Yes it's true the weather here in Arizona is wonderful.....most of the time.
But like anywhere else in the country, this State too experiences its share of winter weather. Last week a tremendous winter storm ripped through Arizona, dumping over 22" of snow on Flagstaff residents alone. To skiers, as well as Phoenix tourists, apparently a snow event in the North country is a great opportunity to make a trek several hours upstate to see the winter wonderland. I, on the other hand, prefer to stay home having seen enough of the white powder during Indiana winters.
Here in the middle of the State, we did not go unscathed and for a time, thought it might be a good idea to start building an ark! Rain poured non-stop for three days accompanied by winds of up to 40 MPH. If that wasn't enough, a tornado was said to have touched down in Scottsdale. Unheard of!!!
The empty lot next to the house had so much standing water that I was beginning to wonder if I was living on lake front property!Many of
Arizona's beautiful Palo Verde trees were uprooted from the wind. Their roots are so shallow and when the tree grows tall it becomes top heavy.A strong wind simply blows them over.
Some can be righted and replanted such as the one in the picture above will be. However that does not always mean the tree will survive after having it's roots exposed.
This winter storm in actuality seemed to me more like an early spring storm in Indiana. I love the crisp fresh smell of the air after the storm cleared out. All is refreshed and renewed again, dust washed away. The landscape and desert animals seems to give thanks for the respite from the normally arid conditions. We snowbirds go back to enjoying the outdoors, sitting on patio's, cooking on the grill, walking, biking and......thinking about how cold and nasty it is back in the Midwest! Whew....glad we dodged that bullet!
