This was taken at a little western mining town in Apache Junction just outside Phoenix. Set agains the superstition mountains it’s everything you’d imagine including a blacksmith and saloon. I wandered into the saloon not to sure what to expect and when the bartender asked , before I knew it I blurted out, “Whisky”. I don’t even like whisky but I was in the moment. So I took my whiskey to the porch to work up some courage and finally slung it back like a cowboy. As the fire alarms when off in my head I managed to pull out my camera and take a few pictures of the scenery. And that folks, was my little adventure in the wild wild west.
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Sedona Cactus
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This is just off Upper Red Rock Loop Road in Sedona. I was here for a few days and found myself on this road several times, either surveying the scenery or checking out the local parks. Cactus is everywhere and I especially liked how the morning sun creates a warm backlit glow. Of course the scenery of the surrounding mountains is everywhere and it’s what makes Sedona such an amazing place to visit.
Pleasant Lake Sunset
Another sunset from earlier this year at Lake Pleasant just north of Phoenix. It’s a good sized reservoir for being out in a desert. In any case, I lucked out this on this evening when the water was calm and the clouds perfect. Pleasant indeed.
Birdhouse and Moonlight
On the grounds of a hotel in Sedona I captured this bird house by the light of the moon. It was kind of a mystical setting as I walked along pathway at night. At one point I looked up and saw what I thought was a dog, but turned out to be a wild pig walking my way. Apparently they are well known in the area and a few nights later I saw several crossing a road. Maybe a little bird was sleeping here as I took this. Birds, pigs and a full moon, mystical indeed.
Sedona Scrub
When I was in Sedona I was a little out of my element. I live by the beach and in central Florida there’s nothing taller than a palm tree. Sedona has crazy big red rock mountains, trees, scrub, …and no palm trees. No matter which way you look the red rock provides an impressive backdrop. This was taken on a short trail up Bell Rock, which is a big rock just off the highway. Just before dusk these mountains glow deep red, kind of how I imagine Mars. In any case, I was so impressed with the change of landscape that I had to take a picture of this Sedona scrub.
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Cactus Shadow
Found at a rest stop between Sedona and Phoenix a few weeks ago. In Florida it’s palm trees, but in Arizona it’s all about the cactus. Every kind of cactus, big small, in between, which is my subtle way of avoiding names and types of which I plead ignorance.
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Lake Pleasant Harbor
Lake Pleasant is a reservoir just north of Phoenix. It was nice to see such a big lake in the middle of the dessert and I can only imagine how important this is to the needs the booming city of seven million. At the entrance to the lake is this small harbor with a restaurant at the lower right. Beyond the harbor you can see the dam and then the lights of the highway beyond that. On account of the cirrus clouds I stood here on a hill and watched a most spectacular sunset, one that lingers for thirty minutes after the sun sinks below the horizon. That was a lucky night indeed.
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Goldfield Ghost Town
Goldfield Ghost town is located in Apache Junction adjacent to Superstition Mountain. The scenery here is right out of an old western movie. This building is an old saloon that’s still serves thirsty cowboys and cowgirls. I’ll admit I got a little caught up in the moment and ordered a whiskey, kind of silly since I don’t like even like whiskey. But this is the Wild West and why should I get hung up on details? The only thing I was missing was boots, a hat and my horse. In any case, I’ve fully recovered from the whiskey and the delusion that I am a cowboy. At least until the next time I go out west.
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Sunrise Over Sedona
This is the sun rising over the red rock peaks of Sedona Arizona about a week ago. I stayed a couple of days here and did a little exploring, though the flu kept me stuck in my room most of the time. Even so I managed to get out and soak up a little of the good energy from the surrounding wilderness and awe-inspiring red rock mountains. January is a great time to be here, it was cool at night and comfortably warm during the day. I’ve passed through here years ago in August and I remember it quite a bit warmer. But regardless of the time of year Sedona is an amazing place to be.
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Sedona
I arrived in Sedona this afternoon and went for a short walk along the bell tower trail. The red rocks were accentuated at dusk to the point that it looked almost too red, almost surreal. The colors, weather and landscape of this place are truly amazing. I once heard that there is suppose some kind of good energy from the earth here. Maybe I said that wrong, but I can certainly feel something special about this place. After a few cold days it’s warming up and now people seem to be out hiking and enjoying the scenery. Beauty and good energy at every turn, what’s not to like?
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