Ready for the move. . .

[markclark57]

Spent the last weekend in Phoenix visiting friends. The initial idea was to have some time with friends while relaxing from a way too stressful carrier. It quickly turned into shopping for housing opportunities and thinking about a move.
Patricia and I are both fed up with our jobs and looking for a change. Our near pristine 6 bedroom on immaculate landscape needs little improvement to be ready for the market.
Look out CJ & MarkG hear we come. . . :-)

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Arizona has some beautiful country. You will be moving from a state that receives very little rain to a state that receives hardly any rain.

[Netnorske]

Really...?? Arizona in the summer.....?? Not so much......

....but good luck if that's what you guys decide to do.... :).

[markclark57]

Yea, sorry Kris. Hide from the heat in Phoenix 6-8 weeks a year is better for us that deal with the cold and rain 8-10 months a year. Also, property and retirement opportunities there are better for us.

[ringadingh]

Good luck, if you like warm climates that seems to be the spot.
I don't think I could take the heat.

[markclark57]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Good luck, if you like warm climates that seems to be the spot.
I don't think I could take the heat.

Ring,
Wow, how honored. I did not expect to hear from you so soon after your crash. We both hope that you are doing well with your injuries.
A large part of our move will be financed by settlements from our crash in September of last year. Some of my employment issues are due to crash injuries that are still slowing me down.
The Phoenix heat is only scary a few weeks a year. That's lots less than the months of foul weather that we are used to dealing with in the Puget Sound.
Get well soon Ringadingh. If you get cold, come visit us in Phoenix in the cold season. :-)

[MarkG]

You have some misinformation about the heat in Phoenix. We had our first 100 degree day the last of April. There have been a few since. If everything goes right maybe the last 100 degree day will be toward the end of September. Consider five to six months of temperatures above 90 and a good four months of that are above 100. Oh yeah, it is a dry heat, dehydration will set in that much faster.

If this is the first time you have been in the southwest you need to watch your water intake. If you are the least bit thirsty you are already a gallon of water behind. If your urine is yellow or a dark yellow it means you are dehydrated. Your urine should be mostly clear. Read up on the symptoms for heat stroke, heat exhaustion, etc. so you will recognize the signs and get indoors to cool down and hydrate yourself.

Caffeine and alcohol are your enemies the first year. They should be used sparingly if at all. The reason, both will cause dehydration quicker. People also make the mistake of drinking too much Gatorade or other alternative liquids. Don't, it will really screw up the kidneys a little is okay. Once you get used to the climate you will know your limits.

Find a good hat with a brim if you are going to be outside. The hot sun on your head is not fun. One other thing is wear sunglasses when you are outside. The constant glare is hard on the eyes.

As things get closer, CJ and I can give you quite a bit more information about the area.

[markclark57]

We have friends in the area that are helping with things too. Patricia will be new to the desert. I am a returning former resdent of Scottsdale, but that was in the 1970's (wow, what a change). More recently I visited for confrences at Phoenix First A/G.

In the Northwest we "hide" from the weather for temps below 40 (which happens a lot). Even above 40 Patricia doesn't like to ride in the rain.
Our "hide" point for Phoenix will be 105+ and that usually leaves most of the 24 hour day nicer for riding than "rain in the 40's". Meanwhile, temps indoors are still in the 70's.

Also there are real estate issues. The properties available in the Puget sound that fit our wants and needs are too expensive and too rare. We are looking for a 4 bedroom main house with a 1 bedroom guest house and a closed in garage/shop area on a single level (no more stairs). Preferablly near the University. Anything fitting that discription is about $100K more in the Seattle area (if you can find one) than in Phoenix.

[audiogooroo]

Originally Posted by markclark57

We have friends in the area that are helping with things too. Patricia will be new to the desert. I am a returning former resdent of Scottsdale, but that was in the 1970's (wow, what a change). More recently I visited for confrences at Phoenix First A/G....

I know that church. Tommy Barnett, right? My company put the audio system in there a few years back.

[ringadingh]

[quote
Get well soon Ringadingh. If you get cold, come visit us in Phoenix in the cold season. :-)[/quote]

They say I'm gaurranteed to have arthritis set in at some point, so that may be a possibility in the future, Thanks.

[cajun2wheels]

I made it three years on the flight line at Luke AFB and I survived.

[markclark57]

[/quote]
I know that church. Tommy Barnett, right? My company put the audio system in there a few years back.[/quote]

That's the one. . . Nice job on the sound too. ;-)

[markclark57]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

[quote
Get well soon Ringadingh. If you get cold, come visit us in Phoenix in the cold season. :-)

They say I'm gaurranteed to have arthritis set in at some point, so that may be a possibility in the future, Thanks.[/quote]

They said the same for Patricia. She was walking 4-5 miles a day befor the accident. Now it's bike, Yoga, or swim for minimum impact.

[markclark57]

I was lamenting all of the cold/wet weather gear we own for the move to Phoenix.

Patricia reminded me that we'll be semi-retired and might take a ride to some place cold. ;-)