ANNA PETTUS
and blow . The result was a pleasant scent , which reminds the locals of how the desert smells after a good rain . Rain is a rarity in Tucson .
Regardless of rainfall , Tucson was the first U . S . city to be designated a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy . It ’ s no surprise that I was full the whole time we were there .
“ For a tour operator specializing in agriculture , Tucson ’ s recognition as a World City of Gastronomy is a huge selling point ,” said Kaitlin Richards of Trump Tours . “ The food is fantastic . It definitely lives up to its title .”
We enjoyed our first meal of the trip at Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails , where my tour operator friends were pleased to learn that the chef offers group cooking classes .
I was pleased to learn that jalapeñoinfused chocolate ice cream exists . And it ’ s delicious .
Next stop : Yuma
Situated on the border of Arizona , California and Mexico , Yuma boasts the title of “ the sunniest place on Earth .” We spent the majority of our time here outdoors , soaking in that famous sunshine , first on a kayak floating down the Gila River and then while walking in between rows and rows of fresh produce .
It wasn ’ t just the sunshine that was warm , though ; the people of Yuma are extremely friendly folk . They ’ re also very passionate , and it was so fun to learn ( and taste ) how agriculturally important Yuma is to the world . During the winter months , the Yuma area
Jalapeño-infused chocolate ice cream
ANNA PETTUS
PDT participants at the University of Arizona Agricultural Center ( l to r ): Stephanie Dilling , Wells Gray Tours ; Dana Bear , Sun Tours ; Michael Mishko , Creative Tours Florida ; Shelley Thiessen , Sun Fun Tours ; Tamara Johnson , Sunshine Travel Company ; Anna Pettus , NTA ; Scott Dunn , Arizona Office of Tourism ; Kaitlin Richards , Trump Tours ; Joseph Moore Jr ., Appleseed Expeditions .
supplies about 90 percent of the leafy vegetables consumed in the U . S .
We learned this and other fun facts on our “ field-to-feast ” tour , which began at the University of Arizona Agricultural Center . Our visit there included time in a field with a Yuma grower , where we learned how a desert is able to be a leading agricultural area . The answer : an irrigation system fed by the Colorado River .
Afterward we were treated to — you guessed it : more food . Locally grown , of course .
Leafy vegetables aren ’ t all Yuma is known for . As mentioned above , I had my very first date fruit here . Actually , I had an entire meal made with them during our “ Date Night ” in Yuma .
As date novices , we learned much about how dates are grown , harvested and eaten . We ate our date dinner outside under the stars while a guitarist strummed peaceful background music to accompany our chatter . It was the best date I ’ ve ever had .
Final stop : Scottsdale
As much fun as we were having in Yuma , hearing that it was time to head to the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale was ( ahem ) music to my ears .
Housing more than 6,000 musical instruments and objects from around the world and throughout history , the MIM is an extremely cultural and colorful place . Instruments are organized geographically , so we walked from country to country with headphones , listening to the music of people from across the globe and in our own backyard .
“ The MIM is a world-class music museum , and I think every one of my school directors would love to take their students there ,” said Tamara Johnson of the Sunshine Travel Company . “ We were there two hours , but I could have stayed the whole day .”
I , too , could have stayed all day , but I was content to leave knowing I had found the piano John Lennon used to compose his hit song “ Imagine .”
We ended our trip in Arizona the perfect way , by boarding the Desert Belle Tour Boat and coasting across Saguaro Lake , drinking in the scenery during our last evening in the desert . Kicked back in the moonlight , we sailed past many cacti and even spotted a bighorn sheep looking down at us from a cliff .
My first trip to Arizona was a cultural , gastronomic and sensory success . That ’ s why it won ’ t be my last .
Anna Pettus is communication and marketing coordinator at NTA . To see more photos , turn to page 73 .
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