Photo: Four Peaks Jeep Trail

This is the jeep trail that leads up to the top of Four Peaks.

Most Arizonans love the beauty of the desert.  Visitors seem to have mixed feelings.  Some regard it as exotic.  Others feel that mountains should be covered with green trees rather than rocks and desert vegetation.  Some fall in love with the beauty of the desert.

I should again acknowledge my appreciation to my step son, Stuart, for sharing his photos from his many hikes and Jeep excursions in the area.

Photo: Four Peaks

Four Peaks are a prominent landmark to the east, visible from much of Scottsdale and Phoenix.  The peaks are located in the Mazatzal Mountains.  They reach 7,544 feet  (2,330
 meters) in elevation.

There are jeep and hiking trails in the area, and part of the area is preserved as a wilderness.

A couple of times each winer there is a dusting of snow on the top of the peaks.

This week we have photos of the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Camelback Mountain in the distant haze

Near the top of Four Peaks, Stuart looked west towards the Valley of the Sun and took this photo through the afternoon haze. You can see the distinctive shape of Camelback Mountain in the distance.

Scottsdale is located primarily over the ridge of the McDowell Mountains, which is the ridge closer than Camelback in this photo. Phoenix is located on the other side of Camelback.

Although there is haze in this photo because it is pointing in the direction of the sun, this view is placed in perspective by the realization that Camelback is probably about 50 miles (80 km) away. Stuart said that he could even see the White Tank and Estrella Mountains on the west side of the Valley of the Sun, which are about 80 miles from Four Peaks.

Although Stuart has a point-and-shoot camera, he got to good photos and I appreciate his willingness to allow me to use them. He is always happy to share, especially if Dave or I need computer assistance. It helps to have a younger-generation techie in the family.

This week we are showing photos of the architecture and theater district of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Roosevelt Lake

From near the top of Four Peaks, looking farther northeast, a portion of Roosevelt Lake comes into view. Roosevelt Dam is the oldest federal Bureau of Reclamation project in the country, with President Theodore Roosevelt traveling here in 1911 to dedicate the dam upon completion.

Roosevelt Lake is the largest of the Salt River lakes that store water supply for the Phoenix metropolitan area. At the time it was built, it created the largest artificial lake in the world. The lake inundates 10 miles (16 km) of the Salt River. Every year or so they will release water from the lake when it is at capacity, and water will flow in the Salt River like it did in the 1800's when Phoenix was founded.

Several weeks ago I showed some photos of a few of the canals in Scottsdale. This lake, and 5 other lakes, is the source of the water that is crucial to making life possible for the 4 million people who live in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

This week we are showing photos of the architecture and theater district of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Top of Four Peaks

This is a photo of the top of one of the peaks of Four Peaks. Yes, there is a dusting of snow. The effects of a 1996 fire are still visible, as the high desert vegetation has not reforested the area fully.

Northern Arizona has large Ponderosa pine forests. At this lower elevation and higher temperatures, juniper is common.

My husband's son, Stuart, took this photo near the end of his Jeep drive up Four Peaks. I will show the final photo from this series tomorrow.

This week we are showing photos of the architecture and theater district of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Jeep on the Rocks to Four Peaks

The drive to Four Peaks includes aa few places where the road goes across large rocks. Four Peaks makes a scenic backdrop for Stuart's Jeep, which he enjoys for taking drives and hikes in the desert around Phoenix/Scottsdale.

This week we are showing photos of the architecture and theater district of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Fountain Hills from a distance

There is something remarkable in the center of this photo. The giant fountain that gives Fountain Hills its name is visible from about 10 miles away.

The fountain was installed in an artificial lake in 1970 by Robert McCulloch, one year before he bought the London Bridge and moved it, piece to Lake Havasu, Arizona. The fountain operates every hour on the hour.

When it was installed, it was the highest fountain in the world, although it is now the 4th highest. It can reach of 560 ft (170 m), about the same height as the Washington Monument. It usually shoots water 300 ft (91 m) high, as usually they fire up just two of the fountain's three 600-horsepower engines. The fountain shoots 7,000 gallons (26,000 liters) of water per hour.

Fountain Hills is a suburb, just over a ridge from Scottsdale. This view is from the road to Four Peaks looking back.

This week we are showing photos of the architecture and theater district of Chicago on ourViva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: High Desert Scene

This is a typical view of the high desert on the way to Four Peaks. Phoenix/Scottsdale is about 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level. With just a few hundred feet of additional elevation, the giant Saguaro cacti become even more common, as you see in this photo. There are prickly pear cacti in the foreground.

In March, this scene will likely be exploding with the color of wildflowers.

The resorts in Scottsdale have desert drive experiences that are popular with tourists. Drives, off-roading, and hiking in the desert are popular activities for residents.

This week we are showing photos of the architecture and theater district of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: The drive to Four Peaks

One of the landmarks surrounding Scottsdale is the mountain called Four Peaks, for obvious reasons. These peaks are visible from most of Scottsdale.

This view shows the dirt road that leads northeast from Scottsdale, through the desert, up to Four Peaks. During the next few days on this website would you like to take a little field trip up towards Four Peaks?

Dave's son, Stuart, recently bought a Jeep and took this drive. He has given me permission to show some of his photos taken from an i-phone.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photo posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site. This week we are showing photos of the architecture of Chicago, with some nighttime scenes, including the theater district.