* Although I thought the Jeep tours of the desert were going to be "touristy," they ended up being loads of fun! While on the pricey side, they are worth it. The tours last long enough to get you out in the desert, viewing the mesa shapes, seeing wildlife, and meeting new people. We really enjoyed our tour with the "Pink Jeep" company.
* A MUST-DO for this trip is the sunrise hot-air balloon ride. I helped with getting the balloon set up and ready to fly--a very interesting process. We went up high to begin with, watching the sun peak out over the distant hills. Then we came down to a lower elevation and skirted the low-lying hills. We saw jackrabbits and plenty of deer--the babies were adorable! We were lucky enough to get to "kiss" another balloon--that happens when two balloons get close enough to have their balloons touch, or "kiss." Our guide was from South Africa and one of only seven in the world licensed to operate the large 24-passenger balloons. Our balloon was a six-passenger and allowed us to share our experiences with each other. It was a very peaceful ride and not scary at all. The landing was smooth and followed by a champagne brunch. Better still, it ended and we still had the whole day ahead of us to explore the land we'd viewed from the balloon!
* The "Day in the West" tour--also by Pink Jeep--was great. It included a 1-hour Jeep ride to a remote ranch. Then we had a 1-hour horseback ride--tame enough for even the beginner. The guides included everyone in conversations and made sure you were having fun. Then it was back to the ranch for a real cowboy barbecue. I heard that the peach cobbler was the best anywhere--but never having had it before, I was hesitant to try it. One little taste, though, convinced me that everyone was right--it was the best! I even had two helpings! While we ate, we enjoyed watching the hummingbirds come to the feeders--I have never seen so many in one place before! They were fun to watch as they buzzed around and chased each other.
* My partner and I did these activities only because she had a broken foot--which dashed our plans of hiking and mountain biking. I am actually happy this happened, otherwise we never would have taken these tours that have made our trip most memorable.
* HOWEVER, before I left town, I did stop into a bike store and hired a guide to take me out for a mountain-bike ride. We went early in the morning (highly suggested as it gets hot, real quick!) and went around Bell and Cathedral Rocks, down into a valley where it was lush and green, and stopped at the brook to rehydrate. It was just the guide and me, and she tailored the ride to my ability. They can give rides of any ability--the trails are varied and plentiful. I highly recommend you get out there and ride!
Quick Tips:
Reserve your hot-air balloon and Jeep rides a few weeks in advance.
Bring LOTS of money. The tours cost a lot, but not as much as you will spend shopping in the galleries!
Best Way To Get Around:
We stayed a little outside of town and drove in. Once we parked, we walked everywhere. Do this early in the morning or late in the afternoon, or you will bake.