June 3, 2011

Here are some photos of our visit to Sedona Arizona this summer.

Beautiful Clouds and Red Rocks of Sedona from Hwy 179

Colorful Mobile Art in the Hillside Mall Courtyard

Hillside Mall Courtyard – note the interesting rock chairs.

Bronze Skaters at the Hillside Mall

More mobile art with Sedona mountains and beautiful sky.

View from Javalina Cantina – our favorite Mexican restaurant – where we had a great lunch.

Waterfall at Javalina Cantina

Pinyon Pine Tree and our dogs with Cathedral Rocks in the background.

Beautiful old Pinion (or Pinyon or Piñon or Pinon) Pine Tree.

Cathedral Rocks of Sedona, Arizona

Prickly Pear Flower (or Opuntia)

Prickly Pear Flower with small bee.

Another Prickly Pear Flower

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May 27, 20101

Here are some photos of our visit to the Japanese Friendship Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona.

This tranquil place is next to a park that covers Interstate 10 for almost a mile as it goes through downtown Phoenix.

Japanese Lantern made of cement.

We especially enjoyed the hundreds of very large and healthy Koi in the pond.

Beautiful trees, rocks and waterfalls are all over the park.

One of hundreds of beautiful Koi.

A few of the hundreds of beautiful Koi.

Another lantern near a waterfall.

One of many waterfalls.

Another view of the largest waterfall in the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix, AZ.

One of hundreds of Koi with beautiful flowing fins.

One of hundreds of Koi looking for a handout.

About half way through our visit we bought them a bag of food for $1.

Another hungry Koi.

Here’s my wife feeding the Koi (and the ducks).

Look at the go after the food pellets.

A veritable feeding frenzy. Notice the duck getting in on the action.

One more handful for the throng of hungry Koi.

A peaceful ending to a lovely day at this beautiful park.

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April 23, 2011

Today we visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ. I love to see the cactus in bloom and there is a great butterfly exhibit in the Spring and Fall here. We went with our good friends Laurie and John and had a very good time exploring this great Botanical garden.

This odd looking Boojum Tree (Fouquieria columnaris) is about thirty feet (10m) tall.

Here is a montage of some of the many photos I took in the butterfly tent (which is approximately 100 feet long, 25 feet wide and 20 feet tall, made of netting with lots of plants and misters).

I think these are Organ Pipe Cactus but they have a very odd bloom that is very fuzzy.

This is a Cholla cactus (sometimes spelled Chollo, but pronounced choya) which is backlit by the sun to create this startling effect.

Another shot of the Cholla Cactus (Cylindropuntia Fulgida) in the Desert Botanical Garden.

Cylindropuntia fulgida is also known as the hanging chain cholla, or the Jumping cholla.

The chollo cactus or cholla cactus is very pretty, but you do not want to touch it. Stay away!

I was surprised to see this Bignonia like flower on the Desert Willow Tree (or Chilopsis).

This humming bird’s wings are moving so fast they are just a blur in this photo.

This is one of the tallest Joshua Trees (Yucca Brevifolia) I have ever seen.

I loved all the little flowers on this group of Mammillaria compressa cactus.

Although not a great picture of this Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) cactus in bloom, I love the sky behind it. Other names for this plant are desert coral, coachwhip, Jacob’s staff, and vine cactus, although it is not a true cactus.

Here is a beautiful yellow bloom on a Prickly Pear cactus. This plant is also know as Opuntia, nopales or paddle cactus.

Another Prickly Pear Cactus in bloom. Notice the bee in the top right flower.

Another bee in a Prickly Pear Cactus bloom.

I like these orange colored Prickly Pear cactus blooms

These giant saguaro (pronounced suwaro which rhymes with borrow) cactus are always impressive. The scientific name is Carnegiea gigantea.

This odd looking Saguaro Cactus is about thirty feet tall.

Although I thought this was another Saguaro Cactus I now think it is actually a Cardón cactus, Pachycereus pringlei, sometimes spelled Cardon cactus or Cordon cactus.

Another massive Saguaro Cactus with an interesting deformed limb.

Here are some Saguaro cactus posing in front of the fascinating Papago Butte.

Here is a stump from a long dead Saguaro cactus.

Another shot of a Saguaro cactus in front of the Papago Buttes in Phoenix, AZ.

I found these young Yucca plants in bloom surrounding the stump of a fallen Joshua Tree very interesting.

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September 8, 2010

Here are some photos of our afternoon at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens where we enjoyed the peaceful ambiance, beauty and good tea.

Beautiful patio and round doorway to the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

Bonsai Tree seen through the doorway in the picture above.

Beautiful patio and round doorway seen from the other side.

Another doorway in the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

View from the other side of this beautiful doorway.

Another very interesting doorway.

Koi pond and pagoda at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

Interesting hidden waterfall seen in the background of the photo above. These rocks were brought here from China.

Couple enjoying the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

Lilly pads in Koi pond. The Tea room is on the left.

A final view of this beautiful Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon.

Please contact me about prints or any other use of these photos.

June 26, 2010

On our way North from Arizona to Salem, OR we stopped in Gold Beach to explore the Oregon Coast and Rogue River.

We got an early start (for us) this morning and drove through the Redwoods along US101 in the fog. It was a beautiful, wild ride.

Light rays shining through the tops of huge Redwood trees in the fog near the OR border on US101 in Northern CA.

Stopped in the first town past the Oregon border to have breakfast. Got up to Gold Beach by 2:30 and pulled into Indian Creek RV Park and set up camp. The park was nice with a creek not far from our rather narrow campsite. Since it was still early we decided to go for a drive along the Rogue River.

We stopped for a little while on a rocky beach and let the dogs run along Rogue River.

Then out to the Pacific and sat on the North Jetty for awhile, feeding Seagulls and watching a small cargo ship trying to get in the channel. Had a nice dinner on the Rogue river.

June 27, 2010

The next morning we got everything ready to move and then drove back through the town of Gold Beach where we saw this old rotting, mossy fishing boat.

We continued down the Oregon coast to these beautiful huge rocks.

Another view of the huge rocks south of Gold Beach, OR.

Waves with an offshore breeze near Gold Beach, OR.

Another view of the huge rocks south of Gold Beach, OR. Note the people walking along the beach.

Another huge rock (at least 50 ft high) with an interesting mineral deposit.

Close up view of this interesting rock.

Our Chihuahua catching her breath after running with her “big sister” along the beach.

Please contact me about prints or any other use of these photos.

June 6, 2010

Today we headed North to Sedona again. It was a hot, beautiful day. It was due to be about 110 in Mesa, so we decided to head for the high country in hopes of finding cooler weather. Our plan was to find a new RV Park to move to the following weekend. We did find a nice park in Camp Verde, but ultimately decided even Camp Verde would be too hot in the Summer.

After checking out several RV Parks in Camp Verde we drove to Cottonwood to see a couple more. Then we drove to Sedona via Hwy 89A, which approaches from the South and then turns East. Normally we come up Hwy 179 which comes in from the Southeast.

Next we went for a beautiful drive down to Oak Creek along the Red Rock Loop. Here is a photo of Cathedral Rocks and some pretty clouds in the distance.

Here is a closer shot of Cathedral Rocks.

Another view of Cathedral Rocks, some Pinyon Trees and a Yucca plant in bloom.

Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rocks in the distance, framed by a Pinyon Pine.

Another view of Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rocks in the distance.

Beautiful red rocks and clouds from the Airport Mesa.

A wide (12×40) panoramic view of Sedona from Airport Mesa.

Bell Rock near Sunset. One of my favorite places and times to visit.

Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.

I’m sure this formation has a name, but I’m not sure what it is.

To me, this is the definition of scenic view. Another great trip to Sedona.

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Sedona, AZ – April 25, 2010

Today we headed North to Sedona, AZ to celebrate my birthday. We left a bit early, which was a good thing because we ran into a lot of construction traffic along the way. We arrived in Sedona a few minutes late, but were welcomed by these beautiful rocks and dear friends.

Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte in Sedona, AZ

Beautiful Bell Rock, one of my favorite Sedona Vortex hikes

Another view of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte

Several friends joined us for a delicious lunch at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants anywhere, the Javelina Cantina, in the Hillside Mall in Sedona.

Boynton Canyon, Sedona, AZ

After lunch my dear friends Joyce and Roger and I went for a hike in Boynton Canyon. Here is a map of our excursion. 1 – Bell Rock, 2 – Javelina Cantina, 3 – Boynton Canyon

Along the trail in Boynton Canyon

A pretty flower along the trail in Boynton Canyon

A Juniper tree along the trail in Boynton Canyon

Along the trail in Boynton Canyon 2

Along the trail in Boynton Canyon 3

Along the trail in Boynton Canyon 4

Along the trail in Boynton Canyon 5

Finally at the Boynton Canyon view point.

The photographer and his dog at the Boynton Canyon vortex

Cairns at the Boynton Canyon Vortex

Boynton Canyon View

Friends at the Boynton Canyon view point

Along the trail back

Cactus and flowers along the trail back

Choose from thousands of photographs and add any quotation at PhotosByGarth.com. Contact Garth (503-560-1028) to acquire fine art prints of photos on this page.

Apache Junction, AZ – March 14, 2010

Today we headed North East of Mesa, Az. This is our 6th Winter in Mesa. It was good to get out of town for a few hours.

Superstition Mountains Roadside Marker in Apache Junction, AZ

We started our trip from Apache Junction and headed out on Rte. 88. A few miles up the road we stopped at a roadside gallery run by some Native Americans and checked out their beautiful hand crafted art.

Superstition Mountains

Although not a large range of mountains, more like a large outcropping, the Superstition Mountains are impressive for their ruggedness.

Somewhere Along the Road

Here is a map of our excursion. These photos were taken near marker 2.

Along the Road 2

Along the Road 3

Along the Road 4

Canyon Lake

This beautiful lake has many long arms, extending for miles and miles. We have taken a steamboat ride here several times.

Canyon Lake 2

Tortilla Flat

This little town has a rather colorful history and is a common destination for bikers and people like us – just out for a Sunday drive.

Click here to see a map

Tortilla Flat Museum

Tortilla Flat River Crossing

This road is often flooded, and sometimes impassible, but crossed never-the-less.

Tortilla Flat Mail Box

I thought this Pony Express Mail Drop was very interesting and colorful.

Tortilla Flat History

This history on the other side of the mail box, which lists all the owners of the Tortilla Flat, is very interesting. Apparently there was a major fire in 1926 and the first Post office was built in 1927.

Lost Dutchman State Park

This state park is a good place to hike in the area.

Lost Dutchman State Park 2

Superstition Mountains Museum

Although we arrived after closing time, this appears to be a great museum.

Superstition Mountains Museum 2

Superstition Mountains Museum 3

]]> http://photosbygarth.com/wordpress/2010/03/superstition-mountains/feed/ 30 http://photosbygarth.com/wordpress/2010/01/last-snow-for-adonis/ http://photosbygarth.com/wordpress/2010/01/last-snow-for-adonis/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:38:58 +0000 admin http://photosbygarth.com/wordpress/?p=11 Sedona Sunset, December 27, 2009

Sedona, AZ – December 27, 2009. We left the San Francisco Bay Area early this year, so we could spend Christmas in Sedona. We had a lovely Christmas day with our good friends Joyce and Roger and then returned a couple of days later to spend some time in one of our favorite places on Earth.

One of our stops was the Airport Mesa, near sunset, with snow from almost a week before still on the ground. Our three dogs enjoyed the trip and a chance to run around for a few minutes, tolerating the snow, but enjoying the last bit of sun for the day.

Adonis on the Snow

Barely able to stand, our dear sweet little boy enjoys a last outing in the snow on Airport Mesa in Sedona, AZ. Adonis died about a week later of congestive heart failure.

Sedona Airport View

One of many breathtaking views from the Sedona Airport mesa.

Sedona View from Airport Mesa

Long-haired Chihuahua in Snow 2

Adonis was the most loving little Chihuahua you could imagine. He loved to prance and howl and lavish us with great kisses.

Another View from Airport Mesa in Sedona, AZ

View from Airport Mesa in Sedona, AZ

Adonis Enjoying the Sun

We will miss our dear little buddy, who brought us so much joy and unconditional love.

All of these photos are available for sale at fine art prices. Please email garthc @ photosbygarth.com for more information. Or go to http://photosbygarth.com to view more inspiring photography by Garth Catterall-Heart.

Here is the location of these photos.

Dolphin Fountain and Ice

Welcome to Excursions by Garth. I’ll be posting photos from my recent travels here, so stay tuned.

As some of you know, we live full time in a 40 foot motorhome (a 2005 Newmar Dutch Star) and have travelled extensively throughout the US. For a full writeup about how we got started on this adventure and some of our early trips see Garth’s Travels.

I have been very busy with my software development business for the past several years, so we have done less traveling and I have not been able to keep up with my writings about our trips. For more information about SpiritWorks Software Inc. see productivity software.com. We offer time and expense tracking for professionals and rental property management software.

I intend that this new blog gives me the opportunity to easily share our latest excursions. Please leave comments on this site or email me with any questions. You can also email me about ordering copies of any of the photos on these pages.

Happy Trails,

Garth Catterall-Heart