Scottsdale Arizona

Sunset on the desert was stunning as we arrived in Scottsdale.

Some cactus were three times taller than Gloria.

Our timeshare unit was at the Desert Oasis surrounded by greenery.

The pool was set in a tropical garden with palm trees everywhere.

The pool even had a waterfall cascading into it at one end.

There was also a large hot tub in a stone grotto that we really enjoyed.

Of course there had to be a BBQ for Uldis to grill steaks on.

And a balcony to enjoy dinner outside overlooking the courtyard.

One of our day trips was to an amazing park we heard about from others.

You first board an open jeep-like bus to drive through the game farm.

Everyone aboard is given a long carrot stick and along comes a giraffe who eats each one from your hand.  His long tongue curls around the carrot and gently takes it from you.

There's an ostrich who loves the driver/guide and eats from her hand.

A newborn zebra was among the herd.  They are born with brown stripes not black.

There were long horned African cattle and curly horned antelopes too.

But best of all was the Tiger Splash Show that demonstrated how tigers hunt prey.

Only it was hard to get the balloon prey away from him afterwards!

We took another day trip out in the desert to the winter home of the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.  He spent 6 months of the year here for his health during the winter.  He lived to be 91.

Taliesin West was built 90 years ago for Frank, his wife and 20 apprentices who attended his architectural school and helped to build the facility.

It is amazingly modern with sculptures from his travels to Japan and plantings that suit the desert local.

Inside, all furnishings were designed by Frank and built for this setting in the 1940's.

He was so particular about the placing of decor items that when windows were put in, he made them cut out a hole in the glass so that the jar wouldn't be moved.



A walkway leads to the drafting studios where even today students attend classes in architecture.



Frank and his third wife, Olgivanna, had performances played in this theatre in the 1950's.  Frank died in 1959.

Outside there is a sculpture garden created by one of the Taliesin Fellowship members who lives year round here with 9 others.  They work with the apprentices at the school.

Tours of the site attract 100,000 visitors a year to see this architecutural wonder.  We were so impressed we plan to see another of Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings- Fallingwater,in Pennsylvania.

Since we were in Arizona in April, we had to see the cactus in bloom.

The waxy flowers only bloom once a year.  Colours are amazing- red, pink, yellow and green.

The spring wildflowers are also out, making the desert glow with colour.

We visited the Phoenix Botanical Garden where we lunched in the sunshine.

At the entrance there were three huge glass cacti.  They were sculptures made by the famous Dale Chihuly.  Called "Desert Towers" they cost $774,000.00 raised by donations.

Other sculptures in the garden were surrounded by wildflowers.

But there were also lots of cacti in the garden to see and admire.

And lots more in bloom.  From pale greenish yellow--



To brilliant fushia pink.

We even saw some wildlife.  This is an Arizona ground squirrel.

And this is the infamous Road Runner from cartoon fame.

We end our Scottsdale adventure with happy memories.