This is our giant saguaro cactus we call the “Big Guy.” I took this image of the Big Guy from the road in front of the house this afternoon against the cloudscape and the natural vegetation on the hill to the east of our house. Click on the image to enlarge.
Exactly one year ago today, we stopped at a rest stop along I-10 near Whitewater, CA, on our way back to the California House. The Arizona house would be scheduled to start construction in a couple of days, so this was a short visit before heading back to Arizona. I posted this story and image of a roadrunner we saw at the rest stop. We have seen several roadrunners at the Arizona house, but I have yet to capture an image of them.
We were at a rest stop today among Interstate 10 when this handsome road runner darted across the dog area. I guess it should be labeled “dog and road runner area.” The species in this picture is called Geococcyx. I think they look like prehistoric birds, but here he is. Click on the image to enlarge.
I had been threatening to get this image for a while now. I wanted to take the tripod and the little Canon SX110 Power Shot down to the road after sundown to capture the accent lighting we placed under the “Big Guy” 13 foot saguaro cactus. I think I succeeded and got some bonus items in the image. You can see one of Damsel’s dark-sky-friendly sconces, the blue neon glow from the “Route 66” clock in the garage, the courtyard gate and a couple of stars among the passing clouds. Taken around 8:15 PM. Click on the image to enlarge.
Motivate and get the idiot out of office in 2012. Contribute to whichever entity will do the most to unseat the president. We’re backing the National Rifle Association’s efforts to discredit him via BATFE’s Project Gunrunner, AKA Fast and Furious. Get the word (and your checkbooks) out!
I would like to call your attention to a current activity regarding the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001. A group of California firefighters have launched their “Ride for 9-11” cross country cycling event.
The riders are trying to raise money for both the Leary Firefighters Foundation and the Wounded Warriors Project. Check out their website to read more.
RIDE FOR 9-11
We are a team of firefighters that will be cycling across the United States to honor those whose lives were lost 10 years ago on September 11, 2001 and those who continue to fight for our freedom and safety.
The Ride For 9-11 will commence July 24, 2011 in Hollywood CA and end in New York City at the FDNY Firefighters Memorial on September 9, 2011.
By the way, the Never Forget Tribute counter (seen in the right sidebar) is on schedule to surpass 75 million hits by 9-11.
Quite often, during monsoon season, we enjoy colorful red sunsets like this one. Notice the virga falling just below and to the left of the center. Click on the image to enlarge.
I hope someone gets a picture of this heavy-hauling behemoth as it crosses the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. I honestly don’t know how this rig will be able to navigate through the two traffic circles in Wickenburg but I guess they have thought it through.
Photo Credit : Precision Heavy Haul.
PHOENIX – What weighs 285 tons, moves uphill at 15 mph and takes eight days to travel from Hoover Dam to the mining town of Miami, east of Phoenix? It’s a huge anode used in the electrical process for refining copper.
The largest oversized load to cross the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge will enter Arizona from Nevada [tonight] and start a 380-mile journey that’s expected to create significant travel delays for some drivers who wind up traveling behind it.
A Phoenix-based hauling company, Precision Heavy Haul, is carrying the anode on a specially-designed truck and trailer rig stretching 225 feet long. The oversized load started its trip from Salt Lake City on Aug. 2.
It is now scheduled to cross the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge just after midnight Tuesday morning (Aug. 9) and continue a slow trek to its destination – the Freeport-McMoRan mine in Miami – about 80 miles east of downtown Phoenix.
Motorists should expect delays in the vicinity of the oversized load, which will take up to two lanes, and will be escorted by Department of Public Safety officers and pilot cars. There will be no traffic impacts for weekend travelers.
A complete travel schedule may be found here.