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Visit
the Grand Canyon - one of the Top
10 Wonders of the World
Snowbirds
Escape the Winter to Phoenix, Arizona
by
Jerry W. Bird
 We
were recently invited to an evening hosted by the
Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau and the
Arizona Biltmore Hotel, with samples of great
Arizona cuisine and hospitality. As expected, these
few hours among friends rekindled the flame of
desire to visit one of my favorite U.S.
destinations. If
there was ever a time in my entire life when I
needed a lift to my spirits, two weeks in the
Greater Phoenix area provided it in a big way. The
magical cure began when I got a call at our Calgary
(Alberta) office to make a presentation on behalf
of my client Shaw Pipe Protection Inc., a leading
oil industry supply company. The venue was to be
the Mountain
Shadows, a
fabulous, sprawling suburban resort in Scottsdale,
Arizona, now part of the Marriott chain. What an
ideal spot it was for a business related event,
where you can unwind at the same time as you
stimulate the brain cells and fire up the
imagination.
Greater Phoenix is
ringed by mountains, and the most prominent
landmarks are Camelback Mountain and Squaw Peak.
What I found very impressive were evenings on the
Sonoran desert, with the outline of Camelback in
the distance or looming nearby, tall saguaro cactus
-- and plenty of clean air at just the right
temperature -- a perfectly romantic setting . The
rest of the my visit was almost too good to be
true, small details and simple pleasures that form
the ingredients of a treasured experience. Later in
the week we found time to rent a car and drove
south to Tuscon and area, where we discovered a
frontier town 1860s style, which seemed to be
devoted to movie making. I am sure several of my
favorite westerns were made there.
 On
occasion people ask if I encountered much wildlife
while driving through the state. To answer those
queries, we've added an item by the Arizona Office
of Tourism (below) which has expanded its Web site
to include new and updated information on
birding,
flora, fauna
and watchable wildlife.
My second trip to
Arizona, this time for Petrolane Inc. of
Long Beach, CA, a large propane supplier, broadened
my love affair with with the area even more. This
two week long film for Petrolane, which took us
from Phoenix into Northern Arizona and beyond to
nine western states. On the way we spent some time
in Las Vegas at the National Propane Association
Convention. That original success story at the
Mountain
Shadows
will take some time to tell, as will the journey to
Flagstaff and beyond. Please stay tuned in the
weeks ahead as I jar my memory loose and put words
on paper (via the computer or course).
 Here's
part of what tourism officials say about their city
and area: "One thing you can always count on in
Phoenix is the weather: the Valley enjoys more than
300 days of sunshine a year. Phoenix boasts a
pleasant yearly average temperature of 72 degrees
Fahrenheit, making it perfect for an array of
outdoor activities and attractions. Nearly 200 golf
courses dot the city, and biking, hiking, and
boating are popular pastimes. It's easy to see why
Phoenix has been a sunny sanctuary for snow- and
rain-weary travelers from northern and eastern
states since the 1920s. Greater Phoenix comprises
23 incorporated cities sprawling over some 2,000
square miles. You can actually drive roughly 45
miles from one end to the other, in any direction,
and still be in Greater Phoenix. The city of
Phoenix itself, which lies in the center of the
southern half of the state, covers more than 450
square miles."
 Phoenix
Arizona CVB features comprehensive travel
information including hotel and resort lodging
accommodations, fine dining and restaurants, great
golf courses ... www.phoenixcvb.com/
Getting
There:America West Airlines
http://www.americawest.com
America West
Airlines, now the ninth largest US carrier,
began operations in 1983, with 280 employees and
three Boeing 737 aircraft serving five
destinations. Today, America West has over 12,000
employees and 111 aircraft serving 100 destinations
in Canada, the USA and Mexico. The airline offers
600 daily departures with a route system anchored
by hubs in Phoenix and Las Vegas - and Columbus
Ohio. The Airline now has strategic alliances with
several leading domestic and international
airlines.
CONTINUED
DISCOVER A WILD
UPDATE
From bobcats to butterflies, wildlife abounds in
Arizona, the natural result of diverse landscapes
and varying climates. In response to this rapidly
increasing market segment, the Arizona Office of
Tourism (AOT) has expanded its Web site to include
new and updated information on birding, flora and
fauna and watchable wildlife in the
state.
Located
at
http://www.ArizonaGuide.com,
the
"Watchable Wildlife" section also features
information on seasonal and regional "hotspots" and
a photo slide show of Arizona's animals. Ever
wondered what a Gila Monster looks like? Or
what is the difference between desert and mountain
bighorns? Just click on the Nature & Adventure
link to find the new "Watchable Wildlife"
section.
"Canadian travelers
love to explore the outdoors," says Chris Ryall,
Manager-Canada, Arizona Office of Tourism. "AOT's
Canadian office handles regular requests for
information about where, when and how to discover
Arizona's unique natural environment. Questions
about bird watching locales are common, and with
this update to the Web site those details are
instantly available."
Birding is the
number one attraction in Southern Arizona,
especially at places like Ramsey Canyon Preserve.
Visitors from all over the world come to see the
170+ species of birds found in the preserve and
surrounding national forest. Southeastern Arizona
is an ecological crossroads, where habitats and
species from the Sierra Madre Mountains in northern
Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sonoran and
Chihuahuan deserts all can be found. Southeastern
rarities include the elegant trogan, and
white-eared and berylline hummingbird, scarce but
regular visitors to the mountains of southeastern
Arizona.
The Web site's new
"Watchable Wildlife" section was developed in
conjunction with the Arizona Game and Fish
Department and the Arizona Watchable Wildlife
Tourism Association (AWWTA). Links are provided to
both of these organizations, as well as the Audubon
Society and Arizona State Parks.
To obtain more
information or brochures on the excitement Arizona
has to offer year-round, travel trade and media may
contact the Arizona Office of Tourism (Canada) at
55 Town Center Court, Suite 642, Toronto, Ontario
M1P 4X4, tel.: (416) 861-1240; fax (416) 861-1108,
or email:
mailto:azinfo@travelmarketingexperts.com
Consumers may call
toll-free at 1-866-275-5843
or visit
http://www.ArizonaGuide.com
Here's
what they have to say about Our favorite resort in
Scottsdale:
Marriott's
"Mountain Shadows" Resort and Golf Club
An Oasis of
Luxury and Comfort Dedicated to the Pleasure of
Every Guest. Seventy acres of desert paradise, with
picturesque gardens, lush fairways, and endless
variety Here, tucked away in the pastel-tinted
shadows of Arizona's Camelback Mountain, you'll
discover a relaxed elegance and unparalleled
convenience. Luxurious guest rooms with spectacular
views, unlimited recreation, and more than 19,000
square feet of versatile meeting space.
Extraordinary options for indoor and outdoor
dining, and so much more - all just minutes from
Phoenix, and less than 12 miles from Sky Harbor
International Airport.
Marriott's Mountain
Shadows Resort & Golf Club is currently
underway on some exciting changes. We are investing
one-half million dollars into our 337 guest rooms.
To make your stay more comfortable, we are
outfitting each room with new beds, carpet, linens
and draperies. Take time to relax in our newly
redone lobby or just around the corner grab your
favorite Starbucks drink and enjoy the magnificent
views from the patio complete with an outdoor
fireplace.
http://www.mountainshadows.net/index.html
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