Feels like Fall in Tucson

Today in Tucson you can actually feel Fall in the air; how ironic that it's the first official day of the season. One of the things I miss about the Midwest is the chilly temperatures, gusty breezes and golden landscape that carry you thru Halloween and Thanksgiving. This morning patches of grey clouds are hanging in the air, but the sunshine keeps breaking thru every so often, reminding us that she's the one in charge. When you live here and experience about 320 days of sunshine a year, you get a little excited when the sky clouds up and a cool breeze blows thru. And since Tucson doesn't really see the seasonal changes that cooler climates do, it's refreshing when the weather surprises us. Compared to other parts of the country, Tucson is still pretty warm. The temperature right now is about 80 degrees, but the overcast skies and steady breeze makes it feel a lot cooler.

You won't see the bright Fall colors in Tucson that you might find elsewhere (anywhere that has trees). There is large number of plants that bloom in the Fall, and some that turn that faintest hues of yellow and red, like the Ocotillo. One of my favorite seasonal plants is the Pyracantha, which is green with small white blooms in the Spring, and develops bright red berries when it turns colder in the Fall. It resembles holly, and birds love to eat the berries, so it attracts a lot of wildlife.

If I really want to experience rich Fall colors I head to Flagstaff, which is northwest of Tucson. It's about 4 1/2 hour drive on I-17, and it's a much higher elevation (7000 ft) then Tucson so you' find an endless forest of tall trees as you drive on the winding roads. During September and October the colors are incredible, and people all over Arizona make there way to Flagstaff to enjoy the scenery and cooler temperatures. It's a great escape and it helps people like me remember that there still seasonal changes during the year, even if we don't get to experience them!