Category Archive: Arizona

Hiking in Sedona is Seeing Red (Rocks)

There are plenty of reasons to make hiking part of a daily activity routine – it’s a perfect way to jump-start a healthy routine. Hiking in [amazon_textlink asin=’1986602524′ text=’Sedona’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’travelingwithmj-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0adeffb5-76fd-11e8-b1ff-b7753c9835e5′] promises a healthy experience and more. There are a few off-the-beaten-path trails that are not only breathtaking but also range in difficulty suitable for someone just starting out, or experienced pros looking for the next great challenge. These trails offer options ranging from biking and trail running to horseback riding and climbing and much more. With Sedona as the backdrop, visitors will rush to the illustrious trails spanning the red rock terrain, with jaw-dropping views of Sedona’s landscape and topography. Taking advantage of the backdrop, mountain-goers can bask in the sunshine while keeping their resolutions to be fit in the new year. A local favorite, “The Crack,” […]

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London Bridge in London & Lake Havasu

Do you remember singing this as a child: London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady.   I sure do.  But when I sang it, I had no idea what London Bridge was really all about or where it was – other than London, I mean.. So what’s the real scoop? London Bridge crosses over the River Thames connecting London and Southwark.  This is city central, with lots of London hotels and attractions nearby, and is a busy spot in the city.  Although London Bridge is often confused with the Tower Bridge, it is actually located between the Tower and the Cannon Street Railway Bridge. London Bridge has actually been a succession of bridges, with many incarnations occupying the same space and the same name.  In the mid 1960’s, the then […]

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Flame On at Museum of Fire Fighting

If you’re looking for a short respite from intense Arizona weather, duck into the air-conditioned Hall of Flame Fire Museum and the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes for a glimpse of heat of a different kind. The museum covers about an acre, and has an impressive display of fire history exhibits. A catalog accompanies the exhibits, allowing you more detailed information. There are impressive displays of over 100 fire trucks and their apparatus, covering a period from 1725 – 1969, all of which have been beautifully and painstakingly restored.  The collection also boasts over 10,000 smaller objects related to the history of fire fighting.  In addition, the library has over 6,000 publications (books, journals, magazines, catalogs, etc.) and over 50,000 graphics (mostly photographs but also some paintings and other artwork). While young children may be bored with many of the […]

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Green Architecture Before its Time: Frank Lloyd Wright & Taliesin West

Frank Lloyd Wright is probably the best known American architect, with a body of work that has influenced and shaped the course of building in this country.  His former home, Taliesin West (pronounced Tally-ehssen) in Scottsdale, Arizona, has become the international headquarters for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and is also open for public tours. Taliesin West was built in the mid-1930’s, and is an example of Wright’s concept of organic architecture — building that evolves naturally out of it’s location.  He design and built ecological sound, sustainable architecture long before it’s current popularity.  It’s no surprise then, that Wright, along with some architectural apprentices, gathered desert rocks and sand to build this showcase home that is both in the desert and of the desert. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is just another museum.  Part home, part museum, […]

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