The neighbors house is on a two-acre spread, most of which is natural desert flora and fauna. Among those is this nice Beavertail Cactus (opuntia basilaris) which just started displaying its beautiful bright pink flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
I took this photo of Verna taking the above photo. When she sees our Beavertails flowers opening, I’m sure she will post some nice close up cactus flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
Verna took this photo of a very colorful motorhome with kayaks on top. There is a mountain bike or two on the rack at the rear of the coach. It had Wisconsin license tags so I figure it must belong to some old hippie snowbirds visiting town today. Click on the image to enlarge.
I had to sit out the parade today since I’m still a little wimpy from the surgery last Monday. However, Verna hiked down to the parade route and took a lot (>300) of photos of the festivities. As usual, The topless Cadillac with a very large steer on board was featured near the start of the parade. Click on the image to enlarge.
I reviewed many of the pictures from today and wish I could have gone. I made a slideshow of last year’s parade in which many of the parade units that marched then and today can be seen.
Long celebrated as a religious feast, St. Valentines Day has become the second most popular day of the year to exchange greeting cards, Christmas being the most popular. Eighty-five percent of Valentines Greeting cards are purchased by women.
From WikiPedia:
St. Valentine’s Day falls on February 14, and is the traditional day on which lovers in certain cultures let each other know about their love, commonly by sending Valentine’s cards, which are often anonymous. The history of Valentine’s day can be traced back to a Catholic Church feast day, in honor of Saint Valentine. The day’s associations with romantic love arrived after the High Middle Ages, during which the concept of romantic love was formulated.
And finally, for those disappointed in love or who lack faith, or just single, there is this SAD alternative: Single Awareness Day (SAD)
Verna took this photo of the tracks and the old train station downtown this afternoon. The train station isn’t active these days since the freight trains that go along this track seldom stop in Wickenburg and there are no passenger trains that run here any more.
The train station building is home to the Wickenburg Chamber off Commerce, where they are getting ready to have their Annual Gold Rush Days this coming weekend. The events planned for this yearly celebration include a carnival, a classic car show, a parade, theater and two days of rodeo. It should be fun.
On our way home from an appointment in Phoenix today, we passed the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals football team. I like the Cardinal logo over the main entrance to the building. Click on the image to enlarge.
