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taking the off-ramp Arizona oddities, attractions and pleasures The Betsy Ross of Arizona

In 1910, two years before Arizona garnered statehood, an optimistic Capt. Charles W. Harris designed the state flag. In 1911, Nancy Hayden, wife of Arizona's Sen. Carl Hayden, pieced together the bold design of blue, red and yellow, using a borrowed sewing machine. The top half of the flag displays alternating red and yellow sunrays rising from a field of blue on the bottom, like the rays of an Arizona sunset. The red and yellow represent the colors carried by the Spanish conquistadores who traveled to Arizona in the 16th century. The 13 rays stand for the original 13 American colonies, and the blue field is the same blue as in the United States flag. Inset in the center, a copper star identifies the state as the largest copper producer in the U.S. On February 27, 1917, the state legislature adopted the flag as Arizona's official state banner, and Nancy Hayden became known as the "Betsy Ross of Arizona."

Ancient Athletes

Pampered players, worshipping fans and a high-stakes mentality-it sounds like life in big-time athletics today. But it's actually a description of the sports culture that existed among the Hohokam people of prehistoric Arizona. The evidence? No major Hohokam village lacked a ball court, and some had as many as five, according to Todd Bostwick, archaeologist at Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park in east Phoenix. These structures are oval-shaped and as large as football fields.

Stone paddles also have been unearthed along with 4-inch clay figurines depicting men wearing hip and shoulder pads. These likely player replicas were retrieved from burial caches, another indication of importance, says Bostwick. The game played in Arizona was probably similar to one in Mexico, according to written records. Fertility, the smooth operation of the universe and the fate of kingdoms was believed to have hung on the outcomes of these games.

probably similar to one in Mexico, according to written records. Fertility, the smooth operation of the universe and the fate of kingdoms was believed to have hung on the outcomes of these games.

The courts stopped being used about A.D. 1200, but two Arizona Hohokam ball courts have become tourist draws-at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, 50 miles south of Phoenix, and Pueblo Grande.

"People are intrigued to learn that kingdoms could change over sports," says Bostwick. "I think it helps them feel vindicated at being such big sports fans."

Information: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, (520) 723-3172; Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, (602) 495-0900.

Olympians Out of Thin Air

What do Flagstaff and the Olympics have in common? More than you might think, thanks to the High Altitude Sports Training Complex on the campus of Northern Arizona University.

Thirty-nine Olympic athletes who trained there won medals at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. Some coaches believe that working out at the 7,000-foot altitude offers extra aerobic benefit. In other words, Flagstaff sells thin air.

From March to October, HASTC attracts runners, triathletes, cyclists and rowers. In the winter months, swimmers train at the indoor pool.

Visitors can watch a promotional video and take a half-hour walking tour to the pool and weight-training room. "People get a kick out of seeing athletes from around the world work out," says director Natalie Harlan. "We serve almost 40 countries."

HASTC's office is at Lumberjack Stadium on the north campus, building 34. Information: (928) 523-4444, or toll-free (800) 628-5038.

The new 300-meter track serves Olympic hopefuls from about 40 countries.

THIS MONTH IN ARIZONA

In 1856 Thirteen mules loaded with merchandise for Arizona's first general store arrived in Tucson.

In 1871 Missionary Rev. Charles H. Cook opened the state's first Indian school at Sacaton.

In 1872 George Buck and Miss Matilda were the first Anglo couple to be married in Phoenix.

In 1881 The City of Phoenix was incorporated with a population of 1,780.

In 1892 The Pima County recorder reported that 33,000 mining claims had been filed in the county.

In 1907 A Tucson judge ruled that cattlemen and miners could lawfully wear their guns in town for two hours after arriving. After that they had to remove them.

In 1908 To counter an ordinance requiring their closing at midnight and all day Sunday, saloonkeepers in Phoenix raised the price of a mug of beer to 10 cents.