Recognizing the White Tank Mountains from the Sahuaro Ranch


Every once in a while people will show me an old photo and ask if it's a view from the Sahuaro Ranch, which is right near where I live, and if it shows a view looking west towards the White Tank Mountains, I'll recognize it right away. If the mountains don't look familiar, I'll see if I can match up the edge of the mountains in another direction. I've always call these "teeth marks" (As if someone had reached down and taken a bite out of the mountains - like an old military dog tag).

The pic at the top of this post is the view this morning looking towards the White Tank Mountains on Cheryl at 67th Avenue, which would be looking due west from the Sahuaro Ranch, which has been there since the 1890s, and of course the mountains have been there even longer. The distinctive "U" shape is recognizable from this angle, and also along Peoria Avenue. If you glance up the next time you drive there, you'll see it.

Of course, most people never see it, never look at it, and it's just something that blends into the background, like palm trees. The most common thing that I hear from people who've lived here for a long time is that they never really looked at it. But to me, the mountains around Phoenix are the like faces of friends, and the White Tanks are my favorite. I recognize them the same way that I recognize the people that I care about, and if they all look the same to you, I guess I understand, but it makes me sad.

I've lived in this neighborhood for a long time, and it's my dearest wish that I will never have to leave it, and always be surrounded by my friends, including the White Tanks.
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