I visited Phoenix, Arionza for the first time last July & was immediately hooked. Being a born & raised east coaster, this oasis in the desert was like no place I had ever experienced. Here are 5 reasons why I’m so in love with the Valley of the Sun.
1. The Red Rocks
The first time I flew into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, I couldn’t believe the view out my plane window. The red desert seemed to endlessly stretch, to the horizon & beyond. I always imagined that the southwest of the U.S. would be, well, brown. And dull.
But it’s not. The red rocks change color with the changing sun throughout the day, various shades of red: auburn, burgundy, wine, tuscan red, dark red, chestnut. Phoenix & its surrounding desert might as well be a wall of red paint samples at Home Depot.
2. The Mountains
Much like the red rocks, I was surprised to see mountains popping over the horizon on my first visit. I’ve learned to love Phoenix’s mountains – officially called Buttes – are part of the Phoenix Mountain Range. They’re home to hiking & biking trails & the A Mountain in Tempe offers the perfect view of planes landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor.
One day, I’ll extend one of my Phoenix business trips by a day or two so I can do some hiking of my own.
3. The sunsets
I don’t know what it is, but I’ve never seen a bad sunset in Phoenix. Move over beach, you ain’t got nothing on the desert.
4. The Food
Phoenix has a vibrant food scene, a combination of tex-mex, west coast food & plain ol’ darn good food. One of my favorite meals to date was at The Gladly, home of the original chopped salad (it has its own Facebook page – seriously!). Ranked a close second? My first In & Out Burger experience!
5. The Flight
Can you like a destination because of what it takes to get there? The flight from Washington, DC to Phoenix is basically a geography lesson about the United States. On a clear day, you can easily pass the five hour flight by staring out the window, watching the landscape change: the Appalachians lead to the mighty Mississippi, to the flats of the Midwest Plains & into the desert.
Phoenix is a little Oasis in Arizona :). Next time your hear I’m taking you to Sedona, Flagstaff and then the Grand Canyon…Just like your 5 hr flight the landscape will change so rapidly you’ll forget you even left Phoenix AKA the Sonoran desert :D
I definitely want to go visit all those places!
Being an Arizona native I’ve kinda taken the beauty for granted but, your pictures helped bring that spark back. I can’t remember the last time i sat outside on our porch swing and watched the sunset. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty of my home.
I’m constantly amazed at how beautiful the sunsets are! Please go sit on your front porch and enjoy tonight’s sunset for me :)