The air grows heavy as you ascend the narrow, winding staircase of the Vogelsang-Turm, an observation tower with commanding views of Urftsee and Eifel National Park in western Germany.
The suburbs of Arizona’s most populous city are probably the last place you’d expect to find adventure. But you don’t have to look far past the walls of its master-planned communities to discover a wilder side of this place.
The mere mention of their names evokes images of Technicolor desertscapes, vermilion cliffs and vivid sunsets. They are Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks.
With its iconic painted deserts and vast, seemingly endless roads, Arizona is the ultimate off-the-beaten-path destination. But visit the Grand Canyon state during the off-season, when all the visitors have gone home, and it’s a special kind of quiet.
