New State

We started the year with finds in 29 states. We were thinking we might end 2012 with finds in 33 states by adding Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and Florida. We recently added Arizona for our 30th state with a cache found. It will be the only new state this year. If you can only add one state, Arizona is a really great choice. We were too far from the Grand Canyon and the days were too short to make a trip we both want to make, but the area near Tucson is special enough to give a wonderful destination each day. I was on business for the first few days, but Ali joined me for a super, if short vacation. For 2013, who knows. There is a good chance Nevada and Utah will join the list. I still have hopes we add Colorado on a long weekend when I am returning from Spokane.

The first find was a multi at a church behind the resort where my meeting was being held. I had a few hours free after the flight west and was able to walk to this one.

Dinner at Tohono Chul Park yielded a nice find on day 2. The southwest has the best sunsets.

Catalina State Park

Pima Air Museum

Kartchner Caverns

The only images you will take from these amazing caverns are wonderful memories. No cameras are permitted inside the caves. You can, however, visit this sloth to complete a challenge and log an earthcache with a little work while at the caverns.

Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee

San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area

Patagonia Lake State Park

We hoped to rent a canoe for a few paddle caches here, but didn't get to the park early enough to pull it off. Instead we enjoyed a few hours on the trails.

In the end, we have 43 finds in the state, three more state parks with caches found, and a thousand memories. If luck is ours, we'll be back for that much desired visit to the Grand Canyon, a chance to tour the Rotunda Room at Karchner, another visit to see the birds and butterflies at San Pedro, one more walk with the zombies in Bisbee, and maybe take that paddle at Patagonia. I'm almost certain we will pass on another visit to Tombstone.