Random Flagstaff and NAU facts I have learned so far

For my Strengthsquest buddies, Learner is my number 6, so it should be no surprise that I have already starting accumulating little factoids that I find interesting.

• Railroad tracks go through the middle of town and a large number of trains pass through Flagstaff daily. I hear them rumbling all the time. However, a noise ordinance was recently passed that prevents them from using their horns except in emergencies.
• There is an airport, but it is so small that the person that checks you in shuts down the check in desk at a certain point and then runs security, so running behind is not suggested!
• Historic Route 66 goes through town
• Two cemeteries border NAU’s campus. Apparently this is unique enough to warrant a Trivial Pursuit question. It can also be an issue with Native American residential students who are not comfortable with a view of “dead people” from their window.
• The mascot is Louie the Lumberjack. Frankly, I find him a bit scary looking and I am not sure why anyone would want a t-shirt with him on it.
• The school colors are blue and sage green with touches of gold, however, the athletic colors are blue and gold because they cannot find sage green in uniform colors.
• The original campus buildings are made out of this beautiful red sandstone brick that I have never seen before. It looks like giant roughly carved stones. It is called Coconino Sandstone, which is also the name of the county I live in (which according to Wikipedia, it is the second largest county by land area in the 48 contiguous states.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconino_County,_Arizona
• I was told that the current mayor of Flagstaff is the first woman elected and she is younger than 30. Wow!
• Mid-July (and my arrival time) marks the start of Flagstaff’s monsoon season. What does this mean you ask? It leads to regular afternoon thunderstorms through mid-September. If you really want to know the technical weather reasons, go here: http://www.arizona-vacation-planner.com/monsoon-season.html
• The Walk Up Skydome, where they play football, is the 3^rd largest wooden dome in the country and held the record as the largest from 1977-1983.
• The Arizona Cardinals football team are currently on campus for their summer training camp.
• The scientist that discovered the origin of the anthrax that was being sent through the mail after 9/11, is at NAU.
• Pluto was discovered at the Lowell Observatory here in Flagstaff. There are also special light pollution ordinances in the city due to the presence of this observatory.