Wildflower Hike – White Tank Mountain Regional Park

Waddell, Arizona.

As we wind down to the last few days of the spring of 2017, sitting here in Fargo on a rainy Tuesday morning, I recall those last few days in Buckeye in late March.  This spring, the wildflower season is the best I’ve seen since wintering in Arizona. Prior to this year, 2013 was my go-to year for showing off wildflowers. This year far surpasses 2013 in coverage.

Scottsdale’s Old Town

Scottsdale, Arizona.

I was first introduced to Old Town Scottsdale by friends who said we absolutely MUST have dinner at Frank and Lupe’s Restaurant. We make it there at least once every winter, even though it’s a 45-minute drive from our house in Buckeye. Either before or after lunch, we would walk north of the restaurant and check out the upscale shops and stores that Scottsdale is known for.

Tortilla Flat – An Arizona Legend

Tortilla Flat, Arizona.

Nestled in a small valley at what my father would have called “a wide spot in the road,” Tortilla Flat has a history that is mostly of legend. Tales of settlements go back to the prospectors and Native Americans of the 18th and 19th centuries. Historians, however, tell a different story.

Ass Kickin’ Car Show – Our First with the Orange Pony

Goodyear, Arizona.

Since Lynn and I started wintering in Arizona, I’ve been looking for an older, (read inexpensive) convertible for us to explore Arizona on those warmer winter days. This summer, in Fargo, I finally found one that was not only affordable for me, but is in excellent condition, and at 13 years old, is well on its way to becoming a classic. 

But I Digress… Daily Photo Buckets

Montezuma Well, Arizona.

For Monochrome Monday, check out this sycamore tree. With seeming intelligence beyond my expectation, this sycamore needed to wrap around a cliff ledge overhang in order to achieve maximum sunlight. If your eyes follow the trunk to the extreme top of the image, you’ll see the edge of the cliff that it had to negotiate around.

Cellpic Sunday – 30 April 2017

Phoenix, Arizona.

The Holbert Trail, from the base of South Mountain to Dobbins Point and further, is a bit of a climb. Along the way, you will find it advantageous to stop and take photos. You stop, not only because they photos present interesting views, but the pause gives you a chance to catch your breath and grab a swig of water. The hike isn’t long, only a couple of miles, but it climbs around 1200 feet.

Gillespie Dam Bridge

Arlington, Arizona.

On one of our hikes, I was visiting with a hiker friend about places to visit that are “off the beaten path”, places that avoid the hustle and fast paced Interstate highways. Our friend, Leenie told us about just such a place, the Gillespie Dam Bridge. She and her “biker friends” find many of these out-of-the-way places to simply enjoy the journey.