AZ RV Resorts - On the Road Towards an Experience of a Lifetime

Yuma, Mesa, Phoenix, Casa Grande or Tucson, one only needs to pick a place. There can be no better way to travel the open road than in the comfort of an RV. Have the road trip of a lifetime. There are various resorts and parks on the way all over Arizona. Pick a place to stay or stop and enjoy. Afterwards, move on to another park or resort. AZ RV parks and resorts cater to all sorts of outdoor activities. Outdoor activities include fishing, hiking, trekking and camping. Some choose to simply R&R through games of golf or sunbathe by the pool. Enjoy all those activities, AZ RV resorts or parks are the places to be. Arizona isn't limited to outdoor activities. Several AZ RV parks and resorts are also located near theaters, museums, historical sites, jazz festivals and sports events. Seasons hardly even matter, there are always activities you can do in Arizona all year round.

Phoenix

Phoenix is also known as the Valley of the Sun. It is a metropolitan area in central Arizona. People tend to associate Arizona with intense heat, desert, and cactus. However, there is more to it than just that. The Valley of the Sun is home to sophisticated culture, year-round sports events, diverse entertainment and historical sites. Besides, no other place can beat all that sunshine and wide open blue sky during the winter season.

Not so far from the city proper is the Apache Junction. Get a feel of how it was like to live in the Old West. Visit the Apache Trail near Apache Junction. The area also has a great view of the mountains and wildlife in the lakes to the north. Closer to the city, Mesa offers remarkable dining, shopping and entertainment.

Casa Grande

Casa Grande is located far enough away from the city excitement of Phoenix. Casa Grande area offers AZ RV resorts for the low desert RVer. This area also shares the wonderful climate of the Valley of the Sun. Thus, it is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing.

Several small local museums and information sites are found around the tribal reservations of the Gila River and Tohono O'Odham. Learn all about the Native Americans of this region here in Casa Grande.

Tucson

For people who want the big city experience without the city congestion in Phoenix, Tucson is the ideal destination. Situated in southern Arizona, Tucson boasts of museums, historical sites and parks. Head west and find Ajo, a charming western town rich in history. Located near Ajo is the famous Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The monument is a natural wonder of cactus and wild desert beauty.

Not far from the city are excellent places for outdoor activities. People can enjoy bird watching, stargazing, rock climbing, mountain biking and golf. Visit the true Old West to the Southeast off 1-10 in Cochise County. Tombstone AZ with its gun fights, Bisbee, with the copper mine tour, Willcox for its fruit orchards and Sonoita, becoming known for its wines.

Yuma

According to history, Yuma was considered the gateway to California. The first settlements were built along with a bridge over the Colorado River. Today, Yuma is a bustling community with carefully preserved history and offers great winter climate. AZ RV parks and resorts are available for RVers to enjoy.

Close to the river are AZ RV resorts and parks ideal for water sports and fishing. Yuma also maintains various wildlife refuges. AZ RV parks in this area offer facilities for many outdoor activities. Indoor fun can be found at nearby casinos, shops and historical attractions.

All these cities and towns in Arizona have a lot to offer. RVers can make the most out of their time and experience all these activities. Drive down the road for a few miles. Eventually, there's a different AZ town to check out. It is of great convenience that many AZ RV parks and resorts are found all over the state. So review everything that is available in Arizona with the AZ RV Reference guide, start planning that road trip and don't miss a thing. Enjoy RVing... what a life!

How to Write a Business Plan - For Small Inventors

Starting a new business based on your new invention? You need to know how to write a business plan. Creating a comprehensive detailed business plan forces you to make the decisions that need to be made, requires you to do your research and determine all those little details that need to be addressed, from the day to day office expenses to the cost of packaging for your invention, product, or service.

You will know what your price structure will be and how your product will be distributed. This is very important information. Your price structure depends on your distribution. Do you sell retail and wholesale? Do you sell to OEMs? How about mail order? You have to have a price structure that will accommodate a number of different prices for different channels of distribution.

By the time you've finished your business plan you should have a pretty good idea of all of the expenses involved in your undertaking, including the cost of manufacturing, marketing, the cost of sales, your hard costs, and fixed costs of your product. You will have knowledge about your competition, about the pricing structure for your product, the lines of distribution, cost of advertising for the various types of media campaigns, and even the cost of your product liability insurance.

Will your product need code approvals from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), IAMPMO, NSF, FDA, or one or more of the multitude of such agencies? How much will that cost and what is involved? Your plan will spell it all out.

You'll know the retail price and the profit you will make, and you will have a timeline to follow. Make your plan concise and professional, and detailed enough to convey a sense of credibility. Get it all down on paper

If you are going to raise money to finance your invention, product, or service company, you will absolutely need a business plan. Potential investors want to see everything down on paper before they will even consider your idea.

In general your business plan should include; a cover sheet, a statement of purpose of the plan, table of contents, a description of the business, marketing - how you plan to market your product or service, your competition - demonstrate a thorough knowledge of your competition, operating procedures - describe how your business will operate, personnel - introduce your key personnel, loan applications - if any, equipment and supply list - list all of your equipment and supplies, Balance sheet, break even analysis, spread sheet with cash flow for at least three years - monthly for the first year and quarterly after that, and the assumptions upon which you based your projections.

The specifics of your business plan depend heavily on what type of business you are going to be operating. Whatever kind of business it is, you will find tons of information about how to put a business plan together online. The Small Business Administration has a comprehensive guide.

Just begin a search for business plans and review lots of samples and read the advice that you find, and then get started.

When you run into a problem that is difficult to solve, be glad you found it while doing the plan, not after you are already in business. So the more detail you provide the better off you will be, and the better your credibility.

Hidden Treasure in New Mexico - Seven Areas to Search

New Mexico hidden treasure can be found. These treasures are outlaw caches, abandoned and lost mines, and Spanish treasures. However, in order to find them you need to research the stories, and have a metal detector.

Many treasure legends begin and end with stories passed down through years. And each time a lost treasure story is told, it changes. This is because people have a way of manipulating a story by choosing their own words or phrases just enough to throw the treasure story way off course from the original legend. This is why it is so important to research every hidden treasure story you here. The more information you have, the easier it is to locate a lost treasure.

Begin your research on the Internet. There is a wealth of information on the net that can help you. Next, try to visit the historical societies of the area you want to search in. If you cannot visit them personally, you may be able to search their files on the Internet. Most historical societies have a website. Try to get files of old newspapers and magazines they have on hand. Sometimes there are stories related to lost treasures in the area.

If you do not own a detector, you should think seriously about purchasing one. Detectors make searching for hidden treasure much easier. However, do not spend more that $450. You don't need a detector with all of the bells and whistles. The expensive models can be confusing for new users.

If you read and understand the owners manual, and you understand how it works, by using it often, you will be rewarded with finding many nice objects, or perhaps even a buried treasure. Hidden treasures are out there. Anyone can locate them.

Here are seven places to begin your search for lost treasures in New Mexico.

Gila Cliff Dwellings is located on State route 26, approximately 48 miles north of Silver City. Five cliff dwellings are located in the overhanging cliffs. The Pueblo Indians lived there between the 1200-1400's. After the Pueblos left the area, the Apache Indians used the caves. For years, the Apaches raided settlements and brought treasures back to the cave dwellings.

Shiprock Peak is located 5 miles west of Shiprock. A gold prospector buried $60,000 in gold coins in a cave on Shiprock Peak.

The Mexican Millionaire Cache is located somewhere between Shiprock Peak, and the Mesa Verda National Park. This is a legend of a treasure worth more than $30 million in gold bullion. In the 1930's a Mexican millionaire buried this treasure in the desert. Apparently, the Mexican was a former government official. Supposedly he received bribes which led to his vast fortune.

The Aztec Treasure is located approximately one mile west of Aztec, in the Ute
Mountains. Somewhere in this area, is a sandstone window rock, that contains $50,000 in gold coins.

The San Juan River Horde - On the canyon tributary, near this river, is a rock shelter that contains $60,000 in gold bullion. It was hid there by outlaws.

The Lost Frenchman Gold Mine is located near Truchas Peak, in the Nacimiento Mts.

The Jesse James Cache - Near the town of Santa Clara, is a supposed treasure buried by Jesse James.

It is important that you always ask for permission when entering private property. If you are going on to State or Federal Land, in search for lost treasure, be sure to check with your State laws about any digging.

Good luck in your search for hidden treasure.

© Frank W. Pandozzi

AZ RV Parks: Travelling In A "Home Away From Home"

Arizona, the Grand Canyon State, is more than just hot weather, desert and cactus. These are the things people usually associate this state with. Many may not know that it offers great historical sites, museums, and a lot more. Not to mention, its weather is what makes it conducive for outdoor activities. Mountaineering, camping, fishing, sightseeing, rock climbing and even skiing to cite a few. Yes, skiing here is possible. It is also a cheaper alternative to flying all the way to Colorado or Vermont for some. Revel in all these activities and more at AZ RV parks and resorts.

AZ RV Parks
AZ RV parks and resorts are ideal destinations for RVers. Whether travelling with family or friends, adventuring on the open road in an RV is a great way to go. Memorable holidays need not be expensive with an RV. People can also get the comforts of home staying in an RV. Stop for a day or more in an RV resorts or park. Afterwards, move on to another one. The fun doesn't have to stop in a single place.

Various AZ RV parks and resorts offer different facilities. Facilities do depend on the location and the price. Basic ones offer water, sewage, wireless internet, cable TV, and camping or picnic grounds. Some AZ RV parks or resorts even have golf courses and swimming pools. More luxurious AZ RV parks and resorts even rival 5 star hotels in its amenities and service.

Why go to AZ?
Arizona is the largest landlocked U.S. state by population. Large does mean a lot of ground to cover for RVers. Also, a wide range of activities can be enjoyed here. AZ offers travellers with outdoor and indoor activities all year round.

Phoenix
The state capital is a metropolitan area in central Arizona. It does have a sunny climate that makes it ideal for sightseeing and other outdoor activities. For indoor activities, Mesa is an excellent place for dining and shopping. There are also museums, theaters, and sports events for people to see here in Phoenix. Not far from the city proper, people can find Apache Junction. A place where people can get a feel of the Old West.

Casa Grande
Sharing the wonderful climate of the state capital, Casa Grande is also ideal for outdoor activities. Know everything there is to know about Native Americans of this region here in Casa Grande. There are small local museums that can be found around the tribal reservations of the Gila River and Tohono O'Odham.

Tucson
A manifestation of the Old West can be seen here in Tucson through a charming western town called Ajo. Ajo is also close to the Organ Pipe Monument. The monument is a famous natural wonder of cactus and wild desert beauty.

Head southeast off 1-10 in Cochise County and witness the true Old West. Other places in the area that shouldn't be missed are:

Tombstone for its gunfights
Bisbee for a copper mine tour
Willcox with its fruit orchards
Sonoita which is becoming famous for its wines
Yuma
Yuma is located near the river making it excellent for fishing and water sports. Tribal reservations and wildlife refuges here are well-maintained and should be seen.
There a lot of other wonderful places and sights to see in AZ. Start choosing areas and AZ RV parks or resorts with the help of the AZ RV Reference Guide for 2010-2011. Enjoy RVing... what a life!

Grand Canyon South Rim - Things to Do With Kids

Looking for a great place to spend you family vacation? Try the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This National Park is packed with a variety of physical and educational activities that will appeal to kids of all ages. Here's a list of ten activities to get your planning "juices" started:

Ranger Programs - Rangers are trained naturalists who love to share their knowledge about the Canyon. Topics range from the California Condor restoration program and geology to fossils and astronomy. The Junior Ranger program is specifically designed for kids, and includes adventure hikes, field classes (teaches how to use binoculars, field guides, and other tools or a naturalist), and games based on local ecology. Kids can get sworn in as Junior Grand Canyon National Park Rangers once they complete the program.

Museums - The Canyon View Information Center, near Mather Point, provides a number of outdoor exhibits about the Park. Inside, Rangers man the information desk and are happy to help you decide what you want to do when you arrive. The Center also houses a number of interpretive exhibits. Similar in purpose is Verkamp's Visitor Center, located east of the El Tovar Hotel. Built in 1906, this building started out as a gift shop, but was converted into a visitor center and features some excellent pioneer history exhibits. Learn how the Canyon was formed and how old it is at the Yavapai Observation Center's Museum of Geology. The Center's Canyon-facing wall is all glass and provides intense views of the Gorge. Kolb Studio, built on the edge of the Canyon's rim in 1905, hosts free art exhibits and houses a huge early 20th-century movie camera used by the Kolb brothers.

Ride the Shuttle - Shuttle busses are free and go to all key South Rim points of interest. The system is comprised of three color-coded routes: Blue (Village Route), Red (Hermit's Rest), and Green (Kaibab Trail). The blue route is between red and green and combines them. Tour Tips: Hermit's Rest (red), Mather Point (green) and Yaki Point (green)

Day walks - there are plenty of excursions suitable for children. Bright Angel Trail is located near the Grand Canyon Village Kolb Studio. The trail is well maintained for a delightful walk. And 'the walk through steep switchbacks, which determine to what extent do you (think Ranger adventure tours for children). Two seatsconsider: Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse and Three-Mile Resthouse. The South Kaibab Trail, too, is in excellent condition and offers several outstanding lookout points for kids. The Rim Trail skirts the Canyon's edge from Hermit's Rest to South Kaibab. For the most part, it's flat terrain and never goes into the Canyon. It's excellent for strolling and includes access to the key South Rim lookout points. Note: Dress according to the season and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and foods like salty trail mix.

Mule Rides - These trips fill up fast. There's a cancellation sheet maintained at the Bright Angel Lodge, and you might get lucky, but it's not likely as these popular trips are booked 13 months in advance. The best trip for kids is the Three Hour Abyss Overlook Mule Ride, which follows the Rim through Ponderosa Pine forest and a Juniper and Pinon Pine woodland chock full of wildlife.

Horseback Riding - One- and two-hour trail rides led by Apache Stables, located outside the Park's main gate in Tusayan. These rides traverse the Ponderosa Pine forest outside the South Rim. Twilight trips and wagon rides are also available.

Digital Photography Workshops - Limited time only. Call Park to get dates and times. Professional photographers lead photo walks in the Park and discuss how to best use your digital camera to take stunning landscape and wildlife pictures.

Helicopter Tours - Get a bird's eye view of the Canyon. Helicopter tours depart from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan. Routes fly over the South Rim's pine forest and over the Dragoon Corridor, the deepest, widest section of the Canyon. See rock temples and shrines and the North Rim before returning to the airport.

IMAX Theatre - See in 34 minutes what would take a lifetime! The IMAX screen is huge. Seats are stadium style. The cumulative effect is similar to actually being there. The Theater, managed by National Geographic, features excellent exhibits, a knowledgeable staff, and a food court. Raft trips can be booked here as well. Ticket cost: Adults (11+): $12.50. Youth (ages 6 - 10): $9.50.

Grand Canyon Village - The hub of the South Rim, the Village includes Bright Angel Lodge, gift shops, restaurants, museums, a snack bar, information centers and more. Perfect for starting the day or ending it. Check out the snack bar behind the Lodge for inexpensive eats for kids. The restaurant in the Lodge is outstanding and serves big portions. The Lodge's gift shop is the best on the Rim for affordable souvenirs, bottled water, t-shirts, hats, and more.

If you're looking to do something different this family vacation, consider the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The National Park loaded with activities that target kids ranging in age from six-years-old to teenagers. From the Junior Ranger Program, horseback riding, and geology museums to adventure day hikes, an easy-to-use shuttle bus system and helicopter tours, there's something for everyone and every budget.

Farm Succession Planning is Passing Down the Farm, Right?

Some of you got it right, passing down the farm is farm succession from the current generation of owners to the next, the folks who are going to be owning and running the farm in the 21st. Century. However, we found out the hard way that we are the only one's using the expression passing down the farm when we are talking about the process and strategies of management and ownership transition of the farm and business to the successor generation.

Almost nine years ago we registered our domain name because we had been told that the older a domain name is, all other things being equal, the better it is for search engine rankings. And we knew we were going to create a farm succession and planning checklist someday - so we'd be ready, #1 on Google.

Today as we begin to populate our web site with new and updated content about farm succession and planning, we can look at our listing and see that sure enough we're right up toward the top of the search engine listings.

What we realized, after doing some extensive keyword investigation, is that being #1 is meaningless since almost no one ever types in the expression "passing down the farm" into Google or any of the other search engines. We made the obvious mistake of thinking that everyone else used the expression - when they don't. Too much time reading our own press releases I guess.

Passing down the farm is the benefit - the goal, the objective on virtually every farmer's mind. It is not, however, what they think of when the go online looking for the tools, techniques, and strategies required to achieve the results they seek however.

The benefits of the passing down the farm succession process begin the day you get serious about designing the future you want for your farm and your family. And the process continues forever, just like your family's involvement in the farm will extend far beyond the lifetimes of everyone living today.

Here three key planning elements uniquely intertwined with each other to create the succession and planning process we call passing down the farm.

Strategic planning is a key element of the farm succession and planning process. You may not use such a high toned expression but that's what you're doing when you plan beyond the next twelve months - consistently rolling your planning ahead of you as you go.

Farm strategic planning is also about management training and leadership development for your successors so they'll be ready to assume full responsibility when the time is right. There are some mistakes your farm can absorb and keep right on chugging along and there are some that will totally destroy what has been created.

Start today by identifying who's going to farm in the next generation and then get started with the leadership and management training they'll need to do so.

Succession planning is the process where you pick the people to run the place in the future and begin empowering them to conserve what you've built and leverage your efforts to grow the operation bigger in the future.

Growth is critical in order to generate the profits required to meet the security needs of the retiring generation, provide a fair share of the farm's value to the off farm heirs, and reward the successors for their risks and hard work.

When you start now to open up areas of responsibility, in the eyes of your successors not just yours, you'll send the right messages about your intentions for the future.

Estate planning, the wills, trusts, buy-sell agreements, and all the contracts required to fulfill your succession and planning requirements DO NOT come last.

Farm estate planning is critical, too critical to be put off, because it establishes the ground rules, faces the tax consequences, and gives the force of law to the strategies that will result in your wishes being spelled out for all to see.

Estate planning decisions need to be made today based on what you know today, where everything is today, and based on the best advice available today.

As time goes by and the other elements of your farm succession plan fall into place you simply have your advisors update your estate planning documents. How many movies have you seen where the old tyrant dies without having changed his will for decades - leaving the heirs and those who though they were heirs to fight over the spoils, resulting in another mystery for Lt.Columbo to solve. Don't let that be you!

Over the last thirty years people have said to me, "but Wayne, our farm is different" and it is. Often this comment was made in an effort to convince me that their situation was so unique it defied the experts and therefore their lack of planning was justified.

Passing down the farm then is the result. Your farm and family's unique situation addressed using well considered strategies that are being used successfully by others.

Arizona Winter Getaways - From Golfing to Shopping

Got an itch to travel this winter, but not sure where to go? How about a place where you can find great hiking, golfing, skiing, shopping, and ruins to explore? And, all within a few hours drive of one another? Of course that place is Arizona, a state that offers travelers an endless array of things to do in the winter.

Hiking

Superstition Mountains: One of the best places for winter hiking in Arizona is The Superstition Mountains, just east of Apache Junction, which is east of Phoenix. They are best known for the fabled Lost Dutchman Mine. Legend has it that the mine, discovered by Jacob Waltz (the Dutchman), still contains a great stash of gold. That is, if anyone could find it. You can be among the many who have tried to find the mine (some have died trying), or, you can be among the many more who venture to the Superstition Mountains in search of great hiking. Be sure to visit Lost Dutchman State Park, where you will find a variety of hiking trails, as well as Ranger-led morning and full-moon hikes during the winter and spring months.

Golfing

Arizona's also a wonderful place to go golfing during the winter. A couple golf courses worth noting include:

Grayhawk Golf Club: Located in Scottsdale, the Grayhawk Golf Club consists of two golf courses, Talon and Raptor, which have been the recipients of numerous accolades throughout the years, including "Top 100 You Can Play in the U.S." by Golf Magazine.

Troon North Golf Club: Two golf courses make up Troon North Golf Club: Monument and Pinnacle courses. Also located in Scottsdale, Troon North Golf Club has also received numerous accolades, including being named No. 21 in the nation and No. 1 in Arizona by Golf Magazine.

Skiing

There's skiing in Arizona? Why, of course. Arizona not only has the sun in the winter, but it also has a couple spots in the state where you go downhill skiing.

Sunrise Park Resort: Sunrise Park Resort is located in Greer, in the eastern part of the state, just a 4-hour drive from Phoenix and Tucson. Owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Sunrise Park offers 8 lifts and 65 runs for skiers of all ability levels. There is also a separate snowboarding area, children's area, cross-country trails, and tubing hill.

The Arizona Snowbowl: The Arizona Snowbowl is located on the San Francisco Peaks, above Flagstaff and just a few hours from Phoenix. Offering 32 trails and 4 lifts, The Arizona Snowbowl is one of the oldest continually run ski areas in the United States. If snowboarding's more your style, they also offer a terrain park with rails and boxes.

Exploring Native American Ruins

You could plan an entire vacation in Arizona going from ruins to ruins, but, if you're visiting Phoenix and you only have a day, be sure to drive about an hour and a half north on the I-17 to Montezuma Castle, a five-story, 12th-Century cliff dwelling which used to house the Sinagua people. It's an easy walk on a 1/3-mile loop trail, where you have a great view of the Castle. If you have time, drive 11 miles north and visit Montezuma Well, where you can view a natural sink hole and small dwellings built into the steep walls surrounding the hole. A sink hole may sound like a big yawn, but it really is an interesting place to visit.

Shopping

If you're going to Arizona for the shopping, then you'll probably want to head for Scottsdale, home of luxury resorts, high-end shopping malls, art galleries, and the 5th Avenue Shops. The Scottsdale Arts District in downtown Scottsdale boasts one of the largest concentration of art galleries in the nation, featuring a variety of art, including contemporary, Western, and Native American art.

Arizona can also lay claim to some of the best antique malls in the country, including the Brass Armadillo at 12419 N. 28th Drive in Phoenix, where you can spend hours walking the rows and rows of antiques and collectibles. And, Glendale, a small town just west of Phoenix, has so many antique stores in its downtown that it has been called "Arizona's Antique Capital" by readers of local papers. Serious Antiquers will want to devote an entire day discovering the treasures in downtown Glendale.

Of course, the above is just a handful of things to do in Arizona in the winter. If you can't do everything in one winter getaway, there's always the Spring!