| Summer is slowly turning to fall and the heat and | | | | we're lucky. I personally don't count the day as sunny |
| humidity here in New England we complained about | | | | if you can't feel the heat. That brings that 90 number |
| for the last 3 or 4 months will soon turn to dry, | | | | way down in my book. |
| bitter cold. Heating bills arrive, along with colds and | | | | Outdoor activities abound in Phoenix. More hiking |
| the flu, shovels take the place of rakes, | | | | trails, parks and preserves than you can count. |
| snowthrowers replace lawn mowers. The days of | | | | Hundreds of miles of canals make perfect bike paths. |
| the leisurely barefoot stroll to the mailbox are over. | | | | Of course you'll have to share a lane with the runners |
| For some of us, winter means hibernation like so | | | | or even an occasional horse but it's sheer joy under |
| many of nature's creatures. | | | | the fair, blue skies. The only precaution is to make |
| There are those who venture south though. Where | | | | sure you bring water. That's true for almost any |
| the sun is a little higher in the sky, the nightly | | | | outdoor activity in Phoenix. With the dry climate you |
| temperatures don't drop below 40 and the sky's are | | | | may not be aware of how much you're perspiring |
| not cloudy all day. With the weather patterns not | | | | and you can quickly dehydrate without realizing it. |
| being favorable to the south and southeast lately, | | | | For those hearty soles who don't mind traveling a |
| one of the more inviting spots in America is the | | | | few miles, the Grand Canyon is just North of Phoenix. |
| desert southwest. I had a chance to spend some | | | | Daily tours are available for anyone wanting to hike |
| time in Phoenix, Arizona a few years back and I can | | | | or maybe take a mule ride down into the canyon. |
| honestly say that wintering in Phoenix is high on my | | | | You won't be sorry - anyone who's been can attest |
| list of todo's. | | | | to the spectacular views along the trails or even up |
| I rode my bicycle year round, never once touched a | | | | top at the rim. There's even a new attraction called |
| snow shovel in the entire time I was there, and could | | | | the Grand Canyon Skyway. Dangling precariously |
| usually walk barefoot to my mailbox. And because I | | | | over the South Rim, it places those who dare 70 |
| stayed active the whole year, I never piled on those | | | | feet out into the canyon. From nearly a mile up, |
| "winter pounds". Yes, life was good. | | | | about 4,000 feet, it provides a glimpse of what the |
| With an average yearly temperature of just under 73 | | | | falcons and eagles might see as they hunt prey from |
| degrees, Phoenix enjoys what most of us have only | | | | their lofty heights. |
| read about. July and August averages top out in the | | | | For the golf enthusiast, there are over 200 courses |
| low 90's. In the dead of winter, while we are scraping | | | | to challenge you and many of the PGA and LPGA |
| windshields before we can drive to work, Phoenicians | | | | tournaments are held in Phoenix. If speed is your |
| are enjoying temps in the low 50's. That's light jacket | | | | thing, Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) hosts |
| weather for those of us closer to the North Pole. | | | | Indy Car and NASCAR. Of course swimming is high |
| The city of Phoenix is situated in a valley in the heart | | | | on everyone's list and there's no lack of water in |
| of the Sonoran Desert with the Great Basin and the | | | | Phoenix in spite of its desert location. There are no |
| Rocky Mountains to the northeast and the aptly | | | | less than 6 lakes within an hour and a half of the city |
| named South Mountain to the south. It's comfortably | | | | including Apache Lake, Lake Pleasant, Canyon and |
| nestled in this crib at an elevation of about 1100 feet | | | | Saguaro each offering boating, sailing and fishing. |
| above sea level. Except for a few local outcroppings, | | | | There are more boat owners per capita in Arizona |
| the area is flat as an ironing board and if you climb | | | | than any of the other 49 states. |
| one of the local mountains, Camelback, Superstition | | | | Professional sports isn't forgotten in the Valley of the |
| Mountains (love that name!) or Phoenix Mountain for | | | | Sun. There are 8 professional teams including the |
| instance, you're treated to a spectacular view | | | | Diamondbacks, Cardinals, the Rattlers and the Suns |
| hundreds of miles in every direction. Voted one of | | | | for baseball, football and basketball fans. |
| the top 10 safest cities by Risk and Insurance | | | | Yes, the city of Phoenix has won a place in my heart |
| Magazine back in 2005 because of the unlikely event | | | | just as it has of nearly anyone who's been there. |
| of natural disaster, the biggest concern for residents | | | | Just ask the approximately 4 million people in the |
| is the summer heat. | | | | Greater Phoenix area and they'll echo the praises just |
| The locals bask in the glow of the sun's rays an | | | | as this author has. It's a little piece of Paradise on |
| average of 211 days a year, we might see 90 if | | | | earth. |