16/04/2020
This is big news! Check out today's Game & Fish post about the Bald Eagle parents nesting in the Saguaro. With babies!
Tours include the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix/Scottsdale, the historic Apache Trail and custom designed tours.
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Southwest Custom Tours began as a one-man operation with Jim Vaughan, owner and founder of Southwest Tours on January 17, 1983. Since then Southwest Tours has become the premier van tour company in Arizona. Having toured thousands of visitors to Arizona over the years, Southwest has become the trusted choice for vacationers, travel agents, destination managers and the hospitality industry when bo
oking their guests and clients. Southwest has a fleet of no more than six (6) fifteen-passenger vans, custom seated for twelve passengers. We conduct regularly scheduled van tours every day of the year, including most holidays. Owner & Founder - Jim Vaughan
Jim is a second generation native Arizonan. His love and knowledge of the great Southwest was his inspiration for leaving the corporate world to start a small tour company where he could do what he loved most. Taking people out and showing them in a very personal way the special out of the way places that few people get to see. Sharing the facts about the state of Arizona and it's many historic stories and sights in a fun and interesting way. Not just a tour but also a memory to last forever. Southwest Tours is a member of the Phoenix and Scottsdale chambers of commerce, the Grand Circle Association, The Valley of the Sun Hotel Concierge Network, and has the exclusive distinction of Preferred Partner of the National Concierge Association.
This is big news! Check out today's Game & Fish post about the Bald Eagle parents nesting in the Saguaro. With babies!
Today's takes us to London Bridge at Lake Havasu Arizona. London Bridge was originally built in the 1830s in London on the Thames River. It was dismantled in 1967 and transported to Arizona. Re-building was completed in 1971. What an incredible feat!
Let's all go on the virtual field trip into some remote areas of the Grand Canyon, courtesy of the Grand Canyon National Park. Get ready to explore and learn!
Exploring Grand Canyon Geology - a virtual field trip.
Watch videos from top scientists. Examine remote areas of the canyon using imaging tools. Learn key concepts: rock types, layering, rock formation, banding, cross bedding, uplift, erosion. Explore at your own pace.
https://vft.asu.edu/iVFTLocations/GrandCanyon/GCoptions.html
Image description: several layered cliffs of different textures and colors; yellow brown red and white. In the distance, a white-capped peak rises above the rest.
Today's takes us to Fountain Hills. Located East of Phoenix and Scottsdale, it is home to a world-famous fountain. Every day, on the hour, from 9a.m. to 9p.m. the fountain spouts an impressive height of 330 feet! On special occasions, it erupts into the sky a whopping 560 feet!
📷: Derek Cashman
Many people had to cancel their plans to visit Arizona. Over the next few weeks, we will post and share some photos of Arizona's beauty and wonder for you all to enjoy. Let's start with these beautiful shots of the Grand Canyon taken last week by our amazing tour guide, Mike.
Interested in a private tour and have 5 or fewer people? Mini groups of 5 or less can enjoy a comfortable tour in our Chrysler Town & Country minivan.
The tranquil red rock formations in Sedona were swaddled in a veil of poltergeist-white mist on Sunday. Snoopy can still be seen laying on the lower part on the right but the camel is hidden in the gossamer fog at the top of the taller side on the left. Thank you to our tour guide, Mike, for sharing this ethereal photo of Snoopy Rock. !
It's going to be a big weekend here in Phoenix! For starters, it's the kick-off of Spring Training. Into food? How about the Devour Culinary Classic at the Desert Botanical Garden. Explore Japan at the Arizona Matsuri: Festival of Japan at Steele Indian School Park. Or sit back and enjoy roots and reggae at the Arizona Roots Music and Arts Festival.
https://cactusleague.com/schedule.php
https://dbg.org/events/devour-2020/2020-02-22/
Devour culinary tasting event in Phoenix, Arizona promises to present the best in Arizona's culinary scene. Join Desert Botanical Garden for our 11th annual Devour Culinary Classic.
Although it only operated for 18 months, the Pony Express became associated with the Old West. These brave men mounted on horseback delivered mail faster than ever before! Every February Arizona keeps that tradition alive with the Hashknife Pony Express. The route is over 200 miles starting in Holbrook and ending in Scottsdale with family events and the Parada Del Sol.
Feb. 4-8 2020.
SERENITY-
The state or quality of being serene, calm, or ; sereneness.
What word(s) would you use to describe this picture?
📷: Will Elsner
Snow and low to no visibility at the Grand Canyon today. Once the clouds clear and it stops snowing it will be a beautiful treat this weekend!
Winter storm update, 10 am, Friday, December 27, 2019.
The forecast calls for snow all day today, with limited visibility.
The storm is expected to pass through tonight, with mostly sunny weather on Saturday and Sunday. There is a much better chance of seeing exceptional canyon views over the weekend.
Also, today, area roads will be snowpacked and icy. Traveling through Northern Arizona will be hazardous today.
As of this update, State Route 64 (Desert View Drive) between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View is CLOSED. Hermit Road is also CLOSED because of hazardous conditions. You can call 928-638-7496 for recorded park road opening/closure updates.
Follow our weather here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm
Clemson fans are here for the and wherever they go, they are spending $2.00 bills stamped with their logo on them! A tradition since 1977 to demonstrate the financial impact Clemson fans have on the economy.
Let's see if any of you end up with a Clemson $2.00 bill. Let us know!
The best time to see the Grand Canyon? Right after a snow storm! Jim is on tour at the Grand Canyon right now with some lovely guests who are spending $2.00 bills. What's up with that? Stay tuned...
Hey! Who knows who these two guys are? We'll give you a hint. They love to tour people around our great state of Arizona and they also love to explore Arizona on their own.
A big shout out to Jimmy Vaughan-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
What a spectacular day on the Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake on the Apache Trail tour with Jim!
🎼It's beginning to look a lot like...Thanksgiving? Snow in Arizona for Thanksgiving? Yep!
Boy, will the views be beautiful this weekend at the Grand Canyon!
The Grand Canyon is simply breathtaking. How can it get any better? Just add snow and it becomes beyond extraordinary. 😍
Grand canyon railroad depot after a fresh snow, November 21, 2019.
Description, a rustic wooden train depot stands surrounded by snowy landscape. A large tree nearby is frosted with snow.
After weeks of dry weather, Grand Canyon National Park Rangers take a moment to enjoy today's snowfall. At 2:15 pm, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, the canyon is not visible because of thick fog. Consider delaying travel this afternoon, if possible. Stay safe out there!
Snow showers are likely to continue through 11 pm tonight.
Friday is expected to be clear, sunny, and cold. https://go.nps.gov/06
Snow in northern Arizona including the Grand Canyon National Park and Flagstaff!
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/webcams.htm?site=grca
Harris Hawk- Native to the Southwest, this large lanky raptor preys on rodents, rabbits, snakes, birds, and insects. People have even reported them preying on small pets! They are amazing to watch soar in the air with an impressive wingspan of 41-47 inches!
Dia De Las Mu***os Festival at Tlaquepaque in Sedona. Will's Sedona tour got to enjoy the last day of the festival on Saturday.
Parking troubles at the Grand Canyon? No worries, leave the driving (and parking) to us and get a day full of history, culture, legends, beautiful scenery, and more on our one day Grand Canyon tour!
Nobody comes to Grand Canyon to see the parking lot (We hope). So be sure to do your research ahead of time, and know where to go before you arrive.
To find out all the places you can park in the South Rim Village, visit: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/parking_sr.htm
[Image description: A line of cars driving through a crowded parking lot]
What kind of wildlife have you seen at the Grand Canyon? While on tour today, Will took this remarkable picture of a Raven about to land on a stick. Earlier this week Mike was able to capture a photo of the Mule Deer and Gopher Snake. The is amazing!
A spectacular ending to a beautiful day in on a custom tour with Jim. Time for dinner at the L'Auberge de Sedona!
Monday | 08:30 - 22:00 |
Tuesday | 08:30 - 22:00 |
Wednesday | 08:30 - 22:00 |
Thursday | 08:30 - 22:00 |
Friday | 08:30 - 22:00 |
Saturday | 08:30 - 22:00 |
Sunday | 08:30 - 22:00 |
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Dia De Las Muertos Festival at Tlaquepaque in Sedona. Will's Sedona tour got to enjoy the last day of the festival on Saturday. #diadelasmuertos
The Grand Canyon National Park does really cool demos and talks. Will's guests got to see and participate in the Archaeology Fair going on. Bailey shows us how to throw the Atlatl dart.
Jim Vaughan is snowboarding! Not bad for a guy his age who hasn't snowboarded for about 10 years. Go Jim!!
Hey everyone! Let's help celebrate 100 years 🎉🎈 of the Grand Canyon National Park and post some of your favorite Grand Canyon tour pictures in the comments. We will start first. #favoritepicture
😲 Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time is like... (Turn on your volume to hear what it is like)
👻 Haunted Arizona The town of Jerome The "Wickedest City in the West" was founded in 1876 and turned into a "billion dollar copper camp" by Phelps Dodge in the 1920's. When the mines were shut down in 1953 the people left, turning it into a ghost town. Today Jerome is alive and well and so are the many spirits who never left. The community center is known as "Spook Hall" due to it's strange happenings. It is said that "Headless Charlie", a decapitated miner, still lingers there. Ghostly voices and doors slamming shut have been reported at the Ghost City Inn. A plethora of ghosts reside at the Surgeon's House B&B. The Mile High Grille and Inn is built on top of the old brothel, the Clinkscale Building, after it burned down. Music and footsteps have been herd and it is said that Madame Jennie Banter moves furniture and helps around the inn. More places include The Haunted Hamburger, The Connor Hotel, "Husband Alley", Liberty Theatre, and many more. The Jerome Grand Hotel is said to be the most haunted. It was the hospital of the mining town. Especially room 32 where there have been several deaths. The whole hotel has stories of doors opening, faucets turning on, the spirit of the man crushed by the elevator, footsteps in the hallway and stairs, wailing, heavy breathing, and talking. This hotel has been the star of several paranormal TV shows. 👻 #hauntedarizona #JeromeAZ
👻 Haunted Arizona The town of Tombstone is said to be one of the most haunted places in Arizona. The most haunted of all is the Bird Cage Theatre hosting as many as 31 ghosts! Sightings go as far back as 1921. Sounds of music and laughter, glasses clinking, a male wearing black striped pants and a visor and holding a clipboard walks across the stage, a woman singing, the smell of cigar smoke, a several hundred pound dice table being moved, the statue of Wyatt Earp turned facing backwards or his hat knocked off, and other tales. Several popular television programs have hosted paranormal investigations at the Bird Cage Theatre. 👻
Looking for a real out wild west type of tour? Join us on October 26th on a special tour down to Tombstone Arizona. What's so special about October 26th? It marks the anniversary day of the gunfight at the OK Corral. Seating is limited so call us (602-971-1381) to reserve your spot today! See more details online. https://southwesttours.com/TombstoneAZ.html
On this day in Arizona history- January 17, 1983. One man with an admiration of Arizona. It's beauty, it's history, and it's people. He started sharing his knowledge by touring visitors and residents around the state and eventually the southwest. That man is Jim Vaughan. Thirty four years later he is still taking people on tour. The best part is he continues to enjoy it as much as ever!
Heading into the holiday season it's easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle. Time flies by like it is on hyper speed. Gone before you know it so don't forget the important things in life. Take some time to enjoy it! All of us at Southwest Tours wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
An isolated thunderstorm north of Phoenix last night. Either the cloud is real low or it is super heavy rain. Quite a lightening show even being so far a way.
Winter Wonderland at Grand Canyon National Park this weekend. Thanks to Will, one of our amazing tour guides, we can enjoy the magical beauty of the Grand Canyon transforming into an icy work of art. The air is crisp and fresh and the snow muffles most sounds making it serene vista. Can you imagine yourself there?
It has been a great year at Southwest Tours and we have met some amazing guests this year as well. We look forward to meeting more in 2017. HAPPY NEW YEAR from Jim, JoAn, Kari, Jennifer, Rich, Will, Princely, Howard, and Joel. A new year is like a blank book, and the pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself. Here is a look back at a few of this years photos.
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