view from Point Sublime atop the Grand Canyon's North Rim

WELCOME TO ARIZONA!

9th edition You have reached the online version of Moon Handbooks: Arizona—the most comprehensive guidebook to the state! This website, and the printed guidebook from which it comes, cover Arizona's sights, recreation, and practicalities based on 20 years of research and travel. For each edition I drive some 10,000 miles around Arizona to discover what's new and to verify the old. The well-organized information—both here and in the printed book—will enable you to plan the best possible trip.

Discover Arizona suggests some travel strategies and provides background to the land and people of Arizona. Travel chapters begin with Phoenix and South-Central Arizona in the heart of the state and work their way around to Eastern Arizona. You can also drop into the Photo Gallery, check out the latest Updates, and browse the Arizona Booklist. For travel stories of my adventures trekking and cycling around the world, head over to Bill's Exotic Travels. To see a list of useful Arizona links and those of friends and fellow authors, swing by Favorite Websites. My Dad, Gordon W. Weir, has written a fine memoir on his flying experiences, Navigating Through World War II.

If you're headed only for the Grand Canyon area in the north, my Moon Handbooks: Grand Canyon may be just what you are looking for. Much of this book's introduction, sights, hiking, and river running are also here on this website, as well as in Moon Handbooks: Arizona. I've also included some photos and excerpts from Moon Handbooks: Utah, a worthy book and destination as well, in the Photo Gallery. Finally, if you're seeking Arizona's highlights illustrated with beautiful color photography, pick up a copy of National Geographic Traveler Arizona.

Happy Travels
—Bill Weir

p.s. Photo at top of page is the view from Point Sublime on the Grand Canyon's North Rim.

The End of the Road with Avalon Travel Publishing

Since 1984 I have been writing travel guidebooks in the Moon Handbook series, but alas for the 10th edition I've been replaced by someone who is willing to work for a much lower royalty rate. The next editions of Arizona and Grand Canyon will probably be smaller as well, making them more profitable to the publisher but less informative for the reader. All is not lost, however, the text of the 9th edition will continue to be available here at this website! The printed book will continue to be available as well at Amazon.com and some bookstores.

Bill's Most Recent Grand Adventure

For 2010-2011, I saddled up ol' "Bessie Too the Bicycle" for another big ride in Asia. First we rode from northeastern Thailand across Laos and Vietnam to China via eastern Tibet, a 7,600-kilometer ride. Next came a 3,400-kilometer loop in western India, primarily in Gujarat State. Story and photos are at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/AsianJourney.

Bill's Newest Grand Adventure

On November 22nd 2011 I headed back to Asia, though not this time with "Bessie Too the Bicycle," who will be confined to a storage unit. Flights on Cathay Pacific took me from San Francisco to Chennai in the south of India, where I'm traveling overland north to New Delhi, then east to Kolkata. I'll be taking in lots of Indian culture (and cuisine) over the course of about three months. A short flight will bring me to Bangkok for a spell of about two months of travel and meditation in Thailand. Story and photos begin at www.arizonahandbook.com/indian_ramble.htm

In April 2012 I return to the USA for a planned bicycle ride in California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada; maybe other states too. Who knows where the two wheels will take me?

WELCOME TO ARIZONA!

SPECIAL FOUR-PART FEATURE!