Taliesin West and the Desert Botanical Garden
Wed., Mar. 10 / 7am – 6pm
“Buildings, too, are children of Earth and Sun . . . I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain.”
Located north of Scottsdale at the foot of the McDowell Mountains is Taliesin West, architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, studio and architectural laboratory from 1937 until his death in 1959. Considered by many to be the 20th century’s greatest architect, Wright is renowned for his ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. Our special tour of this National Historic Landmark (with a mid-morning tea break) takes us behind-the-scenes, with stops in the Music Pavilion, the Garden Room and Wright’s private office, all illustrating how Taliesin’s architecture relates to the surrounding desert. There will be an overview of Wright’s theories of design and a look at the current activities of the Taliesin Fellowship which carries on Wright’s vision. A short drive across town brings us to another view of the Southwest at the Desert Botanical Garden. Following an al fresco lunch in the Patio Café, take time to explore the Garden’s wildflower trail, marvel at the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion or enjoy the recently installed outdoor exhibit of sculpture by Native American artist, Allan Houser. Cost includes transportation, admission and tour fees and lunch. $130 members/$145 general public

Mt. Lemmon Spring SkyNight
Wed., Mar. 24 / 2:30pm-11:00pm
Star-gazing is a popular pastime among Tucsonans because of our clear and open skies. Our nighttime observing programs have long been popular with members. This past December we sold out our first trip to the recently opened Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter (at more than 9,000ft!) so we’re going back this spring. Celestial wonders like star clusters and distant galaxies that have fascinated humanity since the dawn of time are waiting to be explored. Learn about sunset points and star charts and view the heavens through the SkyCenter’s 24-inch reflecting telescope. Cost includes transportation, program costs and a light boxed supper. $99 members/$115 general public

Madera Canyon
Tue., May 4 / 7:30am-5:00pm
Home to over 250 species, Madera Canyon is one of the premiere birding sites in the United States. This north-facing valley in the “sky islands” of the Santa Rita Mountains features riparian woodland bordered by mesquite, juniper-oak woodlands, and pine forests. According to our guide, expert birder Lynn Hassler, the variety of birds to be found includes four species of tanager, Stellar’s and Mexican jays, painted redstart, acorn and Arizona woodpeckers, bridled titmouse, four or five species of sparrows and even the elusive, elegant trogon. Hiking up the lower canyon to Santa Rita Lodge is a relatively easy trek, with moderate elevational changes, but those wishing to hunt for trogon after lunch will face a strenuous hike with abrupt elevational changes. Cost includes transportation, usage fees, guide services and a boxed lunch. $95 members/$105 general public

Mesa Verde Archaeology
May 12-18
In the Four Corners region of southeastern Colorado lies spectacular Mesa Verde, home to Ancestral Pueblo peoples from about A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. For more than 700 years, the Anasazi, as they are often called, lived and prospered here, eventually building elaborate cliff dwellings in the shelter of canyon walls. Then, in just a generation or two towards the end of the 1200s, they abandoned their homes and moved away. Where did they go? Where did they come from in the first place? Archaeologist Jonathan Till guides our exploration of this amazing region of the Southwest, unraveling the past and illuminating the great span of Pueblo history. Not only will we visit Mesa Verde itself, but also seldom-seen sites in the archaeologically rich Montezuma Valley. Hosted by Mary and Piet Van de Mark of Baja’s Frontier Tours (www.bajasfrontiertours.com), this travel ed-venture is also open to members of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Cost includes accommodations, all breakfasts and picnic lunches afield, and roundtrip transportation. A $300 deposit will reserve your space. $1895 pp double occupancy members/$1995 general public ($286 single supplement)

Rio Grande Pueblos and Georgia O’Keeffe Country!
November 6-13
Each culture that has settled New Mexico has produced its own distinctive arts — from delicately rendered pre-historic Clovis points to meticulously crafted contemporary jewelry. Consider the pueblos of Santo Domingo, Cochiti, Tesuque, San Ildefonso, Chimayo, and Taos. Behind the picture-postcard, sun-washed adobes and Spanish missions are people who impart something of themselves and their long history to their art — from expressively diverse pottery forms and earth-toned weavings to bold silver and turquoise jewelry.

Join author, cultural historian and second-generation Native American arts dealer Mark Bahti for an insightful exploration of the Pueblos of the Rio Grande with the added intrigue of Georgia O’Keeffe country, her home and the museum dedicated to her art. Journey with us from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and then on to Taos, as we meander through the cultural and artistic richness of the Rio Grande Valley. Stopping at a thoughtful selection of pueblos, we will meet residents who will share their lives and demonstrate their arts. We will tour galleries and museums, and visit artists in their home studios. There will be opportunities to sample renowned New Mexico restaurants, shop for exquisite arts and crafts and just sit quietly on the Plaza in Santa Fe and be a part of the “scene.”

Hosted by Mary and Piet Van de Mark of Baja’s Frontier Tours (www.bajasfrontiertours.com), this travel ed-venture is also open to members of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Cost includes accommodations (four nights in Santa Fe, right off the Plaza), all breakfasts and three lunches, and roundtrip motorcoach transportation. A $300 deposit will reserve your space. $2495 pp double occupancy members/$2595 general public ($425 single supplement)

To sign up for any of these travel ed-ventures, call 742-6455 x0