You Might Want to Consider Moving to Tucson, Arizona!

Sandy, we love San Diego.  My Darlin' was raised at the Jersey Shore, and she needs a regular "water fix."  San Diego is a favorite, and we're looking forward to checking out Rocky Point in Mexico.  December has rain, so you'll likely see some fantastic sunsets!  Thanks for visiting and commenting.

Mike in Tucson

Sandy, thanks for commenting! 

Chris, Tucson is half a mile higher in elevation than Phoenix.  You're going to love it here.  Be sure to call to let us know you're coming, and we'll roll out the welcome mat.

Jo, 26 short miles from Tucson is the village of Summerhaven, AZ.  It's the location of the southerlymost ski lift in North America.  The drive from the desert floor begins at elevation 2300 or so.  As you drive up into the Catalina mountains to Summerhaven, you will pass through every ecosystem that you would encounter if you were driving from Mexico to Canada.  Come on down, but be sure to call before you come.  You'll get the red carpet treatment just like Chris.  And Interstate 19 near my home is the only part of the US Interstate program that's marked in kilometers.  You'll feel right at home!

Mike, thanks for visiting and commenting.  It's not hard to be upbeat when you live in a place like Tucson!

Marlene, thank you!  I look forward to having a cup of coffee with you.  We are blessed; that's for sure!

Mike in Tucson

Hi, Debi.  Thanks for visiting and commenting.  Where do you migrate to and from?

Mike in Tucson

Robert, thanks for the compliment.  I love cloud formations.

Mike in Tucson

Bill  Barbara Jo, my kid brother has a home in Florida.  He tells me that the humidity gets above 85%.  Here in Tucson, it averages 14 or 15%, so the summer temps don't bother us all that much.  I tell my Jersey Shore friends that I'd rather be in Tucson at 105 degrees and 20% humidity than in Jersey at 90 and 90!  Thanks for commenting.

Mike in Tucson

Gary & Melynda, 

That's a few questions all at once.  Let me give it a whirl.  Many of our neighbors are from Iowa.

1.  There is a quick, fast road through town from the Northwest to the Southeast.  It starts just east of I-10 at Orange Grove, where Thornydale becomes River Road, continues east across Oracle (Tucson Mall) and past Campbell (St. Phillips Plaza) and is all new continuing east across the new Rillito bridge, where River becomes Alvernon, which continues south across the new bridge over the railroad, and finds its way back to I-10.

2.  August with the heat here is 35-40% humidity.  That's about 50% less than Iowa during the same time of year.  We're from Jersey, and I'd rather be here at 110 than there at 85.

3.  Dust storms occur north of Tucson, where the Pima Cotton is grown, and thousands of acres are plowed.  I've been at Phoenix airport during a 3 p.m. dust storm that turned the sky black and shut down everything for two hours.  I've never seen that happen anywhere near Tucson.

4.  Maricopa is like Chicago in the desert.  Tucson is half a mile higher in elevation and ten degrees cooler. 

Give us a try again in October.

Mike in Tucson

Kathy,

Thanks for commenting!  I blogged on the Interstate 10 project, and included photos of a dust storm in progress.  It was north of Marana near Picacho Peak.  Here's the link.

Mike in Tucson

Kathy, let's grab a cup of coffee together if you're coming to Tucson.  The dust storm photos were taken on Interstate 10, south of the Interstate 8 connection that you would likely travel if you were to drive to Tucson.

Mike in Tucson