Next time you have a few months to wander the States, please lurk around the Four Corners and give us your read on the Southwest. I might start off by noting [you are a case in point] that we are the region of the USA which is most often ignored or forgotten… until a person reaches retirement age, anyway.

The Southwestern states, particularly my home Arizona, are so comparatively young that many Northeasterners still seem genuinely surprised when reminded we are States now, not wild unexplored territories with towns named Tombstone and Flagstaff. There was a small but enthusiastic parade just a few years ago in Scottsdale which honored those who had been influential in achieving Statehood for Arizona. Some of them were still alive, hale and hearty (and still armed, though probably no ammunition in those old nickel-plated Colts).

But I know from experience that I’m unable to see key facets of the essence of the Southwest because “I are it”. Living in California for 20 years has given me some perspective but not enough… Calexico is too much like Nogales, after all.

Still, I volunteer to be your host and tour guide on your next journey!
Grace and strength to you, Russ.