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| - It was like a vestige as a hummingbird fluttered in the blooming plant in my entryway as I left my Phoenix home for the last time in January. I remember conscienciously thinking "good bye palm tree, good bye outdoor swimming pool, good bye golf course, good bye", as I drove away and headed for my dismal hotel by the airport. Though a great adventure was ahead of me, I couldn't help but drop a tear as I watched my last Phoenix sunset for a long time. It radiated pink and purple that day as if it was putting on a show just for me, with Camelback and the Papagoes as the backdrop.
The people, oh the fabulous people that inhabit Phoenix, come to life in winter. We have events, parties and conventions that are hard to beat...The Waste Management Open, The Super Bowl and even the nerdy International Science and Engineering Fair. And I can't leave out the anticipation of spring training Cactus League baseball. People flock to us in winter be it for the sunshine or whatever, I personally think it is for the nice people. Don't listen to the foolish news, that loves to talk of our strange politics... I guess that is part of the allure in this wild part of the west as well.
If you venture to the beautiful valley of the sun in winter, don't be foolish and forget a coat. It may be sunny by day, but until the sun comes up there is frost on the ground. This is after all a desert and it's mood swings in winter are no joke!
If it chances to rain, a few days later go for a hike. The blooming cacti and desert flora will fill your nose with the most amazing pungent tropical smells.
As I sit here freezing with a jacket, boots and scarf on at a train station typing this review, the thought of Phoenix in winter makes me smile and warm inside.
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