Say Yes to the Butterflies

Scoot over and make room for me.

After a really full and rather hot day enjoying the great outdoors of Phoenix, Arizona, my friend and I decided that the next day we wanted to do something indoors. When I considered the list of options she gave me, it didn't take me but about a second to say yes to the butterflies. I absolutely love butterflies.

Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix

I'm a sucker for a curved path.

When I travel, I try to visit the local botanical gardens, and I definitely wanted to see what the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona would have to offer. The location was very convenient, too, right next to Papago Park.

The Hole in the Rock

People climbing into The Hole in the Rock.

Our next stop after the Gateway Loop Trail was Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona. My friend had never been there, but after she suggested it, I looked online and what I saw definitely looked very interesting and worth seeing—it did not disappoint.

Gateway to the West

McDowell Mountain Range and palo verde trees.

Even though I love to travel, I don't necessarily have to see every state. But there are certain states I've always wanted to see, and then there are the states where friends live, so those are definitely on the short list. That's how I made my decision to visit Arizona this year—my 18th state. I changed planes there a couple of years ago, but I didn't feel like I could count that.

California, Here I Come: Part 4

Boy, the airport sure takes up a lot of prime real estate.

Before I could see the "old" lighthouse, I had to move my car from the tide pool parking lot. Parking was a little scarce there, but that's not the case in the upper area of the park. And I hear that tide pool parking lot #1 and the trail is closed for a couple of months for improvements, so I really did have great timing with this visit.

California, Here I Come: Part 3

For size context, there are actually people standing behind the biggest boulder.

In my last post, I told you about stumbling onto Fort Rosecrans Cemetery. I enjoyed that quick stop, but was anxious to see the lighthouses. I had learned that they are both located in Cabrillo National Monument (part of the U.S. National Park Service). There was a $10 car entry fee that is good for a week. That's great if you live there, or came for a longer visit, but I think I’d rather pay $5 for a one-day pass—just sayin'.

California, Here I Come: Part 2

Beautiful Hottentot Fig Ice Plants surrounding a bench with a view.

After I left La Jolla Cove, the next stop of my San Diego vacation, was to Mt. Soledad. This location was recommended by a coworker that lives in San Clemente, California. He said that the views are spectacular.