I am not certain why I have been sitting on this post for so long. I think I started writing it as soon as I returned from vacation last September. I thought it would be nice to share some of the things I think are cool about the place we live. I adore the desert. Even when it is as hot as blue blazes…I still love it. I actually am one of the nutty people who like the hot weather. I get a little frustrated when people who live here start complaining about how hot it is…as if they are shocked. Um…we live IN THE DESERT…it’s going to get hot.
All that to say – here are my Sunday Seven of a few things I like about Tucson, Arizona.
Eegees – Having grown up here, I remember when Eegees only had a few stores. The smell of a grinder can take me right back for being a child. Back in the day there wa only the lemon Eegee for a drink. When you are a citizen of Tucson and guests come from out of town – you take them here to enjoy a local treat. It is not your typical sandwich shop and frozen drink place…it is out of this world. Each month they have a flavor of the month Eegee – and this month has been Red Licorice. I will say that I was very leery of this flavor. It just sounds wrong. However, I will always try the FOM…and I’m so glad I did – it is delicious!
Dry Rivers – Out of Towners drive in and one of the first things they say after they have settled is, “We crossed a bridge over the Rillito (always pronounced incorrectly!) River, but there was no water in it. Why?” Well, most of the ‘rivers’ in Tucson are dry…until monsoon season hits in the summer. And then, in an instant, they become raging torrents of water. It is an amazing this o be on the edge of a dry river bed/wash one minute, and the next see that large tres are being swept away. When you see one of our signs that says “Do no enter when flooded” that’s not a joke…just a little ‘trickle’ can turn deadly in nano-seconds. We even have a Stupid Motorist Law because so many people drive around barricades as they think that there is only a little bit of water in the little creek. Not true.
Sunsets – Nothing compares to a Tucson sunset. There is just something about the way it hits the mountains. We have the best…especially during the summer months when the monsoon clouds roll in and storm, and then they move out, leaving just a few behind for some amazing masterpieces to be hanging in the sky.
The Catalinas – The Catalina Mountains are how our parents taught us the direction of the city. Since most streets in Tucson run North/South or East/West, it was easy to say the Catalinas (the tallest mountains around the city) are North, he Rincon Mountains to the East and the Tucson Mountains the to West. But those Catalinas…that was North. Know that piece of information and it was pretty easy to have a good sense of direction. Aside from navigation, they are just beautiful. Of note, Mt. Lemmon, at the top of the Catalina Mountains, is the Southernmost ski slope in the contiguous United States. It’s pretty cool up there – snow or no snow!
Flip Flops – Ok, I’m going to guess that I am going to share the shoe wardrobe of 90% of the women in Tucson…flip flops. Of all shapes and colors and styles. I may have many other shoes in my closet…but the 30+ pairs of flip flops in my flip flop bucket are what are on my feet most day of the year. They are just wonderful…not that any podiatrist would agree with me. I think we probably have more foot issues because we wear these adorable sandals – with no support! However, when the weather sits above 70 degrees most days, who wants to put those tootsies in closed shoes!?
Old Main on the campus of University of Arizona
University Of Arizona – Bear Down Cats! We love our University here. The rival between our Wildcats and the so-call school to the North of us (ASU or AS WHO?) is classic and legendary. On an academic level – it’s great to be in a city with a school that is on the cutting edge of education, discoveries and science.
Rocky Point, Mexico
Proximity to Skiing, Lakes, Beach – Location, Location, Location! Isn’t that what they say is the key to property? But seriously, we are an hour from skiing on Mt. Lemmon (3-5 hours to much larger slopes in Northern Arizona); less than an hour from several lakes to go boating or fishing; 3 hours from the beach in Mexico and 8 to the beach in San Diego. It is great to be so close to so many different outdoor activity places.
I’m seriously no joking when I say I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Tucson is not my hometown, but it has become the town of my home. It is a big city with a very small town feel. The level of connection is crazy – 6 Degrees of Separation is hard to find – usually it is 3 degrees! Someone always knows someone that you do. Its wild. I love my city.