Remnants

Today, on the way to Prescott: Remnants from last night's storm passing across the desert.  Phoenicians woke up this morning to more fallen trees and flooding.

Nature's Wrath

A casualty from the storm that just hit us.

Blue Respite

This morning, after last night's dust storm, a clear blue sky in Phoenix...for now. We are expecting thunderstorms tonight and for the next two days, and I confess to looking forward to a brief break from blue sky and sun.

Passing Storms

Yesterday was a beautiful chilly day reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest. Most of the day was cloudy, with periods of light rain drizzling upon the Valley, until the afternoon, when there was a break in the clouds allowing sunlight to shine through. But then, in the early evening, when I got out of work, a dark, heavy rainstorm was approaching Tempe after providing Phoenix with a downpour. Above is a picture I took yesterday evening, while waiting for the bus ride home, in which a small patch of blue sky manages to break through the dark gathering clouds of the oncoming storm. Below is a photo I took when I arrived back in Phoenix, showing the storm passing across the Valley. By this time, the sky above South Mountain was completely clear and blue. But this photograph faces north and east and shows a little bit of the "dog that bit us." On the right, where Camelback Mountain is obscured by clouds, is a faint rainbow. I heard that Camelback Mountain actually received some snow, but I can't confirm this until I actually take the bus ride to work and see it for myself. Enjoy the day!

SNOW!

Just one photo right now from yesterday's Jeep tour (the rest will be posted tonight). This continues to display my fascination with the sight of snow. As we ascended on our path, I found patches of snow and couldn't resist trying to snap a photo or two of the beautiful sight passing before me. Given the rough and rocky road we were traveling upon, this was by far the best and most focused snapshot of snow on the ground I could manage: snow and Sedona red rocks! Warm winter wishes to you.

Three Snapshots from a Sunday Drive

Today was the day. We finally made our way to Sedona for a Jeep tour. The weather was beautifully sunny, and the sky was unobstructed and blue. I could tell that I am transitioning to becoming a Phoenician when I got excited looking at the San Francisco Peaks, just north of Flagstaff, and found them to be snowcapped. So, so beautiful. When I lived in Chicago and took flights back to Arizona, I would know we would soon be starting our descent into Phoenix when I looked out the window and saw the San Francisco Peaks, and then the red rocks of Sedona. I knew it would not be too long before our arrival. I confess that I really miss snow, and having four full seasons, especially autumn, but I love making this trek up north and spending the day amidst such desert magnificence.

I took this photo off the road, just two miles south from the exit leading to Sedona. This is where Arizona slowly changes to resemble northern New Mexico. Looking at a sight like this brings back so many memories. This is also the part of Arizona where you can catch the sight of ravens in flight or in descent during their hunt for prey. We don't have ravens in Phoenix; it's only when I come up north to Sedona, or to Prescott, when I can spot them gliding gracefully upon the open desert air.

And, finally, our arrival in Sedona, and this is where I will stop for the night. Originally, I had intended to post selected photos from my Sedona Jeep tour, but I got home later than planned and still had to make another soup (this one tomato garden vegetable). I was also acutely aware of the fact that a new episode of The Walking Dead was just a couple of brief hours away, and I had to get everything finished before then. First things first. Oh well, the good news is that I have more photos to share, which I will do tomorrow.

A Day of Sun and Rain

This was a day of rain intermingled with periods of blue sky. Above, the magenta of a sunrise increasingly obstructed by gathering storm clouds. There were a few episodes of light rain today, which ultimately ended with clearing and blue skies, even the faint traces of a rainbow, as seen below, on the right. I have yet to catch a rainbow for a photograph when it is vivid and bright. This rainbow, when I found it, started to strengthen its vibrancy, but then quickly faded away. Next time, as they always say, next time.

Break in the Clouds

"A" Mountain, Tempe, AZ

Today started out dark and stormy. I was enjoying more Pacific Northwestern flashbacks. But later in the day, the clouds broke apart to expose blue sky and sun. The sky was a deep, vivid blue sea in which puffy white clouds sailed across. To add to this sense of motion was a slight chilly breeze. But it didn't last for long, as gray gloom gathered once more in the late afternoon to extinguish the sunlight. Still, it was a nice change of view from a weekend of solid gray and rain. During the bright midday, I took this photo of "A" Mountain on the edge of ASU's Tempe campus. I know people who climb this mountain and it must be great exercise. I might have to take up the challenge someday.

Remnants of Rain

Here is a sight you don't see too often in Phoenix: puddles of rainwater on the pavement. Backyards and front lawns are flooded this evening. Because rain happens so infrequently here in the desert, it really becomes a type of event. Well, we just had a beautifully heavy rain and here are some of its remnants. Thanks to rain for the beauty and nourishment it provides.

Back to the Rhythm of Rain

Desert Rain, Phoenix, AZ

The break earlier that brought us the rainbow ended with a return to rain. I couldn't resist going out and about to enjoy the weather. Under shelter, I took this photo of rain coming in from South Mountain. Simply beautiful, this rain and mist reminds me of my trips to the Pacific Northwest, most recently my trip to Portland to meet a longtime friend, who took a train in from Seattle while I flew in from Chicago. I remember one evening when the two of us walked out of Portland's legendary Powell's Bookstore, only to encounter another onslaught of rain after a brief pause. I love the rain, its gray gloom, its chill, when you can get it in Phoenix, and the soft, steady rhythm of its fall upon concrete and asphalt. Living in the desert, I enjoy getting this visual break from days of seemingly endless sun, soothing dark days that provide their own sense of pause for reading, reflection, and relaxation.

Blue Sky Advance

Yesterday, slowly, gradually, gray gloom gave way to blue sky. By today, the sky was crisp blue and clear. But here are photos I took of the sky yesterday, towards the end of my stroll. Of course, I opted to ignore the receding gray gloom and focus on the advancing blue sky. And, of course, I had the ELO song, Mr. Blue Sky, in my head at the time. Yes, it's another retro moment here on Yuccabloom. Below is blue sky with the crown of a blooming shoestring acacia tree. Enjoy!

Cloaked in Clouds

Chicago cloaked in clouds

This afternoon, after I made a visit to the Driehaus Museum (photos to come), a friend and I had lunch downtown, then we walked along Lake Michigan and enjoyed the light winds that stirred up waves on the Lake. This photo is the entire Chicago skyline cloaked in clouds, while the bottom one focuses more on the John Hancock Center and its immediate surroundings. These beautiful, moody days of brooding gray sky and rain are an acquired taste. Many people shun gray weather in favor of sun and "happy" days, but I happen to like days when you can take a walk and brave the elements, then return home to read or cook a warm, comforting dinner of soup. Well, it's still summer, so no need to go overboard with the "braving the elements" theme, but there is something to be said for the beauty of days that we casually shun as ugly. Maybe we just need to be patient and look more closely.

John Hancock Center and gray sky, Chicago, IL