I was driving on Via Rancho del Lago the other day.  I had just passed the Del Webb community entrance and was leisurely driving south.  I saw ahead of me an elderly man who was walking on the sidewalk.  He did something that I have seen many times before.  I saw him pause, look around, and then head back the other direction.

I thought to myself, "how many times have I done that"?  There are so many times when I just need to go for a walk.  I get tired of sitting at home in front of the computer and I just need to stretch my legs.  It would be wonderful if there were a coffee shop within walking distance of my house.  I could walk to the coffee shop, get a frapu-something, and then walk home.  I would feel invigorated, refreshed, and renewed.  But alas there are no coffee shops in Vail. So when I go for a walk, many times I walk for a bit, turn around, and go back home.

(There once was a railroad car coffee shop near the historic Old Post Office between the tracks many years back, but Pima County forced them to move.  Thank God that Pima County is watching over us or we might have other developments and have, you know, actual stuff in Vail.  But I digress.)

A typical view in Vail

I don't know for sure who coined this phrase, but I think it may be Don Diamond.  The phrase is, "In Tucson, open space is the ocean view" or something like that.

When you visit California or Hawaii or any place near the ocean, you will pay a premium for the ocean view.  Many people will sit in their hotel room and stare for hours at the ocean.  Why?

It's interesting.  It's peaceful.  It's relaxing.  And when the mood happens, you can usually leave your room and go for a walk along the beach.

Arizona is completely void of an ocean, so this is really a silly discussion.  But is it?