Arizona June 1985

My mother got the job she always wanted, so my family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in June of 1985. I was 8 years old. It felt like home almost immediately and has remained my home for more than 20 years. As a child, I enjoyed the many summer activities here, especially swimming and camping. I visited our community pool most days and on the weekends, we often drove a short distance to breath-taking Lake Pleasant or the beautiful Verde River. We camped and fished in the cool pines near Payson, Prescott and Flagstaff. No matter how much fun we had out of town however, it was always good to return to our beautiful Valley of the Sun.

 

Although I enjoyed all the fun summer has to offer here, my favorite time of the year has always been October through May. Phoenix really comes alive beginning in the fall! The cool, crisp evenings and the warm, sunny days give life to many beautiful blooms in the unique Sonoran Desert. Among my favorites are the mesquite trees, the creosote bush, and of course, the blossoms of the Saguaro cactus, our state flower. There’s just nothing comparable to the sights and sounds of the Phoenix desert, especially after a rain! It is during these cooler seasons that everyone wants to be outdoors. When the rest of the country is bundling up or staying in, Phoenicians become energized and flock to every activity under the sun. And why not? Where else can one enjoy all the benefits of a large city, such as world class dining, exceptional sports venues and Broadway-class theatres while being surrounded by mountains, rivers and sculpture-like rock formations in an unbeatable climate.

 

In addition to the sights and weather, the entire area is rich with “old west” and Native American history and culture as well. It humbles me to think about the pioneers, the Indian tribes, and the Mexican Americans that inhabited this great Southwestern land and contributed so much to Phoenician diversity and way of life. I also appreciate the manner in which these settlers and immigrants have influenced our cuisine. If you have ever eaten Mexican food in Phoenix for example, you know that we have some of the best in the nation! It would take years to truly explore all the historical and cultural sights Phoenix offers (and Mexican restaurants!) but some places I’ve enjoyed learning from include The Arizona Capitol Museum, The Desert Botanical Gardens, and The Heard Museum.

 

There are so many reasons why I am now raising my daughters to be Phoenix-girls just as I am. Now they too are swimming, camping, and learning so much from monuments, museums, zoos and cultural events. Not to mention the occasional Suns or Diamondbacks game where they cheer on their teams alongside mom and dad. As a parent, I can be secure knowing that I can raise my family in a city that has almost no natural disasters. As I send them off to school this fall in the same part of town that I grew up in, I have chosen also to return to school - Arizona State University. After taking 5 years off to stay home with my children, it’s time to continue pursuing my degree in Recreation and Tourism Management. I look forward to having the privilege of actively promoting Tourism in this great city, as my mom has done since we made Phoenix our home over two decades ago.