Tohono Chul

There is a stunning desert garden, Tohono Chul, on the northwest edge of Tuscon. We spent a pleasant afternoon there yesterday. We met one of the docents, Don Eagle, a retired physicist, who became our private guide. Those of us in temperate climates think of deserts as barren. You have only to open your eyes to learn otherwise.

Oh, and watch where you step.

Tucson notes:

Many of the place names are Spanish. We passed a common-looking residential side street called Calle Sin Nombre - Street Without A Name. I can find no explanation online.

The weather forecast for this afternoon includes the possibility of a dust storm. Better get back to Phoenix, which is, in fact, the plan.                         

Tucson

So, the destination:

We got into Phoenix late Wednesday night and flopped at an airport hotel.  Yesterday morning we drove south to Tucson, Arizona's second city, and headed for the part of Saguaro (sah WHA row) National Park east of the city. There's another to the west we'll get to on Saturday. 

This is the iconic southwestern US plant, but they grow in a limited area of southern Arizona and northwest Mexico. The saguaro don't start sprouting the characteristic arms until they are about 75 years old.  But there are lots of other interesting things. You could, for example, wreck your bike and break every bone in your body.

Mrs. C and I like to look for local cuisine when we travel. We ended up at the Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant. It gets terrific ratings on Tripadvisor and we certainly agree. It's in a very old building, plain white adobe, but the food and staff were first class. I had maybe the best mojito of my life.

We drove back to the hotel through downtown. Ain't like the Midwest.                                     

Changing Planes

Definitely taking the long way around to get to our destination, changing planes in Chicago. That's what you have to do sometimes to get affordable air fares these days. Better have a drink on the next flight to get ready for the gila monsters. Maybe one of them drives the shuttle to the car rental office.

The color weirdness is from the airplane window.                        

Thursday Arch Series On Wednesday

Things are out of order. Packing, squeeze in some work, traveling, so I need a transition that's a little out of sync. May or may not have something from the new venue after we arrive late tonight. Where we're going, gila monsters meet you at the airport.                                    

Douche Ou Baignoire?

That's a question I actually had to answer yesterday, more about which later in the year. A small number of you know the reason. However, back at Milles Fountain, the question has a single definite answer. This could be an artsy soap ad.

Water is on my mind. We got plenty in STL with the two huge rivers. Tomorrow, though, we're heading for a place where water is precious. It will involve a four-way CDP blogger meetup. Images by the end of the week.

                                  

Dripping Fingers

Water everywhere, down to the fingertips of the figures in the Milles Fountain now that the pipes are open. The moisture-giving touch is something our kind may need more and more in the future.              

A Sure Sign Of Spring

One of my readers mentioned that the city turned on the water in Milles Fountain this week. Thanks for the heads up! Just had to go over yesterday morning to see how the light was hitting it.

I finally made it over to the International Photography Hall of Fame yesterday afternoon. Click About Us > Mission & History to learn about its migrations from Santa Barbara to Oklahoma City to St. Louis. There is a spectacular street photography show there now, reviewing history and style, with a special section on local street work. STL shooters owe it to themselves pay a visit and become a member.