And who knows how many more to go! Here's the last of 2007 and first of 2008. Socks, of course.
- Wickerware Socks. Pair #102. The pattern is an old one, but I think you can find it if you search through Ravelry (I think that's where I got it.) If not, let me know and I'll send it to you. I started these on the way to Boston, and finished them on the trip out to Arizona. Bi-coastal socks, as it were. I know I made the pronouncement that my 101st pair of socks would be knit toe-up since I've not done that before, but with all the traveling I've been doing, it was easier to stick to what I know.
- Trekking Color. This is an old put-up, consisting of two skeins, instead of the single big one we find now as Trekking XXL. Colorway #29. The yarn was given to me some time ago. It worked up with a rather rough hand, so I'm hoping it will soften with washing.
And now for the travelogue.
We arrived in Phoenix on Friday afternoon. After settling in at the hotel, we went to my aunt and uncle's house and had a nice visit with them, as well as my cousin and her new husband and her sister and husband. After dinner, Jim and I went back to the hotel and collapsed.
Not wanting to overexert ourselves on the first day, we took a drive to Arcosanti, an experimental community combining architectural design with ecological considerations. I expected it to be very crunchy-granola, anti-modern conveniences, but they were definitely wired into the internet, and interested in not only sustainable housing, but also community building and commerce. It's a practical laboratory for the people who live and work there, with a goal of taking what is developed on the grounds out into the "real" world.
The buildings are all poured concrete, and many are decorated with artistic tiles. One of the ways they earn income is through the sale of handmade sand cast bronze bells. All the bells are designed by the founding architect, Solari.
We had a wonderful tour guide, Jeffrey, who was so enthusiastic about being part of this growing and changing community. If you are in the area, I highly recommend a visit.
Sunday morning, we got going early, since Jim wanted to take a couple of hikes. We started with what we were told was an easy one - Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak.) The first half was just fine, not at all strenuous, but then it began to become more difficult. The trail was in good condition, in fact it was very crowded, but rapidly became steeper and steeper. I made it about three-fourths of the way up before getting woozy. While Jim continued to the top, I sat on a rock, watched the passing hikers, and took lots of photos. This is one from about a quarter of the way up, and shows Phoenix, suburbs, and smog below.
And this is the top.
Fortunately, the area was experiencing a cold snap, so the climb was fairly comfortable, although I did wish I had thought to bring my shorts!
After we recovered a bit, we drove on to Lost Dutchman State Park, at the base of the Superstition Mountains. I wasn't up for a lot more hiking, but we did take a trail that led up one of the closer peaks. As it was getting close to sunset, we didn't go far, but we did see some nice scenery.
Ubiquitous saguaros lined the trail and mountainsides.
I didn't get a picture of the last thing we saw. As we drove away, the setting sun lit up the mountains so that they shown with orange light. Absolutely beautiful!
We spent almost all of New Year's Eve day at the Heard Museum, a collection of 19th and 20th century Native American art and artifacts. First, we attended a demonstration given by an Alaskan Eskimo. He sang, danced, and showed beautifully made clothing and masks, while telling about his culture. We then took in all the exhibits. In addition to beautifully made pottery, baskets, and silver, I was particularly drawn to the textiles. almost all of which were created in the late 1800's. (I apologize for the sometimes blurry photos. Everything was behind glass and was not always well lit.)
Beautifully woven and embroidered shirt.
Be sure to note the date on this next sign.
Did you know that former President Gerald Ford was a fine photographer? I sure didn't. They had an exhibit of some of the photos he took over many years in the Southwest. Among them were these.
Navajo spinner. 1930.
Navajo weaver. 1950
Navajo boy with his sheep in Monument Valley. 1960's.
The guidebook said that if you do only one thing on your visit to Phoenix, it should be a visit to this museum. I wholeheartedly agree.
We rang in the New Year at the hotel, sitting next to a roaring fire on the patio. There was a nice, loud band, and lots of friendly people. Good vibes for the new year.
On Tuesday, the trip ended with a day long visit with family. The daughter of one of my cousins has an 11-month old daughter, so of course we had to go visit her. She's a darling, and in constant motion. And I got to spend time with my aunt, uncle, their three daughters, and assorted husbands and children. I'm sorry they live so far away, because I always have a wonderful time when we get together.
I'm busy now totally up all the projects I finished last year. And I've joined a Ravelry group to help me get rid of some of the unfinished ones/stash from years past. More about both soon. For now, I'm just glad to be home for a while!
Wow, wow, and wow.
Posted by: Tracey | January 07, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Great job on those socks. I really like that color too.
And I canNOT believe that yarn lasted all those years!!!! Who knew ceramic pottery was so protective?!?!
Posted by: Lynn | January 07, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Pretty socks! I remember that pattern and most likely have it saved somewhere around here.
Glad you had a nice trip. I really enjoyed the museum pictures!
Posted by: Karen | January 07, 2008 at 09:13 AM
That looks like a fun trip! I need to go back and visit Arizona again one of these days. I like those socks!
Posted by: Sydney | January 06, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Wickerware SOCKS? Amazing! (I have "wickerware" Spode...and yes, the border looks just like that!) Thank you SO much for the Museum pictures; that's one we really want to visit (although SW isn't a planned destination; still, you never know). Do you remember anything about the floral beadwork? It looks so much like our wonderful Ojibway work.... Very pleased you had a good time, and I agree, it's almost as if we were tucked in with you! (And Welcome Home! -- I'm pretty root-bound and coming home tends to be a happy feature of any of my travels)
Posted by: dale-harriet in WI | January 06, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Wickerware SOCKS? Amazing! (I have "wickerware" Spode...and yes, the border looks just like that!) Thank you SO much for the Museum pictures; that's one we really want to visit (although SW isn't a planned destination; still, you never know). Do you remember anything about the floral beadwork? It looks so much like our wonderful Ojibway work.... Very pleased you had a good time, and I agree, it's almost as if we were tucked in with you! (And Welcome Home! -- I'm pretty root-bound and coming home tends to be a happy feature of any of my travels)
Posted by: dale-harriet in WI | January 06, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Loved your travelogue. We're on our way to Sedona a week from today to visit my sister but I doubt I'll be able to convince her she wants to go to Phoenix. Hmmmm...but maybe the semi-spouse might go, once I show him your photos.
By the way, the last time I was in Phoenix I took a hot air balloon ride over the city. That was VERY fun!
Posted by: Diana | January 06, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Wonderful socks, and wow, what an interesting museum! That ancient yarn is amazing.
Posted by: Miss T | January 05, 2008 at 02:19 PM
You really visited a lot of interesting places! That's a well-planned vacation. I like the pattern on the socks, too. Next are the toe-ups, right? ;) That's what I'm doing now. After a couple false starts in the past, this one seems to be working just fine.
Posted by: Becky | January 04, 2008 at 11:12 PM
It sounds (and looks) like a great trip! Those wickerware socks are really cool - I had no idea that Trekking used to come in a two skein format... Happy new year!
Posted by: Chris | January 04, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Even though I lived out west for a few years I never made it to Arizona.. looks like I missed out big time! I'm sure the altitude alone on the hike was probably enough to make you a little woozy.. I felt awful for the first week when we moved to NM.
Great photos as usual.. thanks for posting.. feels like we got to go stow away in your luggage for the trip. lol.
Posted by: Mouse | January 04, 2008 at 08:59 PM
The wickerware socks are beautiful!
Wow! What a different kind of landscape from what we have here, eh? You took great pictures.
I can't believe that cotton yarn is still looking that good. And, isn't it amazing the beadwork on the Hopi boots?
Posted by: Dee | January 04, 2008 at 08:37 PM