What I Did Over My Summer Vacation ... by Grandma T.

Lovely pictures, Gram.. :) It always amazes me the green there actually is through the Arizona countryside. Got to love those native plants.

I wonder though, why do all the homes in Arizona have those blocked back yards? Seems like any time I see a show and see one of those fence walls, it’s in Arizona.

At any rate, those sunsets are spectacular, aren’t they? Though we get some good ones here, it’s just not the same. The clouds even seem different.

Well.. Maybe one of those youngsters can come up to visit you all and assist in tying those ends up. :)

-- Planting Daylilies in Kentucky, zone 6b

Thanks Scott … Yes, the sunsets are breathtaking!! AND, all the newer housing has those block walls. It is a type of fence used for privacy AND keeping “critters” out. Because my daughter lives in a newer community they are still dealing with the wildlife; like coyotes, Havalenea’s (wild pigs), rattlers, and scorpions. During the day you don’t see them, but at night you don’t want to be out walking cuz you could encounter a pack of the larger animals. And certainly want to make sure your car windows are closed and garage door down; don’t want a “surprise” in the morning to greet you!! :-)

Last summer, I about “died” from shock. My daughter had a note left in her mailbox from the City Association saying you should poke some sort of a stick inside your mailbox before reaching in due to Scorpions climbing into the mailboxes!!!!! OMGosh!!!!! Had to take a moment on that one …

It is a beautiful place out there, so vast and different from Michigan. And I have to say, I have fallen in love with it, critters and all.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Oh My beautiful

I had neighbours who lived there. Transfered with his job

They did come back after 2 years. Said it was terrible hot and they coouldn’t stand it

My the print seems to be getting smaller and smaller, any one notice??

-- NS Zone 5B 200 KM East of Halifax cheers Bunting------Having a place to go – is a home. Having someone to love – is a family.

Thank you Bunting …

Actually the heat is just not the same as here; because of the lack of humidity. Granted the air is hot when it reaches 115 (no argument there) ... but most people are not spending a lot of time outside in the sun during those times. Guess it is a trade off … 3 months of hot air and 9 months of beautiful weather; or 3-4 months of nice weather here followed by 8-9 months of not so good and downright awful weather. Me, I’m ready for the 9 months of beautiful weather.

You know every state or country has something wonderful to offer. Guess we just have to decide what we like best and if we are lucky, we can choose to live there too.

And, I don’t believe the print is any smaller … :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Nice shots GramT.Brings back memories of a trip I made with some friends a few years back.We drove from San Fransico to Grand Canyon and Vegas.The countryside was just beautiful the entire trip.I can’t say I envy you wanting to move there though.Much as I hate winter I would miss the snow,the excitement of spring and the beauty of fall.Guess I’m just a Canadian at heart (lol)

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Hey, G’ma, I’m glad you guys had a fun trip! We’ve got some family out in the Phoenix area, and they are constantly asking when we’re moving out there. While I do love it out there, after a little while my bones seem to ache for big water (like our Great Lakes).

Great photos!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Yah Bon, it took me a “hot minute” to get excited about moving out there. I mean really … our kids moving out West … come on now … really?!!!!! Geesh, now what?

Moved around alot as a kid, but my adult life has been in Michigan … and I do love it here. Initially the thought process was—it doesn’t matter what kind of weather surrounds our kids (it could be 20 below all year round), we just wanted to be with them. But now that I (we) have been out there a couple of times; I/we really like it. Maybe I am just ready for a change … and to be honest, I feel physically soooo much better out there (doctor was thrilled with us moving, said it was the best thing for me.) And if I really get a hankering for snow, there is Flagstaff. They are known for skiing and all the season changes. It is only an hour away from our children … and some commuinities are further up in the mountains … have no idea where we will land in Arizona when the time comes, but the thought of a new adventure is kinda exciting … never would have thought in a million years that we would be moving out West. But can’t get too excited, cuz we got a while yet … :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Thanks “D” ... it is purdy out there; and yah I hear ya about missing the Great Lakes. I would trade them for the constant view of the grandchildren and children though.

Geez, sounds like we are moving tomorrow … NOT … like I said, be a while yet. But after this trip, the excitement is growing.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

House for sale yet? If so, then it’s definitely for real!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

GramT…is Flagstafff where they have the red mountains?I know I went somewhere on our trip that had red mountains. my mind isn’t what it used to be ha ha ha. Oh yea and the painted desert too.I totally forget just where they were.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

GramT, my wife and I were there just this past March. It is beautiful country. We spent a lot of time in Scottsdale,- saw every art gallery ( at least twice). Sedona is AMAZING with all the red mountains.

Thanks for sharing your photos. I have quite a few also which serve to help the fading memory. LOL

-- jroot

Yes, Sedona is a BEAUTIFUL place!!! And Scottsdale is about 10 minutes from our daughter. Last summer we did some baby clothes shopping there. This trip we headed there for a delicious steak dinner. Lovely town …

And “D” the house selling process has begun … :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Welcome home, Gran. What a wonderful holiday you both had along with wonderful memories.

-- blooz 5b - You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~author unkown