View skies, nothing but new skies

Sometimes I wonder if I'm officially crossing over into the netherworld of "old ladydom" because things are getting under my skin that never seemed to matter to me.

Two that come to mind immediately are how otherwise intelligent people are so easily distracted from BIG issues when there's a new Britney meltdown, and what overdevelopment of land is doing to the sky in my neck of the woods -- essentially eliminating our view of the heavens with megawatt lighting.

I can't attend to the dwindling attention spans of Americans, but I can show a little one or even a cynical teenager what a clear night sky looks like.

I think the mere act of looking at and contemplating what lies beyond our world can make new connections in that magnificent brain of ours. If we have to travel to a place where it's possible, so be it. With some of the darkest skies in the country and countless cloudless nights, Arizona attracts both professional and amateur stargazers. Families are lucky that there are plenty of other daytime diversions, too.

If you have a child who is particularly interested in astronomy, check out the Astronomer's Inn in Benson, Ariz. The inn welcomes children and holds teaching sessions with stargazing gear designed to be enjoyed by all ages.

Set atop a hill overlooking the San Pedro River Valley, the inn's facilities are adjacent to the Vega-Bray Observatory, a privately owned amateur astronomical observatory that is home to a small science museum, classroom and planetarium. There are nightly astronomer-guided stargazing sessions with an array of telescopes and powerful binoculars for your use. The southern Arizona location offers one of the highest percentages of dark skies and clear nights in the country while being close to many fascinating day trips.

Take the kids to Tombstone, a landmark Western town with original 1880s buildings and artifacts. Spend the night with the infinite night sky and the next day at Karchner Caverns State Park offering guided cave tours, hiking trails, a Discovery Center with interactive displays and a theater.

Hike the various trails at the Chiricahua National Monument and explore a forest of rock spires, pinnacles and balancing rocks that were formed by the Turkey Creek Volcano eruption 27 million years ago. Take the scenic eight-mile drive or walk some of the 18 miles of day-use hiking trails while learning about some of those who called this place home: Chiricahua Apaches, Buffalo Soldiers and Swedish immigrants, amongst others.

Back at the inn, hole up in the Galaxy Room with its domed ceiling, or the Astronomer's Studio with a private kitchenette. Gaze at the information at www.astronomersinn.com or call (520) 586-7906.

Space certainly plays in Peoria -- Arizona, that is. The Challenger Space Center of Arizona, a Smithsonian-affiliated institution, offers hands-on space and stargazing programs for the entire family, an array of rotating exhibits and simulated space missions.

The Challenger Center's Technology Flight Deck features a Mission Control room designed after Johnson Space Center, a spacecraft that simulates a room on board the International Space Station and the Earth Space Transit Module, the vehicle that transports teams of crew members up to dock with the space station so they can live and work in space.

Peoria is just about 15 miles northwest of Phoenix, a city that has plenty of activity and great lodging for families. Visit www.azchallenger.org for a calendar of events or ring (623) 322-2001.

Stay in nearby Scottsdale and have celestial experiences, such as viewings with astronomers and guided night-vision Hummer tours in the desert. Best for families with older kids and teens, a Hummer excursion through the Sonoran Desert offered by Stellar Adventures (www.stellaradventures.com) is a three-hour tour through desert landscapes on the way to a remote observation area where an astronomer points out constellations and planets.

A Desert Storm Hummer Tour (www.dshummer.com) ventures to 4,000 feet above sea level, far from city lights, to observe planets and star systems using the latest field technology. Teens will thrill as the Hummer climbs over rocks while guests wear military night-vision goggles to see desert wildlife in complete darkness.

Bunk at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North (www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale) and you'll get free use of telescopes in suites and constellation charts with turn-down service. The resort, as well as The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa (www.theboulders.com) and Camelback Inn, A JW Marriot Resort & Spa (www.camelbackinn.com), conducts a Sky Jewels program (www.gemland.com). These one- and two-hour astronomy tours are hosted by a professional astronomer using state-of-the-art telescopes and star charts. The sessions are complimentary to resort guests.

For more information on all of the astronomical destinations that Arizona has to offer, such as Kitt Peak Observatory, Lowell Observatory and Discovery Park, visit www.arizonaguide.com.