Color of the sky


It was raining most of the day today and as I was leaving my office I notice this beautiful sky.

Hug a tree


Just don't fall into the water. I saw this tree in El Dorado part in Scottsdale another city that borders Phoenix to the east. I was intriqued by all the curves in this trunk.

The Sun in front.


This is the front view of the City of Phoenix building. I love this sun sculpture on the front of the building.

City building


This is one by my favorite buildings in the downtown area. It is the main City of Phoenix buildings. I like all of the different shapes that the architects used in the design.

In honor


This statue is downtown near the state capital and the anchor from yesterdays photo. The statue was made to honor all service dogs who died in the line of duty.

A big weight.

This is the anchor from the USS Arizona which most know is sitting on the bottom of the ocean in Pearl Harbor under a memorial. I remember when I was a kid a so excited because my father helped to pour the concrete around the anchor memorial. Today would have been my dads 67th birthday. Happy Birthday Dad. I miss you.

Call the Garbage Man!



I wouldn't want to be the person who had to clean this up. You would have thought there was no where else to dispose of ones trash. So much for cleanliness.

Liquid aftermath



After the runners and walkers left. After the crowds of supporters went home to warm up after a cold morning, this was what was left. Thank goodness for all of the volunteers who were there to clean it all up.

Brown will get you there.



Never seen so many UPS trucks in one place at the same time before. These trucks were used to transport all of the stuff that marathon participants placed in their bags to be delivered to the finish line.

Carrying the baby



A baby pup that is. This little guy was cold so they carried him around in a blanket. He would wake up to see the action but went right back to sleep again.

Spectator or Future Marathon Runner



This little guy with his cool hat was sitting on his grandfathers shoulders while waiting for his mom and dad to run by.

Mayor Phil



This is Mayor Phil Gordon, he is the Mayor of Phoenix and was the official who starting both marathons. In between races he was thanking the crowd for their attendance.

No excuses



I didn't want to leave these guys out. There were actually more but I only got these two out of the gate. All wheelchair racers got to leave five minutes before everyone else. These guys only go to prove that you can do anything you want if you set your minds to it. Bravo!

All together now



This group was warming up and getting ready for the big race.

Here comes the sun



This was taken before the racers headed up to the staring lines. People where milling around getting their last minute protein as well as using the many portable restrooms. I love the color of the sky at this time of the morning.

And their off...



This is the starting line of the 1/2 marathon. This pic has my friend Lori jetting out of the starting line to run and walk the 13 mile marathon.

And so it begins


(Click on photo for a better look)

Yesterday was the PF Changs Rock and Roll marathon. Its a 26 mile run thru the city of Phoenix to Arizona State University. People come from all over the world to compete in this race as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. There are local bands through out the whole race so people go to see their favorite bands while cheering on the racers. It was fun to see but colder than....

Mill Avenue



This is Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. This is the one they close down for the Tempe Festival of the Arts that I posted in December. Today it will be a little more crowded with people. The park at the northern end of Mill is the finish line for the PF Changes Rock and Roll Marathon that will go through the streets of Phoenix and end at Tempe Beach Park.

Pick your color.



These wigs stood out the other day as I was walking past this window display on Mill Avenue. Mill Avenue is in Tempe and runs through downtown Tempe and past Arizona State University. Tempe sits on the eastern border of Phoenix.

Tree lined



This is the last shot from the art museum. I love it with its Palo Verde trees lining the front of the building. Wish I could have given you all a little tour of the interior.

View from the top



This view is from the third floor of one of the new parts of the museum. This is facing North towards the uptown part of central Phoenix. This also has a little more of the Sculpture Garden area.

Waterfall



Well not exactly but I thought this was a nice water feature. This is what you see as your walking out of the front door of the museum. You will probably have to click on the photo to get a better look.

This way



This is what you will see as you enter the museum. I like the Black River rock that is laid out around the cactus. Its very Zen like with a touch of the Southwest.

view from a far



This is a view of the other side of the wall in yesterdays photo. If you had seen the area before the renovation you would say "much better." It used to be all concrete before.

Phoenix Art Museum



This is just the new signage that they put out in the front. One of the few shots that I was able to take of the exterior.

View from the second floor



This is the view from the newly renovated Phoenix Art Museum. The building in the backround is the "Dial" building. It's copper in color and looks better when the sun is hitting it at sunset. In the foreground is the new Sculpture Garden, not many pieces of work yet. I took pics inside but was busted by security and told that I can't publish them. :-( Well I will show more from the outside in the next few days.

Wooden Indian



This wooden indian was sitting outside of a Tobacco shop, an advertisement I quess.

Take your pick



Pedal or Motor? Which bike would you choose? I say do your part to save the environment while getting some exercise.

Taking five with fashion



I was out shopping and noticed this man taking a rest while his family shopped. The photos on the wall are all over the fashion square. They are photos of some of the dresses that are part of the Fashion Design collection of the Phoenix Art Museum.

Flowers in the winter



Still colorful and beautiful even in the cold. Don't you love those moments when you stop and take in some of lifes more simple yet beautiful things?