Welcome to Phoenix

Flying into to the Phoenix-Mesa airport was a little surreal. At first all that could be seen as mountains and deserts, which were absolutely striking--it's been years since I've been near real mountains, and I didn't realized how much I've missed them until we arrived. Then, of course, we flew lower, over the farming areas outside of the capital. Enormous green rectangles and circles were spread out over the flat desert, with man-made poker-straight irrigation canals carrying water away from the distant Colorado river. It was unsettling, and it felt wrong. A simultaneous testament to man's ingenuity and idiocy to be sure.

After we landed, found our luggage (my mother's suitcase, a solid metal silver contraption that looks like it could survive a nuclear explosion, was brought out personally because of it's unique appearance,) collected our rental car and checked into a hotel.

Being absolutely starved, we decided to go in search of a meal. Not just any meal--we have decided that throughout the trip, every meal (except breakfast) we will endeavour to try something completely new. We got exactly that. We found a restaurant (Texas something or other) which not had a tacidermied armadillo drinking a bear as decor but gave us free peanuts which we got to throw on the ground (mum was horrified,) brought us fried pickles and about half a pound each of pulled pork. Needless to say, we'll be eating left overs for days--if it survives the heat.

The event of the day was going to the Desert Botanical Garden where we walked through carefully groomed trails detailing blooming cacti, wild flowers, a desert oasis, and even a small mountain of a rock.

It was stunning, but the best part was the wildlife. Birds everywhere, even some feeding their young in cacti, hares, lizards, butterflies, and small squirrel like creatures. As the night came on, bats appeared to swoop in and catch moths and other night insects above our heads.

Live flamenco music and dancers made the evening a complete experience. It was a lovely introduction to the landscape and the variety of life in the desert as well as the entertainment of Phoenix.

First day in Arizona was an overall success.