Mike in the Wild

Visiting northern Arizona is always a treat, especially when you add Flagstaff to the itinerary.  Not only does the area have a cooler climate, but it's a convenient gateway to an endless list of parks and attractions like the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. And the state's highest mountain is just a few miles away.   At 12,633 feet, Mount Humphreys soars as a distinctive landmark from many distant points in the northern half of the state.  Its own unique destination, it offers alpine skiing in the winter along with camping and hiking in the warmer months. At almost 7,000 feet itself, Flagstaff is situated within the highest contiguous forest of ponderosa pine trees in the world.  Throughout the area there are also numerous groves of aspen trees bordering wide, grassy meadows.  Coupled with the mild summers, an escape to the region promises an exciting birding opportunity that contrasts sharply with desert bird watching. Maybe it's the dense forests, ...