HikeArizona.COM

I've been thinking about Utah alot lately and the AZ forests are filling with trash thread is making it easier on me to move. They have beautiful scenery, and a life style that looks clean, cleaner than what we have here. But i also did some digging on Utah and know that SLC has a pretty big gang problem, there are complaints on illegal dumping in forest land, and lots of vandalism. Although i don't think (or know) that they have more than Arizona. I hike mostly in the Verde Valley since i live in Cottonwood. I always carry a bag and pick up what i could on the way back. Yes it gets annoying sometimes but it dosn't bother me like it used to. My problem is not feeling welcome on the Reservations with the graffiti and huge amount of road litter, the illegal immigrant situation where redd roxx informs us on illegal trash on nearly every hike down there. Pot growing in the forests and gun battles. Although i've read CA, WA, OR even utah have a big problem too. And the amount of trash in the forest. I'm curious if all the negativity about Arizona has worn thin on people? Would you move to another state because of this? Is the grass greener on the other side. Or am i making this bigger than i need to? I'm trying really hard to keep positive about Arizona but it keeps getting harder. I could not read these threads but i would only be closing my eyes. I don't want to jump ship but Utah seems like the place if i do.

Moving only changes your location, and therefore changes your options. It doesn't change the downside to human nature. I moved from Michigan to Arizona two years ago then to NM about 5 months ago. The only reason I moved was for employment, and I could be equally happy in any of these three states. I'm sure I would love living in the interior of Colorado, or in the Mountains of UT, ID,WY, OR, WA, etc...because I don't seem to care which state I'm in as long as I can easly get somewhere that my senses are completely overloaded by the lack of humanity (and so long as it's not Kalifornia...okay, so there's some very cool terrain there too)

There's plenty to do/see in AZ, same is true of NM, and yes...the same is true of my home state of MI. Enjoy what you have, travel to see what you are missing, and enjoy the ride...

You're darn right, Strand. If you know how, you can be happy almost anywhere. If not, you can be unhappy almost anywhere. I don't blame anyone for being frustrated with all that's wrong in the world. There's plenty that bugs me, too. However, I'm going to enjoy what I can for as long as I'm able. Don't be too hard on gemmidog. Anybody that picks up litter without state supervision can't be all bad.

Yeah, I have learned that lesson myself. I sometimes complain about the rednecks in my area, and the total complete lack of Culchah, dahling, but I really never get bored. That's because I'm always busy, both with work and with projects I'm working on at home, and with hiking and biking. I never seem to have enough time to do everything. Speaking of which, I'm researching for a couple of articles I plan to write, which is why I opened HAZ this morning! And here I am, chatting! ;)

big_load wrote:you can be happy almost anywhere

Especially if you can find good Pizza...



Anybody that picks up litter without state supervision can't be all bad

I take back anything sarcastic I said

you think trash in arizona is bad? You should check out Illinois then. When I used to live there you could not go more then 10ft in any forest or prairie and not find trash