Saturday, March 3, 2012

Scottsdale 2012

After some lengthy debate about going to the Scottsdale Arabian Horse show this year (because of issues at both home and work) I decided that I needed this mini vacation with my mom, so we took off Friday morning for Phoenix. I have done most of my travels by car and, although it's slow going, it's often the journey that makes for an especially memorable trip.

On the first day of this trip, my mom and I were treated to wonderful vistas and amazing cloud formations. Long, colorful trains often traveled along parallel to the highway.


We had fun guessing where these beautiful bronze sculptures were going, maybe to Scottsdale? They didn't stop in Gallup.

 I love how the red rock contrasts with the blue skies.

These government houses all had such brightly colored roofs.

The cloud formations were so unusual, all ribbons and swirls. 
This water tower is at Fort Wingate outside of Gallup.
You can see the old bunkers in this photo because of the snow remnants.

The clouds entertained us for miles; the formations were ever changing. 


Then we came to Gallup, full of neat old buildings along the Historic Route 66 Highway.

How about a larger than life wooden Indian?


Seeing this landmark tourist trap, gift shop in the heart of such beautiful country (such a shame), we knew we were almost to the Arizona state border. Notice how the clouds are kind of frizzly now?

In Arizona, you can see all kinds of things along the freeway, a parked school bus on a hilltop and a dinosaur, who knew they were still around?

This gift shop, with teepees, is near the painted desert but, look at the clouds!

We had to stop at one of the many trading post/gift shops. Sometimes you can find good deals on stuff. At this one, I got good photo opportunities to take pictures of fake teepees.


But these are real petrified wood tree trunks. Amazing, aren't they? They can be polished up to show all kinds of beautiful colors.

Even the rest areas offer pretty vistas.

We traveled all day and finally arrived in Phoenix as the sun was beginning to set. It was fun to see hot air balloons in the sky, reminding us of home.

We found and checked in to our hotel and then went back out for an evening of gorgeous, fancy Arabian horses at the WestWorld equestrian complex in Scottsdale, later that evening.

to be continued...

12 comments:

Dan and Betty said...

Super photos . We're going to drive that way later in the year.

Dan

Anna Larson said...

I never understand how you can get such great photos driving down the road. None of mine ever turn out that good. Next time you drive by the house you should let me know so I can show you the Jabba the Hut rock here in Thoreau.

Fantastyk Voyager said...

Thanks for the compliments!
My family hates that I drive with camera in hand. My new Canon camera is smaller and lighter than my old Kodak and it opens and focuses faster too. I get even more lucky shots than I used to. ;P

Reddunappy said...

Beautiful! Cant wait to see more!

Dreaming said...

I love driving through Arizona and New Mexico. There is so much to see and it all changes from place to place.
I called my brother and discovered he was at the show! I told him one of my blog friends was there, too! I wish I could have gone, too!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Man! Can I com live with you ? Between you and Lisa, I am in awe of all the wonderful sights you see and share

Ed said...

Neat trip, no stop at Meteor crater? or the petrified forest national park? Its worth the stop..:-))

Tammy Vasa said...

I beautiful drive. Love that you and your mom do these trips. And most worth it!

Fantastyk Voyager said...

I've never been past the gift shop at Meteor Crater- too much money to see a big hole. I've driven through petrified forest and painted desert many times. This time, we were in a hurry to get there for the show that night.

I always enjoy traveling with my mom. She's getting up there in age (84) so I really don't want to miss any opportunity to spend time with her. That's one of the main reasons why I decided to go.

Anonymous said...

Ah, yes! The trip to Arizona! You did a wonderful job of capturing this delightful world.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Mikey said...

Love those pictures! Love that drive, always stop at that border place, it's such Americana. Can't wait to see the rest!

Achieve1dream said...

Wow! Great clouds.

Hmm, I wonder where those bronze statues were going. Those are so pretty. :)

I'm so excited you got to go to Scottsdale! Can't wait to see pictures.