How to tell a Tucson transplant (Catalina Foothills, Catalina: cul-de-sac, apartment complex, condo)

[Busch Boy]

Originally Posted by mdtoaz

Yeah, hubby had a lighter explode in the Jeep last week. D'oh!!

Oh wow, LOL. So, how bearable is the heat there then? I've never been to Arizona and when it gets hot here (in NJ), people always tell me our summers are worse because they're extremely humid (as opposed to the hot, but dry air you guys have). But then again, I've never had anything explode or melt in my car before (with the exception of gum or chocolate ).

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Busch Boy

Oh wow, LOL. So, how bearable is the heat there then? I've never been to Arizona and when it gets hot here (in NJ), people always tell me our summers are worse because they're extremely humid (as opposed to the hot, but dry air you guys have). But then again, I've never had anything explode or melt in my car before (with the exception of gum or chocolate ).

Well, it's hot and dry. Picture a hair dryer on high blowing in your face. I have a soft cover on my steering wheel. It's not only because it's comfy and I like it better, but also because you can't safely touch it in May and June. Same goes for other car parts while opening it. Also, you either wanna buy frozen food closer to home in summer or go straight home if you buy it farther away.

I do think hot and dry is way better than not so hot and humid. We get this kind of weather in July and August during the monsoon season and it can be quite miserable.

[Busch Boy]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Well, it's hot and dry. Picture a hair dryer on high blowing in your face. I have a soft cover on my steering wheel. It's not only because it's comfy and I like it better, but also because you can't safely touch it in May and June. Same goes for other car parts while opening it. Also, you either wanna buy frozen food closer to home in summer or go straight home if you buy it farther away.

I do think hot and dry is way better than not so hot and humid. We get this kind of weather in July and August during the monsoon season and it can be quite miserable.

The blowdryer analogy was excellent! Now I understand what it feels like, until I eventually get to experience it for myself one day.

[Mi_Mom]

1. They are the ones you see buying sunglasses in May instead of at Christmastime.

2. They are the ones trying to see if an egg will fry on the sidewalk in the sun.

3. They brought their lawnmower on the back of the UHaul trailer, only to find out that you really don't need it here. Unless you want to mow rocks.

4. Even though they say I-10 goes east and west....you are confused when your compass in your car says "N".

5. They are the ones who are really curious to see what 'a wash' really looks like during the rains.

6. When someone says they live on the Riverfront.....they are surprised that there is no water there.

[mdtoaz]

Mi Mom, I tried to rep you, but it won't let me. Those are some good ones for the list. The lawnmower reminds me...

We have snow shovels in our garages. (really, my husband's not a stupid man, but sometimes I wonder )

[frogandtoad]

They put their childrens' bed under a vent in a brand new home out in the desert. (OK, we did this before being warned scorpions might come dropping out (!) which they did!!)

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

They put their childrens' bed under a vent in a brand new home out in the desert. (OK, we did this before being warned scorpions might come dropping out (!) which they did!!)

Oh. My. Gosh.


I think I just got 3 new grey hairs.

[michael krotchie]

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

They put their childrens' bed under a vent in a brand new home out in the desert. (OK, we did this before being warned scorpions might come dropping out (!) which they did!!)

This one made me smile.

Along these lines, people who think all types of scorpions will kill you if they sting you. Getting stung isn't that bad folks (although not pleasant.. the 2nd time is more of 'dammit not again!' moment).

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by michael krotchie

This one made me smile.

Along these lines, people who think all types of scorpions will kill you if they sting you. Getting stung isn't that bad folks (although not pleasant.. the 2nd time is more of 'dammit not again!' moment).

Honest to God, I've no clue where people come from with these ideas... I've lived for 5 years in the middle of the gosh-darn totally natural desert, no fence, no nothing, and never had to worry about any of this...

[frogandtoad]

I don't know...on the other side of this (not to start a great big discussion on scorpions BUT....) first of all it was an AZ native who told us not to put the beds under vents. He said only a newbie would do that! He said that the scorpions sometimes get built right into the wall so the first year they will literally fall from the vents.

And they did. I don't know how people have never seen a scorpion when lviing in the desert (not in town) but I'd like to know the secret. We were in our house 2 years and we had probably about 50+ scorpions in the house. We had an exterminator, so many we'd find were already dead when we found them but they were a very regular find in our house. Same with our neighbors. They had lots too. So, as I've said in other threads, apparently it depends where you live, but it was a native who told us about the vent thing and thank goodness he did!

BTW, I'm not terrified of dying from a scorpion--not even from a bark scorpion (although people do die from them in Mexico, they have not had a single fatality in the US in about 20 years b/c of anti-venom and basic precautions) HOWEVER I really would not want my kids to be stung by one. Not the end of the world if they were, but if I can take basic precautions like move the bed? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Just like I wouldn't set up my tent next to a beehive. Stings wouldn't kill me, but why would I want one?!