Oasis in the Desert

Bullhead City, the “Oasis in the desert” is an ideal rural community to visit and or reside. It is home to over 37,000 residents and is steadily growing each year. Arizona’s scenic backdrops of the Colorado River as well as sites of entertainment and rural setting are merely accessories to Bullhead City. The true components of the communities’ success are the individuals that reside and strive for equality and public education for all of the residents. It is not uncommon for communities to classify education as redundant. Bullhead City is making great strives to eliminate such classifications with the implementation of various resources and institutions that cater to purge such norms.

Bullhead City was established in 1984 and is located on the east side of the Colorado River near the Arizona, California and Nevada juncture also know as the Tri- State area. Bullhead City is a rapid growing community consisting of 37,325 residences, many of whom have resided in the area for numerous generations. The Colorado River nourishes the loyal community and provides the essentials for a host of outdoor recreational activities.

The “Aha Macav” also known as the “Mohave/Mojave Indians” resides in the tri-state area. The natives are a tribe of the Yuman linguistic stock, and speak Yuman. Yuman is a language of the Hokan Family, spoken by various tribes from Mexico, Arizona and California. Aha Macav is composed of two Indian words “Aha” meaning water and “Macav” meaning alongside. Historically the Aha Macav people were known for residing alongside the Colorado River, which represented the center of the universe. The people were split into two tribes in 1865 the United States government created the US government Colorado Indian Reservation near Parker (southern range of the Mojave); those that refused to leave resided in the Mojave Valley Fort.

In 1890, the fort was turned into a boarding school to eradicate native culture and language. Although some aspects of Aha Macav culture were lost, eradication of culture and identity failed. Today, the Aha Macav natives have their own schools, community, recreational facilities as well as casinos. They also perform cakewalks, parades and traditional dances as well as create artwork, pottery and jewelry in the community.

To the locals, the Colorado River is more than the primary river of the American southwest. The Colorado is a source of connection with all seven states that it touches as well as a source of entertainment. I grew up on the Colorado River. The river provide a means of recreational activities like boating, jet skiing, fishing, and a place of fellowship to name a few. It is not uncommon to gather at the river for a family reunion, wedding, Bar-B-Que or a reality escape. In the tri-state area, the Colorado River divides three states: Arizona, California and Nevada. The thing that I enjoy the most about the Colorado River is the feeling of escape from geographic territories as well as cultural norms and or limitation.

Bullhead City possesses numerous scenic wonders as well as various entertainment options including the casinos of Laughlin, Nevada located just across the Colorado River. The casinos not only provides a source of entertainment, but an exquisite view of glittering lights and stars can also be seen when the sun falls behind the vivacious Black Mountain ranges in the distance. Such views are prominent in the community that I reside in, Laughlin Ranch.

Laughlin Ranch is a flourishing community in Bullhead City that is set against the magnificent Black Mountains with over 7,000 yards of first class golfing on an 18-hole, par 72 championship course with a 35,000 square foot Clubhouse that is open to the public. Other amenities include full-service day spa, swimming pools, workout facilities and sports bar and grills to name a few.

Despite the entertainment aspect of the “Oasis in the Desert” education is regarded a high priority of the community. Bullhead City faces the challenge of “keeping pace” with accelerated growth, and local educators are responding with impressive results. Every year marks the opening of new schools as the area is populated with new additions to the community. Bullhead City offers quality education for children, as well as adults. Mohave Community College (MCC) and Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) extended campus cater to individuals seeking higher education in the community. MCC has a host of cultural, leisure and entertainment activities in addition to being a learning resource for Mohave County as well as surrounding communities. Facilities such as libraries and computer centers are open to the public on all four campuses. Residents are also encouraged to participate in college activities along with support efforts to create a higher quality of life for everyone by involvement with MCC.

The “Oasis in the Desert” is more than a place of residence. It is a place that I am proud to call home. Bullhead City is like any other community; it possesses elements of history and culture, provides a source of entertainment and implements actions to ensure education and equality to every resident. The key ingredient to the success of Bullhead City is the residents. The community truly understands what it means to grow, but at the same time preserve the backdrop of rural Arizona that has survived countless ages and will continue to do so for generations to come.

Personal Experiences

Bullhead City, Arizona has been the place that I have called home for the past twelve years. Many of the experiences that I have had in my hometown are experiences that I couldn’t have had anywhere else. Bullhead City has been a great place to grow up.

There have always been things to do that are both fun and recreational. Growing up here, my favorite memories are of playing soccer. There is a great youth soccer program through the local AYSO. For youth in the area there are teams that play throughout the season with the season culminating in a tournament. The winner of the tournament goes on to play in the next round, which includes teams from different areas. After the regular season, an all-star team is selected to travel throughout California and Arizona competing in various tournaments.

Of the many other recreational things to do, the river is probably one of the most popular. Not only does the river provide a place to swim and go boating but it is also the biggest attraction to our town. The people that come from out of town to enjoy the river help the local economy to flourish.

The city has been growing a lot but it still has that small town feeling. The fact that you can still get through town without seeing a red light every 25 feet reminds you that this is still a smaller town. However, in the past several years there have been many additions and expansions to the city itself, such as the parkway. Many new premier housing developments are being added on the parkway. This part of town is growing more than any other part.

Across the river is Laughlin, Nevada that has just about anything you could want to do. They have arcades at the various casinos, three movie theatres, bowling, two antique car exhibits, and the river walk. Not to mention that there are many great buffets and restaurants throughout Laughlin. If there is something that is needed that can’t be found in town, Bullhead City is centrally located, in that Las Vegas, Kingman, and Phoenix are all no more than four hours drive. Also, fairly close are Mexico, the Grand Canyon, and the Pacific Ocean which are all great vacation spots.

The best thing about Bullhead City is the personal experiences that I have had. The friends and the memories that I have here are what make this place home. Even though I had the chance to go to school out of state, I chose to stay in state and go to school closer to home because all my friends and family were here.

Bullhead City has been my home for the past twelve years and even though I am leaving, it will always be home. I now realize that even though there were times that I have wanted to leave, I am glad that I didn’t because my life wouldn’t be going in the direction it is going now. There is no telling how my life would be different.

Come Home To Arizona

I have resided in sunny Arizona ever since the day I was born. I enjoy being referred to as a native Arizonan and I am extremely proud to call Arizona my home.

Though I have visited New Jersey, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, New Mexico and Mexico, I cannot imagine living any place else other than Arizona. The weather here is unbeatable 9 months out of the year. The other 3 months out of the year are the summer months. They are rather hot, but at least it’s a very dry heat. It’s not the sticky, sweaty, muggy, uncomfortable type of heat that most places are afflicted with in the summer time. I find that summer time in Arizona is the perfect time of year to take a trip to one of its very clean, beautiful lakes. It’s also the perfect time to go hiking on one of the many mountain tops located here.

All year long, Arizona has the most beautiful mountain and desert scenery that anyone could possibly imagine. Its sunsets are also the most magnificent of any that I have ever seen. I have always appreciated the fact that I can enjoy the Arizona desert with all of its beauty and its natural habitat as well as being able to go up to the mountains and take advantage of the fresh mountain air, the trees, grass, lakes, and the cabins and wildlife located there. I think its wonderful visiting Mt. Lemmon in the wintertime and renting a cabin for a few days to go skiing and hiking. I also love the fact that I can then come down from the mountains, away from the snow and return to winter weather that the rest of the nation only dreams about.

Arizona is a place where there is so much to do and so much to see. With some of the finest restaurants and tourist attractions, people visit from everywhere in the world. Arizona has the advantages of a big city, but with a small country feel.

Even with its population growing steadily, Arizona still has a vast amount of open land.
It’s a splendid city as well as a beautiful country. It has some of the finest and most modern universities, planetariums, and research centers. It also has some of the finest, and oldest churches, reservations and monuments. It’s a combination of the very old and the very new. It’s both historic and modern day technology--all in one.

The people of Arizona take pride in preserving the state's heritage. They respect and learn from the past. This enables its people to create an even better future. Much pride and care is also given to present day education and technology. Some of the newest medical treatments and procedures have been performed in the state of Arizona with great success. Arizonans believe that education and the educators themselves are essential in the progress of every student in an Arizona classroom. From pre-school on up through college, Arizona's goal is to give their students the finest teachers and the most up to date approach to learning that is possible. Arizona’s colleges are known for being some of the very best. The University Of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University are 3 colleges in which enrollment numbers and enrollment standards reach a new level every year. Many students from all over the country wish to be admitted to these schools. It is considered an honor to be able to attend any of these three colleges. The people and students of Arizona take pride in their schools and their education, and with good reason. They know the future of Arizona will prosper if the students of Arizona prosper. I happen to be a student of Arizona State University. ASU is indeed a great school that I am proud to attend.

Arizona is my home. It could be your home, too. If you love to live life, I recommend it for you. The people here are friendly and there is so much to do. Come home to Arizona. We are waiting for you.

Secrets and Magic in the Desert

Arizona is a state of secrets. And, for the most part, she has kept her secrets well. As more and more people flock to Phoenix and Tucson and Flagstaff, their secrets are lost. However, they are still alive, still flourishing, in places like Bullhead City and Parker and Cottonwood. There are big secrets, like the startling beauty of the Milky Way slashing across the sky like God’s own river of diamonds or the sudden blast of heat as you open the front door in June. Moreover, there are small secrets, like the sound of the baby coyotes on a hot summer night or the sheer bliss of floating down the Colorado. I grew up in a town that has not lost its secrets.

Mohave Valley, bare miles south of Bullhead City, is a town of cotton and alfalfa, sheep and coyotes, tumbleweeds and sand and the cool blue beauty of the Colorado. She is beautiful, but only a special person can see past her rocky, parched earth to the beauty beneath it. In my town, the mountains tower into the sky like silent stone guardians. In addition, when the sun sets behind the western mountains, those in the east light up as if from within. I have never seen such a thing as those mountains all purple, gold, and gorgeous. I have seen pictures of the aurora borealis, in Alaska, and I always wanted to see it. Then one day I realized that I didn’t have to go to the cold reaches of Alaska to lay eyes on it; every night I could see my own aurora, this one set in stone, not air.

When July graces us with her hot, humid presence, the monsoons come roaring down the mountains. Sometimes every night, the clouds boil and writhe and lighting flashes from the sky. Thunder shakes the earth while the hot wind bends the trees and rain is torn from the clouds. Usually I stand in the driveway, face tilted to the sky and arms spread wide, drinking in the violence and the glory. There is an amazing sense of smallness to be found there, barefoot on the wet driveway. It’s a kind of realization, a realization that as important as you may be in your world, you are insignificant in the real world, in the huge world of hurricanes and tsunamis and miracles. Then the storm ends and the sky clears and you think that maybe you are not so insignificant after all.

Mohave Valley is a very small town. The closest Wal-Mart is thirty miles away, and the closest mall is in Las Vegas, over a hundred miles away. The town is so small that it is almost statistically impossible for you to go shopping in Wal-Mart and not see someone you know. When I graduated high school, the roster of graduating seniors was read off. There was not a single name on that list that I did not know. I didn’t realize how rare that was until I got to college and started making friends from other places. While it was frustrating sometimes, especially as a teenager, I did love living in that small, hot town. In Mohave Valley, “traffic” means having a car in front of you and behind you. The Colorado River was within walking distance and we practically lived there during the summer. I was there as often as my friends were, though I have a very fair complexion. This just means that I was the one in the giant, tacky straw hat, slathering sunscreen on and sun burning anyway.

There is some history left in Mohave Valley, too. Oatman, an old ghost town, is nestled in the mountains. They still give tours of the old mine and there are mock gunfights in the streets. The people live above their shops that were built before the turn of the century. An old miner who was killed by a jealous husband haunts the hotel of course. Moreover, miles out in the other direction, across the river and halfway up the other mountains, if you look hard enough, you can find the ruins of Fort Mojave, built two hundred years ago and abandoned when the Mojave Indians decided to turn and take it. In addition, here those Native Americans remain, some in villages that have been there for hundreds and hundreds of years. I have a friend who is full-blooded Mojave, and sometimes when I would go over to her house, her grandmother would tell us stories about how things have changed since the dam was built and sometimes she would tell us the old stories of her people, how the sun came to be and how the earth was created. She died last year, and part of her culture died with her.

There is a kind of magic in a small town; it’s being lost everyday as more people flock from the big cities to the small towns of America. While I do love knowing that more people will discover this magic and love it, I worry about its fate. Will the sheer number of people crowd out the magic? Will it be lost as the magic that was once Los Angeles was lost? All I can do is hope that it is not lost, because the people will flock no matter what. I think they know that there are secrets and magic out in the desert. While at first they may cringe at that blast of heat in the summer, eventually they will bask. At first, the thunder may scare them, but then it will thrill. At first, the scorpions and snakes will terrify, but then they will fascinate. Even with the sunburns and hot concrete, the long-distance shopping and the flocks of sheep in the field across the street, Mohave Valley is my home. However far I travel, and I will, Mohave Valley and Arizona will always be the hot, magical secret waiting for me.

Life Lessons

I have been through Parker many times. A quaint little town set back in the middle of nowhere. How well I know the areas. I used to live in Needles, California. So close to Arizona, people often mistook us for actually being in Arizona. Soon, I moved into the bowels of Arizona itself. Bullhead City; “two miles from water, two feet from hell.” Where temperatures rose to 130 degrees in the summertime and rain was just a dream…and yet how blessed we all are to live in such a culture rich environment.

The small city meant more interaction between the people living amongst us. To live in the midst of such an array of Native American tribes; soaking up their stories and traditions, basking in their culture. The things I learned weren’t always as useful as knowing how to change a car tire. However, they were just as important. They were the stories we used to augment our imagination. They were the tools that helped us grow into the person we would become. They were the foundations we built character on. Whether it was the farm at Wakimoto’s, Grape Vine Canyon, or grinding corn on the matata, each lesson was a life lesson; each moment meant the world. Our traditions may mold who we are but our ambition shapes who we will become.

Nature and Architecture

Arizona has many possibilities to elevate the mind. Public education is essential for future progression. What sets Arizona apart from the rest of the states in the education realm is the inspirational components that supplement learning. The ecology of Arizona provides natural adaptation techniques to ascertain from. The wondrous panorama of the state enlightens spirits. Natural settings promote adventure to achieve well-being. The benefits of desert living inspire seekers of knowledge.

The natural ecosystem of Arizona offers an incredible architecture that has taught the early indigenous cultures to adapt in extreme natures. Frank Lloyd Wright, the most revolutionary architect in the twentieth century, settled in Arizona to experience the knowledge and freedom offered by an open desert. He pays considerable attention to the structural qualities of the vegetation, such as the Saguaro’s reinforced building constructions and the plastic construction of a prickly pear skin. The palm trees stand high and proud, like the skyscrapers of New York City, and provide shelter to the local birds and protection from hungry predators. Vegetation thrives with minimal water and uses its own architecture to shade itself and receive the optimal amount of sunlight, like the columns used in Greek architecture. Natural vegetation reveals a hint to sources of water.

The scenic views in Arizona are breath taking. Riding a mountain bike through the hillside of Sedona, Arizona, one feels the Red Rock Mountains radiating an almost visible energy as the sun recedes beyond the horizon. Sedona is the perfect place for lovers to fall in love. Breathing in Sedona’s fresh, mountainous air will bring balance to one’s body and mind instilling a sense of eternal ecstasy. In Flagstaff, Arizona, just a few miles from Sedona, the setting transforms into a mountainous forest, capable of harnessing the most enjoyable snow that a skier would want to live for. The crisp, cool air of Flagstaff refreshes the senses as extreme athletes snowboard down the snow-filled slopes. However, the most magnificent place on earth is the marvelous Grand Canyon. This incredibly immense landscape illustrates how small humans are in the great scheme of life.

Arizona provides the greatest desire to explore and exercise. The early morning sunrise illuminates the air and awakens the human spirit. A quick jog up Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona can release the lingering toxins in the body. As one reaches the summit, a great sense of accomplishment is fulfilled, as the entire valley is visible in all directions. There are many hiking trails to explore and discover exuberance. Wildlife can be found in unexpected places, like living on a wildlife preserve. When a rattlesnake comes across, time stops, and adrenaline rises faster than on a rollercoaster.

The best move of my life is becoming an Arizona resident, and attending Arizona State University. The natural world gives infinite opportunities to learn from architecturally, offers visual qualities to appreciate, and presents avenues to release stress and gain energy through exercise. These qualities of the Arizona desert inspire people to live their lives to the fullest, and benefit from public education.

Tucson to Flagstaff

With but a few days left before I made the move from Tucson up to my dorm room and new “home” of Flagstaff, I was most certainly on a time crunch. There was so much to do and so many people to see that finding time for anything seemed nothing short of impossible. In the attempt to keep myself sane, every night I would go out on a walk or run in the beautiful desert areas surrounding my house without regard for time or light left or tasks to be accomplished when I returned from my excursion. When I ran, I didn’t really pay attention to the little details going on around me, but when I walked, and focused on taking everything in, I noticed so many breathtaking sites and innumerable memories flooded my head. I would sit on top of a hill in the Arizona National Golf Course and watch the sunset over the mountains and realize as all the lights came on and the stars came into view that I still needed to get home. Something I noticed in the preparation for the moving process is how much more you appreciate things that you had before taken for granted when you know that you are about to lose them. Before I had enjoyed numerous sunsets, walks up Sabino Canyon and hours exploring the hidden corners of Tucson and hadn’t really thought much of it. It was standard and I suddenly realized that these would no longer be staples of my life. Then I remembered all of the fantastic things that Flagstaff has to offer and how I would be experiencing the diversity that Arizona offers and my excitement was restored.

The most amazing thing about Arizona, as I have come to discover over years in Tucson, summers in the White Mountains and now going on a month in Flagstaff, is its diversity. Every corner of the state holds a new climate, different vegetation and varied wildlife. You can go from looking at Indian artifacts in Tucson to shopping the stores of Phoenix to hiking the trails surrounding Flagstaff in only a few hours. The options are limitless and if you negate the fact that we lack a beach, Arizona has it all. I love when people come to visit and are astounded that we don’t get around on horses and all wear cowboy boots. They expect things like cactus and horses but are always taken aback by our advanced technology, elegant spas, country clubs, and abundance of pine forest. In being so dynamic, we provide an option for every taste.

This diversity is demonstrated beautifully by my hometown of Tucson, Arizona. We are a desert region and surrounded by mountains. In the summer, every pool is full of laughing children and protective parents with nights spent in movie theaters and eating dinner on outside decks. In addition, the Catalina Mountain Range is about a 45-minute drive to the top where Tucsonans go to escape the heat and enjoy picnics and hikes. Then in the winter you can partake in the snow that is dumped on the surrounding mountains, go to the zoo, or hike the trails in Sabino Canyon. You can actually do the last two things year-round but they are more enjoyable in the winter because the temperature isn’t ninety degrees by eight o’clock in the morning. I like to think of Tucson as containing all the wonderful parts of Arizona in one city and I know this because I have had the honor of traveling all over this wonderful state. I would spend most of my summers in the White Mountains assisting my uncle at his dog training camp. Numerous weekends were spent in Douglas and Bisbee visiting where my dad grew up. Saturday mornings would involve trips down to Benson or Sedona for breakfast with my best friend and her parents. Every February my choir would travel up to Flagstaff for Northern Arizona University’s Jazz and Madrigal Festival. It seems that no other state in the country has as many diverse activities as Arizona does.

I’ve had the pleasure of finding hidden meadows and canyon ridges, riding on horseback through open fields and running through corn fields and scaring up crows enjoying a snack. I’ve discovered that the best breakfast food can be found at the locally owned places, which I try to frequent as much as possible. I have no desire to repeat myself over and over but there really is nothing like an Arizona sunset and sunrise from the rim of the Grand Canyon. In addition, whether it is from my perch on the golf course or looking out the window of my dorm room, I am enchanted with the amazing state of Arizona that I was fortunate enough to have been raised in.