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!

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]

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area

So Linda and David graciously took us around to see various sites and activities while we were visiting.  They caught on quickly (with a camera hanging around my neck all the time), that photo-ops would be welcomed.

So our first stop was to the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, a very popular destination for easy hiking in the Sonoran Desert.

Good Year for Water, Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area (CA), Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Our Hosts, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Lots of Saguaro Cacti, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Resting on Saguaro Bones, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Desert Poppies, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

That Sucker is Big, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Backlit Ocotilla, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We've Got Some Bloom!, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

This Is a Ranch!, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Beautiful Desert Landscape, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Majestic Saguaros, Spur Cross Ranch CA, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We had a great walk, and as you can see, many photos were taken.  My new 16-35mm wide angle lens has become my go-to lens for so much landscape photography.  Plus my general purpose 28-300mm telephoto lens has something marring the inside of the lens, so I am in the market for a new longer range lens.  Time for some online reviews.