Today is the beginning of a new week. I am thankful as last week was just awful all the way around, and God knows I am exhausted from watching all of that teabagging going on around the country. My goodness, I can only watch so much (purely for educational purposes, of course).
But, I decided to end the awful week with a trip to one of my most favorite places in all the world: the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.
As luck would have it, the Dale Chihuly Exhibit is going on at the garden which made my trip that much better. So, join me after the jump for a bit of a Sunday respite, desert style.
As a Phoenix native, my heart and soul are in the desert and I love being able to get lost with my thoughts as I wander the Desert Botanical Garden. It truly is quite lovely.
Here, let me show you.
Here's your average hook cactus with some yellow splashes of color. People think of this kind of thing in the desert, but there is so much more.
Alas, some red feather flowers are basking in the sun.
A huge plant reaches for the sky with the Papago Buttes in the background.
Here is Dale Chihuly's idea of a century plant. Just gorgeous.
This behemoth of a succulent touches the blue sky as a bird flutters around looking for a place to land.
A typical cactus blossom in yellow. So simple and so beautiful.
Why, yes, we do have trees in Arizona. Big, pretty palo verde trees with yellow flowers. This big fella is soaking up the Arizona sun on a lazy Saturday. No teabaggers anywhere!
What? There are flowers in Phoenix? Yes. Nice ones, too!
Chihuly's tree is beautiful. It fits right into the desert landscape. What a gifted artist.
A see of ground flowers are refreshing and easy on the eyes.
Ah, the beauties of red on a crisp, blue desert sky.
Chihuly brought his boat to sail the desert sea of sand.
A big cactus ponders its own shadow.
Chihuly's art mingles with the desert.
A group of cactus gather to discuss appropriate sunblock. The verdict: 30 SPF or higher, baby.
An orange flower preening for the camera.
A century plant and a Chihuly sculpture stretch in the afternoon warmth.
A magnificent pink beauty graces the desert.
Green and purple go well together, I think.
And so, fellow Kossacks, I end my tour of my beloved Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
The desert is so rich in color and life and I hope this has made your Sunday just a little bit more peaceful.
Now back to your regular teabagging.