10. There are amazing life forms here that just don’t seem to live anywhere else, like the saguaro. 9. There are not enough plants here to fuel the fires like in California, not near here. 8. There is not enough rain here to flood for very long — it floods on over a micro area and quickly dissipates. 7. Even the name means rising rekindled from ashes. 6. It is affordable and beautiful, and there are jobs. 5. Mountains, sunshine, arid conditions…..
The desert sunlight is relentless and unforgiving — unless you plan ahead. The animals and plants must compete viciously to acquire and retain water, and then bloom passionately in deep colors during brief favorable conditions. Only the extreme survive, but when they do they tend to survive for ages, growing slowly but with deep roots. The people reflect the lessons of their environment. It all sounded great on paper: we can vote ahead of time by sending in a simple paper ballot……