Southern Arizona summers: find the cool spots, Part 2

Below are more ideas on how to stay cool in Cochise County and southeastern Arizona. See my earlier post for “part 1” of how to find cool spots during Arizona’s summers.

Dig for cold in Cochise County’s mines. A spot in Bisbee’s Queen Mine Tour is a brisk 47 degrees year-round. So when it’s 110 degrees in the desert… well, you do the math! You can get an education on mining life while you’re chilling out inside the mines. Try one of Cochise County’s two mine tours—the Queen Mine Tour or Tombstone’s Good Enough Underground Mine Tour. Visit the Queen Mine Tour or the Good Enough Mine Tour.

Which way to the beach? Cool off at The Cove, Sierra Vista’s Aquatic Center. You can dip your toes into the pool’s beach-like entry or go head first into the diving well. There’s also water tube slides and major wave action. Call the facility at 520-417-4800 or visit The Cove’s website.

Hang out with some cool customers. Tombstone has its share of cool characters hanging around. Visit Tombstone Chamber of Commerce to plan your own cool experience in the “town too tough to die.”

Gaze into cool night skies. With cooler evening temperatures, stargazers of all levels can revel in the county’s dark skies. Contact the Huachuca Astronomy Club to attend monthly star parties or join an event at one of 15 private observatories.

Do you have more ideas on staying cool? Share it by leaving a comment!

Southeastern Arizona has its own astronomy hot spots

MSNBC.com posted a story by Travel + Leisure on the world’s top 10 stargazing destinations. They mentioned places all around the world.. from Chile to China. What? can’t manage a trip to one of those far flung locales?

In southeastern Arizona, Cochise County has some really cool spots to stargaze:

Unfortunately, the Astronomer’s Inn recently closed. Please check back later for updates. Vega-Bray Observatory and Astronomer’s Inn near Benson – Founded in 1990, this privately owned observatory is dedicated to public education. It houses eight major telescopes, including some by renowned Phoenix optician, Max Bray and boasts an electrically controlled 14-foot Ash viewing dome. Unique to Vega-Bray is the Astronomer’s Inn, a bed and breakfast adjacent to the observatory that overlooks the San Pedro River Valley-a perfect place for amateur or professional astronomers to rest their heads after a stargazing night. Vega-Bray also houses a science museum, classroom and planetarium.

Huachuca Astronomy Club’s Observatories in Sierra Vista – With 15 local observatories owned by amateur skywatchers, members of this astronomy club in Cochise County enjoys sharing the boundless skies with groups and visitors. They hold monthly open-to-the public star parties that educate newcomers to planetary and astral wonders.

In 2005, Cochise County’s lawmakers updated their light codes to help reduce light pollution and keep the skies dark for better stargazing. With our wide open spaces, Cochise County is a great place to stargaze! Find out more on Cochise County’s site and book your trip today!

Dos Cabezas Spirit and Nature Retreat

Are you looking for an escape from the urban jungle? If so, a new bed and breakfast inn in Cochise County may be the place for you.

The grounds of Dos Cabezas Spirit and Nature Retreat

Guests can enjoy secluded privacy of Dos Cabezas Spirit and Nature Retreat in the Dos Cabezas mountains. Just 14 miles from Willcox, this retreat hosts one party at a time in its country guest house. The property boasts authentic, historical adobe homes from the late 1800s. At an elevation of 5,200 feet, it has ideal temperatures for year-round adventures.

Dos Cabezas Spirit and Nature Retreat can be used as a base for premier birding and nature viewing, peaceful meditation, astronomy, hiking, photography, picking fruit at local peach and apple orchards and vegetable farms, and exploring nearby ghost towns.

Owners Charmayne and John Samuelson worked with the elderhostel program for seven years. They are a wealth of knowledge about local birds and have worked as guides to Mata Ortiz in Mexico.

If you’re looking for a quiet respite from life’s hustle and bustle, call the Dos Cabezas Spirit and Nature Retreat at 520-384-6474.