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Hi! I have worked for Alaska Airlines in Phoenix Reservations for just over 4 years and have lived in the Valley of the Sun for nearly 12 years. I have been to a lot of the resorts in the Phoenix and Tucson area and can give general information about Sedona and the grand canyon. I got bitten by the travel bug early while growing up as an army brat so I go somewhere every chance I get. I have been on several cruises as well. Feel free to ask me about them and I'll give you as much info as I can.
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Donna,
Here I am at the new forum asking you to keep me in mind for any info you come acrossed concerning Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon.
My Sister will be traveling there the last week in August. All the other info at the old site was very helpful.
Thanks! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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Donna,
My Sisters Family is still planning to visit the Grand Canyon this August.
As we see the devistation on TV of the wildfires, I wonder if any of the National parks are damaged or closed.
Let me know if I should tell her to avoid any areas.
Thanks!
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[quote]Originally posted by CSSup:
Donna,
My Sisters Family is still planning to visit the Grand Canyon this August.
As we see the devistation on TV of the wildfires, I wonder if any of the National parks are damaged or closed.
Let me know if I should tell her to avoid any areas.
Thanks!
A lot of roads have been closed, Coyne. The area that is burning is not anywhere near the Grand Canyon, though. Show Low (the area you keep seeing on tv) is in the eastern part of the state, about 3 to 3.5 hours from Phoenix. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is the one that is currently on fire. Tell them to keep an eye on the news but I wouldn't think that the fires will affect getting into and out of the canyon. A lot has been restricted, though. They really need to keep in mind how dry Arizona is this year. Quite a few areas are closed for hiking and camping because of the drought. They should check with the grand canyon website before going to make sure nothing they want to do is closed by August. Let's all hope we get rain this monsoon!
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We are thinking of planning a trip to Az to see the grand canyon , which airport would be best to Land at?We we want to see the general area of Tuson & Sedona also , is this within the area or to far a distance for a short trip of 4 days?
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by me:
We are thinking of planning a trip to Az to see the grand canyon , which airport would be best to Land at?We we want to see the general area of Tuson & Sedona also , is this within the area or to far a distance for a short trip of 4 days?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Let's start with the first question. The closest airport to both Sedona and the Grand Canyon would be Flagstaff airport. It is a small airport so you would probably take a flight into Phoenix and change planes to a smaller aircraft to get up there. Flagstaff is about 1.5 hours from the Canyon and maybe 1 hour from Sedona. You could see both of those places easily in 4 days.
Tucson is pretty far south. If you want to see Tucson (and it is worth it!) you would have about a 2.5 hour drive FROM PHOENIX. If you fly into Flagstaff, however, you are talking about maybe 5 hours to Tucson city limits. A long trip by car and you have a limited amount of time. With only 4 days total you may wish to simply see the Flagstaff area, the Grand Canyon (which is worth staying overnight to see the sunset/sunrise if nothing else) and explore the Sedona area. You won't feel short-changed, truly. Come back some other time to see the Tucson area. It is large and there is much to see there. Easily enough to make it a vacation all by itself.
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Donna,
FYI
The Travel Channel is running a special on Arizona, and the Grand Canyon.
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I actually saw the show "Incredible Arizona" and was terribly disappointed. It seemed to focus on places to get drunk and wild instead of the natural beauty of the state. What about Sedona? Where to stay at the Grand Canyon? The Saguaro National Monument? Jeep Tours? The Painted Desert? All of the typical tourist things most people come to Arizona to see? I really don't care about college kids going nuts in Havasu on spring break.
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Donna,
Since I had to be at work at 4am the next morning I admit I just saw the Ads not the show. There also was an Ad for a Grand Canyon show.
BTW, Now my other older Sister (I have 5 Sisters)and Family is also planning to visit the Grand Canyon. If you see any great deals, I would appreciate having them passed on.
Thanks!
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Arizona is blooming!! We had more rain in the month of February than in all of 2002 and the wildflowers are in bloom. During the next few weeks Arizona will have the most amazing display of wildflowers that we've had in years and everyone is invited. It's like nothing you've ever seen.
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Are you a country music fan? Every year Arizona hosts a huge, 4 day, open air country music festival with top talent. This year's performers include people like Alan Jackson, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, Phil Vassar, and Jo Dee Mesina. It is held in Florence, AZ and while camping is available on-sight itis an easy drive from the metro Phoenix area. Ticket prices are still great despite being so close to the concert date (April 24-27) at $79.00 per person for a 4 day pass. This is the 10th year of this festival and I always have a wonderful time. Want to buy tickets are just get more information? Go to www.countrythunder.com
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Donna,
We may be headed to Phoenix next week. We are looking for hotel and car rental deals. The only thing on our adjenda is to visit the Ping golf factory. Otherwise, if you could let me know what is going on in town. Are there any exhibits at the museums?
Thanks in advance for any help.
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You picked a wonderful time of the year to visit the valley of the sun if golf if you thing! Hotel and car rental deals may be a bit scarce next week but I've got a link here for the biggest activity happening next week - <a href="http://www.phoenixopen.com" target="_blank">http://www.phoenixopen.com</A> We'll have a lot more people around here than normal thanks to this one! Click on this link to find hotels hear the open: <a href="http://www.azhotels.com/PhoenixOpen.asp" target="_blank">http://www.azhotels.com/PhoenixOpen.asp</A> since both the open and the ping factory are in Scottsdale. Drive carefully on the 101, please! It's a speedway these days.
Museums? We have plenty! The art museum is having a couple of exhibitions right now that are great: <a href="http://www.phxart.org/exhibitions/current.asp" target="_blank">http://www.phxart.org/exhibitions/current.asp</A> and the Pueblo Grande museum is definitely a treat for those interested in native american art and life: <a href="http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/pueblo.html" target="_blank">http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/pueblo.html</A> If you can manage to pack anymore into a short weekend than that, you are a better woman than I. Of course, for those interested there is always the tour of Bank One Ballpark. It's fun and you get to go into the dugout and everything.
I, unfortunately, will be out of town next weekend with my son's Academic Decathlon regional competition so I can't play tour guide, but I think you'll have fun all your own. Let me know if there are any more questions I can answer and bring your jacket for those chilly desert nights.
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Coyne so you won't be blindsided, cars rented at PHX are saddled with extra fees. When you're checking around, nail down a final quote with airport fees added; we got a $$$ surprise when we got our final bill. We now take a shuttle to our hotel and have Enterprise pick us up there.
BTW Donna's right you might want to put a lining in your windbreaker, those Phoenix nights can get pretty cold http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/cold.gif http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/roflmao.gif
Keep'em flying
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Mig's right! PHX car rental taxes and fees are outrageous!
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I'd forgotten about that (been a long time since I've rented around here) but that is a county tax to pay for sports stadiums because we all know that new stadiums will make our teams win right? http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif The airport fees are considerably higher than the local charges. Enterprise is a great company since they have a lot of local offices so you can avoid all those extra airport surcharges.
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[quote]Originally posted by MRSDS1DONNA:
I'd forgotten about that (been a long time since I've rented around here) but that is a county tax to pay for sports stadiums because we all know that new stadiums will make our teams win right? http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Donna, now you're sounding like a Chicago Bears fan.
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[quote]Originally posted by Randy:
[quote]Originally posted by MRSDS1DONNA:
I'd forgotten about that (been a long time since I've rented around here) but that is a county tax to pay for sports stadiums because _we all know that new stadiums will make our teams win right? http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif_
Donna, now you're sounding like a Chicago Bears fan.
What? Are you saying it isn't true??? http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/roflmao.gif
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Thanks for the advice. My husband is thrilled that the PGA Phoenix Open will be in Phoenix next week. Guess Phoenix has the rep of being the party stop out of the tour.
I am now thinking of going into Tucson and renting a car there. Sounds like it may be cheaper and we can tour South Arizona and drive up to Phoenix for a day or two.
Thanks again everyone!
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We had a great time in Arizona!
We enjoyed the Phoenix Open golf tournament. We attended Friday with 113000 other fans. It is the wildest golf tournament on the PGA tour. It was so noisy that the men with the Quiet signs gave up on the 16th hole. I also have never seen such a fashion show, high heels, very short skirts and beach wear were not uncommon. Far from the usual country club golf attendees.
We then headed south to Tucson, Tombstone, Bisbee and Sierra Vista.
In Tucson stopped by the Pima Air and Space Museum to take in their large outdoor airplane collection it's website is www.pimaair.org . Also checked out some golf courses, let me know if you need any golfing advice. My husband ended up playing with a retired USAirways pilot, small world that it is.
Tombstone was a dose of the old west. The story of the town ended up in several movies. We stopped by the OK corral, Boothill and the Bird Cage Theater. I would suggest the trip for anyone who enjoys a good western story. The web site is www.cityoftombstone.com
Bisbee is an old copper mining town south of Tombstone. The town is full of artists and interesting buildings through the twisting streets. The web site is www.bisbeearizona.com
We also stopped in Neco on the Mexican boarder so my husband could play an inexpensive WPA era golf course. If you are a golfer and down that way he would highly recommend the golf.
Sierra Vista is an army town tucked into the mountain. It is in the middle of many scenic roadways. It also has the best selection of accommodations for your trip to the South east part of Arizona.
Enjoyed your beautiful state. Just sorry we could not hook up.
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Donna,
Another member of the forum recommended contacting you regarding a cruise as you have posted info in this area before. I'm traveling for the first time on Royal Caribbean and wondering if they offer upgrades to interline passengers similar to our industry's non-reving policies. I know other cruise lines do offer this at times, but I haven't heard anything about RCCL. Any info you might have in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Dave
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I have taken cruises on RCCL, Princess and Holland America and found that all of them have the possibility of upgrading to a nicer room. The last time I travelled on RCCL, they didn't upgrade me but I had a room for 4 and there aren't many of them on the ship. I know when I have been upgraded it was done upon arrival at the dock because I did not get assigned a specific room in advance. Last time (on Holland America) I booked an inside cabin (the cheapest one available) and was upgraded to an outside one with a big window and a real bathtub instead of just a shower. We were very excited when we opened the door.
I will say that the food on RCCL was not nearly as good as the other two cruise lines I've been on. While still pretty good it didn't touch the elegance of Holland America or the variety of Princess and they would not be my first choice in the future.
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Hi Donna,
I'd like to know the best (cheapest) deals on helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon. I would prefer to go from Vegas or Flagstaff if you have any info on tours from those cities.
If I went, I would be travelling with 2 children, boys age 13 and 7 and probably on a weekend, and probably in the fall.
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Have you checked your pass bureau? Some of the helicopter tours have interline agreements. They leave from grand canyon airport (north of flagstaff) and can be a great deal. Otherwise it is a pretty expensive way to sight see. Tours of Flagstaff? Totally unnecessary. IT is a pretty small town and, if you stay there, be aware that the train runs right through town and there are no hotels where you won't hear it. If you are staying inside the park, try to get a reservation at the Bright Angel Lodge. There are no interline rates but it is right on the edge of the canyon. Very rustic.
The fall is a great time to see the canyon because most of the tourists come during the summer. The leaves change and it gets cool up there.
If I can help you further, let me know.
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m0loch,
I don't know if this is of use to you but Scenic Airlines offer staff standby rates on their tours from Las Vegas ( I paid USD 60 a couple of years ago ). You get a flight from the North Vegas airport to Flagstaff ( over the western end of the Canyon, but not into it ), lunch on arrival in Flagstaff and then a Coach trip to the Grand Canyon with about 4 hours there to investigate. On the day I went we had about an hour delay on the flights which meant flying back to Vegas at dusk which gave great views of the strip from the air.
Contact Scenic at info@scenic.com to get current rates.
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Whoops .. confused myself there .. the flight is of course to Grand Canyon Airport and the lunch is had there...
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Sunrise at Logan
Donna I'm planning a trip to Maine. Unfortunately the best flights leave me with a 5 hour layover at BOS, and since I can't sleep in airport chairs, wondering if you (or anyone)
has any suggestions on what to do in Boston at 6AM, I'm assuming the bars are closed. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Keep'em flying
Edited post--excellent speller, poor typist
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When I lived in NYC we would do day trips to Boston. They consisted in taking the train from the airport to downtown. Touring the State house and Faneuil Hall and other history sites. Then we would have seafood for lunch. Then we would take the train back to the airport, all in about 5 or 6 hours. Just walking in Boston is a historical treat.
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Coyne thanks for your reply. It suddenly dawns on me that asking a question about Boston in the "Phoenix thread", wasn't one of my wisest moves. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...n_rolleyes.gif http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Then all of a sudden it hit me:
I should have hung that ceiling fan higher. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Keep'em flying
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Sorry that I didn't answer sooner. Been a little crazy around here http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I don't have a clue what one might do in Boston at that hour of the morning. None of the usual tourist haunts would be open. I guess you could go downtown and just walk around, maybe go to Cambridge and walk around Harvard Yard (which would be open), maybe get some breakfast down by the water or over at Fanueil Hall. Not much to do that early. Sorry.
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I hope this is the right place to post this...
Wow...it has been a long time since I have been at this site. Nice to see it still here! Nice that I have a place to get some information!
I know I am a bit early in getting information. Just trying to get a feel whether or not I should continue planning a trip, or jump ship even thinking I can non-rev at that time!
What do you think? I am aware that three international events are going on at that time, the Fur Rondy, the Ice carving Championships and the Dog race.
I wanted to leave around February 28th and return around the 4th of March. I can easily travel in the middle of the week.
What do you think Donna....am I crazy for thinking I can get three of us there and back at that time?
Thanks for your opinion!
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I'll check with a few people who go up there regularly and have relatives there and let you know. I know it's always a little tough to get there during Fur Rondy but you might be able to get there. I'll be back at work next week and post shortly thereafter.
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A few years ago we flew AS from ORD to ANC for Rondy and had no problem - the flight in both directions was mostly open. If I remember correctly I was upgraded on the return. We arrived a few days prior to Rondy and the ice carving contest and left a few days after. We were there for a total of a week or 10 days (don't quite remember any more). Good luck!
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Luv2fly, Donna, Randy
Am I understanding you correctly, Alaska is a big tourist destination in the middle of winter? This "Fur Rondy" must be HOT! http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just wonder, is there a parade? http://bestsmileys.com/cold/7.gif http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Keep'em flying
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ummmm....oh nooooooo, no no http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif...it is a horrible place to visit in the middle of winter!
(Yikes...Have I actually brought interest to Alaska??!!! Oh shoot...now there will be more non-revs I will have to compete with!)
Yes...there is a parade.
<a href="http://www.furrondy.net/rondyhome.html" target="_blank">http://www.furrondy.net/rondyhome.html</A>
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by luv2fly:
ummmm....oh nooooooo, no no http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif...it is a horrible place to visit in the middle of winter!
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You don't have to convince me, I live in L.A. where when the temperature dips into the 50's they issue cold wave warnings. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
BTW, I looked at the website, some of those people don't even have coats on http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/cold/9.gif
Keep'em flying
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I checked with a couple of people who have gone standby up to Fur Rondy (one last year) and got the latest scoop. Apparently they went just before it began and stayed until after the start of the Iditarod. Essentially she said that they had some difficulty getting up there but felt they would have made it eventually. The flights were pretty full but not at capacity. The agent who went last year was bringing companions so she got on with 4 people. Getting home was less of a problem.
If you really want to make sure you get there either leave early and stay late or buy tickets at least one way. The best time to purchase a ticket between the lower 48 and Alaska is when the pfd fares come out in early October. A sample fare from last year's sale was sea/anc one way $170 plus tax. If you are willing to fly at night you can often get great deals on our website as well.
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Thank you so much for all the good information http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
You are so helpful!
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