Take a good pair of mud boots if you have business in Cave Creek: It's going to be a while before it dries out in what has become Maricopa County's version of a rain forest. Since Jan. 1, a rain gauge 1 mile west of Cave Creek Town Hall has recorded 11.02 inches of rain, more than twice the 4.86 inches that has fallen at Sky Harbor International Airport. That makes Cave Creek the county's rainiest place where people actually live.

Sky Harbor recorded measurable precipitation for eight consecutive days, which is the third-longest streak ever and just two days shy of the all-time record set in 1926.

Top left - Hail! It really is winter in Arizona.
Below - The backyard looks like a meadow so we set the horses to work mowing the grass.