Explore the outdoors in Payson
If you're looking for a picturesque town where the store owners know your name and the altitude keeps the air fresh and cool, then Payson is your place.
Payson is nestled between the mountains an hour and a half north of Phoenix, and it is perfect for the wilderness lover. "It's up in the middle of the woods, so you can do a lot of outdoor things, like hiking and four-wheeling and fishing," says Sierra Sommars, an elementary education freshman.
Sommars recommends visiting Tonto Natural Bridge State Park to see a bridge naturally carved by water, or hiking along the Mogollon Rim for breathtaking views. Both can be accessed through the state park, and there are plenty of places to camp throughout the park.
If you'd rather not sleep beneath the skies, stay in one of the town's cheap hotels, and head to one of the antique stores throughout Payson. At night, stop by Fireside Espresso (myspace.com/firesideespresso) and sip a mocha while listening to the live music performed there on weekends.
And don't worry about standing out as a tourist in this town. "Everyone there is really friendly," Whitney Heizer, an interdisciplinary studies junior, says of her hometown. "If you ask somebody for directions, chances are that if they're not doing something, they'll take you there themselves."
For more information, call (928) 476-4202.
Splash in the Romero Pools in Tucson
Tucson may be home to the UA Wildcats, but the city's not all bad. Some of the best hiking and natural swimming pools can be found at the outskirts of the city in Catalina State Park.
A three-mile hike will bring you through red canyons and past saguaro-filled vistas to the natural water deposits of the Romero Pools. The hike is considered medium to hard by park standards, but the workout is worth the free-falling jump you can take to splash into the waters of Romero Pools.
Spring is the perfect time for a dip in the pools, as the temperature is still bearable and the pools are full, park manager Neil Donkersley says. Spend the night at one of the park's 120 campground sites to take advantage of the cool weather, and catch a glimpse of the most sparkling stars you've probably seen since living in the foggy-skied Valley.
If camping cramps your style, there are other options. "The nice thing about the park is that it's right at the base of the [Santa] Catalina Mountains, but if you want to go out at night, it's also right near Tucson," Donkersley says.
For Tucson's college scene, hit up the bars on 4th Avenue - the city's hippy-ish version of Mill Avenue. Whatever you decide to do, watch out for those Sun Devil-hating Wildcats.
Go on an African safari in Camp Verde
Rattlesnakes, jackrabbits and quails may be some of the most commonly seen animals in the desert. But wildebeest, giraffes and panthers roam Arizona as well - at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. The park is located north of Phoenix in Camp Verde and features more than 400 exotic animals on 104 acres of land.
Take a mock safari on the world's only two-story Hummer. Try not to squirm as giraffes gobble snacks right from your hands. Get close to some of the world's largest slithering reptiles at the Giant Snake Show, and tickle the scales of a python's back.
If you'd rather just watch the animals, roam the Wildlife Preserve on foot to observe wolves, bears, hyenas and lions prowling in their natural habitats. Snap photos of a white Bengal tiger snoozing next to a black Asian leopard-panther; unlike the habitats at a zoo, species are welcome to live close to one another to imitate life in the wild.
The park owners aim to maintain a close-to-natural habitat for the wildlife while still providing a fascinating and educational experience for the public. "Everything we do is ultimately decided by the needs and well-being of the animals and the comfort and experience offered to guests who come to enjoy a new perspective on wildlife," park co-founder Dean Harrison says.
For more info, visit outofafrica.com.
Reach the reporter at: nicole.m.stewart@asu.edu
