My cousin works out of town a lot, so when she said "Would you like to join me ..." my bag was packed before she finished up with "... in Phoenix?"
Phoenix has light rail from downtown to Mesa, but I didn't need it to get to the Heard Museum. I just tumbled out of the hotel door, moseyed down the street, and there I was.
I learned a few basics about American Indian arts; enough to stay out of trouble at a cocktail party. For example, this Hopi kachina (Hopis would say "katsina") is ... okay, I'd have to change the subject. I swear I was listening, but this was seven or eight days ago.
In a truly informative blog, you would learn the meaning of the above painting, or at least the artist. I'm phoning this in, and I've dialed the wrong number.
This sculpture plays in a private park, and I couldn't get closer. From this distance, I thought it was six frolicking businesspeople. Children are good, too.
"There was only six feet between me and the elk! I swear I'm not compensating. Look at the size of my feet."
Downtown Phoenix pulses with activity. That could have been my pulse; it was very exciting. It wasn't long before a little quiet was just the thing. So, I wandered down to the Japanese Friendship Garden. It's an oasis of peace in the middle of the city. In fact, I-10 roars underneath it, but you'll never hear it.
The McClelland Irish Library is an imposing building, but the staff is friendly and helpful. They didn't seem to notice that I'm not Irish, or at least they were polite enough not to point it out. In the courtyard is a tiny cottage with a really tiny gift shop.
That afternoon I jumped, carefree, onto the light rail and headed east. At the end of the line you can stay put - or slide into a forward-facing seat - for the return trip. The train goes through ASU campus in Tempe, where you can disembark to enjoy their collegetown businesses, or stay on the train and thank your lucky stars all that is behind you.
There is a lot of good food in downtown Phoenix. We enjoyed Switch, and The Old Spaghetti Factory, and a Thai restaurant. Plus other stuff. *waves hands around*
It was a good time! I hadn't spent time in Phoenix yet, and now I have.
21 comments:
Very diverse art! Interesting.
I have not traveled in that area yet. Looks like lots of interesting places around there. I was thinking of working at a tax place in Tempe this winter, the owners of the business are full-timers - but, I decided to stay in TX for a little while longer. I prob would have rode the lightrail between the RV park and the tax office.
Missed that when we were there-next time:)
Seems most cities have "a lot to offer" but seems I don't usually get there.
Aw, I wish I'd known you were going to be here before you actually got here. I haven't explored downtown Phoenix yet. I also want to try the lightrail. I live in Mesa, so it would have worked out.
Good stuff.
Cannot believe we haven't explored downtown Phoenix yet (well, yes I can cause it's a big city with lots of people) but I really want to see some of these places. Didn't even know about the garden or the Irish library.
Sandie, I don't know how downtown parking is "done," but I would park out in Mesa at a Park'n'Ride and take the train in. Downtown is definitely easier on foot, or on train.
It is, Kim!
Shadow, it would have worked out. It will next time, too! My parents lived in both Mesa and Tempe, but that was before they put me together.
Gaelyn, left to my own devices I never go into cities. This was a perfect opportunity to not be left to my own devices.
Next time, C&A!
Teri, the light rail seems like a good thing. I'm a fan of public transportation in general. Texas must be agreeing with you?
It is, Nan! I got cultured as much as I could stand, then I sat down.
That Irish library does not look like it belongs in Phoenix. Or anywhere with more than five days of sunshine in a year.
They did have all the blinds pulled down, Brenda.
Nice to see you come up for air once in a while.
Happy Thanksgiving! (I almost wrote "Hopi Thanksgiving, but that would be lame.)
Hurdee hur hur! Thanks, Bob - Happy Seriously Belated and Way Too Late to Wish Thanksgiving to you, too.
It's always good to be heard. Phoenix in late November sure beats Phoenix in July. Is the naked lady an Amazon? You can always google what you can't remember. Happy Thanksgiving!
OOooOoOH! Since you're into building porn ..
Check out Taliesin West in Scottsdale. It was Frank Lloyd Wright's home and school where he taught other architects.
Also, if you're so inclined, have the time, and going north when you leave Phoenix. Stop by Arcosanti which is located off I17. Paolo Soleri was a student of Wright's and designed this project which is still under construction.
What a fun day you had. If someone blind folds me for the drive there and I can see all this stuff on a rail I could be happy.
It's even better to be Heard! Happy Thanksgiving, Mary!
Steven, I didn't make it to Scottsdale, but that's something in the ole' memory for next time. I didn't know he had a house out here. Thanks for reminding me about Arcosanti - Lori told me about it, but I had already forgotten, like the kachinas and the painter.
Same here, Jo. I would probably not drive into the city myself.
Knowledge is way over rated! I loved just looking at the photos:) Haha!
I really did enjoy the sculpture of the children running through the grass, so cheerful!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I drive into Phoenix which I find exhausting so I'm lucky if I do everything on my to do list before driving out again. But, I'm going again Sunday so we'll see how I do this time.
I recognized Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in the painting right away and then saw a few other notables as well. So much going on there I almost missed the horses riding the clouds!
Ack!! You changed something about the blog list on the left hand side and now it goes to feedburner. I don't use any feed stuff, just go to the blog itself. I've been shamelessly using your list as it shows a different subset of bloggers than I had been reading before. Guess I'll have to cowgirl up and add the ones I like most to my own blog list.
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