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Use Water Bags to Repel Flies

May 31, 2011 By 1 Comment
Fly

Q: A couple of years ago we were sitting on our porch enjoying some beers, but not enjoying all the flies. A friend suggested hanging up plastic bags of water to repel the flies.We tried it, and it works, but we have never known
why. What’s the deal?

A: My first thought was that this was just about the most cockamamie idea I had ever heard, but then I looked at my pay stub and decided the water-bags thing didn’t sound so weird after all.

Apparently there is something to this, but no one seems to know why.

The idea is this

Filed Under: Natural Surroundings, Odd Observations Tagged With: ,

Picacho Peak is Destination for Avid Hikers, Civil War Buffs

May 27, 2011 By 1 Comment
Final Rail at Picacho

About 40 miles north of Tucson, Picacho Peak abruptly rises 1,500 feet above the flat desert landscape typical to many other parts of Southern Arizona. It’s among the most prominent landmarks along the highly traveled stretch of Interstate 10 connecting Tucson and Phoenix.

Thousands of drivers pass by the ominous peak daily; most unaware of the adventure it holds, or its historical significance.

Picacho is the highest peak among a cluster of rugged rock formations shaped by an ancient volcanic flow. It serves as the cornerstone of Picacho Peak State Park, which boasts 3,700 acres of recreational opportunities that aren’t visible from the highway. In addition to numerous hiking trails, the park has campgrounds, ramadas, picnic areas, grills and a LEED-certified visitor center.

According to Arizona State Parks, this region was frequently traveled by Mormon settlers and forty-niners throughout the mid 1800s. It was also the scene of the westernmost battle of the Civil War. In April 1862, a couple dozen Union and Confederate troops clashed near the base of the mountain while scouting. Three men were killed.

Filed Under: Natural Surroundings, Recreation, Southern Arizona Tagged With: , , , ,

Death of Old Arizona Gunslinger Inspires Well-Known Western Axiom

May 24, 2011 By 3 Comments
Old Western Weapons

Bill Downing was one of the most disliked fellows in old Arizona. He was moody, morose, bad-tempered, sullen and surly. That was when he was sober. He got downright mean and ugly when he was drinking ol’ red-eye.

He was so unpopular that even members of his gang couldn’t stand him. It’s a historical fact that one time when Bill and several other members of the Alvord gang were languishing in the Tombstone jail on a train robbery charge, a crony broke in and freed the other outlaws but left Bill locked in his cell.

He was so bad that the only thing good one could say about him was he wasn’t as despicable sometimes as he was usually.

If I seem to have painted ol’ Bill with a jaundiced brush, it’s because he likely would have wanted it that way. If he had any good qualities history has mislaid them like some old lost gold mine.

Filed Under: Culture, Dose of History, Odd Observations, Small Town Scene, Southern Arizona Tagged With: , , , , ,

World’s First Wave Pool Returns to its Roots

May 21, 2011 By 5 Comments
Big Surf in the 1970s

Did you know the Valley is home to the world’s first wave pool? “Waikiki Beach” at Big Surf Waterpark in Tempe has welcomed desert beach bums for more than four decades. Today, it remains the third largest wave pool worldwide, containing some 2.5 million gallons of water.

The wave pool is the brainchild of Phoenix construction engineer Phillip Dexter. Fascinated by surfers he saw on TV during the 60s, Dexter envisioned a surfing destination right here in the Valley of the Sun. Ironically, Dexter wasn’t a good surfer himself. Prior to embarking on this project, he had only seen the ocean a handful of times. First when deployed on a pocket carrier during World War II, the second in 1965 when serving a small stint as a construction engineer in California.

Filed Under: Dose of History, Recreation, Valley of the Sun Tagged With: , , , ,

South Mountain Preserve is Hub for Hikers, Cyclists

May 18, 2011 By 1 Comment
View from Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain Preserve

South Mountain Preserve, one of the nation’s largest municipal parks, offers outdoor enthusiasts a quick and easy escape from the daily grind. It boasts 16,000 acres of desert wilderness, just a short 10-minute drive from downtown Phoenix.

The preserve encompasses three mountain ranges: Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. It’s believed the ancient Hohokam Indians settled this area thousands of years ago. Remnants of stone ruins and petroglyphs – or ancient rock carvings – are still visible today.

Starting in 1935, the region was developed into a recreational mecca with multi-use trails, picnic spots and scenic viewing areas. The master plan was spearheaded by the National Park Service utilizing President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps. Many of the structures built during this era still exist.

Today, the park features more than 50 miles of trails and numerous picnic areas.

Filed Under: Recreation, Valley of the Sun Tagged With: , , , , ,
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