Valley Overview

Just a photograph with Camelback Mountain in the background, taken from Banner Good Samaritan Hospital.

Up, Up, and Away!

Skyline of Houston, TX

Upon the morning of my departure, I was ready to go.  While I managed to find some great things about downtown Houston--mainly the beautiful architecture and Discovery Green--I think I spent all of my options there with just a couple of days.  The day of my return flight was a long one--my gate changed twice, the last time really close to the time of boarding--but at least the flight was smooth and relaxing.

The weather alternated between dark rain clouds and blue sky.

Often, cloud litter would fill the sky.

Mountains just look like little bumps. Remarkable in miniature.

Slow accumulation of white thunderheads across the sky.

Followers of this blog know about my love of beautiful cloud formations, especially puffy white thunderheads.  Here, these beauties "pose" for a picture from a different angle.

Entering the vaporous thicket.

Dark storms.

Above and below, dark clouds break apart slowly, permitting sunlight to wash across the desert.

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

Finally, home!  I was so happy to see my mountain again.

Camelback Mountain in Sunset

Camelback Mountain from a different angle during sunset over the weekend. The closer you get to Camelback Mountain, the more surreal it seems. It is one of the iconic features of Phoenix. Flying back to Phoenix, I can always tell I'm getting closer to home when I see Camelback Mountain off in the distance.

Meeting of the Minds

Today's overcast sky didn't dissuade us from attending the last day of the International UFO Congress's 22nd Annual Convention and Film Festival at Fort McDowell Casino and Resort. I confess I was somewhat disappointed, only because I failed to encounter any UFO enthusiasts dressed in extraterrestrial costume to underline the festiveness of like minds coming together. I guess I was hoping for some measure of compensation for not being able to attend this year's ComiCon in San Diego. In retrospect, it might have been wise to attend the convention during one of the earlier days, when more people were in attendance and the energy was more vibrant. This was very much the tail-end of the convention.

We worked our way east, into the desert, 15-20 miles east of the city of Mesa, where red buttes loomed over the desert floor and distant mountains brooded high above. I attempted to take what photos I could of the surrounding scenery, but we were a people on a mission, and so there was not much opportunity, or desire, to stop and gaze at the scenery. Hence, the photographs taken while in transit.

The convention featured a variety of speakers and films about UFO phenomena, but there were also vendors selling crystals and art, books and DVDs, and providing information on a variety of issues. For instance, one featured bookseller authored several books on the role the Djinn plays in a variety of unusual phenomena. There were jewelry artists present, too, as well as people who specialize in auras and chakras and the energy properties of crystals. Of course, the majority of the vendors focused on UFOs and sold books and DVDs on people's purported encounters and abductions. I was hoping members of the late night radio show, Coast to Coast, would be in attendance, but if they had been they weren't there during the last day of the convention.

UFOs have become a major part of modern American pop culture. I confess I consider myself a hesitant believer (or wannabe believer). Don't get me wrong. I believe without reservation that there is life elsewhere in the universe. I find it absurd to think that out of this vast, infinite cosmos we are the only life in existence. But have any of these lifeforms evolved to possess the intelligence and technological advancement to enable them to make the trek through space? Then, there is the issue of the great distances between planets in space. How could anyone achieve such a feat within a reasonable timeframe? I guess part of me that is drawn to the extraordinary finds this subject fascinating, partly because I find the idea itself to be intriguing, but also because I think such cultural phenomena speaks volumes about ourselves, what we are thinking, and how we perceive ourselves and our place in the universe. People scoff at the idea of UFOs and extraterrestrials, but many religions hold highly fantastical beliefs, and yet such faith is admired. I think I consider myself an admirer of this cultural phenomenon, and wanting to believe, but requiring more concrete, definitive proof before easing into acceptance.

This artist is incredibly talented, these items are beautifully crafted.

I find this entire subculture of conventions focusing on extraordinary phenomena to be fascinating. As you can see, more of these conventions are underway this year, in case you are interested.

I was tempted to get my aura read again, since I haven't had that experience since Sedona years ago, but I was running a little low on cash.

Crystals in every variety and shape: nuggets and pyramids, spheres and chunks. I am always tempted to buy a sphere, but then get distracted looking at the crystal and stone skulls. Very cool stuff.

Saguaro and desert scrub just outside of the casino and resort.

Camelback Mountain welcoming us home.

Two Snapshots of the Day

An uneventful Monday. Above is ASU's Old Main, but, really, I took this photo because I thought the palm tree was beautiful, a great profusion of fronds at the head of the trunk. Below is a photo I snapped of Camelback Mountain in the waning late afternoon light, during the way home. Just a couple of weeks ago, I could have snapped a photo of the sunset glowing blush upon this mountain, but the days are stretching longer, and sunset is coming later than before. Oh well, one day I am going to get a great, unobstructed portrait of Camelback Mountain during a spectacular sunset. Right now, this is it, complete with a puddle of water leftover from a previous rain.

Vantage Point

Camelback Mountain in the Distance, South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

The summit of South Mountain in Phoenix offers an amazing view of the city and the surrounding countryside. The summit overlook is located at about 2300 feet. Here are some photos I took from my trip to the summit earlier today. They give you a good idea of the great expanse of desert that I now, once again, call my home. Enjoy the photos!

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

Downtown Phoenix, as seen from South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

The Valley from South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ 

South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ 

Road leading up to the summit, South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix

View of Camelback Mountain, looking north on I-10, Phoenix, AZ

Previously, in one of my posts on downtown Phoenix, I mentioned some of the challenges of taking photographs of the city's architecture. Unlike a city like Chicago, Phoenix does not possess a wealth of iconic architecture to serve as a mark of identity for the city. Many people who move out West often do so to focus on the beauty of the natural surroundings, so maybe that helps to explain the lack of emphasis on architectural uniqueness. However, to that point, Phoenix can find an iconic feature in Camelback Mountain. I have always loved this mountain and have used it as a point of reference for determining directions, much the way I once used Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. In one of my posts devoted to the Desert Botanical Garden, I included another photograph that I have taken of Camelback Mountain, but I want to get a few more photos of it because, first, I think it's a fantastically beautiful mountain, but also because it often seems surreal in its emergence above Phoenix's cityscape and the Arizona desert. As you can see with just this photo, Camelback Mountain is a major feature that dominates part of the Valley. In fact, you can see it from miles around, even at a considerable distance from the city.  

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ

If you want to enjoy the serenity of the desert without leaving the city, then check out the Desert Botanical Garden. Set in Papago Park, next to the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden features a wide variety of cacti, succulents, and other desert plants on extensive grounds. Some plants are Sonoran natives, while others are transplants from other locations. Here are some photos from a couple of years ago:

Cholla Cactus

Guardian of the Family: Saguaro Standing over Barrel Cactus

Community: Barrel Cactus Close-up

Agave

Reaching up! (Saguaro Cactus)

Organ Pipe Cactus

Agave Interlaced with Chihuly Glass Art Exhibit

Saguaro Climbing the Slope

The paths are both winding and wonderful, but not so rugged as to restrict access. There are paths that are rather flat, and some paths that incline slightly. Some inclines lead you to remarkable views of the cityscape and surrounding mountains.

Saguaro Cactus and Camelback Mountain in the Background, Phoenix, AZ

The Desert Botanical Garden is one of Phoenix's best offerings!

Check it out: Desert Botanical Garden