The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum was founded in 1952 by William Carr and Arthur Pack.  The Sonora Desert Museum is a 98 acre mostly outdoors experience and is rated as one of the top ten museums in the country and Tucson’s number one rated attraction.

The museum consists of 21 interpreted acres with 2 miles of walking paths through desert habitats.  There are 242 animal species, plants from 1,200 different species, and one of the worlds most comprehensive regional mineral collections.

The museum also features conservation and research programs, and an art institute.  During your visit you may get the opportunity to experience a raptor free-flight program as they have demonstrations throughout the day for visitors.  You will also get to see javelinas, “the darlings of the desert”.

The Sonoran Desert Museum is a great place to spend the day with family and friends, enjoy lunch in the cafe and shop in the gift shop that is loaded with desert art and gifts.

The museum is located just west of downtown Tucson over Gate Pass at:  2021 North Kinney Road.  The phone number is 520-883-2702.

One-fourth of America’s 52 million older adults call a collective three states home, according to a ranking of states based on the percentage of their 65+ population.

Using data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey estimates, Stacker ranked all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in a “States with the most seniors” report based on the age of their populations, finding that California, Florida and Texas are the three states with the largest 65+ populations.

California has 5.3 million seniors (ranked No. 45 by percentage of its state population of seniors, at 13.6%), Florida has 4.1 million seniors (ranked No. 1 by percentage of state population, with 19.7%) and Texas (ranked No. 48 by percentage of state population, with 3.5%) has 971,168 seniors.

By comparison, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming and Alaska each have fewer than 150,000 residents aged 65 or more years, although Vermont made the organization’s top 10 list as a state with a high percentage of older adults in the overall population.

The authors noted that the size of a state’s older adult population affects the demand for resources such as healthcare, affordable housing, assisted living, in-home and nursing care, and support services. And the quality and availability of those resources help determine where older adults migrate.

“States that lure seniors tend to have beautiful weather, low or now taxes, a low cost of living, and access to top quality medical facilities,” the authors stated. “It’s no surprise then that as a share of the population, the states of Florida and Maine are bursting with seniors — nearly one in five residents are age 65 or older, followed by West Virginia, Vermont and Montana.”

Less welcoming states tend to tax retirement income, including Social Security, and have high-priced housing and steep property taxes, not to mention cold winters, according to the findings.

The 10 states with the highest percentages of older residents among their overall populations:

1. Florida — 4.1 million seniors (19.7% of the state population)
2. Maine — 259,176 seniors (19.4%)
3. West Virginia — 344,719 seniors (18.8%)
4. Vermont — 31,606 seniors (18.2%)
5. Montana — 183,823 seniors (17.6%)
6. Delaware — 167,129 seniors (17.6%)
7. Pennsylvania — 2.2 million seniors (17.4%)
8. Hawaii — 245,955 seniors (17.3%)
9. New Hampshire — 227,984 seniors (17%)
10. Arizona — 1.2 million seniors (16.7%)  HAS THE 3RD HIGHEST SENIOR POPULATION!

Azstateparks.com/kartchner

About 45 minutes southeast of Tucson and just off I-10 you will find a living, growing anomaly of geologic history.  Among stalagmites, stalactites and growing crystals you can hear and experience the interesting history of how the caverns came to be discovered and preserved.

Kartchner Caverns State Park features 2.4 miles of passages. Long hidden from view, the caverns were discovered in 1974 by local cavers, assisted by a state biologist who helped in its preservation.

The caverns are carved out of limestone and are full of geologic structures that have been growing for more than 50,000 years.  The two major features of the caverns currently available to the public are the Throne Room and the Big Room.  Big Room tours are closed during the summer for several months because it is a nursery room for cave bats.  As many as 2.,000 bats nest in the cave during late spring.

Many different cave formations can be found within the caves and the surrounding park.  These include cave bacon, helictites, soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites and others.  Cave formations grow about a 16^th of an inch every 100 years.

A visit to Kartchner Caves State Park is well worth the trip.  The Visitors Center is especially comfortable and has a wealth of information about the caves.  Cave tours are guided so there is no chance if going to a place in the cave that is dangerous.

1. Century Village East– Deerfield Beach, FL

This year marks the first time a condo community has taken the top spot on our best-selling list. Century Village East has over 8,000 condos built between 1970 and 1995, but this community is distinct because of its low-price points. Of the homes for sale currently, there are plenty under $100k and even quite a few around the $50k mark.

Regardless of the low home prices, the community doesn’t skimp on amenities. The 145,000-square-foot clubhouse has everything from an indoor pool to a 1,600-seat theater to an 800-person ballroom. Enjoying the Florida sunshine is easy with tennis, bocce ball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts. The community also offers transit to help residents easily run errands.

2. Wynmoor Village– Coconut Creek, FL

Wynmoor Village follows in the footsteps of Century Village East in many ways. Both are located in Broward County, both are condo communities, and both blend low-priced homes with expansive amenities. Built from 1978 to 1999, these condos are great for homebuyers looking to downsize and reduce housework.

The 50,000-square-foot clubhouse has dozens of hobby rooms, three ballrooms, and a theater. Also, throughout the community, homeowners can enjoy 19 satellite pools as well as courts for shuffleboard, tennis, and pickleball.

3. Kings Point– Delray Beach, FL

Sticking to the theme, Kings Point is another condo community in Southeast Florida. Like our previous two communities, King Point is home to thousands of low-priced condos and an expansive list of amenities. Prospective homeowners can find plenty of units for under $100k, with homes having one to two bedrooms and one-and-a-half to two bathrooms.

Amenities include a 100,000-square-foot main clubhouse as well as two smaller clubhouses available to all residents. Between the three amenity centers, residents have access to fitness centers, golf courses, tennis courts, outdoor pools, multipurpose rooms, and much more.

4. Robson Ranch– Denton, TX

The first community outside of Florida to make the list is the resort-style Robson Ranch just outside of Dallas. This large community of 7,200 attached and single-family homes in an idyllic suburb with plenty to do inside and out of the neighborhood.

The amenities include four amenity centers as well as the Wildhorse Grill. There is also a tennis complex, 16 pickleball courts, an 18-hole championship golf course, a community garden, and much more to really give residents the feel of living in a resort.

5. Windsor Gardens– Denver, CO

With the Denver area booming, there’s never been a better time to purchase in Windsor Gardens. This neighborhood is one of the few 55+ communities in a large, urban city, and it offers comparatively lower home prices while still being near all the fun in the city. Windsor Gardens has 2,689 attached homes and condos, many of which have been recently updated.

The community has a 9-hole golf course and practice area as well as courts for bocce and shuffleboard. Indoors, residents enjoy the pool, billiards room, woodworking shop, and several other hobby and craft rooms. With the Denver area booming, there’s never been a better time to purchase in Windsor Gardens. This neighborhood is one of the few 55+ communities in a large, urban city, and it offers comparatively lower home prices while still being near all the fun in the city. Windsor Gardens has 2,689 attached homes and condos, many of which have been recently updated.

The community has a 9-hole golf course and practice area as well as courts for bocce and shuffleboard. Indoors, residents enjoy the pool, billiards room, woodworking shop, and several other hobby and craft rooms.

With the Denver area booming, there’s never been a better time to purchase in Windsor Gardens. This neighborhood is one of the few 55+ communities in a large, urban city, and it offers comparatively lower home prices while still being near all the fun in the city. Windsor Gardens has 2,689 attached homes and condos, many of which have been recently updated.

The community has a 9-hole golf course and practice area as well as courts for bocce and shuffleboard. Indoors, residents enjoy the pool, billiards room, woodworking shop, and several other hobby and craft rooms.

 

Tohono Chul (aka Tohono Chul Park) is a botanical garden, nature preserve and cultural museum located in Casas Adobes, a suburb of Tucson, Arizona. The words “tohono chul” translate as “desert corner” and are borrowed from the language of the Tohono O’odham, the indigenous people of southern Arizona. The mission of Tohono Chul is to connect people with the wonders of nature, art and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world.^{[citation needed]}

The 49-acre (19.8 ha) site itself offers a setting for Tohono Chul’s regional focus. Views of the Santa Catalina Mountains form a backdrop for the natural desert habitat and its location within existing migratory tracks provides a temporary home for many species of wild, native fauna. Thirty-eight species of birds make their permanent home here while another 57 migrant species visit seasonally, and a variety of reptiles and mammals, from Gila monsters to bobcats, may be spotted on the grounds.

Within these surroundings, Tohono Chul has developed thematic displays using its botanical collections which consist primarily of plants native to the Sonoran or Chihuahuan Deserts. They include more than 150 species of shrubs and trees; 300 species of cacti and succulents; and 50 species of wildflowers. In addition, Tohono Chul has the largest private collection of native Night-blooming Cereus – Peniocereus greggii – and each summer hosts “Bloom Night”, the one night it is predicted the greatest number of cereus flowers will open.

Outdoor exhibits include:

• EthnobotanicalGarden — displays indigenous plants cultivated by Southwestern native peoples for food, medicine and other necessities of life, as well as those crops introduced by European settlers
• RiparianHabitat — replicates the stream-side natural vegetation of Arizona’s threatened riparian communities
• GeologyWall — this display illustrates the geologic history of the nearby Santa Catalina Mountains
• SaguaroDiscovery Trail — an exploration of the saguaro through its cultural connections to the Tohono O’odham and its botanical connections to the natural history of the Sonoran Desert
• Sin Agua Garden — a former parking lot converted into a rainwater harvestingdemonstration
• Desert Living Courtyard — another parking lot is now a series of garden vignettes in a variety of design aesthetics all promoting Xeriscapeand intended to inspire homeowners to use native and arid-adapted plants in backyard landscapes^{[citation needed]}
• Sonoran Seasons Garden — the five seasons of the Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert
• Desert palmOasis — native fan palms shelter in this recreation an isolated mountain canyon found along the east coast of the Gulf of California

Tohono Chul’s changing indoor arts and cultural exhibitions are community oriented, and feature community groups and artists of all ages. Three exhibit spaces allow for different types of exhibitions, from large group shows lasting several months to smaller, one-man exhibits on display for six to eight weeks. The focus may be on traditional or contemporary art, and include paintings, sculpture and folk arts, but exhibitions also address environmental concerns affecting the Sonoran Desert and the Southwest. In addition, a selection of basketry, fiber arts, sculptural works and paintings forms the core of a Permanent Collection of Native American artwork.

Website:       https://tohonochul.org/

 

 

 

Recently, the city of Tucson was recognized as one of ten cities in the United States that might actually benefit from the Coronavirus Pandemic because of its livability, open spaces, climate, and ability to handle growth. People and companies who may move to Tucson to escape large cities will be the newest in a long line of human dwellers in the area. Tumamoc Hill is a great example of what makes Tucson so special and so inviting for people who may be looking to move to the Tucson area.

Tumamoc Hill is a living laboratory of both the desert and human history in this area on the edge of downtown and has been a place of continual research since 1903.

Tumamoc and the surrounding area along the Santa Cruz River is remarkable in that it is the longest continually inhabited site in the United States. Radiocarbon dating shows that there was maize cultivation over 4,000 years ago. About 2500 years ago a settlement was built on the hill and farming at the base of the hill supported Hohokam settlements. In the 18th century, the Spanish established Mission San Augustin del Tucson near the base of the hill.

Tumamoc Hill has reopened as of May 25th and is open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Website: www.tumamoc.arizona.edu

 

 

Refinancing Your Home:

If you are interested in borrowing against your home’s available equity, you have choices. One option would be to refinance and get cash out. Another option would be to take out a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Here are some of the key differences between a cash-out refinance and a home equity line of credit:

Loan Terms:

• Cash-out refinance pays off your existing first mortgage. This results in a new mortgage loan which may have different terms than your original loan (meaning you may have a different type of loan and/or a different interest rate as well as a longer or shorter time period for paying off your loan). It will result in a new payment amortization schedule, which shows the monthly payments you need to make in order to pay off the mortgage principal and interest by the end of the loan term.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC) is usually taken out in addition to your existing first mortgage. It is considered a second mortgage and will have its own term and repayment schedule separate from your first mortgage. However, if your house is completely paid for and you have no mortgage, some lenders allow you to open a home equity line of creditin the first lien position, meaning the HELOC will be your first mortgage.

How You Receive Your Funds:

• Cash-out refinance gives you a lump sum when you close your refinance loan. The loan proceeds are first used to pay off your existing mortgage(s), including closing costs and any prepaid items (for example real estate taxes or homeowner’s insurance); any remaining funds are yours to use as you wish.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC) lets you withdraw from your available line of credit as needed during your draw period, typically 10 years. During this time, you will make monthly payments that include principal and interest. After the draw period ends, the repayment period begins: You are no longer able to withdraw your funds and you continue repayment. You have 20 years to repay the outstanding balance.

Interest rates:

• Cash-out refinance is available through either a fixed-rate mortgageor an adjustable-rate mortgage. Your lender can provide information about fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage options so you can decide which one best fits your situation.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC) has an interest rate that’s variable and changes in conjunction with an index, typically the U.S. Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal.Your interest rate will increase or decrease when the index increases or decreases. Your lender may also offer you a fixed-rate loan option that would allow you to convert all or just a portion of the outstanding variable rate balance to a fixed-rate loan

Closing Costs:

• Cash-out refinance incurs closing costs similar to your original mortgage.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC) usually has no (or relatively small) closing costs.

If you think that borrowing against your available home equity could be a good financial option for you, talk with your lender about cash-out refinancing and home equity lines of credit.¹ Based on your personal situation and financial needs, your lender can provide the information you need to help you choose the best option for your specific financial situation.

Melanie Sedam is the owner and a loan originator at The Paseo Group and she can be contacted at 520.829.5219 #1.

Tohono Chul (aka Tohono Chul Park) is a botanical garden, nature preserve and cultural museum located in Casas Adobes, a suburb of Tucson, Arizona. The words “tohono chul” translate as “desert corner” and are borrowed from the language of the Tohono O’odham, the indigenous people of southern Arizona. The mission of Tohono Chul is to connect people with the wonders of nature, art and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world.^{[citation needed]}

The 49-acre (19.8 ha) site itself offers a setting for Tohono Chul’s regional focus. Views of the Santa Catalina Mountains form a backdrop for the natural desert habitat and its location within existing migratory tracks provides a temporary home for many species of wild, native fauna. Thirty-eight species of birds make their permanent home here while another 57 migrant species visit seasonally, and a variety of reptiles and mammals, from Gila monsters to bobcats, may be spotted on the grounds.

Within these surroundings, Tohono Chul has developed thematic displays using its botanical collections which consist primarily of plants native to the Sonoran or Chihuahuan Deserts. They include more than 150 species of shrubs and trees; 300 species of cacti and succulents; and 50 species of wildflowers. In addition, Tohono Chul has the largest private collection of native Night-blooming Cereus – Peniocereus greggii – and each summer hosts “Bloom Night”, the one night it is predicted the greatest number of cereus flowers will open.

Outdoor exhibits include:

• EthnobotanicalGarden — displays indigenous plants cultivated by Southwestern native peoples for food, medicine and other necessities of life, as well as those crops introduced by European settlers
• RiparianHabitat — replicates the stream-side natural vegetation of Arizona’s threatened riparian communities
• GeologyWall — this display illustrates the geologic history of the nearby Santa Catalina Mountains
• SaguaroDiscovery Trail — an exploration of the saguaro through its cultural connections to the Tohono O’odham and its botanical connections to the natural history of the Sonoran Desert
• Sin Agua Garden — a former parking lot converted into a rainwater harvestingdemonstration
• Desert Living Courtyard — another parking lot is now a series of garden vignettes in a variety of design aesthetics all promoting Xeriscapeand intended to inspire homeowners to use native and arid-adapted plants in backyard landscapes^{[citation needed]}
• Sonoran Seasons Garden — the five seasons of the Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert
• Desert palmOasis — native fan palms shelter in this recreation an isolated mountain canyon found along the east coast of the Gulf of California

Tohono Chul’s changing indoor arts and cultural exhibitions are community oriented, and feature community groups and artists of all ages. Three exhibit spaces allow for different types of exhibitions, from large group shows lasting several months to smaller, one-man exhibits on display for six to eight weeks. The focus may be on traditional or contemporary art, and include paintings, sculpture and folk arts, but exhibitions also address environmental concerns affecting the Sonoran Desert and the Southwest. In addition, a selection of basketry, fiber arts, sculptural works and paintings forms the core of a Permanent Collection of Native American artwork.

Tohono Chul is currently closed but word is that it will be open by June 30th.

Website:       https://tohonochul.org/

 

 

 

Biosphere 2 is a scientific research station owned by the University of Arizona.  It was constructed in 1987-1991 as an American Earth System Science research facility.  At one time Columbia University managed Biosphere 2 until the University of Arizona took it over in 2011.

Originally Biosphere 2 was used to demonstrate the viability of closed ecological systems to maintain human life in outer space.  Today they are conducting research on sustainability and production of food on Mars along with soil erosion and water.  The complex has seven biome areas; a rain forest, ocean and coral reef, mangrove forest, fog desert, savanna grassland, agriculture system, model city and human habitat living spaces.

The University of Arizona has has many research projects they are conducting along with providing summer camps for students, conferences, and tours for the public.  The complex is made of glass domes and makes for a fascinating and informative place to visit.  Biosphere 2 is just 20 miles north of Tucson near Oracle, Arizona.

 

 

Arizona State Parks and Trails are open for responsible outdoor recreation.

As of May 15, 2020: Arizona State Parks and Trails, Recreation Parks, and Campgrounds are open. Many historic parks are still closed. Cave tours at Kartchner Caverns are closed through June 1. All events have been postponed through June 1. Parking may be limited and there are capacity limits at each park to encourage social distancing. No same-day overnight reservations.

Arizona State Parks and Trails is monitoring the situation around COVID-19 and the impact of coronavirus for our state parks. We are taking the recommended precautions presented by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to provide a safe experience for our visitors as they responsibly enjoy campsites, cabins, and hiking trails throughout Arizona’s state parks. Arizona’s state parks are included in the list of essential services provided by Governor Ducey.

AZP is taking the necessary precautions for our visitors, volunteers and staff as recommended by the CDC and Arizona Department of Health Services. They are asking that visitors help follow these guidelines by not gathering in groups, maintaining social distance of six feet, using a different park or trail if it is crowded, using hand sanitizer, and packing out all trash. AZP will continue to provide open spaces, hiking trails, campgrounds, and outdoor destinations for people to enjoy as long as we are able.

Closed Facilities:

Alamo Lake State Park – camping loops D&E
Colorado River State Historic Park
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area – restrooms, showers and tent camping closed through May 20
Fort Verde State Historic Park
Jerome State Historic Park
Kartchner Caverns cave tours
McFarland State Historic Park
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park – trails to the bridge and Goodfellow Lodge
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Day-use Visitors:

At this time, all recreational state parks and trails are open to the public. Most historic parks are closed. Contact centers and gift shops may be open with physical distancing requirements. Spend time in the great outdoors and fresh air by exploring hiking trails, but please do so responsibly. We will be limiting the number of people entering the park to help maintain social distancing guidelines. Expect temporary closures at busy parks and reduced parking spaces.

Campgrounds and Cabins:

Campgrounds and cabins are open. Rangers will make contact outside when you arrive. We are following Arizona Department of Health and CDC guidelines for all cleaning procedures at campsites, cabins, restrooms, and public spaces. RV campers may be asked to use RV facilities.

Kartchner Caverns Cave Tours:

Kartchner Caverns State Park will begin running limited cavern tours, by reservation only, on June 1, 2020.  No same day or walk-up tickets will be available.  Masks or a face covering that covers both the mouth and nose will be required to enter the cave, for your safety as well as the safety of our staff and other visitors. If you are not comfortable with this requirement, please consider delaying your visit.  We are asking that visitors bring their own mask/face covering.  Tour capacity will be limited to six visitors per tour.  Cavern tours will be temporarily restricted to ages 8 and over.  If you are not feeling well, are showing any symptoms of COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please delay your visit, or call us to reschedule for a later date.  There will be no Helmet & Headlamp, Photo Tours, or ASL tours until further notice.

Park Events and Family Campout:

Park-sponsored events are cancelled or postponed until after June 1. Family Campout will resume its season in Fall 2020. If you have questions about a specific event, please contact that park directly.

 

For more information on the State Parks of Arizona:

https://azstateparks.com/