Old Town Scottsdale

One more site to check out, this time, Old Town section of Scottsdale.  But first, Carol was happy to have finished the quilting on the wall hanging she had put together in the RV, so we got that mailed off.

Finished!, Terravita, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Interesting Statue, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Where Are We?, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Iconic Love, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Llife Goes On, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Our Hosts, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The Travelers, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Let's Play!, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The Head, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Galloping Away, Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We had a wonderful visit with my sister and brother-in-law, and really appreciate all of the time they were able to spend showing us around.  And what a lovely place to call home!  

And now it is time to hit the road once again.  Thanks for everything, Linda and David!

LA Arboretum Again, by George!

After visiting my first home, we were literally right around the corner from the Arboretum.  So remembering George's surprise at our not visiting Tallac Knoll, we figured we should check it out one more time.  And this time ... more pictures!

Here's Looking at You Kid, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So Colorful, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Catching the Light, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Shadow Palms, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

And yes, as George suggested, we made the trek up to Tallac Knoll.  Given that the water is currently gone from Baldwin Lake, it's nice to see the ponds and the waterfall from this high point in the Arboretum.

Made it to Tallac Knoll, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Flower Fireworks, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Red Center, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Taking a Bath, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Frond Screen, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The Waterfall, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

There was still more to see, but it was just too hot for us to visit all the areas.  See we headed back and got to visit the peacocks one more time.  They are amazing!

Queen Anne Cottage, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The Unfurling, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Long Tail Feathers, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Peacock Art, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Thanks, George, for the initial suggestion to visit the Arboretum, followed by the encouragement to see more of it.  Looks like we still have some more to see on a future visit!

Desert Botanical Garden and other sites

Our next outing was to the Desert Botanical Garden in nearby Phoenix, AZ.  This place was somehow able to simulate different climates and altitudes for their large collection.  It was quite a treat, including the butterfly pavilion.

Giant Spider Web?, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Chihuly Glass Sculptures, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Blue and White, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Cacti and Red Rock, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Wood on Wood, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Desert Awning, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The Usual Suspects, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Interesting Shade, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Potted Shadow, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Queen Butterfly, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Zebra Longwing Butterfly, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Monarch Butterfly, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Pipeline Swallotail, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Backlit Cacti, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

A Nice Frame, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

After that lengthy visit, we headed to the Arizona Biltmore Hotel for a nice lunch and stroll through the grounds.  This was followed by dinner in town, and an opportunity to test my new 70-300mm telephoto lens.  Hence the variety of subjects.

Biltmore FLW Sprite, Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Shall We Lounge?, Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Nice Grounds, Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Window Shopping, Keirland Commons, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Shadows and Curves, Keirland Commons, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

That's Orange!, Keirland Commons, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Steel and Glass, Keirland Commons, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Antique Car Show and Sunset Dinner

So after a nice walk in the Sonoran Desert, it's time to get back to the community.  Let's go check out a few cars from an antique car show being held at my sister's church.

Gotta Love the Flames, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

More Discrete, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We All Scream, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Early 'Vette, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Next we had dinner at my sister's golf club where David was being recognized for winning his flight in their recent tournament.  Beautiful sitting out on the patio while the sun was setting.  I do love the golden hours.

Bloomin' Cactus, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol's Glow, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Good to Finally Visit, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Watching the Sunset, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Mesquite Sunset, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Finally, after a great day, we caught the end of the sunset at their house, and the following night, had a colorful storm pass through as well.

Ocotillo Glow, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Desert Lightning, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Colorful Storm, Antique Car Show, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]