Of course the night sky is wonderful out here. Best I could do with my travel tripod, no remote trigger, and no photoshop.
Star gazing - self portrait
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Arizona Scavenger Hunt Day 4
I started the day by dropping the bike back off at the Harley dealer in Tucson. Uneventful except for a couple stray showers which weren't too bad. I didn't have my proper rain gear along, but the windshield kept me surprisingly protected, just my jeans were a little damp below the knee.
Anyway, on to more fun things...
Item 7 - St. Mary's Hospital - submitted by Nidhi
St. Mary's is a very historical place, I won't get into the details but if you are interested check it out. Nidhi claims it is haunted, so I had to go see it.
Why do Catholic statues always look creepy? I was beginning to think that this would be the only photo I got from the inside, but then I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye, in the chapel. I swung the camera around without really aiming and got this shot:
Looks innocent enough, but I was skeptical, so I put the photo through several filtering and enhancement programs, shifted it towards the UV spectrum, and I found THIS:
Item 8 - Desert Museum - submitted by random girl on the plane
My words won't really do this place justice, so I'm just going to throw some pictures up here with random comments as needed. Be sure to check this out if you're ever in Tucson. The remaining scavenger hunt items that I have listed below all come from this place.
This concludes the adventurous portion of the Arizona Scavenger Hunt. I will be here another few days but not sure how much time I will have for exploring, especially during daylight. I will keep my camera at the ready, and if the weather cooperates maybe I can get some good sunrise or Milky Way pics later this week.
Anyway, on to more fun things...
Item 7 - St. Mary's Hospital - submitted by Nidhi
St. Mary's is a very historical place, I won't get into the details but if you are interested check it out. Nidhi claims it is haunted, so I had to go see it.
Hm. Not bad, but not quite as SPOOKY as I was hoping for. Luckily, since I just watched Shutter Island last week, I know what a creepy medical institution is supposed to look like. Please forgive me, I don't have Photoshop on this computer, so this is just the best I can do for now.
There! MUCH better. Moving right along to see the inside...
Why do Catholic statues always look creepy? I was beginning to think that this would be the only photo I got from the inside, but then I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye, in the chapel. I swung the camera around without really aiming and got this shot:
Looks innocent enough, but I was skeptical, so I put the photo through several filtering and enhancement programs, shifted it towards the UV spectrum, and I found THIS:
Item 8 - Desert Museum - submitted by random girl on the plane
My words won't really do this place justice, so I'm just going to throw some pictures up here with random comments as needed. Be sure to check this out if you're ever in Tucson. The remaining scavenger hunt items that I have listed below all come from this place.
 |
| Cactus Starburst |
 |
| Arizona Graffiti |
Item 9 - Deadly creatures - submitted by Dan, Kelly, and Gary
Item 10 - Cute but deadly creatures - submitted by Kelly
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| Mexican Desert Wolf, not a Coyote |
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| They even have a cave! |
This concludes the adventurous portion of the Arizona Scavenger Hunt. I will be here another few days but not sure how much time I will have for exploring, especially during daylight. I will keep my camera at the ready, and if the weather cooperates maybe I can get some good sunrise or Milky Way pics later this week.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Arizona Scavenger Hunt Day 3
Destination: Coronado National Memorial, the hills and desert right next to the US - Mexico border.
My first route was blocked because some of the gates at Ft. Huachuca are closed on the weekend. But I finally found my way over the front entrance to this remote, desolate, and beautiful park.
I'd love to come and hike around here sometime, but apparently I should bring a friend.
It looks like a beautiful place, but unfortunately I do not have the right transportation for this place. Looks like it's the end of the road for me!
Item 5 - Bisbee - submitted by random person at the bar.
This small town is definitely not one that I would have thought to go through, but I'm glad I saw it. According to the crazy lady that talked my ear off:
Bisbee was a VERY busy mining town in the 70's, but then there was a huge strike which shut the mine down. When all the mining business left, the hippies took over. Apparently they are not really good for industry, but there is a (comparatively) huge art and music scene there.
To get into town, I drove right through an open pit mine. You cannot walk through town without having the mining culture thrown in your face, it is plastered everywhere. I wish I had time to take the mine tour, maybe next time.
If you're into antiques, music, art, and random crap, this is the place for you.
Item 6 - Tombstone - submitted by random girl on the plane.
OF COURSE! TOMBSTONE! Why didn't I think of this? Do I really even need to describe anything?
Of course I went to the Saloon, Big Nose Kate's. I got a beer, rye, and a brisket sandwich. THAT's how you do it. The place is really fun: live music, corseted waitresses, and just look at the whiskey selection.
My first route was blocked because some of the gates at Ft. Huachuca are closed on the weekend. But I finally found my way over the front entrance to this remote, desolate, and beautiful park.
I'd love to come and hike around here sometime, but apparently I should bring a friend.
It looks like a beautiful place, but unfortunately I do not have the right transportation for this place. Looks like it's the end of the road for me!
This is quite common around here, just anything that isn't a major highway is gravel. I really wanted to ride through some of the canyons and hills, but I'll have to have a truck next time I guess.
This small town is definitely not one that I would have thought to go through, but I'm glad I saw it. According to the crazy lady that talked my ear off:
Bisbee was a VERY busy mining town in the 70's, but then there was a huge strike which shut the mine down. When all the mining business left, the hippies took over. Apparently they are not really good for industry, but there is a (comparatively) huge art and music scene there.
To get into town, I drove right through an open pit mine. You cannot walk through town without having the mining culture thrown in your face, it is plastered everywhere. I wish I had time to take the mine tour, maybe next time.
If you're into antiques, music, art, and random crap, this is the place for you.
Item 6 - Tombstone - submitted by random girl on the plane.
OF COURSE! TOMBSTONE! Why didn't I think of this? Do I really even need to describe anything?
Of course I went to the Saloon, Big Nose Kate's. I got a beer, rye, and a brisket sandwich. THAT's how you do it. The place is really fun: live music, corseted waitresses, and just look at the whiskey selection.
I will definitely be coming back here next time I'm in Southern AZ. I'd love to go there for an evening, but I feel like it would be much more fun with a designated driver.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Arizona Scavenger Hunt Day 2
Day 2: Headed into Tucson to see some sights in town and rent a motorcycle for the rest of the weekend.
Item 2 - San Xavier Mission - submitted by Emily
This is a really well preserved mission church, the paintings are gorgeous inside and it has a wonderful feel.
Yes, this is a purple cactus.
Item 3: Indian Casino - submitted by Mary
This is the Desert Diamond near the Tucson airport. I've never been in an Indian casino before, mostly just Vegas casinos. It's pretty much the same.
Next I went to the Harley dealer to get a bike. I don't normally ride something like this, but I figured if any place would be right for a Harley, it would be the American Southwest desert. I got a 2012 Road King. It's not too shabby, has some great features like keyless start, ABS, and a great cruise control.
Unfortunately, no one submitted In-N-Out, but I had to get a Double-Double anyway.
Item 4: Mount Lemmon - submitted by Gene and Nancy
The top of Mount Lemmon is less than an hour from Tucson, and is very popular with cyclists, hikers, campers, and photographers. It's a beautiful drive.
Item 2 - San Xavier Mission - submitted by Emily
This is a really well preserved mission church, the paintings are gorgeous inside and it has a wonderful feel.
Yes, this is a purple cactus.
Item 3: Indian Casino - submitted by Mary
This is the Desert Diamond near the Tucson airport. I've never been in an Indian casino before, mostly just Vegas casinos. It's pretty much the same.
I decided that since I was here, I should at least make a bet. I put $1 into a slot machine, and after about 8 pulls I had it up to $3.70. The only way to win is to quit when you're ahead!
Next I went to the Harley dealer to get a bike. I don't normally ride something like this, but I figured if any place would be right for a Harley, it would be the American Southwest desert. I got a 2012 Road King. It's not too shabby, has some great features like keyless start, ABS, and a great cruise control.
Unfortunately, no one submitted In-N-Out, but I had to get a Double-Double anyway.
Item 4: Mount Lemmon - submitted by Gene and Nancy
The top of Mount Lemmon is less than an hour from Tucson, and is very popular with cyclists, hikers, campers, and photographers. It's a beautiful drive.
I'm not sure how extensive the ski slopes are at the top, but it didn't look very big. Still, to have a ski slope only 45 min from downtown Tucson is not something most people would think of.
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