Arizona

            Arizona, made famous by the Grand Canyon, is a popular tourist destination. From the Colorado Plateau to the Sonoran Desert, Arizona has something for everybody. Arizona is a state that is home to many unique forms of wildlife and significant cultural and historic places.

            Arizona, although perceived as a barren wasteland, is actually a fertile oasis complete with wildlife that have a captivating beauty. The Sonoran Desert comes to bloom in late March or early April and stays efflorescent until the end of spring. Spring is also when people can see large majestic stags patrolling small herds of deer looking for mates and rivals to fend off. The javelina which is an animal similar to a peccary give birth to their piglets. When taking to the water on any one of Arizona's lakes one may see a bald eagle soaring gracefully overhead in search of fish to take back to its chicks. Large rocky mountain big horn sheep can be seen scaling the steep cliff sides in searching for desert shrubs. Fishermen may also take advantage of the various sport fish in southern Arizona such as: largemouth and smallmouth bass, three types of catfish, striped bass, and many more. In the northern part of the state, there are some of the largest deer and elk in the world. There is also a myriad of lakes and streams that contain northern pike and walleye; and stocked with trout throughout the year as long as the lakes are not frozen over.

            There are also multitudinous cultural places. Because of its rich native American background there are many Indian Reservations as well as many undiscovered artifacts ripe for anybody looking to experience a treasure hunt there their own. Before the Spanish-American War Arizona was part of Mexico and therefore has a lot of Latin and Spanish influence. There are many restaurants who make Mexican food from scratch. Much of the architecture is also Latin influenced so there are many adobe haciendas and Mexican style churches.

            Many of the Old Western movies were inspired from Arizona's historical events. One of the most famous events in the state's history was the shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona where Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, and their posy confronted the Clantons and the McLaurys (two gangs of Mexican outlaws.) The famous gun fight left three of the outlaws dead and Virgil and Morgan Earp wounded. Ike Clanton pressed charges on the Earps and Doc Holiday for murder. After the judge gave a verdict of not guilty Morgan Earp was murdered. Wyatt Earp began his "Vendetta ride" where he tracked down and killed the suspects of his brother's murder. However this quest for revenge was illegal and Earp lived out the rest of his life in Colorado to escape murder charges.

            Arizona is a state associated with death and suffering but it is actually a lush oasis with many forms of wildlife and is rich in history and culture. From movie sets and authors' inspirations to nature documentaries and photographs Arizona is a state of wonder, mystery, and adventure. While it may not be all venomous reptiles, spiky plants, and an acrid inferno everybody expects nobody can be disappointed while visiting this incredible state.