The Apache Trail

A view of Apache Lake from the Apache Trail

Forget the Grand Canyon.

Some of Arizona's most amazing scenery can be found along an approximately 45-mile long stretch of roadway called the Apache Trail.

The Apache Trail (or AZ-88) begins in Apache Junction, at the extreme eastern edge of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The trail is characterized by hairpin turns, steep inclines and declines, and breath-taking vistas of the sapphire man-made lakes that are part of the Salt River system.


Canyon Lake

You'll find the Roosevelt Dam and Roosevelt Lake just before AZ-88 hits AZ-188. The dam was constructed between 1905 and 1911, and was expanded in 1996.


The Roosevelt Dam

Arizona in Bloom

View of Silly Mountain covered in brittlebush blooms

Plentiful winter rains paved the way for a spectacular wildflower season this March.


Mexican poppies cling to a hillside at Usery Mountain Regional Park

Hillsides that are typically brown were blanketed in green grass and all manner of blooms, from gold and orange Mexican poppies, to bright yellow brittlebush blossoms, to the subtle purple owl's clover.


Mexican poppies



Desert view from atop Silly Mountain

Downtown Phoenix: Arizona Ghost Town or a Work in Progress?

Skyscrapers are scarce in downtown Phoenix because air-conditioning
can be cost-prohibitive.

A few weeks ago I had some time on my hands, so I went on a jaunt into the heart of Phoenix to take some photos of city architecture.


Buildings under construction in Phoenix

I remember being almost deafened by the silence of the city center, which appeared to be completely abandoned that Sunday afternoon. Except for a few tourists and pigeons, there wasn't a soul to be seen. I'm sure the situation is entirely different on a weekday, but still, the lack of activity seemed unnatural and a little bit eerie.


St. Mary's Basilica

Arizona Sunset

A Tree is Silhouetted at Sunset

This photo was taken near Lake Pleasant.

Palms in the Desert

Palm Silhouette at Sunset

While Arizona's Sonoran desert may be better known for its Saguaro, palms are a common landscaping choice in cities and towns.


Palms Outside Castle Hot Springs Resort

Only the California fan palm is actually native to the state. Two native stands of palms exist in Arizona - one in the Kofa Mountains and another recently discovered one near Castle Hot Springs.

These palm stands may be survivors from an earlier epoch.


Palms at Night in Papago Park

The Red Rocks of Sedona

Sedona in Technicolor

It's about a two-hour drive from a Phoenix to the small Arizona city that has become a Mecca for artists and tourists alike.

I'm talking about Sedona, of course, a city that is renowned for both the spectacular red sandstone formations that surround it and for the spiritual energy that is reputed to encompass it. The area surrounding Sedona is supposedly home to a number of vortices - or centers of spiritual energy.

I'ts easy to see why some believe this to be a sacred place. The vivid red rock outcroppings - which have been given names such as Coffee Pot Rock, Bell Rock, and Cathedral Rock - make for some spectacular scenery.

With it's abundance of hiking trails, the area is a great place to explore the outdoors. Sedona also has plenty to offer those who are more inclined to explore the inside of a shop. The streets are lined with specialty stores, tourist shops, and small art studios that sell paintings, ceramics, blown glass, and much more.

Tempe Town Lake: "Aqua es la Sangre de la Tierra"

The Light Rail Bridge Spanning Tempe Town Lake is Illuminated
by the Setting Sun

I've lived in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area for over half a year now, so it's a bit surprising that my first visit to the Tempe Town Lake was as recent as today.

After braving rush hour traffic in order to get to the park, the lake was a welcome oasis of tranquility. It's obvious the park is beloved by the joggers, walkers, inline skaters, and kayakers that frequent it.

While at the lake, I took some time to watch low-flying white egrets skim the water's surface and to read the engravings that are etched in the wall that runs the length of the lake. Most of the quotations (such as "Water is the blood of our land" or Water is the salve of our ravages" highlight the importance of water in this arid region.

Tempe Town Lake is situated in the once dry riverbed of the Salt River, or the Rio Salado. The lake was created using a series of inflatable dams. The dams can be lowered quickly in the event of heavy rain. Construction of the lake concluded in 1999.


Tempe Town Lake by Night