Despite the awesome clouds we didn't get any rain when we arrived at Matt's home in Sierra Vista Arizona...
... but Matt had saved a Scorpion carcass ...
... and he did have a lucky Praying Mantis and they are particularly effective on flies, crane flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers and crickets. The Praying Mantis is considered a good insect...
... despite their frightening looks.
Matt took us on a drive to Bisbee and along the way I got this shot of a shrine on the mountainside we think may be private...
... when closer to Bisbee I got a shot of this domed building.
The Lavender Pit is a former open pit copper mine near Bisbee in Cochise County, Arizona. It is located near the famous Copper Queen Mine. The Lavender Pit was named in honor of Harrison M. Lavender (1890-1952)...
...who as Vice-President and General Manager of Phelps Dodge Corporation, conceived and carried out this plan for making the previously unprofitable low-grade copper bearing rock of the area into commercial copper ore.
We found a great parking place near the Lyric building in Historic Old Bisbee...
... then walked up hill to the...
... Copper Queen Hotel...
... where Matt convinced a beautiful butterfly to pose...
... giving us a great shot from the top ...
... and side.
The restaurant at the hotel was closed so we walked through Copper Queen Plaza...
... passing by some jewelery makers...
... who's pieces were lovely and interesting...
... almost as interesting as their car.
There is something very fascinating about Bisbee from art to the curved streets...
... to the pictures on the wall of the Bisbee Coffee Company.
All down the streets are great art galleries like...
Sam - Poe Gallery ...
... with it's giant bugs and some great art work...
... and the Tang Gallery.
Finally it was lunch time and we dropped into Santiago Mexican Restaurant ...
I liked the dark blue wall and it's simple decorations...
... even the widow as colorful.
Sharyn was thrilled to be here in Santiago's not just because she was hungry...
... but also because we were here with Matt.
While waiting for the order to be prepared Sharyn walked outside to Goar Park across the street...
... where this beautiful tree stands with it's purple flowers. I think it's a Desert Willow or possibly a Desert Ironwood tree.
After Sharyn came in I went out to take a picture or two of Goar Park...
... and one looking at Sharyn and Matt back at Santiago's...
... and on my way back in to one great Chili Rellano lunch I got a picture of this cool Motorcycle.
After lunch it was back to Matt's after seeing the Bisbee RV ...
...and a side trip to the Coronado National Memorial.
"The Memorial encompasses 4,750 acres of mostly oak woodland, a natural mountain habitat at an elevation about 5,000 feet where a variety of plants and animals abound. Yucca, Cholla, Beargrass, Bobcats and Mountain Lions are also quite common."
We were in Matt's rugged Jeep that needs a name - maybe Nellybelle 14...
... up high into the Huachuca Mountains...
and some pretty dry and hostile looking surroundings...
...with warning signs.
I did get one unposed picture of Matt and Sharyn with Mexico as the background...
... and the posed shot as well...
... and a picture of the Border Patrol that is all over this part of Arizona. Don't let anyone tell you the border isn't highly patrolled because it is along with miles and miles of border walls.
Going back down I did manage to get a good shot of a Mule Deer (note the distinctive ears) wandering around on the really great day in Sierra Vista.
No Scrabble
Quote of the Day ~
"I have never been in a natural place and felt that was a waste of time. I never have. And it's a relief. If I'm walking around a desert ..., every second is worthwhile." ~ Viggo Mortensen (American Actor, Photographer, Artist and Writer)
