Friday, March 27, 2009

Celebrate Wildlife Day at Grand Canyon National Park

On May 2, 2009, you'll want to take the family up to Grand Canyon National Park for the second annual Celebrate Wildlife Day Shrine of the Age on the South Rim. Activities will run from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., do you'll be able to choose what you want to do and leave when you're ready.

See the announcement for what's on the agenda.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Grand Canyon National Park North Rim Opening

Alot of hikers have been waiting for this announcement from the National Park Service:

"The Arizona Department of Transportation will open Highway 67 to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Friday, May 15 by 7:00 a.m. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, a Forever Resorts property and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their season operations on May 15, continuing through noon on October 16, 2009. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations include lodging, camper services, food services, groceries and a service station. All concessions facilities will open at 10:00 a.m. with the exception of the dining room which will open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. Lodge check-in will commence at 4:00 p.m."

Read more . . .

Thursday, March 19, 2009

San Francisco Peaks

The views of the San Francisco Peaks when coming to Flagstaff from the Grand Canyon via Hwy 180 are beautiful any time of year, but last week they were spectacular.


The Arizona SnowBowl is still going strong, though they've just announced that "unseasonably warm temperatures have forced the closure of the Hart Prairie beginner area, located at the lowest elevation of the ski area."

Photos: © Marilyn Crain

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Grand Canyon National Park Archeology Day

It's a beautiful time of year at the Grand Canyon. Maybe it's time to take a little day trip before summer gets into full gear. March 28 sounds like a good day to visit, especially if you're interested in archaeology.

From Grand Canyon National Park news release:

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, Grand Canyon National Park will host Archeology Day in honor of “Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month”.

“Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month” was created 26 years ago by the State Historical Preservation Office and the Governor’s Ad Hoc Archeology Advisory Group (now the Governor’s Archeology Advisory Commission) to inform the public about archeology in the state of Arizona. In Grand Canyon National Park alone, over 4300 archeological sites have been recorded to date, and archeologists estimate that the park may have as many as 50,000 – 60,000 sites. Some of the artifacts found in the park date back almost 12,000 years, testimony to the vast extent of the human history of the area. That human history lives on as descendents of these ancient peoples continue to utilize the area today.

Archeology Day, much like “Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month”, is intended to help park visitors learn more about the people who lived here long ago and to gain a greater understanding of the work that archeologists do and what can be learned from their research.

All of the park’s Archeology Day activities and programs are being offered free of charge on the South Rim. All activities are family friendly and, with the exception of the evening program, will be offered at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, located at the Canyon View Information Plaza, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

For more info: Archaeology Day

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Riordan Mansion Brown Bag Lunch Lectures

2009 Brown Bag Lunch Lectures at Riordan Mansion are set. Brown Bag Lunches scheduled on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:15 pm, on the front veranda of the historic 1904 Riordan Mansion. Stop by with lunch for a different presentation each Tuesday.

  • Mar 10: En Vogue: 90 Years of Riordan Women’s Fashion
  • Apr 14: Browsing the Bookshelves at Riordan Mansion: Topics and Titles from the Early Years
  • May 12: Arizona’s Amazing Women
  • Jun 9: Victorian Fashions in Arizona Territory
  • Aug 11: Call of the Canyon
  • Sep 8: Jerome in the News
  • Oct 13: Arizona Mines and Minerals
  • Nov 10: “Mark Twain in the American West”
  • Dec 8: Christmas Music during the Riordan Years

Contact the Park:

(928) 779-4395

Riordan Mansion SHP
409 West Riordan Rd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Monday, March 2, 2009

Riordan Mansion Evening Slide Presentation Series

2009 Evening Slide Presentation Series at Riordan Mansion

  • Mar 7: Protecting Historic Sites during Wildland Fires
  • Mar 28: Protecting the Archaeology and Petroglyphs of Picture Canyon
  • Apr 18: Stone Landmarks: Flagstaff’s Historic Buildings and Geologic Landscapes
  • May 2: Arizona's War Town: Flagstaff and World War II
  • Jun 20: "Louis Akin's Lost Bride: The Photos, Poems and Adventures of Mai Richie Reed"
  • Jul 11: Two Guns and Route 66
  • Aug 29: “Ain’t it Purty”: Tourist Impressions of Grand Canyon

All presentations held at 7 p.m.

Riordan Mansion SHP
409 West Riordan Rd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Programs are free but reservations are recommended due to limited availability. Please call (928) 779-4395.