A Day in Phoenix, AZ
A Day in Phoenix, AZ
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The weather today in Phoenix was beautiful. There were broken clouds that sometimes resulted in considerable shade and a chill. Mostly it was sunny and warm. The temperature was in the mid-70s. I had a slow day. It was warm enough to sleep with the windows open and the rising sun coming through the windows awakened me naturally. A quick walk over to the hotel restaurant for a big breakfast. Back at the room, I spent a couple hours reading all the e-mail I got from yesterday's postings. Thank you one and all for your enthusiasm. I took the day to wander around the Phoenix area and get a sense of what the city is like. I was surprised by how many neighborhoods were graced by shade trees. Every time I visit Phoenix I leave with a greater appreciation for this city. Perhaps I'm growing or Phoenix is improving -- I'm not sure which it is.  I was in Scottsdale two years ago for a corporate sales meeting. We had a free afternoon and two of us drove out to Taliesen West for a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright school and workshop. That was my first stop of the day. I was again surprised by the beauty of the building's site. But I still wonder how Wright made the transition from the Midwest when he opened this facility so many years ago. 
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News of the Weird: Fat Cat has made home in treehouse since '98, The Arizona Republic, April 12, 2001 Gulfport, Miss. - As attractions go, Big Boy ranks decidedly lower than Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. But the cat - named for his impressive girth - has nonetheless attracted a cult following. Big Boy blew into town three years ago, riding the tail of Hurricane Georges. He was hurled off a bait shop roof and dropped on a 60-food oak tree in Jones Park. From his perch, the 4-year old tabby has since nurtured his celebrity status. Children and fishermen bring him treats. The local paparazzi snapped his photo. Some days, crowds of up to 100 people have gathered, necks snapped back, hoping to glimpse the town fat cat. "People from all over send me food," said Ron Roland, 52, Big Boy's caretaker. Roland swears Big Boy hasn't left his treehouse since the storm of 1998 -- not that there'd be much reason for him to social climb. Big Boy -- who appears to weigh at least 20 pounds -- eats and drinks from dishes nailed to the tree he's not shy about demanding refills. When he's not sleeping or sharpening his claws, Big Boy moves from limb to limb for exercise. He has a particular branch to take care of his personal business. |
What is not so pleasant about Taliesen is its vertical scale. It is almost as if the buildings were built at 7/8ths scale. I am very conscious of not banging my head on doorjambs, low eaves and other building embellishments. I also don't care for many of Wright's furnishings. They look handsome and linear and made for the space but they also look unfit for the human form.
But it is clear the man was a genius and it is good to see his good works perpetuated. A new visitor center and archive location is marked adjacent to the entry drive.
Lunch was at a small Mexican restaurant called El Patio. The meal was nice but I missed a margarita or a beer to go with the tacos. That is a clear downside to riding on two wheels.
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After leaving Scottsdale, I drove back to Phoenix for a visit to the state capitol building. The government buildings are clustered away from the balance of Phoenix' business and commercial zones. The building itself was constructed in 1900. It is a small building of excellent proportion capped by a copper dome and wind vane called "Winged Victory"? Actually the copper dome was applied during later restorations; at the time of construction the dome was painted due to in sufficient construction funds. To either side of the capital building are paired modern structures housing the Senate and House of Representatives. The three buildings frame a plaza and garden area. Legislators and lobbyists were meeting in the sunshine. There is a peculiar language of government that was easily to hear without having any idea of the context. |
The capitol complex forms one end of a government quadrangle. In the center is a park that is populated with memorials to Arizona's sons and daughters. There are monuments to every American war and police action save the revolution and the War of 1812. The memorial for Viet Nam is just being completed although Desert Storm has been memorialized for some time. I picked two to document for this page. My comments are not intended to detract from the bravery and service offered by the men and women memorialized by each.
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Having said that, I liked the Arizona Confederate War memorial because of its use of stone. It was very handsome. But it begs the question: How many people could Arizona have sent to fight in the War of Northern Aggression? |
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I also present for your consideration the Desert Storm Memorial. I have personal problems with this 'war' on several grounds. However, I think the somewhat cartoonish construction is a fitting memorial tribute.
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Finally, the memorial to the battleship USS Arizona sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is the simple and eloquent anchor and chain retrieved from the sunken ship. The names and ranks of all who died that morning are recorded.
Well I'm writing in the late afternoon. I think dinner and a stop a couple of local watering holes is in order. But first, I need to go put the laundry in the drier.
Tomorrow I ride to Tucson.
(c) 2001 Thomas N. Engler Revision Date: 04/12/2001 Revised
8/7/01
