Flag Day

To commemorate Flag Day, I'm posting this image of the oldest (?) operating saloon and restaurant in Arizona, The Palace. There was lots of red, white and blue displayed on the day we walked by. Located on Prescott's "Whiskey Row," the inside has an airy feel with tall, tin-lined ceilings, dark wood, a long, old-fashioned bar, and great local art work. We did not have a chance to eat there... perhaps next time.

Arizona Flowering Shrub

This lovely delicate bloom was one of many on a vine-like flowering shrub outside our Sedona hotel. The red and gold colors really gave them a southwestern flair. I don't know their name, but they seemed to be very common in the landscape.

Sedona Moonscape

On our drive from Phoenix up to Sedona, Arizona, we paused at a rest stop to watch the moon rise over the distant hills.

Sky Harbor Airport: Skywatch Friday

We're back! And even though this blog is supposed to be about Pewaukee, there were just a few things we saw on our trip to Arizona that I might have to post. The first is this airplane hanging beneath a prairie-style stained glass ceiling which is the focal point of Sky Harbor's terminal 3 in Phoenix.

The stained glass ceiling, designed and created by artist Ken Toney, was installed when terminal 3 opened in 1979. Because the original bulbs that illuminated this work of art lasted for only a few years, Sky Harbor officials could not justify the expense of building scaffolding every time the bulbs needed to be changed. Therefore, the ceiling remained dark for almost 20 years. In 2004, it was re-lit. Because lighting technology has improved so much in the past few years, the bulbs which now illuminate the stained glass will last for 10 years or more without needing to be changed.

See all SkyWatch entries here.

Garage Makeover

We're in Arizona this week, so I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post. But I do have this unusual photo of a local garage that I pass each day on my way to work. It was transformed from a single to a two-car with an interesting arbor over the front door, along with a "faux" weather-vane tower. The shadows are quite dramatic in the morning sun.

Balloon Chase

It's that time of year again - where the weather gets a little warmer, the trees are leafed out, and the hot-air balloons take off! This balloon was floating above Pewaukee the other day when I noticed it was being followed by several cars and a "chase" truck. They were in front of me on my way home and so I was able to watch it land in a field to the left of the road while the vehicles patiently waited.

The area has lots of open space, parks, farms fields and such, so it's ideal for this adventurous "sport." During the Waukesha County Fair in July, there is usually a fleet of them flying overhead for several days.

Skywatch Friday: Sunset over Chrysler

...Literally and figuratively. This view shows a very heavy sun sinking behind cold, hazy clouds above the local Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership in Brookfield, Wisconsin, earlier this spring. Built just a few years ago to accomodate a booming economy, it is still in business - for now. With finances going south, we shall see what the rest of the year brings.

See more of SkyWatch Friday here.

Lake Country Gallery

Lake Country Gallery in Pewaukee houses a number of works from local artists. It's a converted turn-of-the-century (19th to 20th!) school house. The fiberglass animal sculptures outside the gallery are landmarks of sort, as they have been there since the place opened in the late 1990's.

Dog-Walkin'

In keeping with June's theme of "feet"...

During a hike back in April, I was trying to find something that would suggest spring. Subject matter was hard to find as, even though the sun was out, it was still rather brown and gray all around the park. For lack of anything better, I decided to get a few shots of Nik - and in doing so, got my shadow and my foot in the picture!

June Theme Day: Feet - Polar Bear Paws

The Polar Bear exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo features several very large bears, and this one displayed his very large and oh-so-cute padded feet during his nap!

See all June Theme Day entries here.