Author's Note I travelled to Arizona to finish writing a book while I was closer to my children and found a surprisingly enchanting state that was created out of a desert, learning from and using ancient concepts combining with the new that burst the desert into life. It all started with a water and irrigation system that now includes lakes, rivers, and ponds full of fish. Migrating birds found the creation and they became a resting place on the long journey. After living life from nature on the farm for so many years, I was fascinated by the Arizonans who seem to say to themselves, "I miss that " and then create a facsimile here that allows one to not miss the other places as much, and give the children of the taste of life in the world they are about to explore. I was missing the ocean. Being from the East Coast I think of Cape Cod when I think of ocean and it was so far away. Of course the Pacific is only four or five hours away but I was not going to travel right away preferring to finish the books. So I searched and found the aquarium in Tempe, Arizona and my lonely soul felt a bit full. Here's the photo essay from that visit for you and yours. Love, Donna