the right road

Pima Indian Reservation, West of the Beeline Hwy

milling mesquite

 Salt River Pima Indian Reservation

We recently attended a Mesquite Milling and Pancake Breakfast on the reservation. We brought with us a 10 - 5 gallon buckets of mesquite pods to have milled into flour. Plus, they provided a complete mesquite pancake breakfast - all free of charge!

There were community vendors selling edible items as well as hand-made crafts. I bought some freshly made flour tortillas, as big as a pizza, it was the best tortilla my family has ever tasted.

all photos by Liev Fletcher

little house of sausages

N. 7th Street, downtown Phoenix

lucky me

7th Street & Osborn, Phoenix

It doesn't look like much but Lucky Boy has the best burgers, fries and fresh squeezed lemonade in town. It's been around forever, managed by the same friendly family ever since I've been patronizing this joint for the last 5+ years. Small sit down section adds just the right feel to this authentically old-diner like dive. A true local favorite. Don't pass it by!

water in the desert

Tempe Town Lake

This is what happens when you try and put water in a dry river bed, and then aim to create a lucrative waterfront recreational area. 

The City of Tempe failed miserably when they ignored warnings about the  inflatable dam's deterioration. In July the dam broke apart and released thousands of gallons of water to the west side of Tempe, into Phoenix. The high end condos and buildings lining the "lake" are now overlooking views of unsightly ponds of  mud embedded with debris.

taken 7/23/2010

Arron's Grave

Pima Indian Reservation, south of Scottsdale, AZ

Driving through the reservation, there are many signs of death - falling old houses, abandon barren fields, and these roadside graves. They are not hidden or placed away from everything, they're just there, out in the open, amongst the homes, crops and roads. 

Death seems to have a different meaning to the Pima's. Rather then having a fearful approach, they seem to accept it into their rhythm of life - we live, we die, we return to the earth.

taken 7/24/2010

not forgotten

Pima Indian Reservation, along Indian School Road

taken July 24, 2010

the depth of beauty

Pima Indian Reservation, Indian School Road

taken 7/24/2010

used to be somebody

McDowell & 7th Street, Phoenix

taken 12/20/2006

more than just a haircut

University & Horne, Mesa

taken 4/14/2007 

set afloat

First Crossing, Payson

You don't have to travel very far to get away from the desert heat. Many residents head up north into the mountains of the Mogollon Rim that surround the town of Payson. Temperatures are typically 10-15 degrees lower than in the valley. A weekend escape from the summer high temperatures will only take you 1.5 hours from downtown Phoenix. This swimming hole is just outside of town.

taken 6/17/2010

tentacles and spines

Chihuly Exhibit @ Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix

taken 1/3/2008

set adrift

Chihuly Exhibit @ Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix

As if the desert wasn't already a surreal enough landscape, glass artist Chihuly adds another dimension to an otherwise stark, hostile environment by confronting us with a child-like invitation to play.

taken 1/3/2009

happy place

St. Peter's Mission, Gila River Reservation

taken 4/15/2010

this is love

7101 W. Picture Rocks, Tucson

As I was wandering around the Redemptorist Renewal Center, I came across this beautiful, life-like statue on the grounds. I was immediately drawn to take a photo, but it wasn't until much later that I realized how intricate and detailed it was in capturing the human expression of the blessed Virgin.

taken 4/15/2010

where there is hope

St. Peter Indian Mission School, Gila River

In the middle of almost nowhere is this beautiful mission serving the Indian community of the Gila River Reservation, just south of Chandler, near Santan.

The school is by all means modest, but there is a joyfulness about it. The kids were dutifully preparing for a funeral service, yet seemed so intent and fulfilled in their countenance. The staff of a visiting priest and seven residing, Franciscan, sisters were equally glowing.

Maybe it was the way the warm desert sun lit up that mission on the day I happen to be there, but it made it feel like paradise to me.

Holy Saturday

St. Bridget Catholic Church, Mesa, AZ

On the night before Easter Sunday, Catholic churches all over the world initiate new members of the church through baptism and confirmation ceremonies. Through baptism, the elect vow to die to sin and be born again in Christ.

taken 4/3/2010

inbetween two places

12th Street & McDowell Road, Phoenix

rock of faith

San Xavier Mission, Tucson, AZ

Mission San Xavier del Bac is a National Historic Landmark. The church construction was started in 1783 and completed in 1797. Restoration has been underway since 1989. It is open to the public, free of charge.

Located about 1.5 hours from Phoenix, 9 miles south of downtown Tucson, off of I-19 (exit 92, San Xavier Road), follow signs.

taken 5-5-2007

colorforms

University & Gilbert Road, Mesa

The Phoenix area may not have a lot in the way of historic buildings from a hundred years ago, but they do have the 60's and 70's era of architecture pretty well covered.

This is the front glass window of a local church. There is something nostalgic about color block that I just can't resist.

taken 4/14/2007

Last Call

University & Horne, Mesa

These little mom & pop run convenience stores seem to really come alive when the sun goes down. Offering whatever you think you need, they lure you out for one more late night stop before you call it a day.

taken 4/2007

beautiful decay

Central Phoenix, in an alley

I don't normally recommend spending much time walking the alleys in the inner city, but there was a time in my life when I would walk my dog everyday, looking for rich textures to photograph. The best source of material was the back alleys of my central Phoenix neighborhood. That's where the secrets of some perfect looking homes are revealed; as I walked around the backside, perusing the alley for neglected objects, I often found things that offered much more character then their front facade.

taken 09/07/2005

a pattern of disruption

in an alley, 7th Street & Thomas, Phoenix

taken 12/2005

gas n' rub

Lindsay & Main St, Mesa

Where else can you get a tank full of gas and an Asian massage in one place? Only in Arizona!

swim in

Lindsey & Main St, Mesa

This is my all time favorite vintage sign. It's full glory is seen at night when the swimmer becomes animated as she begins her dive, finishing with a splash!

taken 1/23/2010

fantasy come true

16th Street & McDowell Rd, Phoenix

Formal wear is a big need for the Hispanic Community, even for children. There are many shops in Phoenix catering to those necessities.

For some kids, it means wearing dreadfully restrictive attire that requires painful care to avoid soiling, but for imaginative little girls, these dresses have all the makings of a fairytale dream.

taken 11-23-2006

old lines

16th Street & Thomas, Phoenix

taken 02-06-2006

my people

12th Street & Thomas, Phoenix

taken 10-11-2005

state dish

16th Street & McDowell Road

Every town has their own version of regional cuisine. Some would think here in Arizona, it would be a Southwestern style Tex-Mex dish; huge plates of melty, cheesy, meat filled tortilla masses, lying next to a puddle of thick, pasty beans. That would be the gringo fare.

You'd be missing the whole tamale if you didn't check out some of the little taco dives littered throughout the city, especially in the Hispanic neighborhoods. Maybe not the sort of place to impress your mother-in-law unless she has a stomach for the real deal - like cow tripe (stomach lining), tongue, or brains. But you don't have to be in an adventurous mood to eat this rich, homey ethnic food that taste like some one's Mexican grandmother is cooking back in the kitchen (cause sometimes she actually is!).

taken 11-11-2006

simple & true

12th Street & Thomas, Central Phoenix

There is nothing pretentious about some parts of Phoenix. That's what I love about it. The genuine ways people live, no need to impress. Underneath the surface the texture richness is revealed.

taken 12-13-2005

just us

7th Street & Oak, Central Phoenix

taken 09-08-2005