From Bare Trees to Palm Trees

I am home after a fantastical week in Arizona...Phoenix, Tucson, and Sedona, all simply wonderful.  I stayed with very good friends that once lived here in the Chicago area, but as soon as Mr. Friend retired, Mr. & Mrs. Friend headed to sunny Arizona and have loved living their retirement in the glow of the desert.  While there I met several of their friends who also are basking in the glow of the desert, all continually asked me why I don't consider moving there with them.  Believe me, the thought did cross my mind.  Talk about a change of scenery....from bare trees to palm trees.  Hmmm, does sound pretty darn tempting.  I think I must be still basking in the desert glow of a wonderful vacation, give me a couple of days back here, reality will set in and that glow will begin to fade leaving behind sweet memories and dreams of returning again.

Not only did I meet many of their (Mr. & Mrs. Friend) friends, but I also met a couple of friends of mine while there.  Actually friends that I had never met in person, but felt like I knew them as well as if I had known them both for years.  Terri from Phoenix and Barbara from Tucson, both whom I "met" during our time spent at Tracey Clark's classes at Big Picture Classes website.  Tracey developed Picture Spring, Summer, Fall, Holidays, and Winter and all of us (myself, Terri & Barbara amongst many others) participated in each one of these classes meeting and getting to know each other thru our photography. Since I knew I would be vacationing in Phoenix I decided to contact Terri from Phoenix and Barbara from Tucson in hopes that we could somehow, someway have a "meet-up".  And it happened, Terri picked me up in her car, we both drove to Tucson and met Barbara and together we three spent the day together talking, eating, laughing, and sharing our passion for photography.  I did not want that day to end, it went by too fast.  If you ever, ever get the opportunity to have a "meet-up" with friends you have "met" thru your love of photography and/or blogging, take it.  You will not be disappointed.

Stop by our collaborative blog Focusing on Life today where I am continuing my thoughts on vacations.

While in Phoenix we visited the Botanical Garden and these are a few images from that trip.

Mr. & Mrs. Quail....

I was in heaven seeing all these beautiful birds and butterflies being so close, capturing their beauty.

"Stretch out your hand and receive the world's wide gift of joy, appreciation and beauty."
~  Corinne Roosevelt Robinson

Until next time.....