Coots

Coots are all water birds and abound on the lakes near my home. They have predominantly black plumage and eat mainly plant material....the grass all along the bike path. The oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old.
In the winter there are so many but where do they go in the summer? Apparently they just move north a bit to get out of our severe heat in the summer. A few more months and they will be leaving.

Miniature Horses

What a surprise today! I was on my walk along the lakes on the bike path when I came upon some horses......they were beautiful! I asked where they came from and the gentleman said "his backyard".
They just brought them for a nice walk on the paths. It sure was a sight to see!

Self Serve Dog Wash

I saw this sign yesterday and had to take a picture. Many gas stations have self serve car washes where you pull into a bay and wash your car yourself.....I have never seen one for dogs!

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market

This market is located at the corner of Brown and 1st Street in Old Town. It features local growers and specialty food producers. McClendon's is the largest produce supplier at this market and has a wonderful selection of organic produce. There are also vendors of natural pork, beef, free range eggs, local cheeses, artisan breads, jams and  picadillies.

It is open on Saturdays from 8:00am - 1:00pm.
Makes for a great morning!

After the Storm

It rained for most of a day and night and I woke to a very windy, cold day. It was fun to go for a walk along the lakes. There were almost small whitecaps on the water and the clouds were getting blown away.
This is a winter day in Arizona!

Superstition Mountains

The Superstition Mountains are a range of mountains in Arizona to the east of Phoenix. They rise steeply above the flat desert to a high point of 5,024 feet and are characterized by sheer-sided, jagged, volcanic peaks and ridges separated by boulder-filled canyons.

Early settlers named the hills on account of the many myths and stories told by the local Pima/Apache Indians about the mountains and tales such as the fabled Lost Dutchman gold mine.
According to legend, a German immigrant discovered a mother lode of gold in the wilderness and revealed its location on his death bed in Phoenix in 1891 to a boarding house owner who had taken care of him for many years.
Some Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is located in the Superstition Mountains.

It is a favorite hiking and climbing destination.

The Phoenician

The Phoenician is a luxury resort at the base of Camelback Mountain. We recently went to have appetizers in the Thirsty Camel Lounge and to enjoy the view from the patio.
Christmas decorations were sparkling all around the resort. It was a fun evening!