A Tucson kind of "Hot mail" ~

On the same street as yesterday's Cactus Mailbox I spotted this oddity - a mailbox that kind of looks like a mini bread oven. Definitely HOT MAIL! (:

Cactus mail ~

This imaginative homeowner created a metal pipe saguaro sculpture to support the mailbox. Clever and fun!

Tucson's "Painted Ladies" ~

San Francisco isn't the only city with beautiful and ornate Victorian houses! This trio of homes is a highly detailed, block-long mural on Wilmot Rd.

Tucson's Royal Residence ~

Well people may say that a man's home is his castle and here in Tucson this homeowner celebrates that sentiment to its fullest! Several shields, lances, and other heraldic items adorn the front door. The entryway is guarded by four knights in shining armor. Paging Prince William....

Holiday salute ~

In honor of Memorial Day I thought I would post a flag photo (sorry, no wind to display the flag in all its glory). I particularly liked this pairing of flagpole and century plant stalk in full bloom. Ocotillo cacti standing tall in the background. Happy holiday, everyone!

Welcome shoppers!

One of Tucson's most charming shopping centers, Plaza Palomino, has been undergoing a renovation. Here's the street entrance from the north. Several shops are open (some from pre-renovation, some are newcomers) including a few restaurants. I was sorry to see that the interesting sculpture has all been removed but I hope that the new owners will choose to install some public art in the courtyards. We'll see!

Showing off ~

While walking around in Plaza Palomino even I had to stop and admire Tucson's beautiful, beautiful blue sky! If you are curious how this lovely shopping center's massive renovation is coming along, check my posts from the last few days.

Gorgeous gowns for brides and more ~

After having their lease at El Mercado abruptly terminated by CVS, Maya Palace has opened a location at the still-being-renovated Plaza Palomino. The charming shopping center is a great choice for this boutique featuring beautiful and interesting women's clothing. 

Water is always welcome ~

One of the new features in the still-being-renovated Plaza Palomino is this lovely fountain. The splashing water is definitely soothing.

France in Tucson ~

I thought I would see what progress is being made at Plaza Palomino (Swan and Ft Lowell) since the construction began months ago. The charming shopping center is still being renovated but many shops are open and I was delighted to spot this new restaurant, Cafe Francais, and look forward to trying it.

Tucson's skyline ~

Nothing says "Tucson" like the stately saguaro cactus. Here is a view of saguaro sentries lining a mountain top.

Old Tucson Neighborhood ~ Hollywood

Barrio Hollywood is one of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods. For more information on this culturally rich and interesting area, click here.

Tucson's Stonehenge ~ 4th and final photo

Thanks to Kathy, Elizabeth, and Ellen - all former winners of the "Where is this?" contest - for all of the info and hints on this sculpture and location. The sculpture is titled "Many Color Mountain" and is located at the corner of Mission and Ajo on the grounds of the Mission Library. This is a view south from the library's parking lot. Here's a link that tells more about this large scale artwork.

3rd photo for "Where is this?"

OK! Here is the view of this interesting sculpture from the street. Kathy - you really know your way around Tucson! Elizabeth - yes, you got the street right. It IS Ajo. Cumulatively, you are close, very close to identifying this! Come on, detectives.... name it! (:

2nd clue - New Photo

Wow - only one guess so far on the current "Where is this?" Here's another view of this interesting landmark. This is looking west. You can see that this is located right on a major roadway and I'll tell you it is south of downtown. Any more guesses?

Put on your Tucson thinking caps ~ Where is this?

Regular visitors to this site know that every once in a while I post a "Where is this?" photo to create a little excitement. The first person who identifies this location wins a "fabulous" TDP t-shirt (or mousepad - your choice) featuring Tucson's most expressive big horned sheep. (Go to the homepage to see him and the caption for the shirt.)

So - here's your first clue. This is located at a major intersection. What is it and where is it? Good luck!

Happy Mother's Day from Tucson, AZ!

What better way to wish a Happy Mother's Day to the world than with this beautiful blooming prickly pear cactus image! Gorgeous! Hope all of you moms, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, daughters, and girlfriends have a beautiful day.

2 photos - Tucson's Big Sky ~

 

It was already hot in the 'ridiculous' category today - 86 degrees and not even the middle of May yet! Here is a fantastic cloud formation hovering near "A" mountain. It looked like rain was on its way but it passed by.

Water play ~

In Tucson you definitely need a sprinkler system if you want nice, green ball fields! Here's the secret behind the lush green playing fields at Udall Park.

Tucson's Ghost Bikes - a Global Project

Tucson participates in the global initiative called "Ghost Bikes" - an effort to raise awareness of bicyclist fatalities on our roadways. Here's one of Tucson's Ghost Bikes at Udall Park. To see many photographs of this worthy project, click here. This bike honors US Air Force Lt Col Charles Nystrom.

Tucson's famous chili dogs & more ~

Everyone in Tucson knows about Pat's chili dogs. A Tucson tradition for more than 40 years, Pat's serves chili dogs and fries and other "drive in" food. The place has a legion of fans. 1202 W Niagara (also described as being on Grande Ave).

Reflections on what's new, what's old

I love this image submitted by a loyal follower of the site! In the foreground is a newly planted tree in front of the modern, new downtown headquarters of Unisource Energy on Broadway. But reflected in the street level windows is a row of historic old Tucson buildings on the opposite side of the street.
Photo courtesy of Roseann Milano.

Tucson Style - you can find it everywhere

Talk about standing out from the crowd....here's someone who adds a little car flair to an otherwise anonymous line up.

3 Photos: Villa Feliz carries on ~

Bride's Ribbon Bounty - color matching

New location

 

Flourishes and Delighters

Yesterday you met Georgeanne Fimbres, owner of Villa Feliz Flowers. Here's a little peek at the store's new location at 6538 E Tanque Verde Rd. I'm very glad the business is getting settled in a beautiful new spot after having CVS flex their corporate muscles and push them out of El Mercado (see yesterday's post for more info on that).

Fighting Back: Tucson's Villa Feliz Flowers

For those of you who frequent this site, you know that I sometimes do a "Team Tucson" post - someone who helps make Tucson a great place to live. Permit me today to introduce you to Georgeanne Fimbres, the 18th member of this elite group! Here she is in her just-reopened store after the shocking behavior of CVS Pharmacy drove her (and other long time tenants) out of her former retail site in El Mercado. For more info about THAT disturbing piece of news, click here. Tomorrow I'll give you a peek at the new store. It is now open for business at 6538 E Tanque Verde Road (behind Sakura). Phone is the same: 520.790.9500; www.villafelizflowerstucson.com

2 photos: Hotrods Restaurant & Garage

Love cars? Love hotrods? This unique restaurant in Vail features a glass wall where you can watch mechanics work on specialty cars.

Hot rod Heaven ~

Yes, the perspective may seem odd - that's because this vehicle is mounted on the wall at Hot Rods Restaurant and GARAGE. It's a hot rod lovers' heaven! You can eat, drink, and watch the crew work on hot rods and other fancy specialty vehicles in the adjacent garage. For more info, click here.

Crawling along with the construction ~

Downtown Tucson has been a construction zone 24/7 for more than a year now and I, for one, am really getting tired of it. They are laying tracks for a "modern streetcar" and in the midst of that there is also a lot of building construction as well - new apartment buildings, new restaurants, new bars.... Here's a view of the Visitors' Center plaza from my car window as I crawled along one-lane Congress inching east.