Tuesday, February 10, 2009

No, really, Jake, I was at home doing laundry all day...I didn't go wander around in the desert. Huh-uh.

Heading east, on my way home from a delicious lunch at Pei Wei with Dad and Ryan, I noticed the Superstitions, dusted in snow from last night's storm. 

It was a real storm, the kind that blows cold, and rains all night long.

Anyhow, today the air is clear and bright, the clouds are high and fluffy, the desert is wet. There is nothing more hopeful than the desert after a good soak.

When it came time to get off the freeway, I didn't. I just kept driving: a couple miles east, until the freeway ended, and I was on the Old West Highway 60. I headed north, then east again. Somewhere around Broadway and 4 miles east of Goldfield Road, I stopped in front of an empty lot, and got out. We wandered around.

 
I pointed out some snake holes to Tommy. He was very thrilled but also 'scay-yerd'. 

Tommy's got an extra-hard 'r', sort of midwestern-y or something. Is fairly hilarious.

I took some pictures.




Can you believe my desert? If you know the Superstitions, you know they don't ever look real. And the closer you get to them, the more they look like a mirage. Which is ironic, as actual mirages don't act this way. Out here, just a few miles from town, you feel like a character in a Louis L'Amour novel. Like cowboys oughtta ride into view, little dogies should get along, and country music will play. 

But country music didn't play. I was listening to the Evita movie soundtrack. (I don't care what anyone says. I think Madonna did a fab job. And is the only time I ever liked Antonio Banderas.)

Some cute boys from Holland pulled up in an ancient maroon Buick and asked how to get up to the base of the mountains. I pointed them north and wished them luck. I didn't get their pictures. It would have been weird.

Trust me.

Anyhow, the Superstitions are steep and angry mountains. 
Full of critters with forked tongues. And cacti that jump.

But they are very nice to look at, no?
And they are nearly in my backyard.

22 comments:

Shelane said...

I'm so homesick right now. We've been playing with the idea of moving back down (from Utah, I grew up in Gilbert) and I think we decided today to stay in Utah.

Gulp.

Can I come visit this weekend???

Heidi said...

Gorgeous pics! Darling boy! Loved Evita--I agree about Madonna. I was in Arizona only once--it was Needles and 95 degrees with a hot wind howling at 9 at night. I did not like it one bit. It is nice to see a softer side of Arizona.

Unknown said...

Love the pics! I come from desert, too, but with shorter cactus.

Banteringblonde said...

Those pictures are beautiful! We have a Pei Wei opening here very soon... can't wait!

Bee said...

They are Very nice to look at, yes.

Natalie said...

Oh, I do miss it. Thanks for the pics.
And, are you kidding me? "The Mask of Zorro" with Antonio Banderas and Katherine Zeta-Jones is so good!!

Wonder Woman said...

It really does look like John Wayne should come riding up at anytime.

Barbaloot said...

Awesome pictures. I fake missed AZ for a second...then you mentioned the forked tongues and I remembered that I'm okay here in Utah. Lucky for me, despite hiking around a few mountains whilst living there---I never saw one of the slithering variety.

And also-totally jealous of Pei Wei. What did you fortune cookie say?

LisAway said...

Those pictures are amazing. I actually didn't believe that you took them at first. WOW.

Bella In The Bayou said...

Thanks for posting those pictures!

jt said...

great pics, the last one looks like it will come right out and poke me. I like that you were driving around and had your camera with you.

Molly said...

Those are cool pictures Kelly! Tommy is so cute, I love his little voice and funny words!

Anonymous said...

your desert is pretty. my desert is ugly. trust me. LAS VEGAS desert is like just cleared dirt lots with tumble weeds. we dont have cati unless you are way far out on the 15 and if you go north on the 95 you will reach streaches of rock and dead cati.... nastyface

i love your desert and your behind your backyard... and how cute his jacket is with the built in hawk.

Varney Family said...

What great pictures. Thanks for sharing, as always - loved it!

Heather said...

No in-n-out this week??
Those are great pictures. I wish i had taken the time to take some. Glad you and Tommy did.

wendy said...

I too love it when doggies get along. Beautiful shots...I have a son who live in Prescott Arizona for a few years, but they are back in Utah now......and I TOO listen to Evita.(great biography to read also)

SBrooks said...

Man, you got photo talent sista!

Pam said...

Yes the mountains are beautiful but what I am loving most is the total fauxhawk jacket Tommy is wearing. That is AWESOME!

Brigham said...

Kelly,

Happy Statehood day. Since you're married, I assume you'll be boycotting.

Not only am I a reader, I also use the search field.

cally said...

Those are gorgeous pictures!

Jealous.

Claire said...

Certainly beats the view out of my window... everything's just cold and wet. Grr.

Brett and Shireen Olsen said...

Those are great pictures! Did you know that you can actually go hiking and such in the Superstitions? If you're ever interested let me know. And I won't make you borrow my brother's sleeping bag, where you might find some questionnable unmentionables. We won't go overnight. We'll just go for a little while.