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You mean you didn't like living in technically the lushest greenest desert in the world? The Sonoran Desert has two, count them, two rainy seasons. :cool: And there is greenery on top of Mt. Lemmon, the Rincon Mountains, and the Santa Rita Mountains, or in their canyons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Owlie
University of Arizona, class of 1981. ;)
Hear, hear! We were both menopausal when we lived there. I remember having a hot flash while riding my motorcycle in 116 degree temps... my first thought was "are you f'ing kidding me!!!" quickly followed by "well, this is a helluva way to die, how embarrassing".:pQuote:
Originally Posted by Dogmama
My SO worked there as well as the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, she liked both places, but neither of us could hack the heat, the shades of brown, and the lack of a support network. So we came back home to IL... I do miss AZ when it's -8F here though. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Owlie
I did say I was actually pleasantly surprised. Much more green than I expected (my previous exposure to the state was the Phoenix area, if that tells you anything), though I didn't get a good chance to explore the area. (I was there for two full days, and one of them was full of interview things!) Maybe if I can get some money together to go visit DBF, I'll persuade him to take me down there and we can go exploring. :D But thanks for the tip--if I do end up moving down there, I can get my greenery fix!Quote:
Originally Posted by bmccasland
I'm also completely heat-intolerant, which makes me more than a little nervous about moving down there. I'm not sure I like the idea of not going outside much between April and October. On the other hand, here you can only go outside between April and October, maybe November if you're lucky.
DBF has actually strongly suggested that I move down there, as UA seems to preferentially take state residents for grad students, because they don't have to pay as much in tuition. That was actually the reason they gave that they didn't admit me. Money. :(
Tucson has always been nicer than Phx and I regret not going to school there. But, I was young and dumb.
Having Mt. Lemon there is a nice way to get quickly into another climate zone. Once, when I was 7 months pregnant, we were desperate to get out of the heat, the AC, or the pool. We drove up to Black Canyon Lake (3 hours?) and rented a canoe and basically sat under a tree and chilled out in the 74 degree temperature. I think I have a picture of me dozing under the tree, hugely pregnant. What I hated was the cabin fever that set in, because of the heat. I know I couldn't ride in those temperatures. I spent all of my time at the gym, exercising.
I don't mind the winter, because I get out into it with the right clothes for x country skiing and snow shoeing. I love the seasons. Whenever I have to walk to my car in a biting wind, with snow blowing, I think about what it was like to open my car door and get in, after work, when it was 112. I snap out of it quite quickly when I do that.
I remember a small meltdown I had in Tucson, it was August and I just wanted to feel some cool water on my face, the water coming out of the tap was hot no matter which one I turned on so I filled the sink and added a ton of ice... it was barely tepid. I just started to cry and yell "all I want is some cool water, how bloody hard is THAT!!!!!". I realized that perhaps I wasn't cut out for that climate.
yeah, that's what it sounds like. I found the entire metropolitan areas of Phx and Tucson to be very disturbing, truly a phoenix brought forth out of embers.. Not a place where millions were meant to live... millions of scorpions maybe..Quote:
Originally Posted by Pax
On the other hand you never have to turn the hot water on to your washing machine ... and you can take a perfectly comfortable shower when the water heater isn't working. :D
I do admit that when i had to go to AZ in March, I *did* like the Carefree/Cave Creek area, where we stayed. I had been many times before, but just for eating/shopping. First, it still looked like AZ; desert plants everywhere. No strip malls, big shopping. A few degrees cooler because of the elevation. Narrow, country type roads, with lots of riders everywhere. Small town feeling.
Gee, it sounds like where I live now!
I did catch my DH looking at condo ads for the area after we got back. Seriously, we would never move back, but perhaps maybe have a place to use for a few weeks in the winter when we retire and let our kids use it, too. It's still awhile before that would happen, so it's a moot point.
Mimi, you said it exactly. Large numbers of people aren't meant to live in such a climate. I guess if it had the stayed the way it was in the 70s when I moved there, it might be OK. But, I always think of that song "Baker St." when I think of Phx... "so many people, but it's got no soul."
Does anyone know why they don't build "up" in the Southwest? Instead of endless sprawling single or two story building, how come they don't build high rises?? :confused:
I did a 600k brevet this weekend. Last in the series 200, 300, 400 and 600k. I don't really feel like writing a report like after my first one a few years back. Just thought I'd share.
And my last 2 finger in my left hand are numb. Really annoying. :rolleyes: I shouldn't complain - could be worse.
Hey, I wondered how it was going for you. Glad you finished!
Veronica
Way to be casual MP. "Oh....I just rode a butt-load of miles this weekend...no biggie..." :rolleyes:
*Congratulations!*
Heh heh. Thanks snap.
Way to go MP!
Maybe because they do have land. Maybe because heat rises & it's more costly to build up because of the air conditioning costs. I really don't know, I'm guessing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pax
Many newer homes are two stories in Tucson. They have postage stamp sized yards. And the UA is building up because they are landlocked.
Thanks guys! :o My faithful friends stalking me....
Hey maillotpois, are you still riding your motorcycle?? I'm doing a long weekend trip over the 4th of July... can't WAIT to get out on the highway and get some helmet time.
Because they can build endless sprawling single or two story buildings. Empty space gets used. Horizontal space gets used first, it's easier. Then when that runs out the only empty space left is up. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Pax
Yes! In fact I played hooky the other day and rode the moto out to watch the TOC Mt Hamilton stage. It was super fun because I'd just ridden that on my bike for a double century a couple weeks before and it was SO much easier on the moto! :p And I passed so many cyclists! I rarely pass anyone climbing Mt. Hamilton! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Pax
The multistrada is SO comfy to ride. I can't wait to take a long trip. Have fun on yours.
That sounds like a great time! Hope you get in a long trip or two this summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by maillotpois
Well, I rode 300 miles last weekend on my bicycle. Boy is my butt sore!
(no I didn't. I just always wanted to say that.)
Snort! Good one BSG. :)
And for the record, my butt is fine today but the numbness in 2 fingers in my left hand is annoying. I have started getting this intermittently in the last few months from holding the phone up to my head, typing, etc., and it kicked in yesterday about 10 miles from the end and has been coming and going since. Oh well. What do I expect? :rolleyes:
Wow, nice going MP!
Hope your fingers come back soon...
Well done, MP!
My first trip since my surgery last Thursday - I went to the grocery store. I'm now exhausted. :rolleyes:
Woot Snap!
Sounds like ice cream time to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
What BSG said!
Fun!! Baby steps Snap. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
LOL!! Way to go MP--on the 600k and on completing the series! I hope your fingers feel better soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
I haven't ridden at all, and my butt is just peachy. Actually, more like watermelon-y...
Haven't ridden my bikes since the apartment flooded. Been running instead. One of my bikes (the Surly) got a bit damaged when the maintenance dudes threw it outside during the flood. I'm afraid (quite honestly afraid) to check the Waterford. If she is damaged, I will cry.
So I've avoided it all. Just Call Me Cleopatra, cuz I'm the Queen of Denial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwGVDmEsi8A
Ohh, and while we're on the subject of country music (we are, aren't we?) here's one of my all time favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAbrk3OISyo Terri Clark "Easy on the Eyes, Hard on the Heart." I just love me the (very good) balding drummer in the suit. And when Terri schools the young dude who can't drum for beans. -Knott, who used to play drums decades ago. Oh, and I love the bass line in this song. - Knott, who has an acoustic and an electric and can't play either.
Damn Knott, that just sucks!
I bought some of those Magnum ice cream bars :eek: Double chocolate. Huge chunk 'o heaven. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
happy birthday to me. Did a killer workout with trainer John than ran 2 miles!!!!!:) came home, finished weaving a towel in waffle weave. Had champagne before dinner, got taken out to a very nice dinner out and 2 out of my 3 children actually remembered to call me.
All in all a very good day.
Now to get back on the restricted and controlled calorie train.
marni
Happy birthday, Marni!
Happy Birthday marni!
Picture of waffle weave towel, maybe??
Happy birthday Marni!
Happy Birthday Marni!! Sounds like a wonderful night!
Happppeeeeeeeeeee Birfdayaaayyyyyy marni! :D
Happy birthday, Marni.
Going to get a manicure at Moodz today... I will be thinking of you when I go across the street to get a mocha latte!