I often write about the wonders present in my home State of Arizona, but what about what lies just outside it’s boundaries? The lands directly connected to AZ are as spectacular as what lies inside it. Arizona may be more of a “sample” area than anywhere else in the United States, (outside of California), but Colorado specializes! What is the specialty in this state, other than thousands square miles of prairie ground? Mountains, of course, which is what Colorado is known around the world for!

The ranges in Arizona are beautiful for sure, but compared to the Rockies, most, (except in my opinion, the emerald and sapphire clad White Mountains), are often quite mundane. This rectangular state lies directly to the northeast of mine, the corners of the two even touch. Within its huge area it hosts an incredibly beautiful fantasy role-playing like high mountain ambiance!

One of the sub ranges of the Rockies, the mountain chain that passes through and dominates much of the state’s surface geography, I feel to to hold the most exquisite beauty. These wonderlands, the San Juan Mountains, lay in the far southwest of Colorado, with foothills extending to within twenty five miles, (40 Km), of Arizona’s most northeastern point. I have only been to this area “virtually”, but those photographs and stories speak volumes. The peaks and valleys are just gorgeous!

As it is often referred to as an American “Swiss Alps”, the San Juans share the characteristic steep slopes and frequent rounded, but narrow valley, traits with their Alpine cousins. The latitude is a little closer to the Equator in the Colorado mountains, so the lower slopes tend to be a tad warmer and drier, but ascend just a bit into an immense labyrinth of snow capped peaks and you will feel yourself swept away to Switzerland, without ever having to cross the ocean. That is provided , you are from North or South America. If the case is you come from somewhere else and are vacationing the Southwest USA, or even if you live the Swiss Alps region itself, then this magical land of white coated peaks with verdant slopes can be a treat just the same!

Perhaps the visitors from cooler countries and American States desire to avoid scenery which will remind them of their home landscapes and climates. If the trip is to the Sahara or the Arabian Desert, then the mission is surely accomplished. What if, however one chooses to venture to the United States?

Yes, the Arizona deserts are arid and sparsely covered with vegetation in some regions, but sand dunes are not to frequently found on publicly accessible lands, One may say death valley would be a good choice, and I would agree. If, however, the individual wills to see something reminiscent of the endless ergs of the Arabian Peninsula, then the Desert De Altar of extreme northwestern Mexico will probably “quench their thirst”! (This was an unintentional oxympronic pun).

Please be advised to do a little research and find out a little about a country before you enter it’s boundaries, as in this case Mexican and American laws may be very different. Once you are prepared , then the Altar desert is a sight to behold, a gem that in my opinion, cannot be passed up during one’s lifespan! Although it is dwarfed by the much larger Rub al’ Khali, (Empty Quarter), of the Arabian Desert, which is the largest sand sea on the planet Earth, the sands still extend in all directions, covering about four thousand of square miles, (thirteen thousand sq. kilometers).

An arm of this awesome arid dune filled expanse reaches directly into Arizona, through the southwest tip, The areas know as the Yuma Dunes, and the Pinta Sands are two examples. The Mohawk Dunes, although physically not connected to the sand dunes of the Altar Desert, are an isolated extension of it. The Pinacate Volcanic Field also spills across the border into AZ, adding dark contrasting hues in the more eastern sections or the barren sandy landscape.These basaltic flows differ sharply with respect to the typically the pink, yellow, and white colored Desert De Altar.

Whether it be a vacation, or just outdoor activity, be it hot or cold, these two regions offer joyful rewards which could easily rival that of the pristine Swiss Alpine countryside, or the enigmatically cloaked Arabian dune seas. For any traveler arriving in the American Southwest, consider that if you could plan an adventure to both of these opposite environments, would it not be a bonus to safely be able to drive and see the sites in between? Unlike eastern Europe and the Middle East, here in Arizona you can, and there are so many things worth parking your car for and having a closer look!

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