Both of my parents grew up in small towns and rural areas, so I heard plenty of stories about their experiences. These range from one mile walks to the school bus stop at 6 a.m. to herding livestock in the summers and hauling water from the local water pump. However, despite all the difficulties of growing up in remote areas, I know they wouldn’t give up those experiences for anything.

Whether you also grew up in rural areas or if my fellow city dwellers wonder what life is like out there, you will want to check out these photos that perfectly illustrate rural life in Arizona:

1. Let's start with the easy stuff. You grew up surrounded by landscapes like this:
Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr
2. And this:
Cobalt123/Flickr
3. And perhaps even this:
Michael Wilson/Flickr
(They all look like paradise to me.)
4. You grew up learning to drive on roads like these:
Alan English CPA/Flickr
In fact, you probably also started learning how to drive far earlier than those city kids who waited until age 15 and a half.
5. Getting the mail is a trip, literally. If you were lucky, the mail was delivered right to your house, but sometimes it required a several mile drive to mailboxes along the highway like these.
Merton Wilton/Flickr
6. You know how to operate one of these without looking like a doofus.
Let Ideas Compete/Flickr
7. Rural life in Arizona also means farming or ranching, so you probably had the chance to herd different livestock.
Rennett Stowe/Flickr
Hopefully as a kid you didn't get too caught up in playing marbles or some other game while you were supposed to be watching the sheep.

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8. Your trusty sidekick and local means of transportation is usually this guy.
Ken Bosma/Flickr
9. Having a dog also means having one who actually works for a living.
Monica D. Spencer/Flickr
Lovable, but scruffy.
10. In some instances, your neighbors are miles away and you can often go days without seeing another person.
Michael Wilson/Flickr
Other than the people who live with you, that is. I hope you keep track of them.
11. You know how to deal with these guys.
Barbara Moore/Flickr
12. A trip to town is HUGE and something you look forward to in the days leading up to it.
Marianne Serra/Flickr
13. You don't dress like this for show. The hat and boots are worn for a reason.
Moyan Brenn/Flickr
14. You also get to see skies like this every night.
Bill Gracey/Flickr

What is your favorite memory about living in rural Arizona? I would love to hear your stories!

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