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You don’t have to look far and wide to find something
of beauty here in Arizona. Just pack that picnic lunch, jump in your
car and head off for a new road trip adventure. You can travel in any
direction and encounter beautiful mountain vistas, scenic desert views
and even the remnants of ghost towns from days gone by.
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One of these interesting drives is to head north
out of Tucson on State Highway 77 (Oracle Road).
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The first stop you’ll encounter is Catalina State
Park, located at mile marker 81. This park is located at the base of
Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains. Here you will find camping,
spectacular scenery and eight hiking trails. If you’re looking for a
short trail, try the Romero Ruin Interpretive Trail. This 3/4 mile trail
meanders through the ruins of a prehistoric Hohokam village site. Additional
information on Arizona State Parks can be obtained by logging on to
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At Oracle Junction, head northwest on the paved
Pinal Pioneer Parkway (State Highway 79). This route affords you scenic
Sonoran desert views unobstructed by billboards and signs. There are
several roadside rest areas in this bird watchers paradise. One of the
rest areas is the Tom Mix Memorial. This famed cowboy movie star met
his death here in a 1940 auto accident.
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Continuing northwest, at Florence you can head
approximately 10 miles west on Highway 87 to the Casa Grande National
Monument in Coolidge. Here you can see ancient Hohokam Indian ruins.
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After viewing the ruins, return to the historic
town of Florence. "Murphy’s Romance" was filmed here. Stop in at the
Florence Visitor Center located at 291 North Bailey Street (the heart
of the historic district). Sign the guest book and pick up local maps
and brochures. If its time to stretch your legs, you may want to look
into the Historic Florence walking tour. Be sure to see the Victorian-era
courthouse built in 1891. Additional information on Florence can be
obtained at
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Continue your journey on Highway 79 until you
reach Florence Junction and Highway 60. Head east on Highway 60 to
the town of Superior (nestled at the foot of Apache Leap) and Highway
177.
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On the way to Superior, you will pass the Boyce
Thompson Arboretum, founded in 1924. If you wish to stop and discover
the Arboretum, more information can be obtained by calling
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At Highway 177, head southeast. Via this route
you will see the rugged Dripping Springs Mountains and if you choose
to take a short detour off the main route, you will see a spectacular
view of the open-pit Ray Mine. A note of caution, you will encounter
some 10% grades on Highway 177. At Winkelman, take State Highway 77
back to Tucson.
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