What I've learned in Arizona

 which is a lot. So how about one of those lists with a few things I've learned, just in case you're thinking of a trip to AZ for a slower and healthier life.

1,  The desert is damn dangerous, mucho peligraso. There's sharp stuff everywhere. On our very first hike in the desert my ankle just kinda brushed a short kind of hairy looking thing and 6 weeks later my skin is still uncomfortably irritated. The cure...duct tape. Yup, you stick it on hard after you've already tolerated removing your hair with it and walla, out comes the invisible little spikes .

2.  The roads are damn dangerous ! mmmmm,,,,how to say it....well, most people my age have dealt with family or friends who have gotten to that point in their lives where they shouldn't be driving, it's a tuff deal but it's scary true. Most towns have some of these folks cruising around from time to time but Grass Valley AZ with a medium age of 74 has thousands of them. I've seen the oblivious run right through stop lights and I'm not talking about trying to 'beat' the stop  light, I'm talking full blown dodge the dummy at the light...

3. It's a slower life because the guy in front of you at the store takes 10 minutes to write a check and then 10 more minutes to balance his check book and ask for  double bags.

4. The way to catch fish is to know where and when the stocking is done.

5. If you want to make money either open a pet store or buy an ambulance.

6. It's pretty here and amazingly affordable.

7. It's like Mexico light...We've been living off a real Mexican Tienda where I get my Menudo on Sunday and fresh tamales, pico de gallo and wonderful and I mean wonderful Chili Relenos. We even got Mexican shrimp the other day just like the ones we subsist on in Maz. 

8. Road Runner birds aren't rare.

9. Rude people are everywhere.....for instance

Every morning since we've been here at 8:00 a.m. people wave flags and yell on a corner just a block away and in the middle of a huge retirement complex. I don't care what the issue is or who you are it's damn rude. I grew up with a Colonel for a father that taught us that your rights end where the other guys nose begins. So this nicely crafted note was put up where they could see it...and ignored. The worst part is that after so long we've heard people to tell them to go home and then blocks away you can hear the F- Bomb and insults that follow. 

Like I say, you can claim acid rock sounds better than I do singing Country music...I don't care...but jeez, be civil and do it without embarrassing my wife...OK ? Kapeesh ?... So one morning this guy was finally out there on an opposing corner and I told him I was proud of him for standing up...he said they were scaring his dog so he had to do something. Yikes.  Did I mention the part where they were loud and vulgar on Christmas and New Years morning as well as every Sunday ?  I'm with you buddy , ENOUGH alright already.

We went to Nogales to investigate crossing the border to buy cheap Omeprazole that me , MP and Sam all take. It's a ghost town, all closed up. You can see that under normal circumstances there is a vibrant economy and a shopping vibrancy that we love...but....covid.  So if you're reading this Phil and Diane we'd really appreciate a little air drop from Mazatlan in a month or so.

Me and Bob went fishing to Parker Canyon Lake right on the border. You don't here me bragging. Of course I have an excuse with all the wrong fishing gear. But it's a gorgeous spot and very popular, so popular in fact they have high security.

I came with bass gear and of course they were fishing for trout as the water is to cold right now for bass. We hiked and enjoyed the outdoors...does Bob look like he's throwing a shot put ?

But you know me, I found the highliners and introduced myself. One guy was exactly like a lot of my competitors, had everything perfectly organized and plenty of it...Thanks for the tip Matt, next time I'll have the small wire hooks and 10 different colored Power Baits...or I might just wait till it warms up for bass as they're my favorite lower 48 fish so far...maybe because it's all I've caught . But, I will continue with dignity.