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| Monument Valley |
We lived in Arizona for twenty-four years and loved the state, but grandchildren are a strong pull, so seven years ago we moved to Omaha, Nebraska.
Arizona has only two seasons; winter and Hell. Like pre-air-conditioning pioneers, we spent much of our summers atop the Mogollon Rim in a
rustic cabin nestled in the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world. A
ninety minute drive along the stunning Beeline Highway and we could shed at
least twenty degrees. Bliss … until we took a vacation in San Diego. Soon, we
swapped our cabin for a condo above a surf spot called Old Man’s. Perfect.
After our move to Omaha, we converted our summer retreat to
a winter escape. We also acquired a new nickname. In Arizona we call winter
visitors snowbirds. Californians somewhat disparagingly refers to Arizonians as
Zonies. Having grown up in Hermosa Beach, I understood. In high school, I had a
tee-shirt that said: “There’s no life east of Pacific Coast Highway.”
Our primary residence is still in Omaha, but after fifteen
years in San Diego, we’ve returned to the Grand Canyon state to escape Inclement
weather. Despite rusty surfing skills, we had a fabulous time at the beach and
in the water. Unfortunately, politicians have turned the Golden State into a
tarnished silhouette of its former splendor.
We forgot how much we loved Arizona until we returned. We’re
reconnecting with old friends, cool haunts, and outstanding eateries. It’s been
a little over a month and we still have not made a day trip to some of the
state’s grand adventures. Many believe Arizona is nothing but desert, weird plants, and nasty creatures. (If it doesn’t bite and it’s not poisonous, then
it’s not native.) Not true. As the nation’s sixth largest city, Phoenix is
cosmopolitan with all the amenities one would expect. Other than Tucson,
the rest of the state is, well, kinda empty. But not all deserts. The state
boasts 1.8 million acres of pine forest and the desert part is beautiful enough
that Arizona Highways never had any trouble filling their four-color magazine
with tourist-baiting photographs.
All in all, we’re happy with our decision … and I can’t wait to take an
excursion down to Tombstone.