Summer is here in Southern Arizona

Being from the Tropics (I was born in Hong Kong), heat does not bother me that much. I love the weather in the Tucson area. For the last few months, we have been able to open our windows at home almost all the time. But now that May has arrived, the heat is also here. We have our air-conditioning on in the daytime; the nights are still pleasantly cool.

Tourist season is pretty much over. Tourists and people from up north wintering here (“snowbirds”) usually stay here from October to April, when our temperatures are really ideal. So about this May time of year there is not much traffic at all, shopping centers are quieter, and you don't need to call for reservations at your favorite restaurants. May is also the time of year when our fabulous resorts start having discounts or special package plans, and restaurants have discounted meals and extended “Happy Hours.” We've been taking advantage of these discounts and are enjoying the more upscale restaurants at a fraction of their usual prices.

There are things I like in the Tucson area every season of the year. This time of year, I enjoy being outside and breathing the early morning air before it gets too hot. Later in the day, I enjoy relaxing in our backyard shade with a glass of wine, watching the sunset. We spent a few days in Tubac last week and enjoyed their cooler temperatures; Tubac, though south of Tucson, is at a higher elevation. The Madeira Canyon, near Green Valley and south of Tucson, is another pleasant destination we will head to, to get cool off during the day. Mt. Lemmon, northeast of Tucson, is usually in the 70's or low 80's, and has very interesting flora because of its high elevation. So, there are quite a few places nearby where we can cool off naturally if we get too warm in Tucson proper.