Albuquerque to Tucson via Scottsdale, AZ...

a few highlights of a whirlwind trip….

The Plains of San Agustin, New Mexico

curious land form while zooming along I-60 in Arizona

 Paolo Soleri designed bridge, Scottsdale, AZ

Teddy Bear Cholla & mossy rock,

Pinnacle Peak , Scottsdale, AZ

 Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ

University of Arizona Art Museum, Tempe, AZ designed by Antoine Predock

The garden of the historic Arizona Inn in Tucson, AZ

Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, AZ

And sunset in Saguaro National Park in Tucson

These photos touch only some of the amazing sights and things we experienced on this road trip.

As usual it will take me as much time or more to recover and assimilate this journey…

as it did to take it.

 I remain ever grateful to have missed the big snowstorm in Albuquerque last weekend…

road trip….

While I'm in the company of the 'newly retired' it seems our new J-O-B is keeping fit.

And since the temps in Albuquerque have been warmish during the day, our daily fitness regime includes bike rides along the ditch…

and although I'm not a huge fan of Scottsdale, Arizona (sorry to offend the locals),

too much concrete, visible water waste and green in the desert…

I have a hard time saying 'no' to a road trip…

so at the end of the week we'll be heading in that direction…

intending to find what feeds our spirit…

perhaps a hike (or two), some music…good food, art, and even warmer temps will be at the other end.

Tucson, AZ and Silver City, NM are also on the loop….

It will be nice to breath a different air and shake off the dust of renovation for a bit. 

Feeling Blessed for the Opportunity.

A Ramble...........

Last weekend..........we rambled from Albuquerque, New Mexico.....to Scottsdale, Arizona........

And as a 'ramble' goes........we did not take a direct route..........

first stopping for breakfast (honest!) at The Grove Cafe in Albuquerque.....where we picked up some amazing English Muffins and Jam

and then headed on south and west......

past the.....

otherworldly appearing VLA.......or

Very Large Array 

and then on to

for

In Pietown.......no kidding.......

and we had the MOST delicious blackberry pie ever at The Pietown Cafe

and arrived at our destination at sunset.......weaving through the most amazing landscape of Saguaro Cactus.....

and we hiked......

and we experienced......

Beautiful and Peaceful Architecture......

and visited......

James Turrell's eliptical sky space

Knight Rise

at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art......

and we ate, and shopped and ate some more, and saw more architecture and art......

 and soaked up the warm Arizona sun...

and headed back home......

down Old Route 66.....

through.....

a mighty fine sight to see......

this amazing mural by John Pugh....

and now I'm HOME....

for a minute or two.....and I'm dashing off again.....

trying not to feel pulled in too many directions........

but a request to visit Florida did not seem out of the question....

since it's still blowing and cool here in the high desert....

and I can....

Toodles.....