By the time we get to Phoenix.... May 3

This is the first roadside service area

when entering AZ from NM on I-10.
The sharp blue sky was especially enticing.

We arrived in Phoenix and stopped first at the REI store in Tempe http://www.rei.com/ to take advantage of their annual sale and pick up some useful hiking paraphernalia.

From there we continued on to Fountain Hills to meet Buzz and Alice and get ready for our Grand Canyon adventure.

Alice was at the door to greet us when we arrived

The balcony provides a great view over the valley and back towards Phoenix to the southwest.

This is saguaro country

Buzz prepared a delicious dinner featuring pan fried fillets from his fishing trip to Naples. We were impressed with his inventive apparatus for disabling the smoke detector!

Nightfall in Scottsdale

One little, two little, three little Indians...

four little, five little, six little Indians....

(waiting for their wives at the jewelry store)

Scottsdale sculpture gallery

Quatrz of the Amethyst variety at the Arizona Mining and Minerals Museum

http://www.admmr.state.az.us/General/museum.html

Quartz (l), Malachite (r)

Assorted mineral specimens

Calcite from Brazil

This is a view skyward in the rotunda of the Arizona Capitol Museumhttp://www.lib.az.us/museum/

Rare 19th C. Navaho baskets

The colorful first governor of Arizona was George W. P. Hunt, shown here in a recreation of his office. He served seven terms during his career, earning him the sobriquet "George VII."
His hometown newspaper, the Globe Silver Bell, supported his opponent and frequently ran such comments as the following: "Two circuses are in town today, Ringling Brothers and G.W.P. Hunt. Both are complete with side shows."

Bola Tie & Turquoise

The Arizona Capitol Museum is home to the silver service that was donated to the USS Arizona by the citizens of this state in 1919. This service is comprised of 59 distinct pieces on display at the Museum. Sadly, the USS Arizona now lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, a memorial to the servicemen who perished aboard her during the war.

The "Great Seal of the State of Arizona" in the central hall of the Capitol with the Latin motto Ditat Deus, God Enriches. (One can hope!)