Cool Scottsdale!

With only one full day here in Scottsdale, we had to make the most of it, recognising that it gets pretty hot, very quickly. Today, temperature hit one-hundred degrees (twenty below our previous visit!). Consequently, we headed out early for the beautiful Desert Garden. We always enjoy walking around this collection of cacti and sculpture, set in fabulously manicured desert-scapes. Each visit id different, not least because the gardens are continually being developed.

This time, the desert flower area was in full bloom and there were literally hundreds of butterflies, of various species. We also spotted a number of humming birds and quail. The day was heating up as we drove to the Old Town area and hitched a ride on the free shuttle bus. Our driver was a great guy, providing a commentary on the various sights we passed.

The magnificent Hotel Valley Ho (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) was the first notable building we passed and was the first hotel in Arizona to have air conditioning. (NB The population of Scottsdale rises from around fifty to two-hundred and fifty thousand in winter, owing to the heat!). Close by was the undistinguished-looking white house in which Stevie Nick grew up, currently on the market for $1M!

Scottsdale Old Town is a mish mash of interesting shops and eateries, all reflecting the area historic link with the old west. Needless to say, if you want cowboy boots, look no further. The Old Town also sits adjacent to the swish modern mall and Fashion Square. For lunch, we called in at the Sugar Bowl, an ice cream parlour that has been here for generations and whist its staff were not the usual 'Have a nice day' kind, the ice cream was excellent!

We jumped on the trolley again (with our favourite driver) and headed back to the new Western Museum, which has opened recently and is housed in a very impressive building, designed by a firm of local architects.

All in all a nice stay in Scottsdale, as usual!

Finally, being in Arizona and planning on moving up to Flagstaff, tomorrow, I picked the Stones 'Route 66', today