Photo: The Wrigley Mansion and Piestewa Peak

This is a wider view of the location of the Wrigley Mansion near the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.  This shows how the mansion is located on a knoll in front of Piestewa Peak, with a view across the Valley of the Sun.

The Wrigley family lived primarily in Chicago, but they spent time in 5 other homes, including Phoenix and Catalina Island, nearly all of which they owned.  Mrs. Wrigley would buy 6 pairs of identical shoes so she would have a pair in each house.

When Western Savings and Loan bought the Wrigley Mansion and did a major renovation in the 1980's they had to install air conditioning.  The Wrigleys understandably used the house only in the winter.  The intervening owners were not able to keep the mansion well maintained and during the renovation they discovered that chandeliers that they fought were wrought iron were actually brass.    

Piestewa Peak is named after Lori Ann Piestewa, an Arizonan who was the first Native American female member of the U.S. military to die in combat and the first U.S. servicewoman to die during the Iraq War.  There is a popular hiking trail to its summit, which at 2,612 feet (796 m.) is the second highest mountain in the Phoenix (behind Camelback).

This week we are showing photos of the Sydney Opera House  on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Monsoon Clouds over Piestewa Peak

This is a view of one of the massive monsoon clouds that form in the afternoon during mid July until early September.  The days start clear, then billowing clouds form, soar, and occasionally condense into brief thunderstorms.

The size of these clouds is placed into perspective by the fact that the clouds dwarf Piestewa Peakin the center of the photo, and it is 1,175 feet (368 m) above the Valley floor.

This is an iPhone photo taken from our office in central Phoenix last weekend.

This week we have photos of the wildlife and people of Tanzania posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Piestewa Peak

This is a photo of the Crystal Point condo that I showed yesterday, dwarfed by Piestewa Peak in the distance.  Piestewa Peak is the second highest mountain in Phoenix, at 2,508 feet (795 m.), a little shorter than Camelback Mountain.

At the initiative of then-Governor Janet Napolitano, this mountain was renamed in 2003 in honor of Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in the service of the US Military and the first female casualty of the Iraq War.  The mountain was previously known by a name that is insulting to Native Americans.

There is a popular hiking trail that runs all the way to the top.  Parts of the trail are faintly visible in this photograph, taken from my office about 10 miles (16 km) away.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photos posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the monks and temples of Cambodia.

Photo: High desert mountains

What is the point of learning how to drive a Jeep off road, as I showed in Stuart's photos yesterday and the day before? Well, one reason is to be able to drive on old dirt and gravel roads in the high desert outside of Phoenix/Scottsdale.

This is a photo that Stuart took on a trail east of the Superstition mountains, which are about 40 miles (64 km) east of Scottsdale.

This photo shows that with just a little gain in elevation, the terrain turns a lot greener than the low desert.

In the days ahead I will show some more photos that Stuart took during his road trip. I hope you enjoy them.

This week we are showing photos of some of the remarkable sights to Egypt 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: 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.

Photo: Racing horses

From this angle the horse sculptures look like they are lined up for the start of a race. Each horse is 14 feet (4.25 m.) high, was made from 50 sheets of aluminum and contains 7 miles of welding materials.

The sculpture is called Water Mark by Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan. During the few times a year when there is a lot of rain, water may cascade down the concrete slope between the sculptures.

The hose theme is appropriate because to the right of the sculptures is the McCormick Ranch Golf Course, located on the site of the former McCormick Arabian Ranch.

In the background of this photo is Mummy Mountain. If you enlarge the photo and look carefully, you will see that there are a few houses constructed high on Mummy Mountain. One of them used to be the winter home of Leona Helmsley.

This week we are showing photos of the subtle beauty of nature in Yosemite National Park on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Houses on the Mountain

Here is a photo of houses on Mummy Mountain.

I am glad they did not let anyone build houses any higher on the mountain.

Check out our travel photos of the beautiful Villa Serbelloni from Lake Como, Italy at Viva La Voyage!

Photo: Horseshoe Bend

Here is a photo of Horseshoe Bend up near Page, Arizona.

This week I am sharing postcard photos from Arizona. I hope you enjoy them.

Check out travel photos of the fabulous architecture of the actively used Palau de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona, Spain at Viva la Voyage!

Theme Day: Postcard

Here is my postcard from

Arizona for theme day. Everyone on the city daily photo blog site has extra special photos for today's theme day of postcards.

I will do a week long series of postcard photos from Arizona as we have so many unique scenes.

Check out travel photos of the fabulous architecture of the actively used Palau de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona, Spain at Viva la Voyage!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Photo: Valley at Sunset

Here is a photo I took while hiking at Papago Park looking towards South Mountain.

You can see the Papago Park public golf course and the air traffic control tower at Phoenix's Sky Harbor airport.

The sunset light makes some of the buildings glow and provides a nice color and outline to the mountains.

Check out travel photos of the Diversity of Iceland at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Southern Sunset

Here is a photo of a sunset overlooking South Mountain and part of the downtown Phoenix skyline.

In the foreground you can see a manufacturing plant that used to be Motorola and now is Insight.

Today is Sunday so check out new travel photos of the magnificent Villa Monasterio on Lake Como at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Serenity

Today's photo evokes serenity and the power of nature.

I like the juxtaposition of the clouds over the mountain.

If you look closely you see one lone human standing at the top of the mountain.

Check out travel photos of the style of Sweden at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Yoga in the Clouds

Enlarge this photo to see the yoga pose of this person on top of Papago Mountain amid the clouds near sunset.

Truly awesome pose. You can see the strength and stillness and feel the power of being on top of the world alone with the clouds.

Today is Sunday so that means new travel photos. Check out the sculptured look of Santa Fe at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Phoenix from Camelback Mountain

Here is a photo of Phoenix taken from Camelback Mountain at dusk over a gold course towards South Mountain.

The lights on the buildings and streets are just beginning to turn on.

The Phoenix metropolitan area is the lowest density big city in the United States.

Check our travel photos of Budapest at Viva la Voyage!

Gorgeous Cathedral Rock

Here is what I think is a gorgeous photo of Cathedral Rock.

The sky is perfect and the colors of the red rock glimmer near sunset.

I really like rocks and mountains and the geological lines.

I took this photo at Red Rock Crossing in Sedona. I hope you are enjoying the road trip to Sedona as it is almost over.

Check out the natural wonders on the Big Island of Hawaii Viva la Voyage!