Arizona

It has been snowing here for the last three days, and let me tell you, the novelty, it has worn off.  I am definitely daydreaming of warmer times.  Like the mini-vacation Josh and I took last July (I know, I am ridiculously behind on my blogs, but I am slowly getting caught up!) to Arizona to visit with one of my oldest friends, Jen, and to shoot her engagement photos.

On our first full day in the desert, we drove to an adorable nearby town called Bisbee.  Bisbee was founded during the mining boom, and in the early 1900s it was home to the most productive copper mine in Arizona.  If this town has a theme, it is most definitely: copper!

I put Josh to work as my assistant for the duration of the trip, and I gotta say, he is getting good at this photography stuff!  The shot of the cactus below was one of his, and I love it!  One of my favorites from the weekend!  Here he is looking into a copper mine pit.  Oh wait, am I supposed to be taking photos of those lovebirds in the background? Whoops!  I got distracted.

This is the Lavender Pit, obviously not named for its color, but for a man named Lavender.

A quick snap while we enjoyed some fabulous Mexican food!

One of the coolest spots in Bisbee was a hotel that has been open since 1902, The Copper Queen Hotel.  Apparently, John Wayne actually stayed in the John Wayne Room several times!

As you can see, Josh is always ready to pose:

or to blow smoke rings (okay, clouds) on demand (also, holding Jen’s purse!  Ha ha!):

or to pretend he doesn’t see me trying to snap a shot:

On the second day of our Arizona adventure, we got up early and trekked all over Sierra Vista, where Jen and Clint live.

Would you believe that all of these next shots were taken in their backyard?  I am jealous.

We got some great shots at the top of a Spanish Mission in the mountains:

and some on the base where Clint works:

Josh strikes a statue pose:

And look!  A friendship rainbow appears!  Josh is getting good at this!

Later that night, we headed out to  Tombstone and the Bird Cage Theatre.

I have to say, I was a little disappointed by the preservation methods.  I mean, Master Locks?  And uh, not to be picky, but, guys?  It’s “their”, not “there,”

And what is up with all the freaky mannequins?  I know I wasn’t there, but I don’t remember zombies or side swept bangs being part of the old west…

Lame. Tombstone, lame.  Let’s not even get into the fact that the pool table that Morgan Earp died on is now inside a souvenir shop and piled high with t-shirts and magnets.  Gross.

We had to head home early on our last day, but on the way to the airport, we decided to stop by Saguaro National Park in Tuscon.  A pretty amazing cactus forest, even though it was SUPER hot out!  I was hunting out some shade while Josh told a certain cactus to put ‘em up…

check out the little critter I spotted:

We had an awesome time out west, and I am just sorry I don’t get to see my Jen more often!