>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS ON ARIZONA HORIZON - LAGGING VACCINATION RATES AND CONCERNS OVER THE DELTA VARIANT OF THE CORONA VIRUS.

ON CRONKITE NEWS - THE PHOENIX SUNS CREDIT THEIR FANS WITH PROVIDING ENERGY AND SUPPORT IN THE POST-SEASON.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN - WHY PEOPLE ARE SO FASCINATED BY RECENT NEWS OF UFO SIGHTINGS.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

ALL STATE-OWNED AND MANAGED LANDS AND MOST NATIONAL FORESTS IN ARIZONA REMAIN CLOSED DUE TO FIRE DANGER.

THERE'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF PINE AND STRAWBERRY.

RESIDENTS THERE WERE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES THIS WEEKEND, AS THE BACKBONE FIRE IS EXPECTED TO BE MODERATED BY COOLER AND WETTER CONDITIONS.

THAT FIRE IS NOW 43 PERCENT CONTAINED.

AND THE RAFAEL FIRE, WEST OF SEDONA ALONG THE YAVAPAI AND COCONINO COUNTY LINES, HAS SEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT HELPED BY INCREASED CLOUD COVER AND LIGHTER WINDS.

THAT FIRE IS NOW 48 PERCENT CONTAINED.

IT'S BURNED 77,000 ACRES.

THE STATE SENATE'S RECOUNT OF MARICOPA COUNTY VOTES IS IN ITS FINAL DAYS AT VETERAN'S MEMORIAL COLISEUM.

THE LEASE AT THE COLISEUM RUNS OUT WEDNESDAY.

THERE ARE REPORTS THAT THOSE BEHIND THE RECOUNT COULD HAVE SOME KIND OF "PRELIMINARY" ACCOUNTING OF WHAT THEY'VE FOUND AS EARLY AS THIS WEEK.

THE RECOUNT CONTINUES TO BE A CURIOSITY AT BEST FOR MANY AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IT CERTAINLY CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT AL GORE, WHO HAD THIS TO SAY ON CNN.

>> BUT WE KEEP GETTING THIS NONSENSE LIKE THIS FOOLISH EXERCISE TO BRING IN SOME CYBER NINJA GROUP IN ARIZONA TO LOOK FOR BAMBOO IN THE BALLOT.

IT'S NUTS U WE HEAR ABOUT AI STANDING FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, THEY ARE PUTTING ANOTHER AI OUT.

WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULE OF REASON, AND HONOR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THEY SPOKE LOUDLY AND CLEARLY.

>> ALSO OF NOTE: THE CEO OF CYBERNINJAS, THE CONTRACTOR IN CHARGE OF THE RECOUNT, APPEARS IN A NEW MOVIE THAT WAS RELEASED OVER THE WEEKEND, A MOVIE THAT CLAIMS THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

AGAIN, THIS IS THE C-E-O OF THE COMPANY IN CHARGE OF THE RECOUNT.

THE SENATE TODAY SENT 9-OF-11 BUDGET BILLS TO GOVERNOR DUCEY FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

A BILL SENT OVER FROM THE HOUSE, THAT INVOLVES CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ANOTHER THAT WOULD MANDATE CIVICS CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS ARE BOTH OUTSTANDING AND WILL REMAIN AS SUCH UNTIL AT LEAST TOMORROW WHEN THE SENATE RETURNS TO BUSINESS.

THE BUDGET NEEDS TO BE FINALIZED BEFORE WEDNESDAY AND THE START OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TODAY UPHELD AN APPEALS COURT RULING IN FAVOR OF A TRANSGENDER STUDENT WHO FILED SUIT TO USE A SCHOOL BATHROOM THAT CORRESPONDS TO HIS GENDER IDENTITY.

THE CASE WAS BROUGHT BY A TRANSGENDER MALE WHO CHALLENGED HIS SCHOOL'S REQUIREMENT THAT HE USE EITHER A UNISEX BATHROOM OR ONE CORRESPONDING TO HIS SEX AT BIRTH.

THE CASE FOCUSED ON TITLE-9, WHICH PROHIBITS SCHOOLS FROM DISCRIMINATING ON THE BASES OF SEX.

ALSO TODAY, THE SUPREME COURT ALLOWED A TORTURE LAWSUIT FILED BY FORMER DETAINEES AT ABU GHRAIB TO MOVE FORWARD.

A LOWER COURT HAD RULED THAT THE LAWSUIT AGAINST A PRIVATE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR COULD CONTINUE.

THE CONTRACTOR APPEALED THAT DECISION TO THE SUPREME COURT, BUT TODAY THE HIGH COURT DECLINED TO HEAR THE CASE, WHICH MEANS THAT THE FORMER DETAINEES CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE LOWER COURTS.

AND THIS WAS DAY-5 OF AROUND-THE-CLOCK RESCUE EFFORTS AMID THE RUBBLE OF A COLLAPSED 12-STORY CONDOMINIUM IN SOUTH .

>>.

>> THE PAIN IN THE FACE, THE EXPRESSIONS, IT'S NOT LIKE ANYTHING I HAVE SEEN BEFORE, IT'S DIFFICULT TO KNOW THAT YOUR LOVED ONE COULD BE ALIVE.

AND HAVE THE HOPE.

AND AT THE SAME TIME SIT THERE AND WAIT FOR THAT INFORMATION TO GET TO YOU.

IT'S GOT BE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS THAT ANYONE COULD ENDURE.

>> OFFICIALS SAY THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES IN THIS SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT IS THE LARGEST EVER SEEN IN FLORIDA OUTSIDE OF MAJOR HURRICANES.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SET A GOAL OF GETTING 70% OF ALL ADULTS IN THE COUNTRY INNOCULATED WITH AT LEAST 1-DOSE OF A COVID-VACCINE BY JULY 4TH.

BUT THE COUNTRY IS UNLIKELY TO REACH THAT GOAL AND STATES LIKE ARIZONA CONTINUE TO LAG NATIONAL AVERAGES.

WE TALKED ABOUT ALL THIS WITH FORMER STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR WILL HUMBLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION.

WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON, GOOD TO SPEAK TO YOU, BECAUSE WE GET GOOD INFORMATION FROM YOU.

I WANT INFORMATION ON THE DELTA VARIANT.

WE ARE SEEING IT SPREAD ALL OVER THE WORLD.

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

>> THERE'S TWO REASONS TO BE CONCERNED.

ONE GLOBALLY, ONE LOCALLY.

HERE IN ARIZONA, THERE IS NEED TO BE CONCERN.

THE DELTA VARIANT IS MORE TRANSMISSIBLE, SPREADING EASIER THAN THE ALPHA VARIANT.

IT SPREADS QUICKLY, AND IT SPREADS AMONG UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

SO THAT'S A HOOK - WE HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THEIR 20S AND 30S THAT ARE UNVACCINATED.

NO ONE UNDER 12 IS VACCINATED.

WE HAVE THAT COHORT.

AND THEN JUST GENERALLY THE UPTAKE HAS BEEN REALLY DISAPPOINTING.

WHEREABOUTS 43RD IN THE US AND VACCINES PER CAPITA.

WE HAVE STRUGGLED TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED AND BECAUSE DELTA SPREAD SO EASILY, IT MEANS WE ARE RIPE FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSPOSITION.

I DON'T WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE THAT WE SEE A HOSPITAL CRISIS LIKE DEES, JANUARY, FEBRUARY.

I DON'T THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN, WE ARE DEFINITELY, I THINK, RIPE FOR AN INCREASE IN CASES IN THE COMING WEEKS BECAUSE OF VACCINATION RATES AND DELTA IS MORE TRANSMISSIBLE AND IS DISPLACING ALPHA IN ARIZONA.

>> HOW MANY OF THE CASES WILL BE BREAK THROUGH.

THOSE OF US VACCINATED LIKE THE TIME TO GO OUT WITHOUT MASKS.

IS IT TIME TO MASK UP EVEN IF YOU ARE VACCINATED.

>> YES, IF YOU ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S UP TO YOU, I DON'T SEE A REASON FOR IT T THE BREAKTHROUGH CASES ARE ABOUT LIKE WHAT WE SAW IN THE CRIMINAL TRIALS, 5%, WHEN YOU SAY, WHEN YOU HEARD THE VACCINES ARE 95% EFFECTIVE.

WHAT THAT MEANT AS THE FIRST FIVE BREAK THROUGH RATE.

THAT'S WHAT WE SEE IN THE TRIAL.

VACCINE ROLL OUT IS A LIFE TRIAL ON IT, AND WE ARE FINDING THE SAME THING AS THE CLINICAL TRIAL, THAT'S A 5% BREAK THROUGH.

THE PEOPLE THAT DO GET BREAKTHROUGH CASES, IN OTHER WORDS GET THE DISEASE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED HAVE A MILD COURSE OF ILLNESS, AND A LOT OF TIMES DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE THE ILLNESS.

>> IS THERE A PATTERN.

LET'S STICK WITH THE UNVACCINATED FOLKS, IS THERE A PATTERN, A DEMOGRAPH IRK, SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED THAT SAYS THE DELTA VARIANT IS DIFFERENT TO THE ALPHA.

>> THAT IT SPREADS EASIER.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE FACT THAT AMERICA IN GENERAL.

ARIZONA IN PARTICULAR, NOT VACCINATING.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO THE JULY 4TH.

70% ARE WE.

>> NOT OUR STATE.

>> MANY STATES MAY HAVE MADE IT A LONG TIME AGO.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT IN ARIZONA BY 4 JULY.

HONESTLY.

WE MIGHT NEVER MAKE 70%.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

IF YOU ADD UP ALL THE VACCINATION SITES, ALL THE PHARMACIES, WE ARE ABOUT 15-18,000 A DAY.

THAT'S GROSSLY INEFFICIENT THIS YEAR EVEN.

>> WHY IS IT HAPPENING.

>> EARLIER ON LACK OF ACCESS, IN ACCESSIBILITY, VACCINATION SITES WERE NOT IN THE LOW INCOME AREAS, NOW PEOPLE HAVE LOST WERE IN IT.

THAT'S BASICALLY IT.

IT'S NOT COMPULSORY, NOT REQUIRED.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET THE VACCINE.

IT'S A GREAT IDEA, WE HOPE EVERYONE DOES, THERE'S ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT ARE SHRUGGING THEIR SHOULDERS THINKING IT'S NOT A PRIORITY JOY, A LOT IN THE 20S, AND 30, AND RESISTANT PEOPLE AS WE SAW IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS, THERE WAS A COUNTRY WESTERN DANCE WHERE A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE WERE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS, THEY ARE ALL MY AGE, AND NEVER GOT VACCINATED.

SO THERE HAS BEEN AN OUTBREAK UP THERE.

PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR OWN CHOICES, AND IF THEY CHOOSE NOT GET VACCINATED.

THEY ARE PUTTING THEM AND FAMILY AT RISK.

HOW DOES IT PLAY INTO BOOSTER SHOT.

TIME TO GET A BOOSTER.

AND CONSIDERING THE SPREAD NOW OF THIS DELTA.

GIVE ME THE FORMULA HERE FOR BOOSTER SHOTS.

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW.

BOTH THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINE COMPANIES ARE WORKING ON BOOSTERS, AND THE MRNA TECHNOLOGY LENDS ITSELF TO QUICK BOOSTER SHOTS.

YOU CAN ADJUST THE BASE PAIRINGS OF THE MESSENGER RNA AND CREATE A NEW VACCINE, THEY ARE DOING THAT NOW, AND IN SOME CLINICAL TRIALS.

I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE BOOST ARE SHOTS UNTIL 2022.

THE BIG THING NOW IS NOT BOOSTERS, BUT JUST GETTING PEOPLE TO GET THE VACCINE, WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT YET.

I DON'T THINK WE'LL MAKE 70%.

THERE'S A CONCERN REGARDING WHAT WENT ON AT THE CAPITAL.

TALK ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET AND FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS, THEY ARE THERE, AREN'T THEY.

>> YES, WELL THERE'S THREE THINGS I'M CONCERNED ABOUT.

NO.1, YOU REMEMBER THAT GOVERNOR DUCEY AND CHRIS USE THEIR AUTHORITY TO MICROMANAGE THE UNIVERSITIES, TELLING THEM THEY CAN'T TREAT VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED DIFFERENTLY.

THAT'S AN EMERGENCY AUTHORITY TRANSLATED INTO LAW, THERE'S ANOTHER BUDGET BILL THAT PERMANENTLY TAKES THE AUTHORITY AWAY FROM MITIGATION AWAY FROM CITIES AND COUNTIES, WE TALKED BESIDE THAT IN EARLIER WEEKS, WORST OF ALL.

THERE'S A BUDGET BILL IN THERE THAT SAYS THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, K12 SCHOOL DISTRICT CANNOT REQUIRE VACCINES THIS QUEER.

FALL.

EVEN K 5 WILL NOT HAVE THE BENEFIT OF A GOVERNING BOARD CONSIDERING A MASK REQUIREMENT.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE DELTA VARIANT BECOMING DOMINANT.

AND WE ARE SITTING IN THE USA.

A LOT OF KIDS INFECTED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET VACCINATED YET WE HAVE THE LEGISLATURE SAYING YOU CANNOT HAVE A MASK MANDATE.

AND IF FOR ALL THE GREATS, INCLUDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

WHICH I THINK IS IRRESPONSIBLE.

THERE HAS BEEN NO RESISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNOR ON THAT.

I EXPECT IT TO GO THROUGH.

BY WEDNESDAY, THAT WILL BE IN STATE LAW.

>> FORMER DATE HEALTH DIRECTOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANKS.

>> NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, THE 2021 ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPOKES ARE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST THE STATE BUDGET EDUCATION FUNDING.

>> EDUCATION FUNDING IS AMONG THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ASPECTS OF THE STATE BUDGET THAT'S MOVING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

EARLIER TODAY, WE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET WITH SARA WYFELLS, THE 2021 ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING TO US.

GOOD TO SPEAK TO YOU ON EDUCATION ISSUES.

LOTS IN THE TOPICS, YOU HAVE IDEAS WHAT YOU SEE AND HEARD COMING OUT OF THE CAPITAL.

TAKE TO US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, IT'S FUN TO BE INVITED BACK TO SPEAK TO YOU.

I FEEL A LITTLE EXASPERATED.

I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE, SEEING WHAT IS GOING ON, YOU KNOW, IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.

AND I THINK WHAT I'VE BEEN FEELING IS THIS STREAM POLITICIZATION OF MY PROFESSION, AND I FEEL PROTECTIVE OVER IT.

SINCE DURING THE PANDEMIC, THERE'S A SPOTLIGHT SHINING ON THE SCHOOLS, AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO OUR CHILDREN.

IT FELT THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF ART INFRASTRUCTURE AS STATE AND COMMUNITY AND NOW TO SEE THE BUDGET AGAIN, IT FEELS VERY SAD TO MOW, AND I'M FRUSTRATED AS AN EDUCATOR.

THE BUDGET CALLS FOR A MASSIVE ACROSS THE BOARD TAX CUT.

IT'S BASICALLY PASSED.

WAITING FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN.

THIS IS SEEN AS A RETALIATORY MOVE TO PROTECT THOSE, THAT TARGETED WEALTHY ARIZONANS.

IT HELPS (A) EVERYONE, BUT DOESN'T NECESSARILY TAKE PROP 280 MONEY AWAY.

THAT WILL BE GOING TO EDUCATION.

DO THEY HAVE A POINT.

>> I MEAN, I HAVE POTENTIALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBERS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME TO SEE HOW THAT IS JUSTIFIED.

WHICH I HAVE NOT SEEN NECESSARILY.

THE THING THAT IS MISSING.

I MOVED TO ARIZONA 15 YEARS AGO.

THAT'S WHEN THE RECESSION HAD BEGUN, AND THE FLASHING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS WAS BEGINNING.

I CAN'T GET A RAISE CAR YEARS I SAW THE PROGRESSIVE CUT YEAR AFTER YEAR FROM MY BUDGET.

MY QUESTION IS YOU PROMISED IT WOULD BE RESTORED.

WHERE IS THE RESTORATION OF THAT TACTIC.

I FEEL IT'S A DISTRACTION.

>> HOW DOES THE BUDGET DISTRESS THINGS LIKE CLASS SIZES, THAT IS MISSING FOR ME.

I WOULD LIKE TO COME AT IT FROM THIS ANGLE.

I'M A TEACHER, AND MY JOB IS TO TEACH THE HUMANS IN MY CLASSROOM, FOR THAT TO HAPPEN I NEED TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP AND GETS TO KNOW THEM.

I CAN'T DO THAT IF I HAVE 35 OPPORTUNITIES IN ONE YOU HAVE MY FIVE CLASSES THAT I HAVE FOR 50 MINUTES IN A DAY.

SO JUST THAT LOGISTICAL PIECE IS A REAL IMPACT.

AND IN MY DAY AND THE DAY OF THE STUDENTS.

LOWERING CLASS SIZE, IT FEELS LIKE IT'S SOMETHING ON A LIST, IT'S MORE INVOLVED IN THAT.

IT'S THE LAYERS OF HUMANITY CONNECTING WITH LOWERING THE CLASS SIZE, AND HOW MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WE CAN BE AS TEACHERS WHEN WE HAVE LOWER CLASS SIZES, I HAVE NOT SEEN A DIRECT CONNECTION TO THAT PIECE.

AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I FEEL SO SADDENED BY THE LACK OF COLLABORATION I HAVE SEEN, WHERE MANY OF US, WE ARE SO BUSY IN OUR DAY TO DAY JOBS, WE'D LOVE A LAW-MAKER TO CALL US UP AND ASK WHAT DO YOU SEE AFFECTING YOUR CLASSROOM.

HOW CAN BE HELP YOU DO YOUR JOB BETTER, AND THE SIMPLE PIECE OF A BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATION, I THINK WOULD MAKE A BIG IMPACT.

>> LAST QUESTION THEN, IF A LAW-MAKER WERE TO CALL YOU RIGHT NOW.

OR THE GOVERNOR, AND ASK THOSE QUESTIONS TO YOU.

LAST QUESTION HERE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> I WOULD SAY WHAT I MENTIONED TO YOU ABOUT THE CLASS SIZE, AND I WOULD COME AT IT IN MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THAT I'M TRYING TO TEACH THE HUMANS FIRST TO BE WELL CONNECTED GLOBAL CITIZENS WHO WILL SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND I THINK WITH MORE INVESTMENT IN THAT, TO REDUCE CLASS SIZES, AND COMBAT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE, WHICH IS ANOTHER VERY BIG ISSUE THAT WE ARE GOING TO FACE MOVING FORWARD WHICH WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH.

FOR INSTANCE, IF I NEED A SUBSTITUTE.

I'M NOT ALWAYS GUARANTEED TO GET A SUBSTITUTE.

AND MY COLLEAGUE WHO HAS A PREP PERIOD.

THEY HAVE TO GIVE IT UP TO COVER MY CLASS.

AND IT JUST FEELS SO WRONG, AND I FEEL LIKE IT IS NEGLECTFUL OF US AS PROFESSIONALS.

AND AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THEM IN TO SEE THE DAY TO DAY PIECE, AND HOW, IF ALL LITTLE THINGS ARE BLED IN THROUGH AND WOVEN INTO THE DAY, IT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF LACK OF FUNDING.

>> ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, SARA, IT'S A PLEASURE, THANK YOU, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TED.

>> JULY 4TH WEEKEND IS COMING UP.

MOST ARIZONA FEDERAL LANDS ARE CLOSED DUE TO FIRE DANGER, MOST STATE PARKS ARE OPEN.

WE ASK AUTHOR AND TRAVEL EXPERT ROGER NAYLOR ON HIS RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO TO BEAT THE HEAT.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO SPEAK TO US ABOUT THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND AND THE FACT YOU HAVE NATIONAL FORESTS CLOSED.

STATE LAND CLOSED - WHERE DO YOU GO FOR JULY 4TH.

WHERE DO YOU GO?

>> YOU HAVE TO PICK YOUR SPOTS.

THERE ARE A FEW PLACES TABLE THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER.

WALL OF PINE MOUNTAIN PARK.

OUTSIDE OF KINGMAN.

THEY HAVE CABINS, CAMPING, NICE HIKING TRAILS.

NOW, IT MAY BE FILLED UP FOR JULY 4TH.

IT WILL BE A 30 MINUTE DRIVE UP IN THE MOUNTAIN, ENJOY IT DURING THE DAY, GET UP AND DO HIKING, RELAX AND ENJOY THE COOLER TEMPERATURES, IT'S 6300 TO 8400 FEET ELEVATION.

>> MOST STATE PARKS ARE STILL OPEN.

LYMAN LAKES STATE PARK NEAR SPRINGERVILLE IS STILL OPEN, THEY HAVE GOT GREAT CAMP SITES AROUND THE LAKE, AND SOME AIR CONDITIONED CABINS, DEPENDING ON THEIR AVAILABILITY.

SO YOU CAN PICK THEIR SPOTS LIKE THAT.

HAMALLABY IS A STATE PARK WITH CAMPING NORTH OF WINSLOW.

THEY USE IT AS A BASE CAMP.

THEY HAVE PETRIFIED FOREST.

ROCK-ART RANCH, A TERRIFIC PLACE BETWEEN WINSLOW AND HOLBROOK.

IT'S A PRIVATE RANCH, NATIVE AMERICAN PLEBLOS, GREAT LITERARY LESSON, THEY DO THE TOURS AT 9:00a.m..

THEY HAVE A FEW DAY TRIPS AROUND THERE.

YOU CAN FIND PLACES, IF YOU ARE WILLING TO LOOK.

SO YOU CAN STILL BIRD WATCH AND GO TO THE LAKES AND SHE IS SORTS OF THINGS.

>> YES.

>> AND A GREAT JULY 4TH WEEKEND IS PRESCOTT.

THIS IS THE FINAL DAYS OF THE WORLD'S OLDEST RODEO, ENDING ON JULY 4TH.

THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF DAYS TO WRAP IT UP.

THERE'S THIS IS A SUPER BOWL FOR THE BOW-LEGGED.

THEY HAVE THE PARADE ON THE SATURDAY.

THEY HAVE THE BIG ARTS FESTIVAL SPREAD OUT ALL WEEKEND LONG ON COURTHOUSE PLAZA, MUSIC, FOOD AND ON JULY 4TH.

THEY DO A LITTLE PARTY AT WATSON LAKE PARK WHERE THEY SHOOT OFF THE FIREWORKS.

YOU CAN STILL GO HIKING THERE.

WATSON HIKE, WILLOW LAKE, RENT KAYAKS.

BE OUT ON THE WATER.

RENT AN ELECTRIC BIKE, TOOL AROUND TOWN.

YOU CAN COOL OFF.

AND GET OUT AND DO THINGS, YOU CAN ALWAYS END UP ON WHISKY ROAD.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE TRAFFIC IN PRESCOTT VALLEY.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

>> THAT WILL BE THE ISSUE.

IN IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THAT.

CONSIDER GOING SOUTH.

HEAD TO ORACLE.

NOT TOO FAR SOUTH.

IN THE NORTH OF TUSCON THERE IN THE SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS.

TOUR THE BIOS FEAR.

GET INSIDE AND SEE A MANGROVE SWAMP.

OCEAN AND RAINFOREST.

TELL ME THAT DOESN'T SOUND GOOD.

AND HAVE YOU ORACLE STATE PARK.

TOUR THE RANCH HOUSE, DO A LITTLE HIKING, AND THERE'S THE ARIZONA ZIPLINE ADVENTURES THAT HAVE FIVE ZIP LINES.

1500 FEET.

SOME OF THEM CAN TURN THE KIDS LOOSE AND LET THEM GO WILD ON THE ZIP LINES, SO MOM AND DAD ENJOY BURGERS AND BEER.

IT'S NOT GOING TO COOL YOU OFF TOO MUCH.

EVEN THOUGH THE ELEVATION IS AROUND 4,000 FEET.

IT JUST GETS YOU OUT AND ABOUT AND AWAY FROM SOME TRAFFIC.

>> THE LAST QUESTION - OVER THE YEARS, HAS ARIZONA ATTRACTIONS - ARE THERE MORE OF THEM.

ARE THEY A LITTLE MORE VARIED.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK - I DO THING THEY ARE A LITTLE MORE VARIED.

MORE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING.

THEY DIVERSIFY, INTERESTS EXPAND.

AND NOW YOU FIND LITTLE TOURS AND OUTINGS FOR JUST ABOUT ANY TYPE.

IF YOU ARE INTO NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY, YOU CAN TAKE THE TOURS FOR THAT.

IF YOU ARE INTO THE OLD WEST.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF THAT.

ON AND ON.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO.

IF YOU WANT TO GO OUT HIKING, BIRD-WATCHING, BIKING.

YOU CAN FIND YOUR WAY.

GREAT WAY TO SPEND YOUR WEEKEND.

JULY 4TH IS A HOTDOG EATING CONTEST.

GO OUT AND STOP AND EAT HOT DOGS, EMAIL ME, I'LL TELL YOU WHERE THEY ARE AROUND THE STATE AND SEND THEM ON THEIR WAY.

>> YOU WOULD KNOW ABOUT IT.

TRAVEL EXPERT, AUTHOR, MEMBER OF WONDERFUL BOOKS.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO GET OUT AND AWAY FROM THE HEAT.

THANK YOU, SIR.

>> YOU BET.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW, I'M TED SIMONS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.