5 Places For Culture and History On The Navajo Nation

Above, the Left Mitten at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thinking about where to vacation next year? Why not visit the Navajo Nation? There are plenty of places to see and things to do. Last month, I took a two-nighter trip to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It's a great place for sightseeing and camping.

AZ Big Media has listed five interesting places within the western edge of the Navajo Nation.

They begin with:

Ever wondered where to go on the Navajo Nation? With the reservation spanning over three states, it can be overwhelming. Here are five places to visit in the western edge of the Navajo Nation:

To see what they are, go here. 

Best RV Places In Arizona

Above, at Payson Campground and RV Resort in Payson, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether one works from home or not, Arizona is an inviting place to travel by RV, especially during winter months.

AZ Big Media posted an article on the best places in Arizona for RVers. 

They begin it with:

Working from home is retaining its popularity even as health concerns recede. Hitting the road in recreational vehicles also surged during the last couple of years, and it continues to trend. Combining these two lifestyles is now more possible than ever, with fast internet connectivity available across the country. Arizona is well equipped to provide for this new generation of digital RV nomads in motorhomes.

Health concerns are minimized on vacations spent only with close friends or family, which triggered a rise in the sales of motorhomes, campers and caravans. And more campgrounds are being built — over 15,000 new RV sites were added this winter nationwide, and existing ones are being expanded. For anyone who earns money working online, they frequently offer WiFi and a range of features to make the lifestyle comfortable.

Arizona’s long-standing reputation as a snowbird destination means it is already well set up for anyone who works online from their RV. They can do this at one of the many campsites that offer WiFi or using mobile hotspots on a cellular network. In addition, there is now satellite internet — for a few hundred dollars spent on hardware and a subscription, this can give you access even in remote Arizonan locations.

To read more, go here. 

Arizona: 15 Must-See Places

Above, Lake Havasu made the list of must-see places in Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Forty miles west of where I live is the Arizona-New Mexico border on Interstate 40. I have often been in Arizona during the past four years. 

Arizona is so close that taking trips there is quite easy for me. There are many places to see and things to do.

AZ Big Media has posted 15 must-see places in Arizona. There are some that are well-known (such as he Grand Canyon) and some are "hidden gems".

They begin with:

Arizona is well-known for its beautiful landscapes and scenery. These beautiful, must-experience places are bucket-list worthy; some are well-known, while others are hidden gems you might not have known about. From national landmarks to historical towns and breathtaking outdoor landscapes, here are 15 places to visit on your next Arizona road trip.

 To see what they are, go here.

Things To Know When Visiting The Grand Canyon

Above, a view from Hermit's Rest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the most spectacular national parks in the U.S.

While it is hard to image that not everyone has been there at least once, there are those who have and learned the hard way that it is best to be prepared.

With that said, thankfully, AZ Big Media has a list of 8 thing to know when visiting the Grand Canyon.

They begin with:

What is one thing you wish you’d known before visiting the Grand Canyon? 

Visiting the great outdoors is a great way to reconnect or explore new things. But it’s essential to be thoroughly prepared. To help visitors best prepare for their trip to the Grand Canyon, we asked nature enthusiasts and people who have previously visited the Grand Canyon this question for their best tips. From staying hydrated to packing for cold nights, there are several insights that may help you better prepare for your visit to the Grand Canyon. 

To read more, go here.

Major Project Underway At Grand Canyon's Desert View

Above, the Desert View Watchtower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although now closed due to coronavirus concerns, Grand Canyon National Park's Desert View is now undergoing a major project for visitors when it does reopen.

According to the AZ Big Media:

The Arizona Lottery is teaming up with Grand Canyon Conservancy, Grand Canyon National Park’s official nonprofit partner, in their effort to reimagine the site at Desert View. Desert View represents the physical and cultural gateway from Grand Canyon National Park to tribal lands that surround it. In fact, in 2019 alone, one million park visitors visited Desert View to learn more about the 11 American Indian tribes that call the Grand Canyon home.

Perched on the rim of the canyon, the historic 70’ tall Desert View Watchtower is modeled after the architecture of the Ancestral Puebloan people of the Four Corners region. Visitors can meet cultural demonstrators to learn about local indigenous cultures, spot the Colorado River turning west, and glimpse the Painted Desert extending towards tribal lands.

The Arizona Lottery’s $100,000 Gives Back Sponsorship (matched by the National Park Foundation’s centennial appropriations for $200,000 in impact) will fund opportunities for this Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site to teach visitors about past and present indigenous life and culture in and around Grand Canyon. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact directly with tribal members, listen to their stories, and observe a variety of cultural demonstrations.

On part of the project is an improvement of the arrival experience by creating an Orientation Area, Shade Structure, Picnic Areas, and revision of the parking lots.

To read more, go here.

Arizona National Parks Survived The Government Shutdown

Above, a view of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During the government shutdown, Joshua Tree National Park suffered damage that would, officials say, take 300 years to heal. Trash was left uncollected, valuable Joshua Trees were cut down and other acts of vandalism took place.

In contrast, Arizona's national parks were almost unscathed in comparison.

According to AZ Big Media:

Waiting for the sun to rise, visitors to Grand Canyon National Park quietly stood at Mather Point. By 7:45, sunbeams pierced the low clouds to illuminate the red rocks and the sparkling snow. Despite the partial federal government shutdown, which ended Jan. 25, for most visitors, the closure didn’t affect their experience. 

Although Petrified Forest National Park closed during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Arizona’s two other national parks – Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park – remained open with limited services. The visitor center at Grand Canyon was closed, but the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, hotels and restaurants were open. It was a similar story at Saguaro. But as of Monday, both parks were fully staffed, and it was business as usual, at least for the next three weeks while the debate over funding a southern-border wall continues in Washington, D.C. 

Park officials say Saguaro and Grand Canyon are recovering from the shutdown with limited damage, and they are prepared should another shutdown happen.

To read more, go here.