Tucson Dog Parks

Tucson Dog Parks

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Jacobs Park off leash Dog Park
Here are some pictures we took at Jacobs Park off leash dog park in North east Tucson, Arizona. This dog park is out of the w ...Click Here for full article

Gene C. Reid Park Dog Park
Mikos Corner Dog Playground
Country Club and 22nd Street Hours 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Use Picnic Place o ...Click Here for full article

Southwestern Region Recreational Activities

For Arizona - October 15, 2008:

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

• Estimated percentage of current fall foliage: 60%-80%
• Area with greatest amount of color: Elevations of 7000 ft. and below.
• Recommended viewing routes: The lower elevations of the Alpine Ranger District as well as areas of the Clifton District are best for viewing color at this time.
• Estimated peak viewing period: This will likely be the last week for fall colors on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

Coconino National Forest

• Estimated percentage of current fall foliage: 85%-90% for the higher elevations and a 10%-20% for Oak Creek Canyon and lower
• Area with greatest amount of color: Lockett Meadow (Inner Basin), the northern and southern slopes of the San Francisco Peaks, the northern part of Oak Creek Canyon and along the West Fork Trail
• Recommended viewing routes: Great views of the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks from the Around the Peaks Loop scenic drive. In the line for the Scenic Skyride, and also along Snowbowl Rd (FR 516). Forest Road (FR) 552 to Lockett Meadow (Inner Basin). The trees are starting to change above Cave Springs Campground along Highway 89A. Also, along the Mogollon Rim and Forest Roads 300 and 321 are also great scenic drives.
• Estimated peak viewing period: In the higher elevations the color is excellent and color will move down to lower elevations (Sedona, Red Rock RD) in 2-3 weeks.
  • Coconino's fall colors web page: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/fall-colors/fall_colors.shtml.

Coronado National Forest (As of October 9, 2008)

• Estimated percentage of current fall foliage: 15%
• Area with greatest amount of color: Elevations above 6100’
• Recommended viewing routes: On the Safford District color can be seen in Wet Canyon in the Pinaleno Mountains. Some aspen on the south side of Mt. Graham along the highway are starting to change yellow. Other viewing spots include Soldier Creek, Cunningham and Riggs Flat Campgrounds. On the Santa Catalina District, color change has started around the Palisades Visitor Center, just before Milepost 20 on the Catalina Highway.
  

Kaibab National Forest

• Estimated percentage of current fall foliage:North Kaibab RD: 40% Williams RD: 35% Tusayan RD: 10%.
• Area with greatest amount of color: : The North Kaibab District is currently the most colorful area of the Kaibab NF. The Williams Ranger District is also showing a lot of color, especially on Bill Williams Mountain and Kendrick Mountain
• Recommended Viewing Routes:In Williams, take the drive up Bill Williams Mountain or hike in either Sycamore Canyon or up Kendrick Mountain. On the North Kaibab please visit the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center for a fall “Fall Color Tour” information packet.
• Estimated peak viewing period: Now is a great time to visit the North Kaibab and Williams Districts. Tusayan may show more color in a week or more.
  • See the Kaibab's fall color web page at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/recreation/fallcolors/.

Tonto National Forest (As of October 9, 2008)

• Area with greatest amount of color: Elevations of 3500’ and above and scattered in other areas.
• Recommended viewing routes: Color can be seen along 288, North of Young, AZ
• Estimated peak viewing period: October-November

There has been no color change reported for the P rescott National Forest

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/recreation/fall-colors/fall.shtml

Welcome to The Air Force S.E.R.E (Survive Escape Resistance Evasion)

Dehydration. Exhaustion. Starvation. Welcome to The Air Force S.E.R.E program, one of the toughest training programs the U.S. military has to offer.

Out of 500 potential applicants, only 47 Airmen actually get admitted to the program, and almost half of them won’t make the cut.

http://www.mojohd.com/mojoseries/survivalschool/

150-year-old tree being cut down, in modern Britain, the needle-like points of its leaves are deemed a danger to health and safety

By Beth Hale
Last updated at 12:14 PM on 24th May 2008

For 150 years, it has stood in splendid serenity on the village green, harming no one and pleasing many.

Over the decades, the monkey puzzle tree at West Cross, near Swansea, became a much-loved local landmark.

But now it is facing the chop … because, in modern Britain, the needle-like points of its leaves are deemed a danger to health and safety.

One expert likened the effect of the needles to being pricked by a hypodermic syringe.

‘Every effort is made in this day and age to prevent children playing with discarded syringe needles,’ a report stated.

‘Every effort must be made to prevent children coming into contact with these potentially, equally sharp needles.’

‘The tree is part of the local landscape and has been for a century and a half. It rarely sheds its foliage and there are plenty of volunteers here who would be happy to clear up the needles.’

Danger: Tom Henderson, five, of West Cross, Swansea, with one of the needles

Her husband, a 57-year-old sustainability manager with Thames Water, said: ‘This is a crazy decision to cut the tree down.

‘We have put this to the test by trying to prick ourselves with the needles, but have not been able to – that’s how dangerous they are.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1021517/150-year-old-Monkey-puzzle-tree-facing-chop-council-says-needles-like-syringes.html

The monkey puzzle tree: A 'living fossil' the dinosaurs dined on

• The monkey puzzle tree is native to the Andes of Chile and Argentina.

• Plant collector Archibald Menzies is thought to have introduced it to Britain in
1795.

• It got its name when a gardener in Cornwall was showing his specimen to friends and one remarked: ‘It would puzzle a monkey to climb that.’

• It is sometimes associated with bad luck.

• Often described as a living fossil, its family the Araucariaceae can be traced back to the Mesozoic era, which started 250million years ago.

• Far from deterring monkeys, the spiky leaves probably developed to try to fend off grazing dinosaurs.

• Araucarias can live for 1,200 years and reach 160ft.

• To some indigenous peoples of Chile and Argentina, the tree is sacred.

• The seeds were traditionally collected as a food crop.

• Trade in its timber is now banned because it is so rare.

Accessing Arizona

There is a lot of places in Arizona such as the Grand Canyon which I have purposely not included as yet. It is not that they are not accessible or that I have forgotten, it's just that you can assume certain places are reasonably accessible. Someday I will cover the Grand Canyon when I have time to find unique points of interest. I do not want Accessing Arizona to become just another marketing website. I want it to offer content you could not find anywhere else...

http://www.accessingarizona.com/

Schrade Tough Chip Review

We have been using this Schrade Tough Chip 11 Function Mini-Shear / Multi-Tool with locking blades / implements for safety. The Schrade Tough Chip tool is made of 100% stainless steel in the USA and has a Lifetime Warranty from Schrade. So far it has worked well and been useful. It stays in a backpack that is carried to school (college) by a full time student / dad and gets plenty of use. It has held up well with little damage over time.

Schrade Tough Chip Review

I bought this small pocket tool at the local Ace Hardware store. I had been looking for the Swiss made one, but have not found them anywhere in town. So when I saw this one for $16 I bought it right away. It is well made, and the locks are great. The locks hold well and need to be deliberately disengaged. I have used it for a few jobs over the past few weeks and it seems to be holding up well. It is becoming loose, so I would not use it on a keyring. But it really is large to be carried every day. This would go well in a bag. Clipped on a ring in the bag so that the tool is always available but not lost at the bottom of a pocket. It is not heavy, but it is solid steel so it is not light either. This tool is sold as 10 Tools-in-1 with a 1) Knife, 2) Small Phillips screwdriver, 3) Small Flathead screwdriver, 4) Large Flathead screwdriver, 5) Bottle opener, 6) File, 7) Tweezers, 8) Large pliers, 9) Fine pliers, 10) Wire cutters and strippers

Hollow ground knife blade with flat ground polished edge. Tools lock open for added safety. Reduce the risk of a tool accidentally closing. Poly Washers separate tools for smoother action and longer life.

IDL Tools T-10 Review

Three SwissTech Key ring Tool Reviews

We have been looking for a source for these pocket tools and finally found one here in Tucson. The Swiss Tech tools have quite a following online and now there is a local source to buy them without shipping charges. We went to the store and bought a few styles to test out and add to our gear. We started out with the Screwz-All (4-1 tool), Utili-Key (6-1 tool) and Micro-Pro (9-1 tool). They each come in a plastic package with instruction card.



Three SwissTech Key ring Tool Reviews

Handgun Vault for Travelers

This small easy to hide locking steel vault is a great accessory for any CCW holder, law enforcement officer or just about anyone who wears / carries a handgun. It is large enough for a full size pistol with a light mounted on it's accessory rail. The lock on top makes it easy to open and access the pistol inside.Non shooters might be interested in a lock box like this for a wallet, keys amd other valuable items carried in pockets. This small locking pistol box can also be used in hotel rooms and RVs

Handgun Vault for Travelers