Arizona....help us narrow down an itinerary

<p>Charles & Kathy,<br>

With the exception of Lake Havasu and London Bridge, I haven't even heard of the places you both suggested, so thank you. I like to do a lot of research, which I'll do before we go, but I need to make hotel reservations now.......so it's helpful to have some ideas of places to visit so we can determine how long we want to be in each location. I'll definitely check these out! We almost visited Havasu last time we were in Las Vegas, but ran out of time. We're from the Midwest, so we're not very knowledgeable about desert vegetation......the Arboretum sounds like a great idea. Thank you both!</p>

<p>Most of the good photography in southern AZ is time dependant. One cannot just pop in and expect it to be great. Saguaro NP is one example. Most of the year it is ugly, but during the monsoon season (July- mid Sept) there is great lightning, sunsets and rainbows. Southern AZ also has one of the best cactus flower displays with many rare vaieties. These are also time dependant of course ( Mar-Sept). The same goes for wildflowers (early Mar- early Apr). Places like Kofa Nat Wildlife Refuge and the Tohono O'odham Reservation have great flower displays in wet years. In really wet years there are flowers all over so AZ. Chiricahua Nat Mon can be nice all year round, with its eroded volcanic hoo doos. Little known Aravaipa Canyon is nice for wildlife and cactus flowers but it is best in spring and summer. It is hot and humid in the summer!</p>

<p>Steve, WOW!! You gave me so many suggestions....thank you!! Yes, I suppose your remark applies to most anyplace in the country.......there are better and worse times to visit. But I suppose that's even more true of desert climes. We'll be there in April and hope to see some spectacular wildflowers, but then last year we expected to see wildflowers in Death Valley.......there were very few. I can't wait until we start traveling in our RV (as soon as I retire). Then we'll have more flexibility to cater to the blooming seasons. Thanks so much for your generous suggestions.</p>

<p>Christal,</p>

<p>I am so excited for you to get to go to Arizona! I love northern AZ, and suggest Jerome as well. Stay a night in the Jerome Grand if you can. All the area is fine, beautiful scenery and I love the high grassy/shrubby terrain. Taking a ride on Route 66 is fun, lots of small little towns like Oatman ("wild burros) and Williams, also Winslow.<br>

Don't write off southern AZ. Tombstone was the most disappointing thing we did. The Birdcage is fine, but Boot Hill was a real let down for me. Saguaro NP I loved, and the Sonoran Desert Museum. Our highlight was an evening of observing at Kitt Peak National Observatory. That has to be booked in advance, but the experience was fabulous. If you are at all into astronomy I highly suggest it.</p>

<p>Tammy</p>

<p>It would be a dream for to make photos in arizona...</p>

<p>Tammy......thanks for all of your suggestions.....especially the small towns.......also the Observatory. I don't know that much about astronomy, but I've never been to a place like that to look through a powerful telescope, and I'm sure I'd find it fascinating. We actually have relatives who live 45 minutes south of Phoenix, so we'll surely head down that way. By the way, what time of year were you there? I'll also have to take another look at your portfolio to see if you have any pictures from there. :-) Thanks, again!</p>

<p>This may be too far for you but Cibola State Park has really good bird photography. I live near there and go there quite frequently. If you need more info, let me know. Good luck, sounds like it will be a lot of fun.</p>

<p>Thanks, Donny. (Funny, that's my brother's name.....Donnie.....he's the one we're going to visit in the Phoenix area). I'll check out your suggestion. If not this time, then next because we'll certainly return to that area again. Thanks so much! I'll be entertaining suggestions up until April, so please feel free to keep suggestions coming!</p>