Arizona Heat

When Natalie Merchant asks "Is a cactus blooming there/upon the northern rim/or in the ruins of the Hopi mesa dens?" I am kindly reminded of the beauty and impact of that beauty that Arizona has had upon artists and photographers who have trod and trampled across the natural scenery of Arizona's three well known geographic regions.
But that got me to thinking, who in the name of old Mexico, is the most famous Arizonan of them all? Immediately, I thought Barry Goldwater would be a good candidate. He did run for President, but then again, so did Paul Tsongas. d Moris Udall and Carl Hayden come to mind to say nothing of Ira Hayes. But I think they only resonate with Arizonans. To me, there are really only two names that resonate outside the state. These are Wyatt Earp and Geronimo. That's right, these two famous figures from the Mythic West are from none other than Arizona, or was that the Arizona territory? In any case Arizona can lay claim to both of these, and you know, it's about time. The shoot out at the O.K. Coral's been immortalized in dozens of Hollywood films. And well, Geronimo is, just famous. Or is he infamous? He symbolizes the independent spirit of the Great Southwest and fought both Mexicans, other Indian tribes and Americans in his quest for independence, freedom, and just wanting to be left alone.








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