Coming from an outside state I can say from experience that Tucson is a place that is quite uncommon from any venue I’ve ever been. The "small town" college feel is deceiving to find that there are over 1 million people living here in the middle of the Sonoran desert. The desert however provides breathtaking scenes of picturesque sunsets and mountains, I never expected to find. I’m blown away by these gorgeous scenes of nature. Coming into town from I-10 you cannot avoid the giant “A” in red, white, and blue on the side of a mountain, marking the city with it's presence. The mountain’s real name is Sentinel Peak although for obvious reasons it is called “A” Mountain. It's a symbol that plays a critical role in the city’s identity because it represents the University of Arizona, a cutting edge institution that has educated many influential citizens in our society. The University is the pride and joy of the Tucson community and we show its importance by placing a giant “A” in the shape of the University’s logo onto the side of a mountain, displayed for everyone to see. Those who have visited “A” Mountain in person know that the journey to the top is scenic as well as dangerous. One cannot help but avoid peering over the edge of a cliff while winding up to the peak. Many bikers and joggers use the mountain for exercise and observe stunning views of Tucson with other surrounding mountain ranges. The giant “A” is more immense than you ever imagined when you reach the peak, and notice people taking pictures of the incredible surrounding scenery. Whatever purpose you have for visiting the site; exercising, taking photographs of the mountains, seeing the “A” for the first time, or just to get away, visiting "A" Mountain is something much more substantial than seeing a mountain with a letter on it. You are visiting a special place that represents the personality of the entire Tucsonian community.
Tucson is a fit community whose citizens thoroughly enjoy exercising. There is so many different kinds of exercising you can do around here, many people take advantage the city's resources. Standing at an altitude of 2,897 feet “A” Mountain cannot necessarily be called a hill, and can imagine that traveling up these steep roads is not easy. The steep winding roads that lead up the mountain allow many people to use the mountain for rigorous exercise. Completing the entire route up and around the mountain takes considerable training and endurance. Merely attempting the journey is a grueling workout. Combine the added thrill of traveling windy roads at great heights and you will entice many people to run, bike, and longboard "A" Mountain's dangerous roads. The beaten down trails from previous visitors provide ideal scenic hikes and walks around the mountain. However, danger nonetheless is a factor no person should forget when visiting this meaningful site no matter what you are doing. Most parts consist of no barriers between you and the sides of cliffs and if you’re not careful you could possibly fall off the side of a cliff. However, the danger is an attracting reason for why people go there in the first place. The danger doesn't scare away everyone and people still visit the mountain to exercise. Exercise is something Tucsonian’s love to do, and no matter form of exercise you are doing when you’re at “A” Mountain, individuals can be assured that their physical condition will improve.
The beautiful mountains that surround Tucson, along with the vivid view of the city can be witnessed here. The clear blue skies and sunlit mountains with extravagant ripples convey the site like a picture from a postcard. This is one reason why "A" Mountain attracts people from all over the city, even all over the state. People cannot help but feel obliged to capture the beauty they see around them by taking pictures of this special place. Tucsonian’s feel proud to call this beautiful and unique city our own. When recognizing how the sunsets paint the sky with pink, orange, red, and purple shades, a feeling of pride is taken over because a site like this is only indigenous here in the Sonoran Desert. It’s a photographer’s paradise to venture to a place like “A” Mountain and capture some of the visible sights. Your memory is permanently engraved with the pictures taken and evokes the same feeling of happiness and pride every time you take a photo. “A” Mountain is also a great place to get a sense of how big Tucson is, the second largest city in the state of Arizona. The astonishing height of "A" Mountain presents a view of the city that is quite surprising, due to the general "small town" atmosphere present in Tucson. However, from here, there are extraordinary views of the greater Tucson area during both day and night time. The beautiful sights that "A" Mountain provides will leave you with everlasting memories and cherished views of a fascinating city.
The giant red, white, and blue “A” that the mountain was named after can be seen when you reach the peak. It is easy to get an idea for how immense the letter is up close. The "A" stands nearly 160 feet tall and 70 feet wide and was created in 1916 by a few engineering students at the University of Arizona. Originally painted white, the “A” was recolored red, white, and blue after September 11, 2001 to show patronage to our country after that devastating catastrophe. Coincidentally the colors were the same as the University’s and hasn’t been changed since. Many students and former students come up to the mountain to see the "A" and pay a token of respect. Being the only major University in the city, we are proud to call Tucson "Wildcat Country" and will stand by our school. It is no surprise that before sporting events against Arizona State, extra precautions are taken so that nothing degrading is done to our "A". The “A” is a giant symbol unifying us students and faculty who make up the institution and the surrounding community. We are the University of Arizona, the city of Tucson, Arizona, and the “A” on "A" Mountain shows people we are a proud community.
Here we have the sun setting behind the mountains of Mount Lemon. This is the ideal spot to get away from your problems and come to a quiet relaxing place to clear your mind. As humans, we are challenged by our problems; we are attacked in every direction by complications, troubles, and difficult tasks as we try to make our way through the day. Though here at "A" Mountain, you can forget about all these constant stresses and escape into a state of peace. Many of us have that place where we can find a site of solitude, free from the negativity and confusing dilemmas of everyday life. The search for such a spot though is not as complicated for many of us who live in Tucson. Like much of the Sonoran desert, our city has been bestowed access to beautiful Foothills, mountains, and rocky formations that define the Sonoran desert landscape. "A" Mountain is one of those places that cannot be fully described, for its stunning sites are beyond words. The city can be seen like a shadow in the distance, nestled in a valley formed from the bottom of the mountains from this view. Behind it, the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, radiantly glowing until its very descent into the mountains opens a night full of vivid and beautiful stars. The enticing views often invites those who gaze upon them, undressing them of their worries and problems. These sites can therefore be the source of happiness for many seeking a route to sail away from their daily worries and into a stream of uninterrupted peace.
These four photographs have depicted how “A” Mountain affects the different visitors that visit this distinct place in Tucson. There may be a variation of reasons why people come to see the giant “A” that is engraved into the side of a mountain, but all visitors are changed after the visit. This distinct place plays great importance in displaying our community’s identity as a city and as a University. Anyone who visits “A” Mountain will be seizing a portion of Tucson's personality that will linger with them perpetually.
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