Vacations: It's About That Time

It's gettin' cold, and it's bound to get colder. Everybody's less healthy in the middle of winter, and the best way to make the rest of the season tolerable is to take a vacation someplace warm.

Arizona is home to a colorful variety of natural beauty, sports and leisure activities, and vibrant historical sites.

Whether you're the adventurous type or simply looking for a beautiful and relaxing getaway, Arizona has something for you.

The golf enthusiast can find many world-class golf courses suited to any skill level in the Phoenix-Sedona area, designed by golfing greats like Jack Nicklaus II, Hale Irwin and Robert Trench Jones, Sr.

Got a history buff in the family? See the spot where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday fought one of the most famous gunfights in history at the OK corral in the legendary town of Tombstone, south of Tucson. Or plan a visit to one of the many authentic ghost towns dotting the desert sands of the Mojave Desert. This area of Arizona is also home to the battlegrounds of the famous Native American chieftains Cochise and Geronimo, as well as many US Army outposts that date from this time period.

Tucson itself is home to a bit of television history as well. The Tanque Verde horse ranch is the working luxury ranch/resort where the hit comedy "Hey Dude" was filmed. It's certainly worth a look, and you can go for a horseback ride through the desert at sunset while you're there.

If you're looking to make your fortune digging for gold, the Superstition Mountains may be the place for you. Less than an hour's drive north of Phoenix, the Superstitions are the home of the famous Lost Dutchman's gold mine, which is still sought after by modern day prospectors.

And of course, no American vacation is complete without a trip to the Grand Canyon in the northwestern corner of the state. The views here are spectacular year round, with horseback treks to the bottom of the canyon and rafting trips down the mighty Colorado River making this a vacation destination the whole family is sure to love.

And hey, there's nothing like a good, inexpensive domestic vacation and a few days of sun to get us through till Spring! Arizona rules.