No matter how many times I visit Tucson, Arizona, I can't get enough of it's beauty and well, how different it is from the East Coast. Saguaro Cacti dot the horizon in every direction and there is no sunset like a Southwest sunset. The sky turns a brilliant orange with watercolor like strokes of saffron and red, smeared with pink, blue and purple hues around a fireball of sunshine. You could get lost staring into the warm sky, basking in its glow...dreaming up romantic notions and conjuring up fantasies of walking into the distance to start a new life, or perhaps even being proposed to by a man with strong arms wrapped around your shoulders. That's the intensity of an Arizona sunset.
I went before the hoopla of the state's controversial immigration law. It's a pity so much attention is being paid to the state's crackdown on illegal immigration. There is so much beauty and many untapped treasures lying about. I went in April to visit my family and spend time with my adorable nephews who I rarely get to see and don't exactly get to watch grow up.
I flew into Tucson airport, grateful to be away from the cold wind and rain of New York for a few days. It was 80 degrees when I stepped outside waiting for my brother to pick me up. The first thing I saw in the distance were the Santa Catalina Mountains, caps dusted in snow while the brown base was a patchwork of brush and cacti. In the car we talked about the boys and even my brother couldn't stop talking about those snow-capped mountains - with a hint of pride in his voice over both topics.
At his house I waited for the boys to rush in the door - and when they did they were so excited and timid...cautiously approaching me with a bouquet of flowers. But from then on it was fun and games and getting to know two adorable little men.
The next day we went to C's final t-ball game and I babysat A during the game, while cheering on my favorite 2nd baseman. Later we took a walk around the neighborhood. By this lovely pond you can see more mountains in the distance, reflecting off the unnaturally blue water thanks to the clear sky.
On Sunday we hit the desert museum which is quite possibly my favorite part of Tucson. It's a wildlife reserve that's much better than a zoo. The animals have more space and you get pretty close to the prairie dogs (my favorite) and all the big wild cats. My only disappointment this time was the river otters were taking a nap instead of doing their water acrobatics in the pond.
A few days later we did visit the local zoo which I adore because talk about being close to the animals! The tiger leans up against the glass - which you can put your hands against should you dare. You can feed the giraffes and the elephants are so close I almost feel like you could reach out and they'd high-five you with their trunks.
A few days later we hit the spring training game for the Rockies and Padres - and of course that day dropped down to the 50s and rained. However my little 2nd baseman impressed the Padres pitcher so much he gave him a baseball! Good work!
More to come...
I went before the hoopla of the state's controversial immigration law. It's a pity so much attention is being paid to the state's crackdown on illegal immigration. There is so much beauty and many untapped treasures lying about. I went in April to visit my family and spend time with my adorable nephews who I rarely get to see and don't exactly get to watch grow up.
I flew into Tucson airport, grateful to be away from the cold wind and rain of New York for a few days. It was 80 degrees when I stepped outside waiting for my brother to pick me up. The first thing I saw in the distance were the Santa Catalina Mountains, caps dusted in snow while the brown base was a patchwork of brush and cacti. In the car we talked about the boys and even my brother couldn't stop talking about those snow-capped mountains - with a hint of pride in his voice over both topics.
At his house I waited for the boys to rush in the door - and when they did they were so excited and timid...cautiously approaching me with a bouquet of flowers. But from then on it was fun and games and getting to know two adorable little men.
The next day we went to C's final t-ball game and I babysat A during the game, while cheering on my favorite 2nd baseman. Later we took a walk around the neighborhood. By this lovely pond you can see more mountains in the distance, reflecting off the unnaturally blue water thanks to the clear sky.
On Sunday we hit the desert museum which is quite possibly my favorite part of Tucson. It's a wildlife reserve that's much better than a zoo. The animals have more space and you get pretty close to the prairie dogs (my favorite) and all the big wild cats. My only disappointment this time was the river otters were taking a nap instead of doing their water acrobatics in the pond.
A few days later we did visit the local zoo which I adore because talk about being close to the animals! The tiger leans up against the glass - which you can put your hands against should you dare. You can feed the giraffes and the elephants are so close I almost feel like you could reach out and they'd high-five you with their trunks.
A few days later we hit the spring training game for the Rockies and Padres - and of course that day dropped down to the 50s and rained. However my little 2nd baseman impressed the Padres pitcher so much he gave him a baseball! Good work!
More to come...
