Merry Christmas to everyone and wishing you the very best for 2011.

Decorating your 30 ' prickly pear back yard tree!

Another bike lane loop from nearby Tempe to Scottsdale (28 mile loop) along the Golf Courses & residences.   

The freeways, overpasses, and massive water drainage ditches (there are no underground drain pipes) are all decorated with designs (alot being designs of desert creatures).

Scottsdale



Bike Path



As seen above, there are paths in various parks, past golf courses & the residences.   No kiosks or fast food joints along the entire route - just scenery and sharing the path with walkers, joggers, skateboarders and dog walkers.



Downtown Scottsdale



In 2005, the city's annual Scottsdale Arts Festival was ranked the number-one such event in United States by American Style Magazine.

The highest concentrations of galleries, studios and museums that are open to the public can be found in Downtown Scottsdale. Its Scottsdale Arts District can be segmented into three distinct districts. The largest is the Main Street Arts District, home to the largest and most diverse collection of styles and genres, the more contemporary Marshall Way Arts District, and the more touristy and western-themed Old Town district, which has the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. 



Water drainage ditch



Due to such a large concentration of high-end amenities and businesses that exist in the city, over the generations Scottsdale has developed a noted reputation both locally and somewhat nationally for having a certain snobby air about its residents. Many outsiders often mockingly refer to the city by its alter-ego "Snobsdale."  

Horses (6 in all) along the drainage ditch

Have to say, I felt a tad underdressed based on the gals shopping in the downtown area, while we sat & had lunch at Sauce (very fresh, and reasonably priced).  

Women in all kinds of heels, very tight attire or very loose tops with cleavage making an exhibit.   Bags carried from Nordstroms & Macey's.   We noticed there were an aweful lot of young woman shopping, leisurely having lunch ... not many males around.   A few with briefcases, wearing suits and cell phones. Marc figures the men are working two or three jobs so aren't seen, but keeping their gals in the lifestyles in which they are accustomed to.

Blue Herons are a common sight for us on Vancouver Island, although most here have no tuft on the backs of their heads.

 

Catfish are the common fish in these small lakes.  Fisherman are speckled throughout the canals & lakes.