Living in Arizona is pretty awesome if I do say so myself, but it does come with a bit of baggage. There are stereotypes about the desert, dry heat, and plenty of other negatives (and even positives). Today, we’re going to focus on embracing some of them because, frankly, they are true. Let’s take a look.
- As residents of a fairly arid state, there are two four-letters words that feel sacred: rain and snow.
Bo Insogna/Flickr Precipitation puts us into a weird mix of a frenzy and trance. We get worked up thinking about the possibility of rain or snow. Once it arrives, we admire and take photos of it.
- Those dry conditions are also perfect for classic and vintage forms of transportation.
Katie Moore/Flickr Planes, trains, and automobiles all hold up incredibly well in Arizona’s generally dry, warm environment. You can find outdoor museums where old trains and airplanes are stored, looking to be in impeccable condition.
- We always look before we step.
Jesse Clark/Flickr Walking around the house barefoot? Ready to put on your shoes? Hiking in the desert? Be careful because your feet just might come in contact with a scorpion, hidden snake, or even a stray cactus.
- Some of our small towns are really small.
Alan English CPA/Flickr Places like Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff usually get a lot of press but the majority of our state is composed of tiny towns where everybody knows your name.
- You can even still find people riding horseback in our towns and cities.
Alan English CPA/Flickr Even our large cities still have neighborhoods with horse property just minutes from downtown areas. These folks above are riding horses in one of the Phoenix mountain preserves.
- We have a strange yet notorious history with county sheriffs.
Johnny Silvercloud/Flickr Take your pick, whether it was the one who went on a weeks-long vigilante ride, the one who won uncontested after a one of his competitors died in a gunfight, or any others. And, yes, they still do wear a golden star on their chest.
- People tend to say nothing happens in Arizona and that’s true, if you’re talking about natural disasters!
Steve McClanahan/Flickr Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and other disastrous geological events are both rare and small in scale here, so we’re pretty comfy with life in Arizona.
- Some of us are still sore that Pluto is no longer a planet.
Lowell Observatory/Flickr We have a ton of pride in being the state where this major astronomical discovery occurred back in 1930, so you can probably say we’re a bit hurt at its demotion from planet status.
- Arizona really does have amazing Mexican food and you can find the real gems hidden in plain sight.
Alan English CPA/Flickr A lot of the great restaurants are in small towns, a hole in the wall spot, or even food trucks. If you know where to look, you’ll find some of the most mouthwatering mole, tacos, or burritos/burros you’ll ever eat.
- Arizona still has places where your mail can be delivered by mule or the Pony Express.
Peretz Partensky/Flickr Supai in the Grand Canyon is the only place in the country where mail is delivered by mule and the Hashknife Pony Express operates several days every year in an epic mail delivery takes place.
- Our sunrises and sunsets are truly swoon worthy.
Scott Miller/Flickr I mean, just look at that! There is no other place in the world where you’ll find that same view.
How many of these do agree with? What other Arizona stereotypes would you consider adding to this list?
Bo Insogna/Flickr
Precipitation puts us into a weird mix of a frenzy and trance. We get worked up thinking about the possibility of rain or snow. Once it arrives, we admire and take photos of it.
Katie Moore/Flickr
Planes, trains, and automobiles all hold up incredibly well in Arizona’s generally dry, warm environment. You can find outdoor museums where old trains and airplanes are stored, looking to be in impeccable condition.
Jesse Clark/Flickr
Walking around the house barefoot? Ready to put on your shoes? Hiking in the desert? Be careful because your feet just might come in contact with a scorpion, hidden snake, or even a stray cactus.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Places like Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff usually get a lot of press but the majority of our state is composed of tiny towns where everybody knows your name.
Even our large cities still have neighborhoods with horse property just minutes from downtown areas. These folks above are riding horses in one of the Phoenix mountain preserves.
Johnny Silvercloud/Flickr
Take your pick, whether it was the one who went on a weeks-long vigilante ride, the one who won uncontested after a one of his competitors died in a gunfight, or any others. And, yes, they still do wear a golden star on their chest.
Steve McClanahan/Flickr
Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and other disastrous geological events are both rare and small in scale here, so we’re pretty comfy with life in Arizona.
Lowell Observatory/Flickr
We have a ton of pride in being the state where this major astronomical discovery occurred back in 1930, so you can probably say we’re a bit hurt at its demotion from planet status.
A lot of the great restaurants are in small towns, a hole in the wall spot, or even food trucks. If you know where to look, you’ll find some of the most mouthwatering mole, tacos, or burritos/burros you’ll ever eat.
Peretz Partensky/Flickr
Supai in the Grand Canyon is the only place in the country where mail is delivered by mule and the Hashknife Pony Express operates several days every year in an epic mail delivery takes place.
Scott Miller/Flickr
I mean, just look at that! There is no other place in the world where you’ll find that same view.
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