Arizona, The Grand Canyon State

When we think of Arizona, geography is what comes to mind, so that is what the kids wrote about this time around.  And being that we live 2 miles from Arizona as the hawk flies (we can see Arizona rock formations from our kitchen window), the kids stated that we had to take an AZ roadtrip before they finished this post.  Well, I'm never one to turn my nose up at a day trip, so off we went on mini whirl-wind adventure, through sandy deserts, ponderosa pine forest, and red rock magnificence. Thanks kids!!

Lee’s Ferry by NovaLee

In the Glenn Canyon region of northern Arizona, at the very beginning of the Grand Canyon, is a place called Lees Ferry. With the mountains rising around it, and the Colorado River rushing through, Lees Ferry is an amazing place full of history.

Historical Buildings

Lees Ferry was established in 1871 to help settlers and supplies cross the Colorado River, and was named after John D. Lee, the Mormon settler who set it up. With the Grand Canyon walls rising steeply on both sides, it is almost impossible to get across the river for hundreds of miles. Lees Ferry is one of the few places that could be crossed. 

Rafters getting ready for the long ride down the Grand Canyon!

Today it is a campground, a fishing spot, a historic sight, and a launch for those of you who would like to raft down the Grand Canyon (wow! That would be really fun!)

The drive down to Lees Ferry was a lot of fun; one moment there were trees, and the next moment it was just sand everywhere. Half way through our trip we stopped in the Kibab National Forest town of Jacob Lake. The funny thing about Jacob Lake is that there is no actual lake; we were so confused! 

just hiking around!

Then, once we got there, we were amazed; red rocks seem to be jumping out of the earth, the river glinted in the sun, and lizards scurried over the ground begging to be chased with a net. It was so hot that we had to take a dip, but the water was freezing even with the sun beating down on us. The beginning of the Grand Canyon is magnificent! Lees Ferry is a place that you have got to visit. 

Saguaro Cactus by Vega

Would you like to see a Saguaro Cacti? If so, you will have to travel to the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona (and Northwestern Mexico) because that is the only place they grow.

Saguaros can live for two hundred years, grow up to 60 feet tall, and have over more than 25 arms.  But Saguaros grow very slow; it takes 35 years for them to start making flowers.  Another thing about Saguaro cacti is that they are very heavy.  They can weigh 6 Tons or more when they are full of water!  Saguaro Cactus are pleated like an accordion so that when it rains they can stretch out to store the extra water. 

Many animals, such as the Gila Woodpecker and Elf owl, make

their home in the Saguaro. The Hohokam Indians used the wood like ribs of dead Saguaro for fences and walls, and the fruit was used for food and wine.

I think that the Saguaro is an important plant to the Sonoran Desert.

 

Arizona Fun Facts:

*Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, and it is the only capital named after a mythological creature.  Cool!

*Arizona is home to the only poisonous lizard in the US, the Gila Monster.

*There are 21 Indian Reservations in Arizona, the largest belonging to the Navajo.  There are also many ancient Native American sites throughout the state.

*Do you know where the London Bridge is?  In Lake Havasu City, AZ of coarse!  The Bridge was bought, shipped across the Atlantic, and then re-built brick by brick in the AZ desert.  Lets go for tea and cucumber sandwiches!

*Pluto was discovered from Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.  Also, Tucson is considered the Astronomy capital of the world.

Happy Trails, we'll see you next time in Arkansas!