Looking for something to do this summer? Flagstaff has you covered with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities and places of interest. (Make sure to check in before you go, for COVID-related closures or protection measures.) Here is the starting point for you and your next Flagstaff area summer adventure:

Arboretum: The Arboretum sits among the Ponderosa pines at 7,000 feet. It is a botanical garden exhibiting more than 700 species of plants native to the Colorado Plateau. You’ll enjoy strolling through the themed gardens, hiking the nature trails and learning about local flora. Summer months offer outdoor concerts, special events and summer camps for kids. Open April-October.  thearb.org

Arizona Historical Society-Pioneer Museum: Arizona Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum is housed in the 1908 County Hospital for the indigent. It features exhibits displaying the history of Flagstaff and northern Arizona. The museum covers three acres with historic buildings and objects and is the site of the Flag Wool & Fiber Festival and year-round monthly events.  arizonahistoricalsociety.org 

Arizona Nordic Village:  Arizona Nordic Village is northern Arizona’s premiere outdoor recreation area featuring yurts, cabins and a memorable rustic chic location for destination weddings, business retreats and family reunions. Miles of trails for hiking, skiing and wildlife viewing in the Ponderosa pine forest. Venue services are provided year-round. arizonanordicvillage.com

Arizona Snowbowl Summer Scenic Chairlift:  Take in the dramatic scenery of northern Arizona from a bird’s eye view atop an extinct volcano at 11,500 feet. Kids and adults alike will love the on-mountain summer tubing and bungee trampoline activities, as well as interpretive talks, hiking, disc golf or lunch with a view at Agassiz Lodge Restaurant. Historic lodges offer a perfect setting for group trips, summer weddings, and special events. Open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October.  snowbowl.ski

Bearizona Wildlife Park:  Bearizona invites guests to drive into three miles of Arizona wilderness and witness North American wildlife including bison, big horn sheep, wolves and black bears, all from your vehicle. The Fort Bearizona walking area offers wildlife exhibits including the 11,000 square-foot Jaguar exhibit, gift shop and full restaurant and bar, Canyonlands. The complementary Wild Ride bus guided tour takes visitors through the exhibits for an up-close experience.  bearizona.com

Coconino Center for the Arts:  Flagstaff is rich in the arts and sciences, and the Flagstaff Arts Council is at the center of it all. They host ground-breaking art exhibitions, festivals, concerts, workshops and performances year-round at the Coconino Center for the Arts. The Center boasts a 200-seat theater and two distinctive gallery spaces. Open Tuesday-Saturday.   flagartscouncil.org

Elden Pueblo Heritage Site:  Elden Pueblo is an ancestral Hopi site with approximately 70 rooms that were inhabited by the Sinagua culture from 1070 to 1275 A.D. Self-guided tour brochures are available on-site during open hours with educational programs and group tours by appointment.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55092

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course (at Fort Tuthill): Flagstaff Extreme offers multiple courses that feature rope swings, scrambling walls, hanging nets, wobbly bridges and suspended “surprises”. The youth course, designed for children ages 7-11, allows parents to follow as their children progress through the course. For the more daring, Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Zip Lines are suspended 15-80 feet high in the tall Ponderosa pines. All courses are self-guided, and each guest receives training prior to their day of adventure.  flagstaffextreme.com

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra: The mission of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, now in its 70^th season, is to enrich, engage and inspire the Flagstaff community through the performance of live orchestral music. The orchestra is comprised of musicians who come together from diverse backgrounds to form an impressive and exciting ensemble capable of performing a variety of musical styles and repertoire.  flagstaffsymphony.org

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center-IMAX:  73 miles north of Flagstaff, Hwy 64 at Grand Canyon South Rim entrance, you can explore 4,000 years of history in 34 minutes. In the IMAX film, Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets you will see the mysterious Anasazi people who inhabited the canyon and ride the raging Colorado River with John Wesley Powell. Also on site you’ll find Pink Jeep Tours, Adventure Store, air tour booking, Explorer’s Café, park pass sales and free maps. Purchase IMAX tickets in advance online and save 20%. explorethecanyon.com

Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel: 32 miles west of Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon Railway is more than just an iconic train. Riding the rails to the Canyon is one part of an unforgettable Grand Canyon experience. You can also enjoy the luxury of a bygone era with a stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and indulge in delicious dining options at the Fred Harvey Restaurant and Spenser’s Pub. thetrain.com 

Lowell Observatory:  For the best views in Flagstaff, head to Mars Hill and the grounds of the 125-year old Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered in 1930. On clear nights, gaze at the Moon, planets or deep-sky objects through the giant Clark refractor telescope, and visit the new Giovale Open Deck Observatory, a unique public observing plaza with six advanced telescopes.  lowell.edu

Meteor Crater: Meteor Crater is the best-preserved meteorite impact site on Earth. Its topographical terrain so closely resembles the surface of the Moon and other planets, that NASA astronauts use it as a training site just as the Apollo astronauts did 50 years ago. Enjoy guided rim tours, exhibit hall, gift shop and the 4-D Simulator Ride.  meteorcrater.com

Museum of Northern Arizona:  Tour the entire region in one stop, from the geology of the Grand Canyon to the colorful cultures of the Native peoples. This award-winning museum celebrates the art, culture and science of the Colorado Plateau. See the dinosaurs that once roamed. Learn about the 10 tribes of the region and share in their traditions at one of the annual art and culture festivals. The gift shop offers a large selection of fine art, authentic jewelry and books.  musnaz.org

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park:  Built in 1904 for two Riordan families instrumental in establishing Flagstaff’s early lumber industry, Riordan Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is a remarkable example of American Arts & Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of logslab siding, volcanic stone arches and hand-split wooden shingles. The mansion’s interior is seen by guided tour only and includes a whimsical indoor swing. Reservations are recommended.  arizonahistoricalsociety.org

Theatrikos Theatre Company:  Theatrikos produces high-quality live theatrical productions that have entertained and engaged audiences since 1972. Located in the heart of historic downtown Flagstaff, they offer six MainStage productions annually ranging from musicals to new works to award-winning comedies and dramas. Their youth program, TheatriKids, offers a wide spectrum of theater education and performance opportunities to youth ages 7-17.  theatrikos.com

U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center:  The USGS works with NASA and other space agencies to lead scientific investigations, select planetary rover landing sites, create geologic maps and cartographic products for numerous spacecraft missions throughout our solar system. In 1963, the USGS Branch of Astrogeology was established in Flagstaff with the purpose of providing lunar mapping and astronaut science training for the Apollo program. One of the remaining lunar rover vehicle simulators used for training the astronauts is on display in the Center’s lobby along with other Apollo artifacts.  astrogeology.usgs.gov

Verde Canyon Railroad:  70 miles southwest of Flagstaff, enjoy the postcard-perfect scenery that is the magic of Verde Canyon Railroad. Passengers lose themselves in the crisp canyon air, the snaking curves of the Verde river and beauty of glorious red rock formation. First-class cars boast comfortable seating, complimentary appetizers and a full-service bar. All passengers have access to open-air viewing cars for photo opportunities.  verdecanyonrr.com

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center:  Visit the Center’s sustainable building made of straw bales and heated by the sun; tour the five habitat gardens with plants native to the Colorado Plateau; and explore the new exhibits tracing the path of a drop of water featuring the 3-D relief map of northern Arizona. Access urban trails along an incised section of the Rio de Flag through a lush riparian area that is great for birding. Willow Bend is located in the Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature County Park.  willowbendcenter.org

The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world, and with good reason.

Here are a few facts about the park that may surprise you:

Although scientists can’t really agree on the exact age of the Grand Canyon, some believe parts of it are 70 million years old!

~According to a study released in 2014, temperature history tests were performed that show at least one section could date back as far as 70 million years. However the general consensus was that much of the Grand Canyon is 5 to 6 million years old.

The oldest human artifact found in the park dates back 12,000 years!

~Some of the artifacts found included pots, jewelry, and animal figurines made from twigs. Some of the earliest Native Americans in the region include the Havasupai Tribe, who have been around the Grand Canyon for 800 years.

The Grand Canyon is so big, it can fit the entire state of Rhode Island in it!

~The Grand Canyon is 1,904 square miles, while Rhode Island is 1,214 square miles.

Weather patterns in different areas of the park can be completely different!

~The mean high temperature at the North Rim is 56°, while the mean high temperature at the South Rim is 63°. The mean high temperature at Phantom Ranch is the warmest at 82°.

Only 30% of the Grand Canyon’s caves have been explored!

~There are about 1,000 caves in the park, but only 335 have been explored and recorded.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited national parks in the USA.

~In 2019, The Grand Canyon had 5.97 million visitors. This ranked it second only to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has 12.5 million visitors annually.

Natural fires help maintain the ecosystem and are good for the Grand Canyon!

~Research has shown that fires are actually good for the ecosystem, help thin the forest, and recycle nutrients.

The Grand Canyon is filled with wildlife, including 373 species of birds and 92 species of mammals—and seven endangered species!

~There are also 8,480 known species of invertebrates, 58 species of reptiles, and 18 species of fish. The endangered species include birds, fish, and the Kanab ambersnail.

Lets talk about something besides Real Estate this month;

I recently had the opportunity to listen to Kristin Haskins, the Executive Director of The Arboretum at Flagstaff speak at our local Flagstaff Rotary Club.
Her topic covered a lot of what is happening at the Arboretum and about Native Wildflowers.

About the Arboretum:

The Arboretum at Flagstaff was founded by Frances McAllister in 1981 as a private nonprofit organization under the official name "The Transition Zone Horticultural Institute." While research was the original primary focus, over the years it has become known as a destination for local and out-of-town visitors who want to learn more about the native plants and animals found in northern Arizona, and as a wonderful venue for a wide variety of events and educational programs.

Mission:

The Arboretum at Flagstaffs mission is to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants and plant communities native to the Colorado Plateau. We strive to:

• Identify, evaluate, display, and introduce plants adaptable to the climatic and soil conditions of the Flagstaff environment
• Seek through scientific research innovative solutions to conservation issues of this high altitude environment
• Develop educational programs that increase the understanding of the need for wise stewardship of our natural environment.

Here are some Spring Seeding and Gardening Tips the Arboretum has put out.

So with all that,

I picked up some of their Native Wild Flower Seeds.
Last week on Mothers Day, May 10th I prepared a small bed in the front corner of our lot and planted the seeds.

This will be a fun experiment on how well I prepared the soil, planted the seeds and  have been keeping them watered until they sprout.

So every morning and evening, they get a drink, this morning I found 1 lone seed that has sprouted. Our friends Chad and Megan planted theirs on the 3rd and have a lot more up already, so mine I hope are just about ready to wake up.

The plot does not have any morning sun, there is a large Ponderosa Pine tree on the left you do not see and a Blue Spruce on the back right you do see.

The picture direction as you are looking at is pointed pretty close to East. So sun hits this spot about 1:00 p.m. every day.

My goal will be to update you on the garden throughout the summer.

Also in future newsletters I plan to give you more information about the Arboretum at Flagstaff. Kristin has provided a a list of the plants and will get that to you in my next newsletter. There are 16 native plants on the list. If you would like that ahead of time, reach out and I can send to you.
I also asked what book I should get to better understand our local Native Plants, she suggested;
Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens by Jan Busco and Nancy Morin, this book was done in partnership with the Arboretum at Flagstaff

This will be fun to see how well this garden progresses through the summer.

I look forward updating you and please never hesitate reach out.
There are a number of things we can talk about besides Real Estate, so would love to visit

Jeff

About the Author:

There are so many good things to say about Flagstaff! It has just about everything you’re looking for: mountain hiking, snow sports, beautiful woodlands and outdoor activities galore. And even better, plenty of camping options located close to town.

There are two ways to go camping around Flagstaff: Campgrounds, and Dispersed (free) Camping.

Most campgrounds charge a fee, which coversamenities like bathrooms, water, dumpsters, and campsites with fire rings and picnic tables at each site. You can camp in and around many of the area national parks and monuments. At the more popular campgrounds, seasonal hosts will be there to help you check campsite reservations and answer questions. Sometimes, there is even firewood for sale. Most paid campgrounds within the Flagstaff Ranger District are open seasonally. They are closed in Winter. Nightly campsite fees can range between $15.00-$30.00. Most campgrounds are first come, first served. Here are a few of the more popular campgrounds:

*Lockett Meadow Campground: Stunning views of aspens and the tallest mountains in Arizona. Fall is the peak season. There is no running water.

*Bonito Campground: Located just across the road from the Sunset Crater’s visitor’s center. If you are going to Sunset Crater, park admission includes the Wupatki National Monument. This campground includes running water, fire rings, and flush toilets.

*Canyon Vista Campground: Popular with climbers, it offers a short and easy walk to ‘The Pit’, one of Flagstaff’s most popular sport climbing areas. It is conveniently close to town. You will find running water, vault toilets, and access to a variety of trails.

*Ashurst Lake Campground: This quiet spot is great for fishing. Ashurst Lake is one of the few natural lakes in Arizona, and fishermen will find catfish, trout, and bass here. The campground offers a boat launch, campfire rings, picnic tables, bathroom and running water.

Flagstaff KOA: Offers same amenities as all other KOAs. It is seconds away from Mt. Elden’s hiking trail network, and the Flagstaff mall.

Dispersed camping can be had down just about any forest road, away from main highways. With a few regulations, this practice is legal, convenient, and best of all, free. You can find established campgrounds way out in the woods, in the hollowed out core of an extinct volcano, or perched high above lush canyons. Most of the topography around Flagstaff is flat, and there are many miles of forest roads crossing through this whole region. When doing dispersed camping, it is important to realize America’s public lands are a treasured resource. Some principles are obvious, like packing out your trash, or not littering. Still, it is a good idea to read up on the finer points of leaving no trace. Make sure to check for any fire restrictions before setting up that campfire.

Native Americans have played very important roles in our county, past and present. Currently, Arizona is home to 22 Indian tribes. Arizona has the 3rd highest Native American population, with reservations taking up over a quarter of the total land area. The Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, Kalibab-Paiute, and Hualapai tribal lands alone cover 31,000 square miles of this region.

There are numerous ancient Indian ruins to explore around the Northern Arizona region, the most famous being Wupatki National Monument and Walnut Canyon. Exploring these ancient cliff dwellings, along with Montezuma Castle are definite must-do’s for anyone interested in Native cultures or just looking to take in some fabulous views. If you are really interested in furthering your education, you can plan a visit to the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. Check their calendar for the annual special exhibits for both the Navajo and Hopi nations. Various works of art are displayed, along with live demonstrations with some of these very skilled artisans.

And in the more recent past, the Navajo played a huge part in World War II. Have you ever heard of the Navajo Code Talkers? During World War II, the Marine Corps used the Navajo language to create an unbreakable code. The Navajo language seemed to be the perfect option as a code because it is not written and very few people who aren’t of Navajo origin can speak it. During the course of the war, about 400 Navajos participated in the code talker program.

The Navajo recruits began developing the code by taking words from their language and applying them to implements of war. For example, the names of different birds were used to stand for different kinds of planes.

The Navajo Code Talkers (who were actually comprised of Navajo, Comanches, Hopis, and others) were treated with the utmost respect by their fellow marines. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared August 14 as National Code Talkers Day. In 2000 President Bill Clinton signed a law which awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the original 29 Code Talkers. President George W. Bush presented the medals to the four surviving Code Talkers at a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington in July 2001.

Want to more more? Check out the Discover Navajo webpage, with links to Museums and more--or the authentic Navajo Code Talkers webpage, filled with photos and even more history!