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.