Tucson, Arizona
A year in my favorite city.
I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona.
Tucson is 60 miles north of the Mexican border and smack in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. The Sonoran Desert is gorgeous. It’s the only place on earth that the saguaro cactus grows. (pronounced SA-WAR-O…yes, I’m sure).
The saguaro cactus is majestic and a pillar of the Sonoran Desert. Their lifespan often exceeds 150 years and they can grow over 40 feet tall (12 meters). Harming or vandalizing a saguaro is against the law in Arizona…no joke.
Every morning and every evening the desert sky puts on a show like no where else on earth. Bright orange, pink, and purple take over the deep blue sky and they make it their own. Not to be outdone by the stars beneath them. If you’re lucky you will catch a shooting star blazing through the sky before the sun peeks over the Rincon mountain range.
Tucson is surrounded by three major mountain ranges. You can take off and explore in every direction. The hiking is plentiful but the desert can be unrelenting so you must be prepared. Growing up here we were taught about our environment. We were educated about the plants and about how to move through the desert safely. The sky is the bluest you’ve ever seen and it looks like it never ends. The plants are downright dangerous.
In February the city is host to one of the largest gem and mineral shows in the world. People flock here from all over to sell crystals, fossils, and connect with other like-minded individuals. We also get the weekend off for the Rodeo…still.
Late summer ushers in monsoon season with heavy rain, lightning, and thunder. Flash floods are real and very dangerous. If you are high up enough on a hill or plateau you can watch the rain sweep the desert floor. A curtain of water soaking the ground below.
In the fall the Dia del Los Muertos parade winds its way though downtown past Hotel Congress. White makeup and bright flowers adorn the participants.
November has hosted the Tour de Tucson for more than thirty-five years, which is one of the largest cycling events in the country dedicated to raising money for charity.
The heat of summer doesn’t fade away until after the Halloween celebrations and cycling events. When winter comes she ushers in temperatures below freezing overnight. The cold will snap you to attention and take you by surprise but the afternoon sun will warm your face and welcome you with open arms.
In 2017, Tucson was the first American city to be designated a “City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO. You will find prickly pear limeade and mesquite flour for sale. Green chile tamales at Lerua’s and fresh flour tortillas from Anita’s market. Carne seca from El Charro. These are the foods that make Tucson so special. It’s like nowhere else on Earth.
