Steve

The Ol’ Dixie Mine

If you put your hand on a hot stove, then do it again, most folks would think you’re a slow learner. On the other hand, they say if you get tossed off of a horse, you should jump right back on. Where does that leave hiking? We decided to

by Steve

Biosphere 2

”Where is Biosphere 1?”, people ask. Unless you’re an astronaut or a billionaire, you’re probably standing on it. Yes, the Earth is the first and original biosphere known to humankind. So, what’s Biosphere 2? It was an experiment conceived in the 1980s and executed in the early

by Steve

Only One Mistake

Let me begin by denying that we would ever plan to lunch at a bar frequented by real bikers. Our bar, in Cave Creek, AZ is favored by the more genteel kind of biker, the one who buys a new Harley, adds $15,000 of extra chrome, and never, ever

by Steve

A Favorite Place

The Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale is one of my favorite places. It’s immense. The upper floor is organized by continent. As you approach an exhibit, your headphones will automatically play a recording of the instrument or genre. No pushing of buttons, no scanning of codes. What to see

by Steve

A Return to the Garden

I think “Return to the Garden” has a certain biblical tone, don’t you? Rest assured this is the last whiff of religion you’ll find in this post. Unless your theology involves cactus worship. I believe I’ve posted photos from the Desert Botanical Garden once or twice before,

by Steve

The Heard Museum - Small Wonders

Small Wonders is a temporary exhibit of contemporary small objects. You may want to zoom in to appreciate some of the pieces.

by Steve

The Heard Museum - Paintings

I don’t have a lot to say about this exhibit other than I found it interesting. I think you can see how native culture is reflected in many of these works. From a distance, this painting reminded me of the pointillist style seen in Australian Aboriginal art. On closer

by Steve

The Heard Museum - Dolls

These aren’t really “dolls” because they aren’t toys nor are they used in a religious or cultural way. I was going to call this post “Native Costumes” but that didn’t sound right either. I’ve always resisted calling what anyone wears a costume because it kind of

by Steve

The Heard Museum - Navajo Textiles

Good for you, Jean-Paul and Rebecca Valette, for preserving this excellent collection of Navajo works. I would have called them “rugs”, but some clearly are not. Pay attention to the two that were made by students, longing for home, while forced to attend “boarding school”. Don’t get me started

by Steve