Arizona

The last couple of days feel like we are near the finish line, which we are.

Our trip from Las Cruces to Tucson was mainly on interstate. I can't believe the numbers of the Border Patrol officers we have seen since Marfa. Living in State College, we don't see many Border Patrol officers. Here, along the Rio Grande River, I see our tax dollars at work. Speaking of work, they are recruiting. Large billboards along I10 announce that fact.

Another, notable sighting is the pecan orchards. I didn't realize pecans are grown out West...think of them as a southern thing (as in Pecan Pie or pralines...oh, oh, there I go on the food thing again). The trees are beautiful and the orchards stretch for acres and acres.

We encountered a sand storm...there were warnings about "zero" visibility west of Las Cruces, NM. I think of my friends and neighbors going through blizzard, white-out conditions...I am going through sand storms. This indeed, is a big country.

Visiting friends from Penn State in Tucson was great. Marv and Carol are gracious hosts and we were able to catch up about their, more northerly, drive out West. The area they are staying in is north of Tucson and their views of the mountains are stunning.

Yesterday, Don and I took the shortest trip of any travel day...from Tucson to Phoenix. Only two hours away, Phoenix is very different from Tucson. Tucson is decidedly the "West" while Phoenix seems to be more transplanted East. Too much grass in Phoenix. It really isn't sustainable!

Don is at ASU all day today. The Sun Devils have a good football team. College football, I like. Pro football, outside of PA and NY, I don't follow. Little did I know that the "Cardinals" are no longer in St. Louis (but that's another sport, I guess.) Go Steelers.

We leave for LA tomorrow morning. We are ready. I will miss the "open road." Even the bill boards hawking the corny roadside conveniences like South of the Board; Buc Cees; and Akela Flats where one can buy "hillbilly figurines" and "precision fireworks." We have seen so many wonderful friends. Eaten so many wonderful meals (and stopped at NO chain restaurants...after Cracker Barrell).

Our landlord in Santa Monica just emailed me. She wrote "the ocean is sapphire blue today..." We are ready!

Kathy asked me what we plan to do the two months in California...maybe just rest up for our trip back to State College in April? Not sure, but will keep you posted. Just check the blog.