No, This Isn't Seattle

by Nick Coons
Nov 12, 2003

As many people in Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

are not actually from Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

, most are from back east or elsewhere and have transplanted themselves here, it is blatantly obvious that it rarely rains here in the Sonoran Desert, hence the name. In fact, the dictionary definition of a desert is an area that receives less than 10 inches of rainfall annually. I can just imagine the look on some people's faces as they were arriving to Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

for a visit for their first time today, especially after hearing all of the "dry heat" stereotypes that we're all familiar with.

In parts of Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

, such as Flagstaff and outlying areas of Prescott, rainfall was well over two inches. Not to mention the weather has been rather chilly lately. Some of you may remember a couple of weeks ago a mention about a magical weekend near this time of year when the weather changes drastically. And now you newcomers have finally had the chance to see it, late as it may have arrived.

So while you folks from Seattle and back east where rain is common and the sun rarely shows itself, and you want to go back, your homesickness has been alleviated for one more day. For the rest of us that love this state, it was a wonderful break, a free car wash, and a small step towards getting us out of this several year long drought.