My husband and I recently traveled to Fountain Hills, Arizona to visit some friends, my husband's college room mate and his wife. They have been wanting us to come for a visit for quite some time. They also have a home in Atlanta. We took the opportunity while they were there, to visit and catch up. It was great to see them and explore their town. Thankfully, my brother agreed to dog sit.
We browsed around Fountain Hills for a few days to take in the sights. They have beautiful sunsets and mountain views. Such a different landscape with many varieties of cactus. Saguaro, being the most popular cactus can grow to 70 feet tall. Our wonderful hosts took the time to plan some awesome activities for all of us. Thoroughly appreciated!
Trail Head, where we took a walk.
Our friends arranged an outing at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
Prickly Pear Cactus
Crested Saguaro cactus below.
Interesting how different bird species peck holes in the cactus to make their nests.
Bruce Munro had an event there.
SONORAN LIGHT AT DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN.
This exhibit included 30,000 individual spheres of blooming lights nestled on the hillside. Field of Light. Bruce Munro, a British artist is best known for large immersive light-based installations.
Such a beautiful event with so many colorful displays.
Our friends also bought tickets to see Pavlo, a world class artist that stays true to his Mediterranean guitar signature.
Pavlo really puts on a great show. He dances and cracks jokes. He even ask a few audience members to come on stage and dance with him. I was so tempted to hop up on the stage. He also gave away a guitar. A show worth seeing.
We enjoyed a lovely dinner at a fairly new restaurant, called Mariposa. It was beautifully decorated.
A wonderful adventure with beautiful scenery, great food and our wonderful hosts. We rode in a pink jeep and toured some Indian ruins.
Thank you Ken and Georgi. We had a fabulous time and we appreciate your hospitality.
Stay tuned for a Tex-Mex Tablescape. Let me know if there is a tutorial you are wanting to see or learn something about blogging.
Coding, gadgets, etc.
Coding, gadgets, etc.
I shall be partying at the following blogs:
Thoughts of Home on Thursday
Thoughts of Home on Thursday
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This looks like so much fun! That fountain is amazing. I've never been to Arizona but my husband travels there on business and loves it. I don't know that we'd make it that far but wouldn't this be a good summer for a road trip while the gas is cheap?
ReplyDeletePinning TOHOT#2. :)
Thank you Stacey. Yes, I am all for a getaway, especially when gas is cheap! You might want to visit before it gets too hot there. They said it could be 115 in the summer months.
DeleteMakes me homesick for Phoenix, the kids and grandkids! Sedona is always a must for visitors to Arizona...did you go up through Oak Creek Canyon? Very beautiful drive.
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful Marigene. We did drive up the mountain and there snow. It was a lovely trip.
DeleteHi Linda, So glad you enjoyed a great time visiting your friends in Arizona. The sights are incredible. Love that amazing fountain and the cactus!! Thanks for sharing the video link. The music was fantastic and I just had to get up on my feet and dance!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend and looking forward to your TexMex tablescape! xo
They are incredible sights. I have been been, so I was thrilled to visit and take in the sights. Glad to hear you were dancing. He was quite sexy, especially when he turned around and played the guitar backwards and wiggled his butt.
DeleteLooks like a really nice place to get away and do some sight seeing. I love your blog Linda! I am your newest follower :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen, it was nice to getaway. So glad you are here visiting.
DeleteYou have a beautiful smile Linda:)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fab trip!
Thank you Monique. You are so sweet! The trip was fab.....
DeleteBeautiful scenery! I would not mind a cute pink jeep like that too. Glad you are home safely. sheila
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely Sheila. It's always great to be home after a vacation.
DeleteI've been to Arizona a lot of years ago, when I was a child. I really liked it. Your pictures are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Thank you Manu, it was a treat go and visit.
DeleteWhat a fun place to visit, Linda. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thanks Amalia, getting away is always a treat!
DeleteI have always wanted to visit Arizona. I'm living in Italy now but if I were to ever move back to the States, Arizona is where I would want to go. Great pictures of the cacti too...It looks like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are living in Italy? We want to visit so bad. One day we will. I am envious.
DeleteSo good to see you out and about enjoying life, friends and your beautiful Country.
ReplyDeleteI love cacti so feeling really envious of your sightings and pictures ;)
Have Fun!
Teresa
Thanks Teresa, we did enjoy ourselves. Wonderful experience, especially with good friends.
DeleteHi Linda. It looks like it was a great time in AZ.
ReplyDeleteRon, it was fabulous!
DeleteHi Linda, thanks for sharing photos of your wonderful trip! It's always nice to travel to new places and have friends for tour guides.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice Debbie. I know how much you love to travel too.
DeleteOh my that looks like such a nice change of scenery! I enjoyed looking at the different cacti they have and that special lighted show. You should've jumped on that stage- I know you're a good dancer! The pink jeep is too cute- what fun!
ReplyDeleteIsn't the cacti fabulous? Totally different look than where you live. Yes, I was seconds away from jumping on the stage and dancing.
DeleteGreat pictures, and I don't think I've ever seen a "crested" Sagauro cactus. They are quite intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThe crested Saguaro is quite unique. I love the different shapes it takes on.
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip. Sounds like a lot of fun! Love the pink jeep too. I would like to get to Arizona one day. You SHOULD have gotten up on the stage, the people would have loved it!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou would have loved it Pinky. The pink jeeps are so cute! I love to dance.
DeleteI lived in Arizona for awhile. Lots to explore there. We have an oil painting of Sedona's Oak Creek Canyon hanging over our fireplace, painted by my artist husband. Nice of you to visit my blog and leave the comment. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your dear visit. We did take a drive up Oak Creek Canyon. It was beautiful, with some snow.
DeleteHi Linda! What a wonderful time you must have had! Love your pretty snaps. We've been to the dessert botanical gardens years ago in the summer. I almost burned up! :) The lit gardens is amazing! Never seen anything like that! Glad you had such a good time with your friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in and have a great weekend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Hello Sheila, Isn't the Desert Garden beautiful? So many types of cacti.
DeleteIt was a beautiful sight all lit up at night. Enjoy your weekend too.
I am so lad you enjoyed your visit. When I lived there the Botanical Garden was one of my favorite places to visit. In the winter time of course. Summer was just brutal.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a joy to have you join the gathering at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You really help to elevate it to something very special.
GOod morning, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I had never been a dessert person, and still prefer cooler climates, but those cacti are spectacular. A blogger pal who does a lot of photography in the dessert really opened my eyes to their beauty, and I LOVE THEM NOW! I love that one you captured with the crested top! I bet you had a grand time, in the warmth of Arizona! Welcome home dear Linda! Anita
Hello Anita, so glad to see you here. Yes, Arizona is very different. The cacti are so interesting. Thanks for the sweet welcome home.
DeleteHi Linda, Sounds like a wonderful getaway. WE've gone to Az. a number of times and I love Sedona. While the desert is not an area I'm typically drawn to, in the cold snowy months it does sound good. Right now, our next door neighbors are there for two months and asked us if we'd like to come down for a weekend, but we've got to much happening here. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Noreen
I am not sure if I would want to live there. It does get quite hot in the summer. Maybe have two houses...LOL A condo somewhere cool.
DeleteI've been to Sedona & the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Linda but all the years my sister lived in AZ, we never made it to Fountain Hills. I love AZ!! She now lives in Maui, which is also a nice place to visit. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to enjoy a little get-away & thanks for sharing some great photos of the trip.
Glad to see you visited the garden Rett. They are beautiful. Fountain hills is lovely. It was a chilly when we arrived. Maui is a beautiful place to visit. We visit Kauai every other year.
DeleteLinda, what a fantastic trip you had in Arizona. I have a blog friend from there, and she lives in the northern part so it snows. The cactus are very interesting.
ReplyDeleteLove this picture of you at the end of your post, you're so pretty. Thanks for being on the look out for champagne votives.
~Sheri
Thank you Sheri. Yes, some parts do have snow. So very different than where er live. It was great to explore. Champagne votives are my list to look out for everywhere I look.
DeleteWhat a fun trip! I have never been, but have always wanted to...totally different from my neck of the woods! I love to dance too, I would've been tempted to jump up on stage. Of course, my kids would be horrified! Teenagers! Ha!
ReplyDeleteOk, those botanical gardens rock! How fun to see the lights at night. The dessert is magical in so many ways. Looks like you had a great time. Nice to get away from it all. Talk this week? Lots of love to you, sweet friend. xoxo
ReplyDeleteJust had to comment on your trip.....we now live in Gilbert, AZ. We lived in Scottsdale for a number of years and spent some time exploring the Fountain Hills area. It was very much smaller 30+ years ago...lol! I'm so glad you enjoyed your time here.
ReplyDeleteWarm hugs,
Carol