Happy New Years !

Happy Holidays !

Happy New Years 2014 !

Happy Thanksgiving !

Barringer Crater aka Meteor Crater

What remains after a meteor strikes the earth, instead of burning up on it's decent?  Well, you have a huge indention in the earth, like Meteor Crater.  Here's some facts.

 

 
Meteor Crater is a meteorite impact crater approximately 43 miles east of Flagstaff, near Winslow. The site was formerly known as the Canyon Diablo Crater, and fragments of the meteorite are officially called the Canyon Diablo Meteorite. Scientists refer to the crater as Barringer Crater in honor of Daniel Barringer, who was first to suggest that it was produced by meteorite impact. The crater is privately owned by the Barringer family through their Barringer Crater Company, which proclaims it to be "best preserved meteorite crater on Earth".

The crater is not protected as a national monument, a status that would require federal ownership. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in November 1967.

Meteor Crater lies at an elevation of about 5,709 ft above sea level. It is about 4,000 ft in diameter, some 570 ft, and  is surrounded by a rim that rises 150 ft above the surrounding plains. The center of the crater is filled with 700–800 ft of rubble lying above crater bedrock. One of  the interesting features of the crater is its squared-off outline, believed to be caused by pre-existing regional cracks in the strata at the impact site. 

Formation of the crater 

The crater was created about 50,000 years ago during the Pleistocene epoch when the local climate on the Colorado Plateau was much cooler and damper. At the time, the area was an open grassland dotted with woodlands inhabited by woolly mammoths and giant ground sloths. It was probably not inhabited by humans; the earliest confirmed record of human habitation in the Americas dates from long after this impact.

The object that excavated the crater was a nickel–iron meteorite about 54 yards across, which struck the plain at a speed of several kilometers per second. Impact energy has been estimated at about 10 megatons. The speed of the impact has been a subject of some debate. Modeling initially suggested that the meteorite struck at a speed of up to 45,000 mph, but more recent research suggests the impact was substantially slower, at 28,600 mph.. It is believed that about half of the impactor's bulk was vaporized during its descent before it hit the ground. 

The meteorite itself was mostly vaporized upon impact, leaving little in the crater. 

 

Here's what you need to know to make that visit. 

Current Hours

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily

Meteor Crater is located off I-40 at exit 233, Meteor Crater Road, then 6 miles south on the paved road. 35 miles east of Flagstaff, 20 miles west of Winslow, in Arizona, USA

Admission Prices, all year long

Admission prices include 3 lookout points on the rim of the crater, an Interactive Discovery Center, a theater showing our movie "Collisions and Impacts" as well as a guided  tour on the rim of the crater.

• Adults $16.00
• Seniors $15.00 (age 60 years and over)
• Juniors $8.00 (age 6 through 17 years)
• 5 and under are free

Group rates available 

Pets are not allowed so you definitely need to plan around that.

The summers are very hot in that desert area, so leaving them in the car is

not an option.  Not ever.  If you happen to be traveling with a travel trailer 

or in a motor home, there is an RV park close by which would be perfect with your ac running and the pet relaxing near by.

Winter Hours: September 15th to Memorial we will be open from:

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving Day
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Closed Christmas Day

The RV Park is located perfectly for anyone who drags they accommodations along with them or if you enjoy camping.  Here's an over view of the park, as per their site. 

Set up your lawn chairs, look into the night sky from the Meteor Crater RV Park, and enjoy one of the finest star and sky shows offered in the American Southwest.

You and your family can also experience breath-taking sunrises and sunsets plus make the Meteor Crater RV Park a comfortable base camp for day trips and your exploration of Northern Arizona.

Meteor Crater RV Park near Flagstaff Arizona.  The park boasts of 71 beautifully landscaped pull through RV and camping spaces. Amenities include private restroom and shower facilities plus two designated ADA and special needs accessible restroom and shower rooms.

The park is fully fenced with a secure gated entrance. It offers computer access via park-wide WIFI service.

Next to the park is a gas station, camper convenience store, laundry, recreation room.

Meteor Crater RV Park is near Flagstaff Arizona. The park offers easy access to the Meteor Crater Visitors Center and I-40 interstate highway. The park's high desert plateau location makes daytime temperatures moderate, with cool and pleasant evenings.

Morning, afternoon, or all day trips can be organized to the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Historic Winslow, Flagstaff and the San Francisco Peaks, Grand Canyon, Mogollon Rim and Northern Arizona Lake Country, Navajo Nation and Hopi Mesas, and a Sedona, Jerome, Camp Verde Loop and don't forget Winslow Arizona.

RV Park Guests receive discount coupons for Meteor Crater admission plus coupons for food and other area attractions. Videos, maps, and visitor information on nearby attractions are also available upon request.

While exploring the night sky at Meteor Crater RV Park, you're very likely to see a falling star--the fiery passage of a cosmic dust particle through our atmosphere. If you see another meteor like the one which created Meteor Crater coming, please contact the RV park office immediately .

 For additional information and reservations call:

 928-289-4002 or 800-478-4002

 

I can tell you from my own experience that this is a nice and relaxing point of interest in Arizona.  Did I find it exciting enough that I would take school age kids there?  No.  If they were doing a report of some sort and there was  purpose, then maybe.  But if your child is not a science nerd, they will quickly bore.  

One more word of advice - be prepared to do a little walking.  There isn't a lot that will need to be done but in order to see the crater from all angles and from the look out points, you will be doing a bit.  Lace up those tennies and enjoy the clean, desert air.   

No shortage of photo ops here.

 

Family Farm Day at Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale

This isn't your Grandpa's kinda' farm.  If you want to experience farm life without the sunrise to sunset, busting butt sort of life, then this is a great place for the family to hang out for a fun day.  And, lucky for you if you live in the area, it's Family Farm Day on Saturday, March 1, at Tolmachoff Farms.  What can you expect for this special day?  What about the u-pick garden, picture on a pony opportunities, train rides, corn husking contest, watermelon eating and a ton of children's activities. 

Don't let this fun day fool you. Tolmachoff Farms is a four generational farm is totally functional, growing, harvesting and providing you with the freshest vegetables available.  And you may be wondering what you should expect at a fun farm in the Arizona desert.  Well, they do holiday specials.  Sell Christmas trees along with hot chocolate, cider and s'mores by a bon fire.  They seasonal, fresh veggies; just check out this schedule for the whats and whens.  Of course, what farm would not have a pumpkin patch in the fall.  This is a year 'round must do for the family.

Check out some of these pics.

 Tolmachoff Farms is keeping this event an affordable family day.  Tickets are just $5.00 for ages 2 and up.  AND - here is a link to a coupon for $1.00 off, for up to 8 people.  Can't beat that!

In the future, remember this location for the school field trip, family outings, seasonal celebrations, and just all out great outdoors entertainment. 

Here's where you can find the farm -

 or click here for the link

    

 by the way - this is a favorite place of Cory Mc Closkey and Fox News Phoenix. Catch live info on the morning news.

Cherelynn and Makeup University Are in the House At Phoenix Comicon

Yep - Make Up University, Cherelynn Baker (a true makeup Guru) are In-The-House, at the 2013 Phoenix Comicon.

I have a bit of a love for Comicons, ever since I attended my first one with Cherelynn many years ago in San Diego, California.  That event is so amazing.  The Phoenix Comicon began in 2002 and has been growing each and every year.



 So here's the skinny, briefly, of a few fun things happening this weekend.

Zombie Beauty Pageant, Masquerade Party, the Babylon 5 Extravaganza, and so much more.

And now for OUR MAIN EVENT !

Here's a little beauty info from Make Up University.  After all, I have to keep this post on subject at least a little bit.

Preparing for the event -


Day one - highlights of this day for Cherelynn was sitting on the Pugs: The Geek Smackdown, where a panel of specialist were given questions and a minute to debate. The best argument wins.  Cherelynn actually has a list of the questions on her Make Up University site.  You'll have to check it out.  ALSO - if you are one of the lucky soles who are in attendance of  the Comicon,  there is a surprising ending to this event that you can view on her site also.

Day two with Cherelynn and Makeup University cruisin' the halls of Phoenix Comicon had her snapping pics of some real fun subjects.  And she shared some of those pics with us.  Take a look at this little gallery -

 

 . . . and a few more pics that I found on line.  One of the things that I love about Comicon is that you never know what you will see; and everyone, no matter how they are dressed, just fit in with the crowd.   Check out this variety.  We have everything from a sweet little mermaid to many women who chose skin as their costume of choice. 

 

 This is truly a family event, even if there's a little bit of exposure here and there. I am so bummmed that I could not be in Phoenix for this event.  In a few days we will have an update from Makeup University on this experience.  Stay tuned.

One more thing to check out!

If you are a Trekky, you will want to check out this little teaser for Star Trek Continues.