Arizona

Cliff dwellings, canyons, and Wild West memorabilia make up just a small part of Arizona’s amazing heritage.

History

Arizona’s human history began when migrants from the north filtered into the canyons, valleys and deserts of the area, carving out innovative livings from rather harsh terrain. Some chose to dwell on cliffsides, while others hunted and gathered in the hot deserts. The descendants of those early Native Americans still own about 25% of Arizona’s land in the form of reservations. Major tribes include the Apache, Hopi and Navajo.

The first European in Arizona was likely Marcos de Niza, a Spanish friar searching for gold (just like God intended). Joined by other migrants from Spanish Mexico, the area swelled with European migrants, and conflicts with the locals became more frequent and violent. Those fights did not subside in 1848, when the United States gained most of Arizona in the Mexican American War (the US government later purchased the southern third, including Tucson, for $10 million in 1853). Apparently not wanting to be governed from Washington, D.C., the Arizona Territory joined the Confederacy during the 1860s Civil War.

Soon after the Confederacy’s defeat, immigrants began to stream in looking for gold, copper and a place to herd their cattle. Fights with Native Americans continued, as notable leaders like Geronimo and Cochise resisted the white man’s advance. But the big guns tend to win, and they did; in 1912, Arizona became the last state in the Lower 48 to enter the Union.

Arizona’s population grew tremendously after World War II, in part because of a wonderful new invention: air conditioning. Cities like Phoenix and Tucson grew up and sprawled into the desert, with retirees and young people alike discovering new lives in the sunny Southwest. Unfortunately, Arizona was hit especially hard when the housing bubble burst in the late-2000s; foreclosures riddled Phoenix as property values plummeted.

Today, Arizona’s economy relies on manufacturing, mining and tourism.

Horseshoe Bend is one of the most visited places to visit in Arizona. Expect crowds and to pay for parking.

Must-See Attractions

Check out where I have been in Arizona and other places I haven’t been to but look awesome (maroon color). Click on the links for posts for the places I’ve been!

 

Tips

Distance between gas stations and population centers in Arizona can be very long, so make sure to fill up the tank when you can.

Gas gouging is legal in Arizona. Fill inside of towns off the highway if needed to save money. There is always someplace cheap for the locals. See cheap gas, make sure you stop.

The heat is real; bring plenty of water when the forecast calls for a scorcher.

When scheduling, keep in mind that unlike neighboring states Arizona does not observe daylight savings time. During the winter Arizona observes Mountain Time but joins up with the Pacific Time Zone when other states spring forward.

On the other hand, the Navajo and Hopi reservations in Northeast Arizona observes Day Light savings time. Signs noting time changes are non-existent. Cell phones get their time from the nearest cell tower which can be wrong. Not an issue in the winter, but in the summer months, manually set your clocks.

Check out all these posts on the state of Arizona!


Ancient Pueblos and a Giant Crater

Meteor Crater, Arizona

My last Arizona adventure ends with a visit to Homol’ovi State Park and Meteor Crater!  Continue reading

Organ Pipe Cactus

Ajo Mountain Drive. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Arizona.

A unique cactus, at a unique park, in a unique part of Arizona. Explore Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  Continue reading

Caving and Saguaros

cactus forest trail. East side. Saguaro National Park. Tucson, Arizona

Explore Tucson, Arizona’s natural beauty, both above ground and below.  Continue reading

Return to Glen Canyon

Hanging Garden Trail. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Page, Arizona

A quick day trip brings further explorations of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Continue reading

Fort Bowie

Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Willcox, Arizona

Explore the ruins of a fort that helped conquer the West. Continue reading

Goodbye to 2018

Hopi Point, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Saying goodbye to a very interesting year.  Continue reading

Glen Canyon

Navajo Bridge. Colorado River. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Arizona

Even Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has history behind it.  Continue reading

Some Ruins and a Trading Post

Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Arizona

Explore more ruins in the Four Corners and a historic trading post. Continue reading

The Four Corners

Tower Point, Hovenweep National Monument, Utah

An adventure starts in the Four Corners with two National Monuments.  Continue reading

Cliff Dwellings and Petroglyphs

Montezuma Castle National Monument. Arizona.

A day full of amazing Sinagua cliff dwellings and petroglyphs in Central Arizona. Continue reading

Buried at the Grand Canyon

Cemetery gate. Pioneer Cemetery, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Explore Grand Canyon National Park’s history in the park’s cemetery. Continue reading

Grand Canyon: Hike to Dripping Springs

Hermit Trail. Grand Canyon National Park. Arizona.

Hiking along one of the Grand Canyon’s more interesting trails. Continue reading

Ruins of Walnut Canyon

Cliff dwelling. Walnut Canyon National Monument. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Step back in time at the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon. Continue reading

Volcanic Arizona

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

Did you know that Northern Arizona is full of volcanoes? Neither did I. Continue reading

Wupatki Ruins

Lumaki and Box Canyon Pueblos, Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

What now is a fairly desolate area used to be the home to thousands of farmers.  Continue reading

A Day in Ruins

A day of archaeology as I explore three Native American ruins in Central Arizona.  Continue reading

Exploring Southern Arizona

Coronado National Memorial, Southern Arizona

A road trip exploring Southern Arizona history. Continue reading

Got My Kicks on Route 66

Route 66, Pontiac, Illinois

Explorations of the Mother Road. Continue reading