A few hours of drive time and you are on the beach. The condo has Paris decor and a magnificent view from the 14th floor.
When we (as young folks) used to visit here, we would stay on this same beach. Sandy Beach had no hotels, no condos. We camped right here, on the beach!
Discovering the world both near and far. Making friends along the way. Come along with me and share your comments.
Phoenix, AZ - 2015 AZ State Fair
My entries for the 2015 Arizona State Fair.
The Hoop Dance Girl took second.
This took a first.
This incense burner in Japan won a first.
Phoenix, Arizona - Storms
Last night a storm cell ravaged my neighborhood. We rarely get a sprinkle of rain but all was different last night. I had no bad damage. I toured the neighborhood to see other's outcome.

One of the big beautiful trees crushed the fence and fell in to the next back yard. Luckily we have alleys.
This neighbor has a large branch laying on the roof but he doesn't think that there will be breakthrough damage.
Downed trees and power lines blocked Virginia Avenue by Arcadia Montessori between 50 and 52 Street.
The are young trees at the condos on 48 St and Virginia Avenue.
The utility company Salt River Project (SRP) shows that power is out in the area but I only lost it for 10 minutes.
The storms are expected to return nightly during the week. Great...
Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."
Robert Louis Stevenson
Phoenix, Arizona - Sunset and Moonrise
I am always excited when there is a full moon. I drove to several places this afternoon to scout out my "ideal spot" for tonight's event. I have found a new favorite.
Pending thunderstorms threatened to block the full moon, but I was happy to be out shooting. Keeping a positive attitude (not always easy when it is 108 in the desert), I set up the tripod and tested the settings.
I was disappointed by the cloud cover in the direction of the moon, but was able to get a few photographs before it was hidden. The sunset, however, did not disappoint.
Here are the photos, in the order that I took them. Running back and forth from sunset to moonrise!!
Thunderstorms on the way in and I was able to catch a lightning strike in the east.
Facing the northwest. The tower is at the Phoenix airport.
North east, big zoom, playing with the zoom lens to see what I could get.
The virga (the dark thin lines coming down from the cloud...rain!) near downtown Phoenix.
The moon peaks between the storm clouds for a moment.
My favorite is the view of the sunset light shining on clouds.
Pending thunderstorms threatened to block the full moon, but I was happy to be out shooting. Keeping a positive attitude (not always easy when it is 108 in the desert), I set up the tripod and tested the settings.
I was disappointed by the cloud cover in the direction of the moon, but was able to get a few photographs before it was hidden. The sunset, however, did not disappoint.
Here are the photos, in the order that I took them. Running back and forth from sunset to moonrise!!
Thunderstorms on the way in and I was able to catch a lightning strike in the east.
Facing the northwest. The tower is at the Phoenix airport.
North east, big zoom, playing with the zoom lens to see what I could get.
The virga (the dark thin lines coming down from the cloud...rain!) near downtown Phoenix.
The moon peaks between the storm clouds for a moment.
My favorite is the view of the sunset light shining on clouds.
Phoenix, Arizona - Farming in the City
What?
This (formerly) empty field is on Central Avenue south of Camelback. It was periodically watered to minimize the dust. I met my son at Lux Coffee in the neighborhood when I returned from my Balkan trip to discover that the trees had been moved (crated in the distant background) and the field had been planted. Great use of undeveloped land and likely a better way to hold the dust to a minimum.


Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."
Robert Louis Stevenson
Sofia, Bulgaria - Farewell Dinner
Our last night dinner was held at a restaurant high in the surrounding mountains. This view looks at Sofia.


Costumes decorated the walls.
Dancers and singers in regional dress entertained after dinner.
We then all gathered around the fire pit for the big thriller. The hot coals were spread around the pit.
Ahhhhhh!!
Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."
Robert Louis Stevenson
Currency Conversion Rates
Travel Time
Ever wonder how long does it take to get there? Here is the info for the Danube River trip. The first column is time at the location, second shows the time in Phoenix.
Belgrade, Serbia - A Complex History
Nikola Grujin was the guest speaker at the educational presentation this morning. He covered the history of Serbia and the multitudes of "rulers & conquerors" over the decades. I didn't know what to expect from our tour but knew that it would be interesting.
We started the morning with a tour of the fort on top of the hill.
The local technical school had a contest for the best robot statue. Reminds me of "transformers". (I have several other examples!!)
We walked on the pedestrian walkway with cafes and shops to the Magestic Hotel for a drink.
We also visited a church under construction. This was fascinating to see. It is expected to be completed in 20 years.
The main interior area.
In comparison the growth, rebuilding and recovery, we also saw the remains of a targeted bombing. At some point this will be torn down and new buildings will replace it. For now, it is a grim reminder of former conflict.
The city is a contrast landscape of results of Hun and Turk invasions, World War I, World War II, organization and reorganization. Our guide was intelligent and witty, providing personal insight and historical details. This was a good stop. We had to take our passports with us as we were now out of the EU. The vendors accepted Euros and I understand that the country would like to enter the EU. Best wishes to all as we were treated well.
Ladee
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."
Robert Louis Stevenson
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