The Ups and Downs of Tucson

We followed the frontage road along I-10 south until we were across from Picacho Peak itself, and the state park that sits on its flank. Here in the park, on the flank of the peak, one sees saguaros for the first since since the Phoenix area. It's impossible to follow any paved roads south of here except for the Interstate and its frontage road, unless you swing far west out through the res, which we didn't want to do. So we got on I-10. 

By that time you are coming near the northern fringes of the sprawl of Tucson, and we didn't want to linger there. We both like Tucson to a degree, but it was not the focus of this trip. We wanted to whip right through it. It's sad in a way because my uncle and aunt live there, and we've been guests at their house. I love them both very much. But it would be almost impossible to visit right now because of politics. If they didn't already know my politics by now, they would be shocked to know who I'm voting for, and it would not be a good shock. I pray them for regularly in any case. 

Tucson overall is a bit overrated in my opinion. It seems like a good balance to Phoenix, without all the downsides of Phoenix. It's much smaller, more compact, more deserty immediately. My uncle and aunt like in the deserr like area with roads that go up and down through dry washes that flood in rainstorms, as the constant parade of signs tell you. Past them is Saguaro National Park, the name of which tells you what you need to know about. The concept of Tucson is perfect, but like Portland, it's a bit different once you see the reality.

Today we went right through the city on the Interstate, until it forked and became another Interstate I-19. Almost immediately the pavement felt rougher. The mile markers are in kilometers---the only road in the U.S. where one finds this, a fun fact that one learns at every opportunity possible in rest areas and on maps. Once you are past the airport, the road is flanked by a curious "town" that stretches for twenty miles but is only half mile deep away from the freeway. It is mostly newer construction, with modern looking strip malls and grocery stores at the interchanges, as one sees everywhere in America.

You begin to have the feeling that you are going somewhere different, and of course you are. You are going to the border.