Two distinct desert ecosystems come together in Joshua Tree National Park: Mojave and Colorado. I live fairly close to this park but have never visited. I was impressed with the unique scenery.
Joshua Tree NP Link
We left at 4AM from Phoenix to be able to pull in to the park for sunrise. Our target was the Cholla Cactus Gardens. It did not disappoint. I like these photos in black and white as it emphasizes the shapes. There are so many of the cholla cactus that it is hard to take it all in and definitely difficult to capture.
We are only passing through on our way to a Fallbrook, California weekend. So this will be a quick tour. I did notice that there was camping in the park. There is no hotel in the park but space is available in nearby towns. The website link that I put on the beginning of this post gives you more than enough information.
Discovering the world both near and far. Making friends along the way. Come along with me and share your comments.
Danube River - Trip Memory
A friend commissioned this piece. I am so thrilled with it. And she is as well. 24"x48" with all of the stops on the tour. Deep chocolate browns and creamy whites. The colors and tones were designed with the house in mind. There are special memories hidden throughout. A real "Where's Waldo?" Of sights and memories.

Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." Robert Louis Stevenson
Fun stuff here: http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard
Flagstaff, Arizona - Navajo Dance Team
The Navajo Dancers performed at the 68th Annual Navajo Festival of Arts and Crafts held at the Museum of Northern Arizona surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pines. This festival is held in August, a great time to leave the Phoenix desert heat behind and spend the weekend in the cool Flagstaff pines.
Friend Liz taught me to get close and smell the bark of the ponderosa pines. It smells like fruit and is worth leaning in for a deep breath.
Flagstaff is located in the largest contiguous stand of ponderosa pine trees in the world. The forest stretches from Flagstaff along the Mogollon Rim to the White Mountains.
This is the link to the 2018 festival in August: https://musnaz.org/heritage/navajo-festival/
The Museum has a large collection. This festival and others feature music and crafts. I came home with a beautiful wooden flute!
Friend Liz taught me to get close and smell the bark of the ponderosa pines. It smells like fruit and is worth leaning in for a deep breath.
Flagstaff is located in the largest contiguous stand of ponderosa pine trees in the world. The forest stretches from Flagstaff along the Mogollon Rim to the White Mountains.
This is the link to the 2018 festival in August: https://musnaz.org/heritage/navajo-festival/
The Museum has a large collection. This festival and others feature music and crafts. I came home with a beautiful wooden flute!
Phoenix, Arizona - Luci's at the Orchard
It is mid 70s this morning and I picked a nice spot outside. Soft breeze and sun starting to come through the trees.
Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." Robert Louis Stevenson
Fun stuff here: http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard
Tempe, Arizona - Holi Festival of Colors
Holi is a Hindu spring festival celebrated in India and Nepal. It is also known as the "Festival of Colors". The festival signifies victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a way to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.
In recent years the festival has spread to Europe and North America (and Tempe!) as a spring celebration of love, frolic and colors. [Source: wikipedia]
I was introduced to this festival by co-workers. I was a little concerned about the powder and water with my camera, but Naran assured me that I would have a safe spot away from the elements with a good view of all of the action. He was right! It was fun to photograph and next year I would like to participate...right in the middle of it all. The big camera will need to stay at home and I will bring a water resistant point and shoot. Look for artistic work from my efforts here as the colors and motions were beautiful.
Answers to questions that you may have.
1. It washes off and does not stain. Given that, I still would bring cloths that could stand up to the colors.
2. Ah, yes, you have to drive home afterwards. Clean clothes? blankets for the car?
3. My motivator is in one of the last photos. She had a scarf on her head and covered her hair. That is exactly what I need to do!
Global fun. Boy chases girl. Girl chases boy. You purchase bags of colored powder and toss them in the air, or at a specific person.
A bubble machine added to the fun.
The little boy in the blue shirt must be trying to figure out what is going on!
Well into the spirit of the fun. These three were having a blast.
This girl is my motivation for participating next year.
In recent years the festival has spread to Europe and North America (and Tempe!) as a spring celebration of love, frolic and colors. [Source: wikipedia]
I was introduced to this festival by co-workers. I was a little concerned about the powder and water with my camera, but Naran assured me that I would have a safe spot away from the elements with a good view of all of the action. He was right! It was fun to photograph and next year I would like to participate...right in the middle of it all. The big camera will need to stay at home and I will bring a water resistant point and shoot. Look for artistic work from my efforts here as the colors and motions were beautiful.
Answers to questions that you may have.
1. It washes off and does not stain. Given that, I still would bring cloths that could stand up to the colors.
2. Ah, yes, you have to drive home afterwards. Clean clothes? blankets for the car?
3. My motivator is in one of the last photos. She had a scarf on her head and covered her hair. That is exactly what I need to do!
Global fun. Boy chases girl. Girl chases boy. You purchase bags of colored powder and toss them in the air, or at a specific person.
A bubble machine added to the fun.
The little boy in the blue shirt must be trying to figure out what is going on!
Well into the spirit of the fun. These three were having a blast.
This girl is my motivation for participating next year.
Phoenix, Arizona - Capture!PhotoCon 2017
Join in on the fun. Attend Capture!PhotoCon
Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." Robert Louis Stevenson
Fun stuff here: http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard
SkyRock Farms
http://societyofrock.com/bohemian-rhapsody-played-on-a-100-year-old-fairground-organ-youve-never-anything-like-this/
Ladee
Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." Robert Louis Stevenson
London, England - Ebury Restaurant and Wine Bar
A very special place next to the Lime Tree in Belgravia. It is beautiful with Christmas decorations. The food is always wonderful and I couldn't pass up the Lobster Bisque and the full Turkey dinner with all of the fixings. Creme Brûlée with a fig and plum compote topped of the meal.
Actually, seeing the staff again five and a half years after the last visit was delightful. The middle two were working tonight. What fun and giggles looking at this photo again.
Look back at 2011. There are three posts from the restaurant:
Prices given are in pounds. At this time the exchange rate is 10 pounds = $12.35 US Dollar.
Lobster Bisque was 9.00 pounds
Roast Turkey Dinner was 17.50 pounds
Red wine Cotes du Rhone was 7.50 pounds.
Sparkling water (bottle) was 4.70 pounds.
The optional service charge is listed as 12.5% but you are free to tip more for the awesome service.
Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." Robert Louis Stevenson
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