A few seniors...

Spring Break: in photos (lots of them)

The MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) was incredible. This museum featured instruments from every country in the world. The exhibit is interactive and the sounds cue as soon as you walk up to the display. It was amazing finding common threads in so many different cultures. The discovery room at the end was a big hit, too. I would highly recommend going here....just bring some Advil (loved it, but it can be a little overstimulating!)

I have been wanting to visit this place everytime we come to Arizona and I'm so glad I made it happen this time. Ok, really it was Chad who made it happen since he is the one who stayed with the kids so I could "get my art on." I was so intrigued by the beginnings of this desert workshop and it was really neat to move through these spaces the FLW created and lived in. Being in the physical space really gave me an "ah-ha moment" to design philosophy. Fabulous stop for someone who loves art and architecture...pretty sure the kids would not enjoy this (it's pricey, too).

On our way to Bisbee, we made a quick stop in Tuscon for a Sonoran Dog (Mexican hot dog) and to see this old Spanish mission. It was visually beautiful (loved taking lots of photos if you can't tell) and I think it's always great when the kids can be exposed to different cultures and religions. 

Ok, seriously, what a cool town. Think Park City, but kind of cooler; there are so many more old buildings, it's grittier and less commercialized. There are no major chain hotels; pretty much only small, locally owned hotels in old buildings. In fact, we stayed in the old YMCA (Gym Club Suites). We loved walking the streets...it really felt like it could have been 100 yrs earlier. So many old buildings....so much eye candy. One of the highlights was going on a walking ghost tour of the town that night. The kids just loved it.

  

One of the trip highlights for sure! We were going to spend the day in Tombstone, but on the advice of some locals we were told it was just a tourist trap and to head to Rattlesnake Crafts instead. Huh??  What are you talking about?We said the same thing! As if this place doesn't sound strange enough, it was 15 miles of the main room....15 miles of dirt road. That is a lot of dirt road. To be honest, I'm surprised we kept going. We thought for sure we were lost and that we would end up being the storyline for "The Hills Have Eyes 3." This place was so quirky, so unique and so worth it! I have never seen anything like it. A random, historical junkyard in the middle of the desert is the best I can describe it. Just look at those photos; from an old jail ball and chain to old cameras to old war helmets....and even a bear head, this place had a little bit of everything. It was awesome. An old couple from Chicago retired here years ago and they spend their days making crafts from rattlesnakes and gathering (and being given) old junk. They have organized it and generously let anyone wander through. The only stuff for sale are their rattlesnake items (including rattlesnake jerky-they were out when we were there) and rocks. They even have a bin for the kids to pick out some free stuff.

Been practicing...

Last Christmas, Chad got me a camera. He bought Heather's old Nikon D70. I've been having a lot of fun learning how to use it. However, the more I use it, it's clear there is a lot more I need to learn! There are a few things I've learned so far; good color is hard to get and group shots are much harder than individuals. I have also found (by way of Heather's much needed and wanted constructive criticism) that I tend to shoot really light. Clearly, I need to work on getting a better understanding of my settings. Heather will start spouting off some photog speak and much of it still sounds like a foreign language to me. I have had fun practicing on anyone that will let me. I've about used all the patience and smiles from my own kids and am now resorting to friends! Anyway, here are some fun shots I've gotten over the last two months. This has been a fun, new challenge and I'm looking forward to learning much more.