2019 Wander the Wild Auction Package Descriptions 1. BIRDING PARADISE Located on migration routes and boasting a lush riparian ecosystem in the desert, Sierra Vista in an internationally recognized birding center. Enjoy your two night stay for two at the newly refurbished Best Western Plus Sierra Vista. Fine dining in a casual atmosphere at the Outside Inn Restaurant will enhance the pleasure of your visit. And take time to head to Kartchner Caverns State Park for the Helmet and Headlights Tour for two, reservations needed. Expires: Hotel, May 31, 2020 Value: $460 Donated by: Best Western Plus Sierra Vista, Outside Inn Restaurant, Arizona State Parks and Trails 2. CRITTERS AND KIDS OF ALL AGES This family fun package includes trips to three favorite Arizona venues. At Bearizona, present your certificate for admission for up to six people in one vehicle; then drive the 160 acre park that includes 3 miles of Ponderosa Pine Forest where you will be able to view North American animals in natural settings. More animals can be viewed at Fort Bearizona, a 20-acre, walk-through facility. For a more exotic adventure, head to Out of Africa for wildlife viewing. Four adult passes and four child passes provide you and your guests with educational and fun experiences. At OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale you will explore a different kind of wildlife, marine life. Four complimentary passes. Expires: Out of Africa, March 25, 2020; Bearizona, September 30, 2020; OdySea August 2020 Value: $428 Donated by: Bearizona, Out of Africa, OdySea Aquarium 3. ARTS, HISTORY & LIFE-LONG LEARNING To increase your knowledge of Prescott, or just for the joy of learning, you have a one-year deluxe membership for one to the OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at Yavapai College where you will get four free learning groups per session with 5 sessions per year. This is an amazing opportunity for 20 exciting classes and many new friendships. And expand your knowledge of the Prescott area, which has been home to humans since pre-historic times, by immersing yourself in the past with tours of area museums: four one-day passes to Sharlot Hall; six one-day passes to Phippen Museum; four one-day passes to Smoki Museum; plus information about the free walking tour of Fort Whipple Historic District. In the spirit of life-long learning, the Board & Brush creative studio will help you choose a wood project, provide all materials, and instruct you step-by-step in creating a gorgeous piece for home or gift. Expires: OLLI and Sharlot Hall, September 2020; Board & Brush, June 10, 2020 Value: $381 Donated by: OLLI, Sharlot Hall, Smoki Museum, Phippen Museum, Board and Brush 4. CREATE NATIVE HABITAT Lesley Alward, Master Gardener, former landscape contractor and garden consultant, will walk you through the process of designing and creating a Habitat Garden attractive to pollinators such as birds, bees and butterflies. Included are: four hours of consultation, a Create-a-Habitat Tool Kit (bird house, water basin, bird bath from The Native Garden), and three complimentary one-gallon plants from the May 2020 Highlands Center Grow Native Plant Sale. Expires: September 22, 2020 Value: $255 Donated by: Lesley Alward, The Native Garden, Highlands Center for Natural History 5. GOLF THE CLUB AT PRESCOTT LAKES The Signature Hale Irwin Golf Course at the Club at Prescott Lakes has inspiring views of the Granite Dells and San Francisco Peaks. After taking a moment to enjoy this natural beauty, turn your attention to the challenging 18-holes laid out before you. One round of golf for four players, the use of two golf carts, and lunch. Golf balls included! 12 Titlest Pro-V1x golf balls and 12 Callaway War3-IRD 2.0 golf balls. Expires: March 31, 2020 Value: $410 Donated by: The Club at Prescott Lakes, Dick’s Sporting Goods 6. PAMPER YOURSELF Pampering is always in style! Start your me-time at A Borgata Spa at the Prescott Resort where Wendy Raver will cut and style your hair. Keep up your stylish look with a gift basket of A Borgata fine hair products. And after a stressful day, soothe your feet with a pedicure by Rhonda Babbit at Body and Sole. A bonus “ahhhhh” stress reduction basket features mouth-watering delectables such as teas and chocolates. Value: $185 Donated by: Wendy Raver, A Borgata Salon and Spa, Rhonda Babbit/Body and Sole 7. FANTASTIC FLAGSTAFF Head to the tall pines and peaks for this get-away adventure. A night for two at the Double Tree by Hilton just off Old Route 66 and near historic downtown Flagstaff is base for your explorations. Lowell Observatory has provided four passes to tour the museum exhibits and special guided tours to choose from: Lowell Observatory's past and present efforts during a 45-minute guided walking tour of the historical campus that includes a stop at the renowned 24" Clark Refracting Telescope built in 1896 and still in use today; or join the 45-minute guided walking tour and learn about the Pluto Discovery Telescope; or join the Lunar Legacy Tour (Monday-Saturday only) to learn about Lowell's role in the mapping of the moon in preparation for the first Apollo mission (starts at Visitor Center Giclas Hall). Finally, visit the Riordan Mansion State Park for a personally guided tour for two with information on the Riordan Family, Flagstaff history, architecture and furniture. Expires: Hotel, September 22, 2020 Value: $253 Donated by: Double Tree by Hilton, Lowell Observatory, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park 8. BACK COUNTRY HIKING IN VERDE VALLEY The Verde River Basin is home to a variety of interesting and challenging hikes. Your guide Chris Wuehrmann has over 40 years of leading educational trips in northern and central Arizona for Yavapai College and private parties. His expertise in geology, history and archeology will enrich your moderately difficult four-to-five mile hike for four. Transportation and lunches included. You select from one of three hikes: 1) Verde River Headwaters: Moderately difficult hike traverses the area of the Verde River headwaters springs and confluence with Granite Creek; 2) Hell Point: Explore the confluence of the Verde River with Hell Canyon and Bear Canyon. Visit a small prehistoric solstice observatory petroglyph site and a 19th century homestead site in lower Bear Canyon; 3) Duff Springs: Follow an historic wagon road into the Verde River Canyon near Verde Ranch. See small prehistoric cliff dwellings and Native American sites and the historic 19th century Duff Homestead. All are best done October - April. Expires: September 23, 2020 Value: $400 Donated by: Chris Wuehrmann 9. WINE WAGON A Wander the Wild tradition, the wine “wagon” is a useful collapsible utility wagon which the Highlands Center’s Board of Directors and Wander the Wild Committee will fill with a selection of fine wines from red to white to bubbly! A hand-made cork wreath adorns the wagon with evidence of past enjoyment of wine and two beautiful hand-turned wood wine stoppers top off this package. Value: $1000 Donated by: Sylvia and Tom Brown, Highlands Center of Natural History Board of Directors, Wander the Wild Committee, Canyon Woodworking 10. GLORIOUS SOUTHWEST GARDENS Four amazing botanic gardens welcome you. Enjoy your private VIP tour of the San Diego Botanic Garden by Ari Novy, President & CEO of SDBG and former Director of the National Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. (if unavailable because of scheduling, other staff will conduct tour). Lunch is included. Closer to home, visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum, the largest and oldest botanical garden in Arizona with a looping 1.5 mile trail leading guests through a variety of exhibits. Located in a riparian area, the Audubon Society has designated this arboretum as an Important Bird Area. Free day pass for four people. The Arboretum at Flagstaff specializes in plants of the Colorado Plateau with over 750 species on 200 acres. Day passes for four adults. Finally, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is a desert conservation pioneer, offering plants, world-class exhibitions, and classes. On the trails, discover over 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes. Expires: San Diego, June 15, 2020; Arboretum at Flagstaff, April 25, 2020; Desert Botanical Garden, December 31, 2020 Value: $450 Donated by: The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, San Diego Botanic Garden, Desert Botanical Garden 11. BUSTLING BISBEE Bisbee is the Old West, a town with a history of mining, beer halls and brothels. Celebrate that past with two passes to the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum. Bisbee is now an artists' enclave and recognized tourist destination with galleries and boutiques lining its once infamous streets. Enjoy your one night stay at the Copper City Inn in the Jane Colter or Louie de Bisbee room. (Sunday through Thursday only, no holidays). And dine at Café Roka, one of the best restaurants in Arizona which features locally sourced ingredients and unique flavor combinations. After strolling through town wet your whistle at the Old Bisbee Brewery. As an added perk, head over to Kartchner Caverns for the Helmet and Headlamp Tour for two, reservations required. Expires: Copper City Inn, January 30, 2020 Value: $351 Donated by: Copper City Inn, Café Roka, Old Bisbee Brewery, Arizona State Parks and Trails 12. BIRDING WITH ERIC MOORE With the great variety of birds in our area, it takes keen eyes and ears to find and identify them. Local birding expert Eric Moore, owner of Jay's Bird Barn, will lead an enjoyable and educational half-day walk/hike for three at various rich birding spots in our Quad Cities area.