The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a living museum located in the saguaro-filled outskirts of Tucson, Arizona.

The mission of the museum “is to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.”

There is something for everyone, be it educational, inspirational or interactive. They also offer a number of events each month like plant sales, pancake breakfasts and a festival of flight. There is quality dining on the premises.

The Desert Museum is just a few minutes from another Tucson treasure, Old Tucson Studios. If you make the drive via Gates Pass (roughly 30 minutes from downtown Tucson), make sure to allow for a sunset viewing along one of the many designated parking areas in the hills between the museum and the city — that will put everything in perspective.

This post is part of the UpTake Monday Museums & Monuments Series.

Photos: DrStarbuck (quail) and contemplicity (bobcat) via Flickr

This is Zuma Beach, which is located just north of Malibu in sunny California. It is, as you might imagine, awesome.

This is a Wordless Wednesday post (hence my usual ramblings), but today I’m going to give you something special! Instead of one(1) photo I will share more than one(1) photo! Actual number of photos will vary depending on my attention span. Read More »

Senegal is known for having two seasons: wet and dry. They’ve also got some awesome trees. The tree pictured actually reminds me of the Tree of Life at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, except that, obviously, this one is real.

I’ve never been to Africa, but the country of Senegal looks like a good place to visit — if you like two seasons and beautiful sunsets, which I do.

Have you ever been to Senegal?

This photo is a Wordless Wednesday entry, and then I kind of rambled from there.

Photo by Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires via Flickr

Native American dedication ceremony at the Grand Canyon.

If you’re going to visit the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona this summer make sure to stop by the Mather Point Amphitheater and Landmark Feature. The new area will allow people an opportunity to view the canyon from seats of native limestone. I highly recommend sunrise or sunset for all your mental picture needs — it’s breathtaking. Actual photos should be pretty cool then, too.

This above photo is from the dedication of said amphitheater and landmark feature, which honors the native peoples affiliated with the Grand Canyon National Park. Pictured is Diana Sue Uqualla of the Havasupai People.

This post is supposed to be a Wordless Wednesday entry, but I’m a talker.

Photo by Grand Canyon NPS via Flickr