Happy 100 Arizona!

Today the great state of Arizona celebrates it's centennial.  Perfect occasion for a mother/daughter blog.  Sarah and I will be blogging about Arizona.  I have no idea what she will say, but I bet she will complain about the heat at some point.  I know I will!

I am a native Arizonan.  My parents came here from Ohio in the 1950's because of my dad's asthma.  I sure wish they'd kept on going...right to San Diego.  It's not that I don't like Arizona.  I like it just fine.  In fact, when I was a kid I used to be really proud of being from the place with the big hole in the ground.  But, I hate the heat.  Always have, always will.  OK, no more about the heat.

I feel like all the weird stuff happens in Arizona.  I suppose other people feel that way about their states too.  But you have to admit, we've had a pretty good run of national publicity.  From Evan Mecham to Sheriff Joe, we have our fair share quirky personalities.  We've also had our fair share of polarizing issues.  From MLK Day to SB1070...Arizona likes to do things her way.  And I kind of like that about my state...'cause I'm kinda like that too. 

We have some interesting history too.  Like Tombstone.  I'm sure you've heard of the shootout at the OK Corral.  Don't believe everything you see in the movies...it didn't really happen that way.  Tombstone is a great place to visit.  If you ever get the chance, you should go. You won't learn the real history there either, they like to perpetuate the myth.  Those shootouts in the street are good for business.  If you like murder mysteries we have our fair share of those also.  None more grisly and fascinating than the case of Winnie Ruth Judd, known around these parts as The Trunk Murderess.  It really is a fascinating story and if you want to read more get this book...written by our very own Jana Bommersbach, an acclaimed journalist.  There's also the story of Don Bolles.  An investigative journalist who was assassinated for his reporting on the mafia in Arizona.  Our state is full of colorful stories about cowboys and Indians, pioneers and modern day hero's.  Gabrielle Giffords comes to mind.

Our state is beautiful, despite the heat (oops, sorry).  You can be in the desert and travel about 2 hours north and be in some of the most beautiful forests you've ever seen.  We call it the high country, or for traveling purposes...driving up the mountain.  I wish I could live there...on the mountain...but it's not economically feasible.  I keep dreaming for a summer home there.  Hopefully one day.  We also have a bridge brought piece by piece all the way from London.  I used to live in the city were the London Bridge resides.  Nice place to visit...and I'll just leave it at that.  The states natural beauty is beyond compare.  The Grand Canyon is only one of many canyons in our great state. Of course it's the biggest, and most impressive, but I believe some of the smaller ones are even more beautiful. My favorite: Walnut Canyon.  Gorgeous and full of history. The canyons aren't the only beautiful places.  There are so many but these are two of my favorites: Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest.  And last but not least, we have some of the most beautiful sunsets you'll ever lay your eyes on.  When I drive home at night, right into one of those sunsets...I remember why this is such a great place to live....that and the fact that I don't have to shovel anything in February.

We have our fair share of controversy and I've heard people talk about us like were a bunch of back water hicks.  They say our school systems are no good, that we're racist and we are too conservative.  Funny thing though, they keep moving here....so we must be doing something right.  Either that or it just proves that people will put up with anything not to have to shovel snow.

I've really only scratched the surface of some of the wonderful, interesting and quirky things about my state. I could write so much more, but I'll let you off the hook.  I don't think I've ever put so many links in one post, but I really wanted to share my little corner of the world with you.  Hope you enjoyed it.  I really enjoyed writing it and it's given me an idea.  I think I'm going to make this a regular feature of my blog.  Every week I'll give you some random fact or other information about Arizona.  We'll probably all learn things we never knew before. (And maybe never wanted to know, but I'm gonna do it anyway!)

Now head on over to Sarah's blog...I'm really curious to see what she has to say about her native land.

Oh, and PS...I think we should get "cool" points for being the birth place of Alice Cooper  :-)