R View

This day was definitely for the birds!
Today we decided to drive out of the city to Saguaro Lake. This lake is in the Tonto National Forest. It was a nice drive but we could not stop and get out along the way as there were signs posted, no parking, no standing - booo. We got to the lake and could not go in and park and walk around as we did not have a park pass and you could not buy a park pass there. All of the booths were not manned so we basically we got out, took a couple of pictures and grumpily drove back.

Apparently you can take boat tours of the lake so once we buy a pass we will check this out. A very beautiful area with tons of huge cactus'

So we did a little shopping and a little eating out for lunch.

Isn't this girl just adorable. I wonder if she always has her make up and hair like this or if its just for "work"

There were 100 kinds of milk shakes. Thats a lotta milk shakes..

These were my fresh made, hot kettle chips. YUMMY

We drove out to Gilbert because I wanted to shop at DSW (designer shoe warehouse). On the way we saw the most amazing things.

The mormons are building this beautiful temple. The figure on top is a shiny gold. It is absolutely huge.

The windows are beautiful.

As we drove by we saw a really nice looking park so we decided to check it out. I took this picture of the temple from there

It was kind of a interactive park. They had lots of signs up with ideas on how to enjoy the park with children and hopscotch games for kids painted on the sidewalks. There was a huge soccer area with a lot of seating.

But best of all

Look - its neotropic cormorants. I just kept sneaking up on them trying to get a closer picture and one by one they took off.

This is a Chinese Goose. He has the funniest looking head - I saw these at the crazy cat park in California too.

These are great tailed grackles. They are everywhere and are very noisy. They have quite a variety of sounds and sometimes can sound like a rusty wheel turning.

This is a very pretty ring necked duck.

Can you see this green heron off to the right of the centre of the photo? Whoa I was pretty excited to see this - this is where a better camera would really be amazing to have. He sat there perched on one leg for the longest time.

There were about 15 nests in this tree. Must be an apartment?

There are doves all over the place.

This was from yesterday when we were in Tempe, it is a small part of the Arizona State University. What an absolutely beautiful facility. Tempe had a university feel to it and it was enjoyable to drive around and see the different buildings both residential and commerical.

Oops there was an Ikea on the way back. We really don't have much room for the things Ikea sells but I did want a big bowl, a steamer and a new pot. Did manage to get them all even tho I had to jog to keep up to Don. Amazing how normally I have to loop back because he is always lagging behind. For some reason he goes into high gear here and I had trouble keeping up GRRRRR.

This is a Jack in the box milkshake. Seriously, you have sore cheeks after you drink one of these. They are so thick and good and I really want to have them every day. Of course this is not possible but I have tried the vanilla, the chocolate and the pumpkin. Don tried the egg nog as well.

I see these huge fancy cookies all the time - they are called conchas and are Mexican sweet topped cookies or buns. Will have to try one when I haven't eaten out and had a milkshake in the past couple of days. Have to pace myself after all.

These are the cutest little cakes or huge cupcakes depending on how you look at it.

We did finally make it to the shoe store and it was the most amazing mall ever. Definitely will be going back there with Kylie when she comes. Take a look at my cute moccasins, and I got $5 off besides because it is my birthday month - how cool is that?
http://www.shopsantanvillage.com/
This is an outdoor mall and there are so many stores and restaurants.