What I love about the park is the overall cleanliness of the park and the meticulous and humane care that is provided to the animals – and that is all due to the passionate (and compassionate) owners, Dean & Prayeri Harrison. Park guests can come up and touch the snakes! The park has two primary tours, which are a wildlife photographer’s dream come true:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMJZBjeYwtc

The Wildlife PreseRVe is an educational hour-long tram or trolley tour, which circles the large-habitat homes of lions, tigers, wolves, hyena, bears, mountain lions and other predators. Unobstructed photo decks are the perfect staging for an unforgettable photograph of the park’s majestic animals. Highlighting the best of Arizona tourism – the VIP tour also includes lunch and hands-on animal encounters.

But if you enjoy a little adventure just off the beaten path, consider traveling to Cochise County in the southeastern corner of the state. In many ways, Cochise County embodies what Arizona was all about back when it was a Territory – wide open spaces and a great independent spirit.

The best way to absorb Cochise County is to visit its historic towns: Benson, Tombstone, and Bisbee.

Located right off Interstate 10, just 45 miles east of Tucson, is the historic railroad town of Benson. Located in the heart of the San Pedro River Valley, Benson is the home of Kartchner Caverns State Park, a live, wet cave. Back in Territorial days, Benson was a scheduled stop on the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach Route and the Pony Express as well. That, along with the birth of the transcontinental railroad, made Benson a bustling railroad town.

Twenty miles south on US Highway 80 lies the infamous town of Tombstone, the town too tough to die. Even those that aren’t interested in the Old West know that Tombstone was the location of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Tombstone’s main source of income is, you might have guessed, tourism. Allen Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, still resembles Tombstone as it was in the 1880s. The walkways beside the storefronts are wooden, and the streets are still unpaved.

Although there are many shops and restaurants in Tombstone, the town relishes its historical imprint on America. The O.K. Corral still offers tours, as does the C.S. Fly Photo Gallery, where you can view Mr. Fly’s photographs of Geronimo and 1880s Tombstone.

The most important place to visit in town is the Tombstone Courthouse. Now a historical museum, visiting the courthouse will take you back 120 years, as you can view exhibits and thousands of artifacts and really get a feel for what life was like in Tombstone.

About 20 miles southeast of Tombstone lies the quaint community of Bisbee. Now an artist enclave, Bisbee is home to the Queen Mine, which is the largest open pit copper mine in the world.

The first thing you might notice about Bisbee is its beautiful architecture, as “old” Bisbee is nestled into the side of a mountain. Immediately, your eyes will gaze over to “The Pit,” the copper mine, which ceased production in the mid 1970s. Quite simply, it’s the largest hole in the earth you’ll ever see!

The Queen Mine operates tours daily, and you can actually go down into the mine. The tours are given by former miners, and they are able to give you personal insights into the mine operations.

Each of these historical Arizona towns makes for an adventurous day trip. Consider making an extended weekend vacation and explore all of what Cochise County has to offer.

The THOMAS RANCH was founded in Bisbee, Arizona in 1902 by Edward E. Thomas. It is located in the South-Eastern part of Cochise County, 82 miles Southeast of Tucson.

If you or other members of the family have fished before, then you will have your choice of several rods and reels for the advanced fisherman. However, the newcomers to the sport have lightweight gear that makes the fishing experience enjoyable. You can purchase a package deal that also includes bobbers, sinkers, hooks needle nose pliers, and of course bait.

Different fishing excursions are offered that range from 15 minutes to two hours, depending on the age and experience of the children involved. The “Fishing with Kids” program is a great way for children to learn about fishing, baiting a hook, and luring in Blue Gill. The entire day will be filled with excitement and fun, having the opportunity for the family to have quality time together.

While your out that way, take one of the Lavendar Jeep Tours. This is a 90-100 minute tour on the narrow, twisting back roads (all paved) and high trails of Bisbee. The driver/guide will give you a historical documentary as you obseRVe the panoramic views. There are six tours to choose from. Take your camara and enjoy the picturesque surroundings.

Today, Tucson, Arizona is the home to 800,000 residents and is an attractive destination to visitors. However, its warm, inviting weather and busy event calendar belie its colorful past. Tucson’s history dates back to the time of Christ’s birth, and it is among the oldest continually inhabited areas in the United States. According to the Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, in 1884 there were 25 saloons in the city. Still on the books is an old law forbidding women to wear pants. John Dillinger was arrested in Tucson, while Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday made a stop at the train depot before going on to Tombstone.

Although its Wild West days may be behind it, Tucson, Arizona, still holds its residents and visitors captive. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Saguaro National Park, home to the giant cactus, as well as hiking in the Sonoran Desert. Baseball aficionados show up to watch three major league teams – the Arizona Razorbacks, the Colorado Rockies, and the Chicago White Sox – during spring training each year. Duffers enjoy world-class golf courses while cyclists ride to their heart’s content throughout the area. Amateur ornithologists are delighted by the area’s large number of hummingbird species.

A vacation in Tucson, Arizona also…