Hello Friends!
Hope everyone is doing excellent. 🙂
Life in Southern California has been pretty intense lately. In a span of two weeks, there were 2 massive wildfires within 10 miles of my home. From our house, we could see tons of smoke billowing into the otherwise blue skies. And, we caught a glimpse of some flames burning at the top of the surrounding mountains.
It was definitely scary!
But, thankfully, no harm to my family’s person or property. And for those who were affected, my heartfelt compassion goes out to them. 🙂
A couple of months ago, my family and I went on a 5 hour road-trip through the desert to Arizona (Phoenix area).
I absolutely love Arizona. The landscape is breathtaking. And the towns and cities (for the most part) are clean, easy to navigate, and full of things to do and see.
Here are some photos I took while on my travels! I hope you enjoy the images.
Have a great day! 🙂
I couldn’t resist taking a shot of my car with the mountain in the background. I just thought it looked so cool. 🙂
Categories: Inspiration, Photography
I always think of the desert as being monochromatic, but when folks blog about the desert, it’s always astonishing to see how much colour there is. Your photos are gorgeous. I especially love the building with the LIVE REPTILE sign.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! I know what you are saying. I used to think the same way. I spent most of my life living in New York and other northeast states. So, I had no firsthand desert experience, until I went on a vacation to New Mexico. Beautiful state! They have a desert area called White Sands National Park (check it out on Google, its’s wild how white the sand is.) Be well and stay safe in these crazy times! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those photos are really good and I hope you have a good 2020 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! All the best to you as well 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas to you and yours Kevin 😊🌟
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Suzanne! Merry Christmas! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kevin! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kevin: thanks again for following Elm Drive Imges. We moved into a Condo the middle of September. THUS, THE LITTLE VALLEY RIGHT BEHIND OUR PLACE. RUNS FOR MILES.
Keep up your good works, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dan! Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
So happy to hear your family is ok. I do hope it’s settled a bit these days for everyone. And, such beautiful photographs Kevin! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Suzanne! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😊 Happy Thanksgiving Kevin! 🦃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of cool colorful stuff in that ghost town.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
You are really the master on this kind of amazing photography
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks bud! Good to hear from you!
LikeLike
Vivid. And there should be a word beyond that for those intense colors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😎
LikeLike
Such color!
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍🏻😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing photography!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robert! Much appreciated man!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad that you and your family are safe. So sad what’s going on in CA. I can’t ever remember fires like this when I lived there. Love the pictures of AZ. I lived in Mesa for 11 years. Very hot in the summer, but cheaper to live there than CA. Take care Kevin 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Michele! Thanks for the kind words! Yeah, the fires are driving me crazy! Lol It’s like – gimme a break for a few months. I really like the Phoenix area. Nice to hear from you 😊😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kevin, you take wonderful pictures. I am always so very impressed when I visit.
OMG… the fires are awful. We are watching up here in Canada, mouths agape. You and your family, stay safe!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! These fires are intense. Way too intense, actually. Lol Great to hear from you! Hope you are doing well 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’m doing just fine…. in spite of the early onset of winter. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Winter, I remember those! Lol
Since living in California, I’ve only experienced summer and spring 😎😂
LikeLike
Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love all your photos . Arizona is just so amazing. Love the cactus photos. Dick’s brother had to evacuate their home in Santa Rosa because of the tragic fires. They are considering moving to Arizona because the fires have come so close more than once. Hello to Ellen and follow your passion Kevin.Wishing you the best.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Linda! I had no idea that Dick’s brother lived in Santa Rosa. Glad to hear they are ok! That area (like my neck of the woods) has had way too many fires lately! Always nice to hear from you. Hope you guys are doing excellent. 😃
LikeLike
Glad you’re safe Kevin! And yes, an Acura looks amazing with any backdrop lol but your photo is a really good shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha Thanks!! Great to hear from you! 😊😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you’re safe from the fires. I love Arizona! Thanks for the pictures. Somehow I’ve got to get back there next year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Andrew! Arizona is awesome. Have a great weekend man!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the colours! The sky is so clear and it looks very hot! 😀
And I am amazed that your car looks so clean – I would have thought it would be covered in dust! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, thank you! It was VERY hot that’s for sure! As for the dust, we got caught in a bad sandstorm on the ride back to California. We had to pull off the highway onto the shoulder to wait out the storm. It was intense! So, by the time I got home, our car was covered in a thick blanket of sand. Lol 😮😎😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh sounds like a scary experience in the sandstorm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apache Junction and the Superstition Mountains present fabulous opportunities for photographs! It’s scientifically proven that Arizona has the most beautiful sunsets (due to the particular matter in the desert atmosphere. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎👍🏻
LikeLike
Kevin, your photographs from this trip through the desert are wonderful. Awesomely quiet someohow but burning with heat. I do love the cacti, they are amazing in shape and size.
I used to grow some on a window sill, the one related to those in your picture grew beyond itself and fell over from its own weight. …
We have heard the news of your fires and how frightening it must have been to be so near. Also, what a blessing to have escaped damage.
Bless
Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Miriam, thanks so much for your kind words! There is something so beautiful and peaceful about the desert 🌵 Always great to hear from you. 😊 I hope all is well on your side of the world 🌎 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous photos Kevin
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sheree! Nice to hear from you 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous photos! What an incredible place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Cathy! 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos from Arizona, Kevin 😀
I’m happy to hear, that you and your family are safe from all those terrible fires. I can’t avoid thinking of all the souls, as I know living in the area of California. So very sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Irene! Thanks for the kind words! I hope you are doing well. It’s nice to see you back at your regular pace of creating! 😎😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kevin 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous photos – I love what you do with color in your pictures. I also live where the fear of fires and evacuation are a reality. Watching the nightly reports from California has been overwhelming and I’m glad to hear you’re safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Hopefully the fire season is done! Always nice to hear from you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, I hope California is safe. Here, we’ve had some snow so I think we’re good for the season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s very sad to hear about the devastation caused by the wildfires. But it’s good to hear you and your family are well, Kevin. 💙
Your photos are stunning as always. Purple Night is atmospheric and magical. Your car looks cool, so is the Ghost Town ✨💫🌟
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Isabelle! Nice to hear from you. 😊 These fires have been insane. Thanks so much for the kind words! Hope you and your family are doing excellent! Have a great weekend 😎😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always lovely to have a chat, Kevin! 😀 Sending my best wishes 💫✨
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the Arizona landscape. The size of the cacti are amazing!
The wildfires here in California are concerning. Glad that you and your family weren’t hit. It’s getting too close to home for comfort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear ya! Waaaay to close for comfort. Great to hear from you, Rosaliene! Be well and safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kevin. I am so glad that the fire missed your home and family, I have a blogging friend that lives in Orland that was effected by the Camp fire a couple of years ago, it is devastating to lose everything.
What beautiful images of the valley, your car does look very cool in front of those mountains. There are so many areas in the state that have beautiful vistas and things to do, in fact I just discovered there’s an area not far from me in Flagstaff where you can see wild buffalo, elk, pronghorn and prairie dogs. Thank you for sharing a part of your family trip, I love my state.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Laura, thanks so much for the kind words and well wishes. That’s so cool – buffalo! We plan on visiting Flagstaff on our next trip to AZ. I’m sorry to hear about your friend. Those stories are really horrible to hear. I really feel bad for people that have to endure something like that. Always great to hear from you!
LikeLike
Beautiful photos. Tucson is my favorite…amazing hikes on all directions.
Glad you were safe from the fires. The air quality must have been awful though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, the air quality was bad for about two days, but then the winds shifted and we were fine. Thanks so much for the kind words!! Hope you’re doing great. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you guys stayed safe! Steel horse – like it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Barbara! Great to hear from you. Hope you guys are doing well down under! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are trying to get used to Melbourne weather 0ne day very hot, the next freezing cold! I have my book launch Thursday 14th. I will post pics on my blog. Take care and I hope the comedy keeps moving along!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck with the launch!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kevin!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simply beautiful, like always!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!! 🙂 xxx
LikeLike