Arizona is beautiful. I am sure anyone who has ever seen this state can tell you the same. I never really thought much about the southwest. I was a east coast sort of person, in love with the ocean, busy, cold and fast paced. In college, my first roommate Denise came from Arizona. I could not understand why anyone would want to leave Arizona to live in Pennsylvania. It still does not make any sense, but Denise is definitely an experience seeker, so I can at least understand her reasoning.
Moving here was a radical idea. We were tired of slowly creeping up the coast and both being explorers, we wanted a change. When the opportunity arose, we flew out. Everything about that small trip was fun. The drive from Phoenix to Tucson, the sunsets, the warm breezes over the pool, and U-turns everywhere. I had never seen cacti, or large barren mountains, and palm trees on every block. It was easy to see why people lived in the middle of a desert.
After living here for a few years, I understand why people feel home here. The sky is constantly filled with the sun and echoes amazing colors. It offers lightning and thunderstorms that have no parallel. A few hours and you hit ocean, skiing, and Mexico. The constant sun leaves you no excuse to not to be running around outside.
Like any place, it has its drawbacks. But I know I will miss it when we leave.