PBS NewsHour, 

Grand Canyon May Be 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought:

A newly published study renews an old debate about the age of the Grand Canyon, positing a possibility that the geographical formation could be tens of millions of years older than current wisdom suggests, dating back to the time of dinosaurs. Margaret Warner talks to science correspondent Miles O'Brien about its significance.

www.AcrossArizonaTours.com

An interesting debate has now started over the age of the Grand Canyon, perhaps a paradigm shift?

Transcript

MARGARET WARNER: Finally tonight: Just how old is the Grand Canyon?

The conventional wisdom holds that this natural wonder of the world was shaped by the Colorado River about five or six million years ago. But there's been a long-running debate over whether it's much older. And, yesterday, researchers published a study in the journal "Science," arguing these majestic formations were formed by two much older rivers cutting through the landscape some 70 million years ago. That was during the age of the dinosaurs. 

MILES O’BRIEN: Yes, it's a big deal.

And there is a big debate in the scientific community right now over it, Margaret.

When you look at the Grand Canyon, as a layperson -- we have been there and see it -- you would say, well, clearly, the Colorado River formed this over many millions of years. And we know the Colorado River is between five and six million years old, no scientific debate there. There is plenty of evidence on that.

So, you would say, well, the canyon must be that old. Well, this new paper which came out -- Becky Flowers of the University of Colorado, along with Ken Farley at Caltech, took a series of readings on the eastern and western portions of the river, which measured a helium isotope which stops escaping at about 70 degrees. You can tell how the rocks have been rising out of center of the earth and sort of pinpoint where the depth would be.

And they came to the conclusion that there was a Grand Canyon there some 70 million years ago before the river. Well, how would that be?

Well, they say there were actually two rivers, one that flowed one direction 70 million years ago, another that flowed the other direction 50 million years ago, and that made a canyon, which now the Colorado River is using. Make sense?...

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec12/canyon_11-30.html

State lawmakers want to take back the Grand Canyon

Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Arizona lawmakers want to take back the Grand Canyon and use one of the seven natural wonders of the world to generate more revenue for the state.

Photo by, Michael Quinn, NPS

So, California one-day will "take back" Yosemite National Park or will Utah take back Zion National Park. ...? 

For those short sighted state law makers: "In every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Iroquois proverb

Leonardo
Across Arizona Tours
www.AcrossArizonaTours.com

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/Arizona-Claims-Grand-Canyon-as-Fires-Fuel-3971986.php#ixzz2ApZA4YEO

Obama to Designate César E. Chávez National Monument

“César Chávez gave a voice to poor and disenfranchised workers everywhere,” said President Obama. “La Paz was at the center of some of the most significant civil rights moments in our nation’s history, and by designating it a national monument, Chávez’ legacy will be preserved and shared to inspire generations to come.”

Environment News Service (http://s.tt/1oUfQ)

My father was a field worker along with his father, brothers and sisters. It these hands that not only feeds our families, but they do so under hard conditions. 

WASHINGTON, DC, October 1, 2012 (ENS) – On October 8, as Americans celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, President Barack Obama will travel to California to establish the César E. Chávez National Monument in honor of the late labor and human rights leader.

This monument is the 398th site included in the U.S. National Park System, and the first to recognize the work of a contemporary Latino American...

Environment News Service (http://s.tt/1oUfQ)

Read more at: http://ens-newswire.com/2012/10/01/obama-to-designate-cesar-e-chavez-national-monument/

Arizona offers tourists much more than the Grand Canyon

The nation's sixth-largest state, once known primarily for gold and silver mining and a certain shootout that involved Wyatt Earp, has become a major tourism destination. Much of the activity is centered around the capital and largest city, Phoenix.
By Jay Berman

www.AcrossArizonaTours.com

Arizona is a huge state and one must spend months if not years to truly see all of its national & state parks, citys and landmarks. Plan on making several long visits to the Grand Canyon State! 

Leonardo

Arizona has more going for it than a canyon in the north and cactus in the south. California's eastern neighbor is celebrating its centennial, and that means a proliferation of fairs, parades and the like, as well as square dance festivals and at least one cowboy poetry conference.

What do visitors do once they've arrived? Golf is near the top of the list, with nearly 200 courses in the greater Phoenix area. Biking and hiking are also popular. Native American culture is everywhere, and families with children often wind up at Old West sites and wildlife parks...

Jay Berman is a Manhattan Beach freelance writer.

Los Angeles Daily News

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_20719386/arizona-offers-tourists-much-more-than-grand-canyon?source=most_viewed

Hotel Palomar Phoenix is Open!

"You just never know where a Kimpton Hotel might rise up. Starting today, we’re spreading our wings in Phoenix. We hope you visit us at Hotel Palomar Phoenix, which is opening its doors in the heart of downtown at CityScape..." 

• Posted by Kelly Aiglon, Blog Manager
• 
  

www.AcrossArizonaTours.com

Phoenix, now has a beautiful downtown hotel in the true heart of Downtown Phoenix! Come with me today to see the Hotel Palomar Phoenix - A Kimpton Hotel!

Leonardo

We hope you visit us at Hotel Palomar Phoenix, which is opening its doors in the heart of downtown at CityScape, a new hub of shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Across the street is Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks; and US Airways Center, an event mecca and where the Phoenix Suns do their thing. No doubt about it – it’s an exciting place to be and we’re eager to help make your travels more relaxing and fun...

http://www.lifeissuite.com/2012/06/hotel-palomar-phoenix-is-open/

Four Corners visitors can now use map, website

Few areas of the United States possess as many national parks and monuments, ancient American Indian sites and scenery as the Four Corners of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.

Places such as Mesa Verde and Canyonlands national parks; Aztec, Hovenweep, Natural Bridges, Canyon de Chelly and Chaco Canyon national monuments; and Monument Valley combine with the culture of the Navajo and Hopi tribes to make a visit to the area a fascinating journey.

The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Jun 01 2012 02:23 pm • Last Updated Jun 01 2012 07:12 pm

It's good to see these four states launching a join effort to promote this National Park & Monument region of our country.

Leonardo

www.AcrossArizonaTours.com

The four states are launching a major four-state geotourism initiative Saturday at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place, its environment, culture, aesthetics and the well being of residents. It’s a collaboration between National Geographic, the Utah/Colorado Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, area nonprofit organizations and state, local and federal government agencies.

The event celebrates the release of two new products designed to promote the area.

National Geographic is releasing a full-color, waterproof, tear-resistant map called "The Four Corners Region —Trail of the Ancients." The map provides directions to historic structures and archeological sites, scenic landscapes, wildlife viewing areas, trails, outdoor recreation, local cuisine, festivals, artists and river guides.

The second product is the Four Corners Region — Trail of the Ancients" interactive website atwww.fourcornersgeotourism.com. This is also a National Geographic production.

"My office and the Utah Office of Tourism are very excited to have the branding of the National Geographic ‘yellow box,’" said Charlie DeLorme, director of the San Juan County Economic Development and Visitor Services. "The map will guide visitors to and through our region, which is one of the world’s most stunning destinations, rich in diversity and cultural heritage. Years of hard work have culminated in this excellent map and given us another implement in the toolbox we use to attract visitors."

Tom Wharton

Petrified Forest National Park

Traveler's Checklist: Petrified Forest National Park

"an overlooked gem in the National Park System, in part perhaps owing to its location in northeastern Arizona, or possibly because there are no in-park accommodations, or maybe because the park shuts down at sundown..."

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek 

Photo From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The best times to catch the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert is a few hours before sunrise & sunset!

Leonardo

"If you're interested in photography, you just might want to consider which entrance you pass through if, for instance, you want to capture the warm afternoon light being soaked up by the Painted Desert. Regardless of which entrance you choose, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your visit to Petrified Forest National Park:

* Do not pass either the Painted Desert Visitor Center or the Rainbow Forest Museum. Within their doors you'll find reams of information on the park: maps, plenty of shelves with helpful books on geology and history, T-shirts to remember your visitor, deadly Jigsaw puzzles depicting colorful settings of petrified wood, and, of course, a place to stamp your Passport to Your National Parks. And take the opportunity to top off your water bottle!

Spend any time in the Rainbow Forest Museum and you'll learn about the huge reptiles that once trod the landscape that now looks so desolate..."

 by Kurt Repanshek on April 16, 2012 - 1:29am

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2012/04/travelers-checklist-petrified-forest-national-park9744