Everything from A-Z

Almost everyone in the world knows something about Arizona, and some of it is even true. -Jim Turner

When I was little, my sister would play “Arizona” by Mark Lindsay on vinyl and I learned the words and would sing along. I loved that song and I’ve always wanted to visit. When we arrived in Arizona the other day, I found myself singing it again as we passed the red rocks and Humphey’s Peak south of Flagstaff headed to Cottonwood. It was a great drive until we got to I-17. Careful with that one. There were potholes large enough to engulf our entire camper and part of New Mexico as well. I40 wasn’t so bad. At least the scenery far outweighs the sometimes iffy infrastructure.

Arizona’s motto is “God Enriches”. He’ll also burn the skin off of your body if you’re south of Prescott. That’s Preskitt to non-residents. I learned that the hard way.

Until now, my only experience in Arizona was a flight layover years ago. To say I was surprised at the scenery is a massive understatement. I pictured a desert with huge cactus, rattlesnakes and sand everywhere, and temps in excess of 120 degrees year round. Not even close. Northern Arizona is mountainous and covered in National Forests. It also gets a ton of snow. Flagstaff averages 100 inches per year. That’s true. I know, I didn’t believe it either. We passed through on our way to central AZ and that’s where we rode through Red Rock State Park. Just wow. Sedona is lovely and there are some weird and wonderful places nearby, like the quirky ghost town of Jerome.

Arizona is a dichotomy…mountains and valleys, lakes and deserts, hot and cold. It has something for everyone. It has a diverse culture and it just may surprise you.

🌵 It has 13 different varieties of rattlesnakes….just nope. Moving on.

🌵 It is one of the 4 corners states along with N. Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

🌵 It doesn’t follow Daylight Saving Time and hasn’t since 1968.

🌵 Arizona is home to the oldest continuously operational tequila distillery in the US. Some believe that tequila was first created here due to the long history of producing agave. The distillery has been in operation since 1873.

Some things you may not know about Arizona.

🌵 Arizona still uses U.S. Mail delivery mules. The Havasupai people still reside in the bottom of the Grand Canyon and mail delivery is only possible with the mules.

🌵 The Right to Remain Silent started here in 1966…my husband’s personal favorite.

🌵 You can be fined for harassing cottontails and bullfrogs.

🌵 Cutting down a Saguaro cactus can land you 25 years in jail. It takes the giant species 100 years to grow a single arm.

🌵 The original London Bridge was shipped piece-by-piece to Lake Havasu City and reconstructed there.

🌵 Refusing someone a glass of water is illegal.

🌵 There are seven vortexes (vortices) in Central Arizona. Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Schnebly Hill, Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. Each radiates a different and powerful energy. It’s said that each vortex has healing, cleansing and rejuvenating powers and the ground literally vibrates. You can find groups every day that hike up to meditate or do yoga 200 feet off the ground.

This state is an RV and retirement mecca and for good reason. You can summer in Flagstaff and Sedona and winter in Phoenix, Tuscon or even Yuma. It has the best of both worlds. It’s close to SoCal and Mexico in the south and the Grand Canyon up north. There are 55+ communities with cute double wide trailers in pastel colors and matching golf carts on every corner. ATVs are road legal in most towns outside of the larger cities. Those who enjoy the outdoors have many options and even more parks and forests to play in almost every day as the weather seems to be very cooperative.

So far, I love Arizona. I may never leave the Sedona area with its artsy, almost hippie vibe and unmatched views. Don’t even get me started on the sunsets. They defy words. I once read that Arizona is known for 5 C's…Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, and Climate. I guess now we can add Camping.