Here are a few wild
facts about Tucson
and its unique sights
TravelGolf.com Staff Report
Here are a few unusual facts about the Tucson area and its culture and
environment that you might not have known:
See saguaros really branch out: Tucson is home to Arizona's
"other"
national park. Saguaro National Park is one of the United States' newest
national parks. Its two locations, east and west of Tucson, have the
largest
concentration of saguaro cactus. It is the second only to the Grand
Canyon
in the number of visitors it receives annually.
Visit America's "Sistine Chapel": The Spanish nicknamed Mission
San
Xavier del Bac the "White Dove of the Desert" because of its striking
appearance from afar; more recently, its beautiful frescoes have earned
San
Xavier the sobriquet "America's Sistine Chapel." The graceful mission
church, on the southwest side of town, still serves the Tohono O'Odham
tribe
for whom it was established in the late 1600s.
Zip on down to Tombstone: Today, driving from Tucson to Tombstone on the Interstate takes a little more than one
hour.
In the 1800s, travel to Tombstone was by stagecoach only. It would have
taken Big Nose Kate two to three days, traveling about 3-5 miles per
hour to
get from Tucson's railroad station to Tombstone to see her lover Doc
Holliday.
 Underground wonders: Kartchner Caverns State Park, about 1½ hours
southeast of Tucson, harbors the second longest stalactite of its kind
in
the world. The 21-foot long and one-quarter inch wide "soda straw" is
among
the cave's most interesting features.
Where celluloid cowboys rode to fame: Old Tucson Studios is known
as
"Hollywood in the Desert." More than 200 movies, commercials,
documentaries
and television shows, including the TV series "Young Riders," have been
filmed here since it was built as a set for the movie "Arizona" in 1939.
Wildlife of the desert on display: The Arizona Sonora Desert
Museum
was rated one of America's 10 top zoos by Parade magazine. The museum's
newest "invisi-fence" enclosure has been patented and has won many fans
at
the museum's new coyote exhibit. The exhibit gives visitors the feeling
of
walking in the desert surrounded by wildlife, because the fenced
enclosure
cannot be easily seen. The coyote exhibit is adjacent to the javelina
exhibit, another favorite at the museum.
A museum of flying wonders: The Pima Air & Space Museum, just
southwest of Tucson's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, is the largest
privately
funded air museum in the world. Among the more than 180 aircraft that
highlight America's aviation history are John F. Kennedy's presidential
plane and a replica of a 1903 Wright Brothers Flyer. Tours of
Davis-Monthan'
s 5000 aircraft Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center start at
the
museum.
A real haven for hummingbirds: The Tucson and Southern Arizona
region
is ranked one of the five best areas in the U.S. for bird watching.
Southern
Arizona attracts the largest number of hummingbird species in the world.
Star-gazing made easy: Tucson has city ordinances against "light
pollution," designed to aid visibility at the five world-class
observatories
in the area. Tucson is known as "Astronomy Capital of the World."
Celebrating Native American culture: Tucson's Tohono O'Odham
Indian
polka music is called Chicken Scratch. The Arizona Historical Society's
annual Waila Festival celebrates this popular dance music.
 Cowboys run rampant: Tucson's La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo
Parade
is world famous as the longest, non-motorized parade in the world. In
February, the parade kicks off the Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros,
Tucson'
s celebration of the cowboys featuring the Tucson Rodeo, which ranks
among
the top 15 PRCA rodeos in North America.
Home to the Wildcats: The University of Arizona was founded in
1885
when it opened its doors to 32 students. Cattle grazed on the open range
of
the campus. Today the UA serves more than 35,000 students and is
recognized
as one of the United States top research universities.
Unique artistry on display: See one of the world's largest
collections of the work of artist Jacques Lipschitz at the University of
Arizona's Museum of Art. You can also see original Ansel Adams prints at
the
museum he founded, the University of Arizona's Center for Creative
Photography. Nelson Riddle's musical legacy lives on at the University
of
Arizona's School of Music, the home of Riddle's estate - including
musical
scores, instruments and awards.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
|
