We drove to Scottsdale, Arizona, to visit Jessica and Jason. And we took another hike in the desert…
The desert has a stark beauty of its own, but it sort of acts like it doesn’t really want you there…
Even in winter it is dry and hot and full of snakes and scorpions and gila monsters. On top of that, everything is thorny and spiky and pointy…
Everything says: don’t touch!
Or: stay away!
Or: what the heck are you looking at?
I don’t know if people are really designed to live in the desert. If we were, would we need air conditioning and swimming pools and lots of shade trees that use water we don’t have any more?
And yet there is that mysterious beauty that calls to you…
Just make sure you bring lots of water.

















I would never live there because – snakes! No more needs to be said!
They have them other places too.
I used to live in Scottsdale. True story. Right off Camelback.
I am going to explore that weird little mountain next visit
It is weird
There is a monk on his nose
Oh
That weird rock formation that sticks up from his nose is called the monk or something like that.
Oh
Or so they tell me
I thought more camelish. Hump, maybe
No, he has the humps, but on his nose their is a big lump that looks like a guy in a cloak.
I dunno
I seen it
Seen sawn
sea sough
Sew what
sow wheat
Buck wheat
cracked wheat
Cracked corn.
But I don’t care.
Okay, Jimmy
James
James Dean
Sausage
Pork
New Pork
If you can bake it there, you can bake it anywhere
Grill?
All up in my
closet
closest
No way
then get back in the closet
um….
mu…
I knew you were blah blah
me too
Back at last! So weird looking out the window being surrounded by snow and then seeing those photos. We went to the Mojave once, it was amazing, but totally share your view: it’s not the most inviting.
Death Valley is a nightmare
I sit in a coffee shop called Death Valley’s Little Brother. It specializes in coffee and scotch.
really?
It’s a weird place. If you ever make it to Waterloo for some reason, I’ll take you there.
deal… I need to do a quick post… about birds
do’er. see you in the morn, i must sleep.
nighty night
My brother lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and I have never been there. The only desert I have seen is the part they put Vegas on and the part they show in “Breaking Bad”. I have always thought it would be very cool (stupid word for this one) to see the desert. Your pictures make me want to see it now. Welcome, back.
Just go… you will not be sorry
More, please. This reminds me of the style of an old blogging friend I miss very, very dearly.
thanks
…and plenty of sunscreen!
and a hat
word
Welcome back. Beautiful pictures.
thanks
It looks like you have a stubble in the top picture. Were you trying to blend in?
I am that spiky
Looks hot and prickly. Welcome back, Art!
It was… thanks.
Welcome back 🙂
thank you