Home At Last

Our trip home went without a hitch. Even got to spend a few hours with MJ and her parents along the way. It is relaxing while you are away, but you pay for it when you get back home. Bills to pay, yard to mow (yes, I had to mow the grass!), etc, etc.

Unknown flat top mountain in Oregon.

Double rainbow in a California vineyard.

Vera and MJ.

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Last Update From Scottsdale

We head for home tomorrow, anxious to return, but not looking forward to the colder weather. I think Vera and I are bascially home bodies, and a 4 week vacation is about our limit. Asta, on the other hand, has already decided that this is her new home, and will not be happy to hit the road. We've had great fun exploring the area with our friends Bob and Dova, including a trip to Butterfly Wonderland yesterday. Quite interesting, including a must see 3-D movie.

The obligatory Zentangle from Vera

Bob and Dova along with us two, enjoying Butterfly Wonderland

Butterflies everywhere!

This is something we won't miss. We saw about one accident per day, including at least one fatality. The surface streets are wide, with long stretches between stop lights. Combined with very aggressive and fast drivers, and you know what will happen. This was yesterday's quota, and it was right outside of our condo. They do not drive like this in Seattle.

Another example of Spring coming to the Desert Southwest. These blooms just appeared in the last few days. And we're heading back into Winter.

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Spring in Scottsdale

 Spring has sprung here. On our morning walks we have noticed trees and bushes bursting forth with leaves and flowers...these are trees and bushes we walked past every morning and thought were dead. We also noticed activity at the SF Giants fields...we could hear the balls being batted, even though all viewing access was limited.

Anyway, we continue to enjoy sunny and warm weather...although it did kinda rain yesterday. We also continue to catch up on the Oscar nominated movies. Saw 'Still Alice' today and were moved by it.

Due to our Disneyland plans falling through, we will be home early and are looking forward to it. Asta has no idea she dodged the bullet and won't have to go to dog jail for three days. Anyway, we are heading home on Saturday. See you all soon.

Another Zentangle for quilting idea

Mexican Primrose

Wisteria

This tree had no leaves two weeks ago

Phallic looking cactus

Interesting walls for a restroom

Early birds at SF Giants spring training

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Update From Scottsdale

We've kept busy the last few days with our morning walks followed by movies, site-seeing, and of course, good food. We had a fun time with our friends Bob and Dova visiting the Arizona Biltmore, a top end resort hotel with architecture inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. This evening, we went into Phoenix for pizza at Pizzeria Bianco, a suggestion of Marks. Great pizza, and we even found an Arizona red blend wine called "Red" Blend by Dos Cabezas. The name's not too original, but the wine was surprisingly good.

More Vera artwork.

Example of Biltmore blocks designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

"The Biltmore Sprites", architectural sculptures by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Typical lantern at the Biltmore

Interesting Biltmore carpeting

Pelican as seen from one of our walks

Heron closeup.

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Hike in the Desert

Wednesday we hiked a 4.3 mile loop trail in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Go early to avoid the heat and don't forget water. Lots of saguaro cactus, wildlife, and desert scenery. We looked for, but could not find, that elusive roadrunner.

Another Vera Zentangle

Start of our hike. Asta had no idea what was in store for her.

Saguaro thorns. Most of the desert plants seem to have these in one form or other.

Flowers along the way.

Typical view.

  

Quail, we think.

Unknown bird

More flowers

Nearing the end of the trail

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Walk Around the Lake Near ASU

On President's Day, we walked around Tempe Town Lake, a man made lake on the Salt River and adjacent to the ASU campus. It was a 5 mile walk with cool bridges and interesting scenery. Another warm Arizona day.

A Vera creation from a Frank Lloyd Wright stencil.

Bridge across the lake

Birds on the lake, looking across to the ASU side.

Walking bridge to the Tempe Center for the Arts on the ASU side of the basin.

Water feature at the art center.

View from the ASU side of the Tempe Town Lake. It's winter, the leaves aren't out on some of the trees.

This is how you wait for a movie in the winter in Arizona. That's Vera sitting in one of the chairs to the left.

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More Pictures From Scottsdale

Vera has been busy with her Zentangles

We estimated that there are between 500 and 1000 cormorants roosting in the trees around this one lake each night. These are just two of the trees.

Beer as served at "The Yard House"

Vera's "Crunchy Ahi Salad". She shared a little, and it was excellent.

California Roll a la "The Yard House". Just one large "roll". Tastes as good as it looks!

We got in on the tail end "so to speak" of Scottsdale's Parada del Sol Parade. Supposedly, it is the largest horse drawn parade in the world. Vera stopped a carriage to ask what was going on, only to be greeted by the mayor's wife welcoming her to Scottsdale and praising the wonders of Scottsdale.

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