.  High cliffs and scenic Sonoran Desert provide an unusually beautiful setting. We’ll do some short hikes to good viewpoints and explore an interesting pictograph site, sacred to the locals. On the way to or from we’ll drive to the summit of Kitt Peak for grand views of the surrounding desert country.

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel:   TBA - fall dates (8 AM - 5:30 PM)  Cost: $105

Copper Creek / Bunker Hill Mining District Exploratory

A backroad exploratory trip high into some historic 19^th century mining country in the Galiuro Mountains, east of Mammoth, AZ.  Mining began here in the late 1800’s.  This trip involves a moderate 1.2 mile hike to the site of Copper Creek, an important mining community in 1912. It includes the Sibley Mansion and a number of old stone buildings.  In the vicinity there is much evidence of mining activity with tailings, chutes, an old bridge, and a narrow-gage railroad bed.  Wear good hiking shoes as we will be walking in a dry creek bed. Dinner stop on return (not included).

Tucson Clarion: Tuesday, March 9 (8 AM - 7 PM)                         Cost: $99

Black Hills Back Country Byway (Graham / Greenlee County)

This is the historic Safford to Clifton road built in the early 1900’s.  Highly influenced by volcanic activity, the route traverses a vast scenic landscape of rolling hills and distant mountains.  The Black Hills represent the northern end of the volcanic Peloncillo Mountains near the New Mexico border, adjoining a northern extension of the Chihuahuan Desert. The byway crosses the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.  Dinner stop on return (not included).

Tucson Clarion: Thursday, March 18, (8 AM - 7:30 PM)         Cost: $99

Coronado National Memorial / Montezuma Pass

Located in southeastern Arizona along the U.S. - Mexican border at the southern end of the Huachuca Mountains, in a beautiful setting of oak woodlands lies the 4,750 acre Coronado National Memorial.  This area commemorates the nearby passing of the Coronado Expedition of 1540 – 42, the first European entry into what is now the USA.

We’ll explore to Montezuma Pass at an elevation of 6,575 ft. for some awesome views eastward of the San Pedro River valley and westward to the vast grasslands of the San Rafael valley and the Patagonia Mountains.  A short, optional hike to Montezuma Peak will be included.  Dinner stop (not included).

Tucson Clarion: Wednesday, March 31 (8 AM - 5 PM                  Cost: $99

Chiricahua National Monument:  A Natural And Cultural History Tour

This spectacular land of “standing up rocks” as the Apaches called it offer us some of Arizona’s most beautiful scenery along with some fascinating early pioneer history.

The gentle landscape of oak, cypress, and pine forest is backed by some of the most rugged and rocky country anywhere. We’ll take some short nature walks and visit an old ranch homestead. This area was home to the Chiricahua Apaches and later to pioneer ranching families. Dinner stop (not included).

Tucson Clarion: Tuesday, April 13 (7 AM - 7:30 PM)                Cost: $99

Phoenix - Taliesin - Culinary Institute - Basha Gallery

Take the Freeway to Chandler and then Hwy 101 which will bring us to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation which maintains its international headquarters at Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, Arizona.  This location served as Wright’s personal home, studio, and architectural laboratory and is integral to understanding his  genius. Enjoy a beautiful tour of this fascinating property. ( http://www.franklloydwright.org) Delight in a fabulous gourmet luncheon at the Culinary Institute (http://www.azculinary.com/about_aci.php)  nearby (included in fee).  After a short drive back to Chandler, we will visit the very interesting Basha Gallery  ( http://www.bashas.com/gallery/info.php).

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel:  Wed Apr 14 (7:30 AM – 6:00 PM)   Cost: $143

Green Valley McDonalds Continental (6:45 AM – 6:45 PM)

Phoenix - Botanical Garden and Heard Museum

We drive up to Phoenix and the Botanical Garden (http://www.dbg.org), where we arrive before 10AM. Time to visit the entire Garden and to have lunch at the Cafeteria (included in fee).  Then take a guided tour of the HeardMuseum (http://www.heard.org/about/index.html )and enjoy time for an individual visit, before heading home to Tucson.

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel: Wed. Mar 24 (7:30 AM – 6:00 PM)    Cost: $ 136

Green Valley McDonalds Continental (6:45 AM – 6:45 PM)

Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Besh-Ba-Gowah in Globe

We drive up to Oro Valley and then to Florence and will arrive at Boyce Thompson Arboretum at 9.45AM (http://ag.arizona.edu/bta) . Helena will give us a private tour of this incredible home to over 3,200 desert plants. Take time to buy plants or books. Enjoy a scenic drive to Miami and Globe, where we will have our lunch (not included in fee) Take a delightful guided tour through the fascinating Besh-Ba-Gowah ruins, occupied  (http://www.jqjacobs.net/southwest/besh_ba_gowah.html)700 years ago by the people of the Salado culture.  Drive through Winkelman and Mammoth to Tucson and Green Valley.

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel: Wed. Mar 31              (7:30 AM – 6:00 PM) 

Green Valley McDonalds Continental (6:45 AM – 6:45 PM)                    Cost: $114

Patagonia - Alpacas + Vineyards    Drive along the Santa Cruz River to the historic town of Patagonia, where Helena will show you the Patton House (where thousands of hummingbirds visit) and also the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve - Wildlife Refuge, before heading for Sonoita and falling in love with the sweet Alpacas  (http://www.squaretopranch.com ) . Our hosts will explain all about them and you will be “kissed” by the most beautiful male of the group. Then back to Sonoita and a simple lunch (included in price) in a pleasant place, where everybody is welcomed with a smile and some jokes. After lunch: great wine-tasting and explanations of wine-making at the (http://www.sonoitavineyards.com/home.html) Sonoita vineyard.   If we have enough time on our way-home, we will have a look at the famous Empire Mountain Ranch.

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel:  Thur. Mar 25 (7:30 AM – 6:15 PM)   

Green Valley McDonalds Continental (8:15 AM – 5:30 PM)                    Cost: $125

Apache Trail and Tonto National Monument  

We travel north through Florence and tour the Goldfield-mine Ghost Town (http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/). Then, we’ll hear the story of the poor lost Dutchman, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine), who was not Dutch in reality. We stop at beautiful Canyon Lake before enjoying a prickly pear ice cream at Tortilla Flat (http://www.tortillaflataz.com/). Then, a very bumpy road for 28 miles up to Roosevelt Lake and Tonto national Monument, where we’ll have scenic picnic lunch. Take an optional short hike to the cliff dwellings. Return to Tucson via Globe and Winkelman. 

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel:  Wed. April 28                    (7:30 AM – 6:00 PM)   

Green Valley McDonalds Continental (6:45 AM – 6:45 PM)                    Cost: $114

Ruby / Arivaca     Traveling over the scenic Atascosa Mountains, visit the ghost town of Ruby (elevation: 4,219 feet) with Tallia Cahoon who grew up there in the mining town's heyday.  Hear the tales and history of the mine, the schoolhouse, and the local jail.  Then it's on to the small town of Arivaca where historian Mary Kasulaitis will share its history with us.  Visit the local cemetery and hear the tales of Arivaca's ties to Ruby's mining days. We'll walk up to about three quarters of a mile in Ruby, sometimes over a little rocky terrain.   Bring lunch and water.  Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots.  (http://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-ruby.html)

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel: April 15 - fall dates TBA (7:30 AM – 6:15 PM)

Green Valley McDonalds Continental (6:45 AM – 6:45 PM)                    Cost: $114

  Kartchner Caverns State Park Main Tour - Rotunda Room    Visit our newest state park with world - class wonders such as the 58 - ft. - high mineral column and a 21 - ft. long "soda straw" stalactite - the second longest in the world !  Discovered in 1974, the Caverns have been carefully developed to preserve the cave's natural environment while making it accessible to the public.  Tour involves walking approximately one - third mile in Caverns at elevation of 4,000 feet. (http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/)  Includes stop at Singing Wind Bookshop just outside of Benson.   Fee includes entry fees and transportation.  Bring a sack lunch and we will picnic at the park. 

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel: Tues Apr 27 - Fall Dates TBA (8:00 AM – 5:15 PM) 

Green Valley McDonalds Continental (8:30 AM – 4:45 PM)                    Cost: $126

Kartchner Caverns State Park: The Big Room      Join us as we tour the latest cave to open to the public.  We will walk approximately one - third of a mile in the Caverns at an elevation of 4,000 feet.  This cave is occupied by migratory bats and is closed during the summer, so it is a privilege to be here! The tour includes a stop at Singing Wind Bookshop just outside of Benson.  Fee includes entry fees and transportation. (http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/)  Bring a sack lunch and we will picnic at the park.

Tucson Clarion Airport Hotel:  March 11 - fall dates TBA (8:00 AM – 5:15 PM) 

Green McDonalds Continental (8:30 AM – 4:45 PM)                    Cost: $126