NASA astronaut Andre Douglas simulates a moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field, north of Flagstaff, in May of this year. Currently, Douglas is on the backup crew for Artemis II, a lunar flyby mission planned for September 2025. JOSH VALCARCEL/COURTESY OF NASA
Astronauts in Northern Arizona
Stepping off the surface of the moon for the last time in 1972, Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan said, “We leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return: with peace and hope for all mankind…
Tall saguaros punctuate an evening view of Phoenix, including Camelback Mountain. By Joel Hazelton
South Mountain Park
When it comes to historical real estate bargains, the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 gets most of the attention. But Phoenix’s deal for the land that became South Mountain Park and Preserve deserves…
James Porter pictured in a doorway at Terra Farm and Manor. By Jill Richards
Terra Farm and Manor
As we drive past a metal gate and make our way up a rugged dirt road, acclaimed chef James Porter (pictured) can hardly contain himself — he’s anxious to share his special place in Central Arizona.…
The research station is a small white building nestled between ponderosa pines. By John Burcham
Fort Valley Experimental Forest
Pull into the Fort Valley Experimental Forest, near Flagstaff, and you might think you’ve arrived at a sleepaway camp, not a historic facility for forestry research. A rustic compound of wood-frame…
Exterior of a building at Taliesin Institute, constructed with local desert rocks. Photograph by Andrew Pielage.
Taliesin Institute
Under a cloudless morning sky, 10 architecture students from Washington State University and their professor roll out yoga mats on the lawn of a secluded courtyard at Taliesin West (pictured), Frank…
Melody Frazer in community kitchen with cooking ingredients. Photograph by John Burcham.
NoCo Community Kitchen
After losing everything they owned in the 2020 Creek Fire in Central California, Melody Frazer (pictured) and her husband traveled all over the West, looking for a place to land. “We took a whole…
Giant ant shadow behind woman with petrie dish and forceps by Steven Meckler
The Social Nature of Ants
Sages through the ages have lauded ants as exemplars of industriousness, persistence and the virtues of collective effort. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise,” counsels…
Photograph by Jeff Maltzman
Texas Canyon Nature Preserve
Zipping past Texas Canyon, an hour southeast of Tucson, it’s impossible not to notice the boulders — giant, eye-catching piles of granite, like something out of The Flintstones. But other than…