Southern Arizona or Western Washington State

After the Tucson trip I settled into being home until July. We spent the 4th in Kansas in Derby where my husband helped with their fireworks display and then we headed to Washington to see family. It was wonderful to stay with my old cowboy of a Grandfather ensuring we got the most time possible with him. The horse that each of my kids first rides were on is still kickin at 30years old and Pokey is still a good boy although living out his retirement now. We got to see my dad and my older cousin came over and we were all able to walk down to the river I played at as a kid. With my mom we went to Fort Casey and explored the ruins. And we got to visit with my Granny and I got to hear more stories of her wilder days. All in all a wonderful visit and I miss my family so much.

BUT and hinted at by the title we are now trying to decide if we want to move to Southern AZ or Western WA. It’s not a rush Alex still has a few years in the Army but I’m a planner. So Pros and Cons.

Arizona Pros: Cactus and I love cactus, mountains and huge sky, dramatic light twice a day, mild winters, desert landscape, my favorite landscape to paint, the storms in monsoon season, great hiking, western lifestyle, kiva fireplaces, great environment for photography, arty culture, good weather ¾ the year.

Washington Pros: Beautiful green landscape, moss, great mountain hiking, perfect summers, long summer daylight, Good temperatures all year, near the ocean, gardening is easy, the fall colors, it’s my childhood home, cascade pizza, Ivers clam chowder, my family, some of my husbands family, I still have friends there, I already know other artist

Arizona Cons: Hot summer, no friends or family, can’t walk outside barefoot, little water

Washington Cons: Any family drama, almost no cactus, mold, very expensive, logger over cowboy style, hikes are full of people, traffic

I don’t know

MERC