missing arizona

here

I will go days and days without really thinking about life in Arizona...probably one of the perks of being super busy.   Yet, then there are days like today, where it's extra cold outside, a fresh layer of snow is sitting on my car, Tommy is working and I'm home alone.  In these quiet moments, I miss Arizona.

The horizon just doesn't stretch out forever like it does back home.  The sunsets aren't quite as wild here either. And I crave REAL tortillas like crazy (you literally cannot buy decent tortillas here...believe me...I've searched and searched.)  Umm...or Mexican food at all. 

I am getting along just fine in our new place, yet whenever I see an image of the Grand Canyon, or a tumbleweed, or the desert, my heart strings tug because that was once my home.  And a little piece of my heart is always going to be there I suppose.

I think I need a pet cactus.  

tucson blossoms

One of the things I love most about Tucson is the that the landscape is raw...it's wild...and it's immaculate.  The weather has been perfection these past couple weeks and I've noticed the little sprigs of color popping up between the rocks and sand.  Quite a site!

The desert is unusual..it's not cozy and inviting like other parts of our country.  It's thorn covered...dirty...dusty...with deadly spiders and snakes burrowing all over the place.  But plenty of fuzzy jackrabbits too.  Oh...and quails and roadrunners...I love a fast roadrunner.  I hear the coyotes outside at night.  Yes...I suppose some might think it's scary...but it can be colorful and beautiful.  It's a unique place, the southwest.  The sun is bright, the nights are warm...and it is home. 

These are the blooms in my "backyard."  

*note:  I'm going to take the next few weeks off from blogging (though it pains me to do so).  I really need to focus on my last rotation in the emergency department - lots and lots of research at night!!  Next time I write I won't be living in Tucson anymore.

yellow weeds

These weeds are suuuper small.  Smaller than a pencil's eraser.  And they are so very pretty. I was getting such bizarre looks as I was crouching on the gravel to get a closer look.  They are just so sweet..and vibrant...yet almost hidden because of their size.  I didn't overlook them.  A small sort of accomplishment I suppose. I hope I live my whole life never overlooking things like tiny flowers growing in peculiar places.

Tucson's desert is spectacular.  The prettiest in the whole state.  I could live here.  I really could.  There are so many wildflowers in bloom right now.  Pink and orange and green and yellow. 

Yellow flowers.  They seriously just mystify me.  I'm awfully glad I'll be carrying yellow blooms at my wedding - anything else just wouldn't feel right.  Not for me, anyway. 

floating down the river

Best summer activity ever = tubing down the Salt River. The river flows through the most beautiful desert...the trip is worth the scenery alone! Went out this Saturday and it was perfection, except when we went over the third set of mini rapids and My Guy got smacked in the hip by a huge rock and our cooler almost tipped over. But yea....other than that it was the greatest afternoon with our huge group of buddies and our huge coolers of beer. Monday's always make me miss Saturdays.

mountain air

moominsean

Went up to Flagstaff on a spur of the moment day journey...
had a cup of coffee...
drove up the mountain...
checked out the view...
purchased a lil music...
inhaled as much mountain air as possible...
ate lunch at the museum club...
drove around a bit...
bought a diet coke...
came home.

perfection.

blossom

this polaroid beauty was found at mypolaroidblog

If you don't live in the Southwest I don't know if you can really appreciate the wonderment of the orange blossom. (ummm...yes I make up words like 'wonderment').

I wouldn't say that the West has a "pleasant" odor - the monsoons at the end of summer leaves the damp rain smell that I love, and the creosote tends to smell rather yummy a few days out of the year. When the summer grass is switched out for winter grass, an awesome manure scent lingers for weeks (yucky). But other than that, aromas are rare.

However, during this particular time of year all I want to do is inhale as deeply as I can. My mission is to suck the sweet nectar lingering in the air into my lungs. It's wonderfully intoxicating. I love when the orange trees blossom.

done and done

From a sweet collection of Route 66 postcards here

My Guy and I have (seriously!) decided to commit to a wedding location...Flagstaff!!

Bring on the aspens! The pine trees! Nature trails! The peaks! The tasty local brew (my fave: Railhouse Red from Beaver Street)! Upstairs at the Weatherford! Monte Vista! Late For The Train! Route 66! The Museum Club! The Arb! Old Main!

You will all learn about these fantastic Flagstaff wonders as the days go by. No doubt.

Words. Cannot. Express. My. Elation!