Desert Color

Arixona is much more than Prickly Cactus

Arizona -- Much More than Cactus

If you love botanical gardens and you love art installations in a natural setting and you love surprises at every turn of the walking trail, then you will love the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dale Chihuly has an exhibit, The Nature of Glass, running there through the end of May, 2009. If you are anywhere in the area, I highly recommend a stop. Reservations are required.

Cactus, Blooming

 in the Arizona Desert

in the Arizona Desert

Finally found someplace warm. The desert! This was the first cactus I saw in bloom. Of course, it was high noon, and shooting white was impossible. But I like the over-exposed flower anyway. It, in a way, symbolizes how I am feeling. A bit over-exposed to all this warmth and sunshine.

April Snow in New Mexico

El Morro National Monument

El Morro National Monument

Though I was surprised to see snow when I stepped out of my camping trailer, it did provide for a fun experience photographing snow in an unexpected place.

El Morro

with a Dusting of April Snow

with a Dusting of April Snow

El Morro National Monument is a preserved bit of history hidden in the high grasslands of New Mexico. This was a popular place for early travelers to stop for the night, as there was a reliable waterhole at the base of the sandstone bluff. There are thousands of carved inscriptions in the soft rock, ranging from ancient Puebloan petroglyphs to Spanish and American messages and signatures dating from as early as the 17th century.

We were surprised by weather in the teens and a late April snow while we camped near El Morro last night. Lucky for us, our little trailer has a reliable heater. When we got up this morning, a good three inches of snow had fallen during the night, but by the time the trails were open at 9, the paths were fine for hiking. We were able to climb to the top of the bluff and see the interior canyon and ancient ruins of the ancestors of the present day Zuni.

Vista of Palo Duro Canyon

Hidden Treasure in the Texas Panhandle

Hidden Treasure in the Texas Panhandle

Palo Duro Canyon is often called the “Grand Canyon of Texas.” It certainly is grand–both in size, beauty, and vibrant colors.  There is much to explore at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, just a few miles east of Canyon, Texas.