May 3, 2004

silhouette3.JPG From the desk of Jane Galt:

What I did on my summer vacation

I just got back from a Liberty Fund conference in Arizona. It was amazing (like Tyler Cowen, I highly recommend that you go to one if you're invited). I've never been to Arizona before, so it was a terrific opportunity to do some riding and hiking through terrain I've never seen before. Sadly, I didn't get to soak in the landscape well enough that my own landscape looked strange when I saw it, but I did get to take some fantastic pictures in the national park.

Indian Carvings.JPG

Saquaro Forest.JPG

Saguaro Forest II.JPG

Saguaro Corpse.JPG

Wavy Barrel Cactus.JPG

Hidden Lizard.JPG

Wood Dove in Cactus.JPG


All photos taken with the Minolta DiMage G500, which I love with a passion seldom found in one so young. The pictures looked even better before I cut 'em down and compressed them for the web.

Posted by Jane Galt at May 3, 2004 5:08 PM | TrackBack | Technorati inbound links
Comments
Posted by: Fred Radcliffe on May 3, 2004 5:43 PM

These pictures remind me of one reason why I am glad I left Arizona. I love the countryside in Arizona, there are some really beautiful places in the desert and the nights out there are amazing. Clear skies and no city lights visible.. you can truly see forever. But prickly thorns and cactus!! Ah, my legs are feeling phantom pains just from me seeing these pictures (even with blue jeans and rattlesnake shields on my legs, those thorns and thistles will track you down).

I miss it (mildly) all the time.

Glad you had a good trip.

State motto should be "It's a dry heat."

Posted by: Matt on May 3, 2004 9:21 PM

Just curious, but whereabouts in Arizona were you?

Posted by: James Joyner on May 3, 2004 11:27 PM

If you're going to post cactus pictures, you should really stand next to them. To lend perspective, of course.

Posted by: Frankenstein on May 4, 2004 4:09 AM

Ah, Arizona, land of my yoot...

Posted by: Gawdamman on May 4, 2004 1:43 PM

Looks like Tucson to me. :-)

Posted by: Nate on May 4, 2004 4:13 PM

Was it Tucson?

The view from the mountain looks like the trail ascending from the Saguaro National Monument (east).

Posted by: Rand Simberg on May 5, 2004 11:37 AM

Yes, looks like the foothills of the Rincons. I actually like the west part better, and the Desert Museum is worth a visit. Jane picked a great time of year to go, when it's not too hot yet, and the cacti are blooming.

Posted by: Jane Galt on May 6, 2004 1:35 PM

It was indeed Saguaro East . . . great call. And it was indeed a lovely time to visit.

Posted by: SDAI-Tech1 on May 8, 2004 1:27 AM

Ah...you missed the best time to come! Visit in August! Monsoons and 120 degree days!

That's Arizona!

Posted by: Alex Bensky on May 9, 2004 12:00 AM

If you're out that way again and you have any interest in zoos, I strongly recommand a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

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