Top 10 Reasons to Love Summer in Arizona

Yes, we live in a desert and summers in the desert can be a great test to someone's endurance. The other day, my husband and I were discussing air conditioning. Ours went out on Sunday and I found myself seeking the solace under the shade of my ceiling fan while my kids doused themselves with the garden hose outside. I should have joined them. Our air conditioning was out for maybe half a day and I was contemplating several unexplainable things in order to find comfort in some way during this long hot summer. One half day, and my world was over.

However, God answered my prayer through my very wonderful brother-in-law. Thank you Rusty. Then again the A/C went out only this time at church. It was hot but God sustained me and my family with the strength to endure it.

Normally around this time everyone sends out funny reasons why Arizona in the summertime is quite literally hell on earth I would like to turn it around a bit and recount 10 reasons why summertime in Arizona can be quite enjoyable. So here we go...

1. Monsoons - nothing brings down three digit temperatures like a great rain. And the smell of it afterward is amazing. The best air we can breathe. Purely made by the hands of God. Perfect.

2. Red sunsets after the Monsoons - take your camera out after a good rain and go for a walk. You can't take a bad picture of the sunset here. I have yet to see one. In fact, the cover picture for this site was taken after a monsoon rain. Bella and I enjoyed that walk. God makes great sunsets here. Just Beautiful.

3. Desert creatures - you can encounter several desert creatures during the monsoon season that normally don't come out otherwise. My flowerbed has become home to some frogs that only seem to make an appearance for two months out of the year and the kids are fascinated by the fancy webs of the Orb weaver as well as the spiders own zebra like pattern. The kids and I have seen a very large tortoise, a moth the size of a red cardinal, and a three inch grasshopper to name a few of our desert friends who pay us a visit. The black widow, not so much.

4. Raspados - where else in this country (besides Texas, maybe?) can you find a great thirst quencher like this. Normally found on the south side of town this little Mexican treat tastes great on a hot day. Follow it up with a genuine shredded beef taco with some limes. You won't regret it. Mexican food is to die for here.

5. Night walks - One of my favorite memories as a kid was taking a walk at night through Sabino Canyon. Watch for snakes and mountain lions! Wait - those are bad things - but the smell of the air (thanks to the monsoons) and the cool crisp weather make these a wonderful treat only to be treasured after a hot summer day.

6. Boiling water straight out of the faucet - now I have to be sassy. This is the only place I know where you truly have to be careful running "cold" tap right out of your sink; however, the plus is you don't have to spend a long amount of time boiling water on your stove top. A great way to "keep the heat out". LOL

7. BBQs - Do you ever smell your neighbor cooking barbecue and you secretly wish they would invite you over? Or show up on your doorstep with some carne seca or tri-tip and proclaim they made "way to much and would surely appreciate if you take this" of their hands? Well, here barbecues can happen throughout the year. (I love the smell of burning mesquite in the winter) But the summertime a BBQ is a great excuse to keep the heat outside your home and dinner you know is going to be good!

8. Swim parties - If you have a pool, more than likely you are one of the most popular people in Arizona at least one season of the year. Swimming is great exercise and so much more fun if you are at a friends house enjoying their company. Pack sunscreen though and lots of it! My kids don't burn, they tan if they even think about going outside. I have to admit I love kissing those little brown feet in the summer and especially love tickling the underside of their feet where their once pink skin still resides.

9. Dry clothes in five minutes - if you are one of the "primitive people" who choose not to run a dryer your clothesline will give you dry clothes in no time here. And if you happen to throw yourself in a pool solely for the purposes of cooling off just sit in a beach chair and relax. You will be dry in no time at all. That's the nice thing about Arizona. No humidity. Well, unless it rains but it still isn't as bad as Georgia or Ohio or even Florida.


10. No school or school - This one Bella chose. I have to agree. The summer breaks are a welcome treat for both teacher and student alike; however, since we are talking about summer times in Arizona I am going to have to say that most families here actually do school through the summer to keep the kids inside then take their three month vacation during the winter. Not a bad idea at all since family comes in to visit during the holidays and winters here are normally a crisp seventy degrees.