Random observations from the road:
- I learned this week that saguaros blossom after they gow to 8 feet tall. If you happen to go tromping though the desert in your only pair of shoes, it's a good idea to look carefully for cacti on the ground rather than at the flowers above your head. Otherwise, you might pick up some spines that stay stuck in the side of your shoe for a lot longer than you think is possible, putting your mom's dog at risk of a hurt paw or worse.
- Scouting all day when it's 97 degrees is hot work; nothing to be done about that but turn up the radio. Cruising around to my favorite Phoenix Spanglish station makes it more fun. The station has upped its power since last year, and it now reaches almost all the way to Tucson now. Oddly, it doesn't make it to mom's place very well. My Spanish comprehension on the advertisements has improved since December, but for no apparent reason since I haven't been studying. I can tell you where the big Cinco de Mayo parties are happening next weekend in the valley, but I won't be here by then.
- No matter how great the light, a local landmark looks like crap while under construction. I loved the big red tape on the windows. And I appreciated the sign informing me that construction was scheduled for completion by late 2006.
- I went to the Arizona Biltmore today, and I passed a house for sale. $20,000,000. Two thoughts: the sign advertising the property was shockingly tacky. And for $20 millions, would you live on the main road to a major tourist destination? I thought not.
- Phoenix needs to get a clue about signage for detours. They are building light rail and I imagine someday it will be most excellent. In the meantime, don't pass through Phoenix without a good map, because you are on your own when they shut down the freeway for the weekend. Figure it out, but don't expect any help from ADOT.
In the end, I did make my way (despite ADOT's 'help") back to mom's palace. I'm still extracting cactus spines from my shoes, but the dog isn't limping, so all is good.
from mom's less-than-$20 million-palace in Phoenix.
Comments (2)
Posting at 12:03 AM? When a photo girl should be asleep waiting for dawn? Of couse, what's my excuse for reading your blog from the office at 7:23 AM after 1.5 hour's work? No latte yet either. Alan's Coffee Garden was still closed when I left home, though they were no doubt baking already.
GPS + 24/7 Satlink + Google Maps + Google Earth - now there's a navigating solution. But you need a copilot to wrangle the electronics while someone drives. Windshields need heads-up map displays. $$$$
Posted by Robert Marc | May 1, 2007 7:33 AM
Posted on May 1, 2007 07:33
"No matter how great the light, a local landmark looks like crap while under construction."
Of course, since there are thousands of pictures of every local landmark, the pictures of the local landmark under construction often stands out. A good underconstruction shot is harder to get, but is often worth the extra effort.
Posted by Kevin Delaney | May 18, 2007 3:40 PM
Posted on May 18, 2007 15:40