April 2019
On day 5, we checked out of Tusayan and drove back south toward Phoenix. We stopped in Sedona for a delicious Mexican breakfast and then continued driving. We visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix and learned about the local plant life. Think cacti, lots and lots of cacti! Once we checked into our hotel in Tempe, we explored Tempe Town Lake. After dinner, we went back to the Desert Botanical Garden for their after dark exhibit Electric Desert where the entire place is lit up. Upon returning to our hotel room, we began our encounter with our crazy hotel room neighbor. He called our room a few times and slammed down the phone. We weren't sure why but brushed it off and went to bed.
Starting the day with breakfast at Miley's Cafe, a Mexican diner in Sedona
I'd never had breakfast enchiladas before, but now I wish we could get them back east
Miley's cinnamon buns are about the size of your head
There's Phoenix up ahead
Checking out the Desert Botanical Garden
The first plants that catch your eye at the Desert Botanical Garden are made of glass
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
This is a purple prickly pear cactus
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
Walking through the Desert Botanical Garden, you begin to forget that you're in a carefully curated garden and feel like you're just out in the desert.
Walking through the Desert Botanical Garden, you begin to forget that you're in a carefully curated garden and feel like you're just out in the desert.
Walking through the Desert Botanical Garden, you begin to forget that you're in a carefully curated garden and feel like you're just out in the desert.
Walking through the Desert Botanical Garden, you begin to forget that you're in a carefully curated garden and feel like you're just out in the desert.
This ground squirrel was scurrying around the gardens.
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
The shear quantity of plants in the Desert Botanical Garden is amazing
Saguaro cacti this large are several hundred years old
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
We took a walk through the butterfly house also
We took a walk through the butterfly house also
We took a walk through the butterfly house also
We took a walk through the butterfly house also
Plants and landscape make every inch of the gardens fascinating
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
This bird found quite a perch to take in the scenery
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
There are cacti everywhere you look
There are cacti everywhere you look
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
This is a teddy bear cactus. I don't think you would want to cuddle with it.
I never knew what mesquite trees looked like. I do love using their wood in my barbecue though.
A dragonfly in the tall grass
We showed up at exactly the right time of year. The cacti were in bloom!
In order for a saguaro cactus to be this big it has to be well over 100 years old!
Some of the cacti get a little bit of shade
A whole display of colorful purple prickly pear cacti
But it's a dry heat!
Despite all of the craziness we endured at the hotel, we can't complain about the view from our room.
Despite all of the craziness we endured at the hotel, we can't complain about the view from our room.
Somehow we scored an extra large room with a balcony, but it came with a crazy person stalking us and trying to get into our room.
The Mill Avenue Bridges over Tempe Town Lake
The light rail & Union Pacific bridges over Tempe Town Lake
The light rail & Union Pacific bridges over Tempe Town Lake with the Mill Avenue Bridges in the background
Elmore Pedestrian Bridge over Tempe Town Lake
A light rail train crosses over Tempe Town Lake
The area around Tempe Town Lake is a quiet park
Southwest flight inbound over Tempe Town Lake
The war memorial at Tempe Town Lake
We had dinner on the patio at King's Fish House in Tempe
We had dinner on the patio at King's Fish House in Tempe
You know you're in the desert when the restaurant has misters on their patio
I ordered the Alaskan sand dabs, yet another fish I've never tried before
A piece of butter cake for dessert
We had dinner on the patio at King's Fish House in Tempe
Walking The District in Tempe
What do you do with your admission sticker when you're done with it? You stick it on a giant cactus!
The Desert Botanical Garden comes alive with lights after dark
The Desert Botanical Garden comes alive with lights after dark
The Desert Botanical Garden comes alive with lights after dark
Just your normal giant glowing crystal in the desert
The Electric Desert show turns the Desert Botanical Garden into a whole different place.
Desert in blue
The Desert Botanical Garden is a wonderland of light at night
The Electric Desert show turns the Desert Botanical Garden into a whole different place.
Even the mountains light up
Even the mountains light up
How many colors can you make a saguaro cactus?
How many colors can you make a saguaro cactus?
Even the mountains light up
Purple cacti
Saguaro cacti in full color under the stars
I felt like I was in a Doctor Seuss book
Some part of the garadens were peaceful and quiet even though there were crowds
The glass plants at the entrance are even more spectacular at night