Thought you get the last of the desert, huh? Well, I promise this is the wrap-up for a little while!  Here are a few miscellaneous photos that I love from my last trip and I couldn’t pass up the chance to post them.

The weather was pitiful (for Phoenix) – cloudy and rainy and cold (again, relative) – but I do love a photo of a cloudy sky!  Plus, the flowers were still blooming so that made up for it.

This cactus is called the Crown of Thorns and only blooms on Easter weekend – so cool!  Also, who can resist a kitschy tourist-trap katchina sign? Admittedly, we didn’t stop, I just snapped a photo of the sign in passing.  I may not be able to resist the sign, but I can resist the store.

This last one I took outside of the art museum where I saw a special Ansel Adams exhibit (Seriously, my love for this man’s art runs deeeeeeeep.)

Alright, that wraps up this round of Phoenix posts, and this last one was definitely a hodgepodge.  It’s pretty much a Monday thing.  Thanks for indulging me!

Filed in:Travel
add a comment
  • Adventure Travel EditorApril 30, 2012 - 1:40 pm

    Beautiful black and white shots!ReplyCancel

  • Kimberly KonkolApril 30, 2012 - 7:36 pm

    What wonderful pictures! I lived in Arizona a few years and it’s nice to see pictures from there. I look forward to seeing more of them!ReplyCancel

This past week was really colorful! That is definitely something to be thankful for.

1. Grilling is one of my favorite parts of warmer weather – this time, fajitas.

2. I officially cannot run without getting distracted to stop and take a photo of something pretty.

3. Lilacs are my favorite, favorite, favorite.

4. What I stare at all week long.

5. Husband’s birthday this past week involved cheesecake frozen yogurt.  I then asked if he could have a birthday every week, please?

6. Spied this on a neighborhood walk, it was HUGE!

7. Working on a special project (I hope I can share this week) + love me some watercolor.

8. You know it’s gonna be a good outfit day when you combine two of your favorite things (red pants + mocs = awesome).

Can you believe it’s going to be MAY in two days?!  Time really flies.

(Find me on instagram : @bellatheball)

Filed in:Life
add a comment
  • Meghan JohnsonMay 1, 2012 - 4:18 am

    I adore everything in this post. What a beautiful (and colorful!) collage of photos! Can’t wait to hear what that special project is. 🙂

    – MeghanReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzMay 1, 2012 - 9:54 am

      Thanks Meghan – hopefully all will be revealed later this week, waiting on a couple final details!ReplyCancel

  • Fresh Friday « Beautiful GeometryMay 4, 2012 - 7:51 am

    […] if you saw this post, I hinted at a little project I was working on last weekend – well, I can’t exactly […]ReplyCancel

Has anyone invented a job where you get paid to take pretty pictures of the sky all day long?  Because I’m pretty sure I could do that job – I love how the sky constantly changes and the crazy shapes that clouds make and how the early morning and early evening splash all sorts of colors around.

Seems like since I’ve moved out west, the sunsets have become even more spectacular and no where is that more true than Arizona.

I mean seriously, those colors?! Or this one, which my husband says is the most “Arizona” of all of them, but I’m pretty sure he’s talking about the colors and not the palm trees.  If it was a saguaro instead, I’d be selling postcards.

I learned on this last trip that Saguaros don’t even start to grow arms until they are 50-70 years old and that if they have more than five arms, chances are they are over 200 years old!  If that’s accurate, this cactus is perfectly ancient.

I must add this disclaimer:  Although I think these sunsets are absolutely beautiful, someone thinks I can do better.  Cory is very proud of his state’s claim-to-fame and says that I HAVE to do an update post when I can get the whole shebang (something along the lines of color, re: photo three + skyline, re: photo one) so I’m sure this isn’t the last you’ll be seeing of the Arizona skies.

Filed in:Travel
add a comment
  • Adventure Travel EditorApril 30, 2012 - 1:42 pm

    Very nice! Arizona and New Mexico are pretty close to the top of my list for the states with the best sunsets in the US. Hawaii is impressive, but nothing beats a desert sunset.ReplyCancel

  • itchierfeetMay 1, 2012 - 12:46 am

    I visited a friend in Arizona many years ago now, and one of the most vivid memories I have of the place are the sunsets, such glorious and bold sunsets. Lovely images, thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

  • A Little Tour « Beautiful GeometryMay 1, 2012 - 10:23 am

    […] from my travels away from home and some of my favorite things about this awesome planet  (ie. sunsets and french […]ReplyCancel

  • The SugarlumpMay 1, 2012 - 12:09 pm

    Beautiful pictures. Arizona is so dreamy (except when it’s 120 degrees!).ReplyCancel

  • RobinMay 1, 2012 - 7:14 pm

    Beautiful sky pictures. I miss all the beautiful oranges & pinks of the sunsets. I lived in Peoria for a couple of years and now back in NJ. We rarely have get to see those colors in NJ skiesReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzMay 1, 2012 - 9:19 pm

      it’s true, I used to live in the Midwest, but I don’t think I saw a real sunset until I moved out West 🙂 Thanks!ReplyCancel

Something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately and trying to change my perspective.

Goodness can be hard to see, but I’m pretty sure it wants to be found.

Filed in:Inspiration
add a comment
  • GreisyApril 25, 2012 - 9:31 am

    You’re picture says it all… Goodness can be hard to see, until you start looking for it. Blessings!ReplyCancel

  • AbbiApril 26, 2012 - 7:33 am

    I love this ! Excellent reminder 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Annabelle MintzApril 30, 2012 - 2:04 pm

    Thanks ladies! 🙂ReplyCancel

While we were in Phoenix, we got to do a little evening hike to watch the sunset (more on that to come!) so even though my Everyday Adventure posts usually feature something in Colorado, I think this definitely qualifies to be put in the category!

The Gateway trail head has been recently renovated with green initiatives and environment-friendly materials – the parking lot is dirt and apparently gets pretty crowded but on a cooler Sunday late afternoon, there was plenty of room.  There’s a nice topographic map at the start which gives you all your different trail options and we chose the loop that cuts through the Gateway Saddle – I had no idea there were so many trails and that we’d have so many choices!

As you can see (especially for us Colorado folks), the elevation climb is not too bad and the trail is well-maintained with a fairly gradual ascent.  Also, some great views of the valley from this high point.  The loop was a little under 4.5 miles and took us 2 hours at a leisurely pace.  Horses use this trail as well, so watch where you put your feet!  Ha.

Of course, I couldn’t resist taking some photos of the cactus blossoms in the pretty sunset-pink light (Am I predictable, or what?).  To be fair, what photographer can resist golden hour, even if it’s just for cactus?

Stay tuned later this week for some real-deal Arizona sunsets that I captured on this hike!

Filed in:Everyday Adventure | Travel

« Older Posts Newer Posts »