Cool Scottsdale

Scottsdale has been cooler than we have experienced in our previous visits.

Cooler is relative, I know.  This guy is in Minnesota in the summer and finds Arizona more inviting this time of year, especially for walking in the water.

Our brother-in-law played in a softball tourney for 70 year olds in Fountain Hills and we went to watch.  They have some interesting modifications to allow the old bodies to do what is necessary to play.  Each player starts with a 1-1 count to speed up the game, and if a team scores 5 runs the inning is over.  Also, you may be spotted up to five runs if you are playing a younger team.  There was a 75 year old team in the tourney.  And if you have a bad knee, like I do, you can hit and have someone else run to first base. 

Did I say it was cooler this year?  Here is proof from the brave fans.  M with her sister Ev.  Quite a crowd that braved the cold for the tourney. 

Yesterday we visited the Arizona Biltmore, one of our favorite places to take pictures in the desert.  I could tell from the lobby that this wasn't a Motel 6.  The restaurant was serving a Bison prime rib. It sounded really good but I decided to save the $52 and eat at home.

Even though it is winter in Arizona, the grounds look like it is spring.  The Palm Tree reflections remind me of Hawaii.

Built in 1929 with the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, it is truly a gem in the desert.

One of the larger hotels in the area, it has over 700 rooms.

When we were here a few years ago, the Super Bowl was being played in town and the teams stayed at this hotel.  I guess the NFL could afford the room rate starting at $409 a night.

Every president since Hoover has spent time here (except Obama), and Reagan honeymooned here with Nancy.  Click on the picture and see if you can identify them. 

Our grandkids are learning how to play chess.  I think they would like this chess set.

Some of the detail of the stamped concrete exteriors are made to look like the trunk of palm trees.  We will be heading north soon... the cooler January here has kept our blood from thinning out completely.  Do you hear M kicking and screaming?

Texas to Arizona for January

Leaving Texas means leaving behind this Armadillo family whom we love so much.

Scottsdale is our home for a month with palm trees 
and warm sun.

These prickly things never cease to amaze me... how do they survive in the desert, and why so many ouchies?  I can see why "chaps" were invented by early horse riders.

Nearby Fountain Hills has a wonderful walk around "old faithful" that shoots water every hour when it isn't too windy.  It's a favorite hangout for us old coots.  (the birds in the foreground are coots)

This site is welcome after we hear of the nearly 30 inches of snow that has fallen up north.

Today we road our Japanese horseless carriage to Old Scottsdale and tried to look like yocals... I mean locals.

The old Mission church has been around since the 30's... soon after Scottsdale was settling.  
Scottsdale was incorporated in 1951.

Sometimes we all struggle for respect.  Look closely at the statue's head.  Seems in these days, no one gets respect.

One of our favorite places to walk...

and preen.

Lake Marguarite really isn't a lake by Minnesota standards but it is welcome in the desert.

Our dentist friend and wife are not far from here.  We visited their lovely home for dinner when we first arrived.

Saguaro cactus are the big boys in the neighborhood and very slow growing.  Some birds actually carve holes in them and nest.  Not too many predators mess with them I suspect.

This little guy was so much fun to watch.  While his parents were busily visiting with friends he cautiously walked around this reflecting pool sticking one foot in the water and then seeing how his shoe left water tracks on the concrete.  Before long, in spite of parental warnings, he decided to throw caution to the wind and tore up the whole length and back splashing as much as he could until Dad finally snagged him at the end and pulled him out.  Oh to be young and find that splashing in  the water is one of the most fun things to do.