Snowbirds Getting the Flock Out of Tucson! (Phoenix, Parks: high crime, schools)

[ZonyPony]

Is it THAT time all ready? My goodness, YES!

Its as predictable as the Swallows (http://www.missionsjc.com/swallows.html - broken link) coming back to Capistrano; as certain as Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers migrating southward for the winter, and as commonplace as pigeons returning to a satellite dish!

The majority of these White-crested Spectacled Snowbirds are preparing to fly away to cooler destinations... an event usually occuring no later than May Day!

Yep! They're out there, "summerizing" their nests... getting ready to spread their wings for the big EXODUS!

Don't mean to ruffle any feathers here (we certainly love the boost these migratory creatures give our economy)... however, I definitely enjoy Tucson's Blast Furnace much more, with its suddenly safer and semi-empty streets as well!

Bye-bye! See y'all LATER, Snowbirds!

[Clnconcpts]

You're not trying to stir the pot are you?

[twojulybabies]

Originally Posted by Clnconcpts

You're not trying to stir the pot are you?

Oh, he's the kettle alright.

[Bummer]

GO FOR IT, Zony . . . STIR THE POT!

There is nothing more relaxing than a Mega-Muggy Summer Evening in the Upper Midwest swatting at Mosquitos the size of SMALL CATS!

THANKS but I'll stay right here in Tucson!

! ! ! ! ! !

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by Clnconcpts

You're not trying to stir the pot are you?

Originally Posted by twojulybabies

Oh, he's the kettle alright.

Bummer sez... GO FOR IT, Zony . . . STIR THE POT!

There is nothing more relaxing than a Mega-Muggy Summer Evening in the Upper Midwest swatting at Mosquitos the size of SMALL CATS!

THANKS but I'll stay right here in Tucson!

Now, now, guys...

RARELY would I ever stir the pot! Seldomly would I do anything to be unkind to anyone! My digs are as infrequent as summer rain! Just letting a little bit of love flow toward our TWEET visitors which come in from the COLD around Halloween!

Without the 'Birds coming here and temporarily settling in for about half a year, Arizona would revert to being just another lovely, remote, warm and sunny destination... it would become just what its ALWAYS been: one more playground for flighty camera-totin' tourists.

See?

[beowulf77]

That means I actually get to go the speed limit on Old Spanish Trail when I come to town? Woohoo.... tired of going 30 in a 50 behind some Montana plates...

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by ZonyPony

Now, now, guys...

RARELY would I ever stir the pot! Seldomly would I do anything to be unkind to anyone! My digs are as infrequent as summer rain

See?

Run for the Round House, Zony . . . they can't corner you there!

! ! ! ! ! !

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by beowulf77

That means I actually get to go the speed limit on Old Spanish Trail when I come to town? Woohoo.... tired of going 30 in a 50 behind some Montana plates...

Yes... YES!

Originally Posted by Bummer

Run for the Round House, Zony . . . they can't corner you there!

! ! ! ! ! !

Thanx, Bumster!

[Geechie North]

As a sorta "snowbird" (from Lowcountry of SC originally; we call(ed) "snowbirds" "yankees" back in that life) and presently expatriated to N. Wisconsin for approx. 3 decades, it may (or may not) interest some to read my views on Tucson, from which I just returned after a week's visit.
Yes, not a long-time, granted, but for what it's worth:

1. Re: the old Glen Campbell standard, "By The Time I get to Phoenix". For myself, change the lyrics to read "By the time I get to Phoenix, I'd want to go back to Tucson."
Not that I'd ever want to live there (either place), but at least Tucson has far more natural resource venues to explore (e.g. Saguaro Nat'l Parks and Tucson Mtn.).

2. Tucson, like my former hometown in SC, is a boomtown, with all the good and bad that means. High crime, congested roads, lousy schools/ public services (from what I've read) are derigueur for such joints.

3. Then there's that pesky water thing. Animals (esp. mammals adapted best to mid-latitude deciduous forests) can't do without it.

Do you know that of all the regions of the US of A, residents of the Desert SW have the highest per capita water consumption? That's just crazy. Especially when you see the vast canal that is the Central AZ Water Project, and understand that the ONLY reason any sized population (think carrying capacity from Econ 101) has any sort of viability there is the Colorado River.
No, if I ever lived there, I'd be going through Rolaids like candy watching every snow season in the Central Rockies. Remember the Hohokam? The Anasazi? Climate got them, and they were far better at the water game than are we.

3. Then there's the lack of sustainability Re: energy, in addition to water. Saw a lot of diverse stuff in Tucson; didn't see any solar panels. Understand that is changing, though. And high time, too!

But, still it is fabulous for a fly-in, hike, then get the hell out destination.

In my opinion, which you are free to ignore.

[ihatetucson]

Hopefully you got a GOOD look at those snowbirds leaving Tucson Zony, becuase of Tucson dying a slow and painful death thanks to the inept City Council, I don't think you will EVER see them again.