Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona

Papago Ponds Community Lake in Papago Park. - photo by Joe Alexander
Papago Ponds Community Lake in Papago Park. – photo by Joe Alexander
Papago Park is a quiet place right in the middle of the Valley of the Sun.

Not far away are downtown Phoenix, Arizona State University in Tempe, Scottsdale and Sky Harbor Airport.

Hole In The Rock at Papago Park

Hole In The Rock at Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona. - photo by Joe Alexander
Hole In The Rock at Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona. – photo by Joe Alexander
Hole In The Rock passes through a reddish sandstone formation in Papago Park. The hike up to the hole from the parking lot is less than a half mile.

Papago Park is located in Phoenix, Arizona, near Tempe and not far from Sky Harbor Airport.

Love Fights Back murals at Pr1mitive Ink in Glendale, Arizona

One of the “Love Fights Back” murals at Pr1mitive Ink tattoo shop in Glendale, Arizona. This art is near the front door.
One of the “Love Fights Back” murals at Pr1mitive Ink tattoo shop in Glendale, Arizona. This art is near the front door.
Pr1mitive Ink tattoo shop on Glendale Avenue in the Phoenix area is covered by a series of murals with the theme “Love Fights Back.”

One of the “Love Fights Back” murals at Pr1mitive Ink tattoo shop in Glendale, Arizona.
One of the “Love Fights Back” murals at Pr1mitive Ink tattoo shop in Glendale, Arizona.

Public art in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona

Cowboy statue the "Jack Knife" by Ed Mell in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona.
Cowboy statue the “Jack Knife” by Ed Mell in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona.
Old Town Scottsdale in the Phoenix area is filled with colorful restaurants and shops.

There is also plenty of public art in the form of sculptures along Scottsdale Road.

Public art in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona.
Public art in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona.

Morning storm in the Arizona desert

Early morning rain storm in the Arizona desert between Phoenix and Tucson. - photo by Joe Alexander
Early morning rain storm in the Arizona desert between Phoenix and Tucson. – photo by Joe Alexander
After an early morning flight to Phoenix, I jumped on Interstate-10 east where it goes roughly south toward Tucson.

I was hoping to get some good photos and hadn’t counted on a rain storm in the desert. There were a few breaks in the clouds just after sunrise.

Early morning rain storm in the Arizona desert between Phoenix and Tucson. - photo by Joe Alexander
Early morning rain storm in the Arizona desert between Phoenix and Tucson.
Early morning rain storm in the Arizona desert between Phoenix and Tucson. - photo by Joe Alexander
Early morning rain storm in the Arizona desert between Phoenix and Tucson.

Boston views from the water

Downtown Boston as seen from the water. – photo by Joe Alexander
Downtown Boston as seen from the water. – photo by Joe Alexander
After walking around downtown Boston, getting on a boat and seeing the city from the Charles River or Inner Harbor gives you a different viewpoint.

Chinatown in Boston

There are a number of brightly colored murals in Boston’s Chinatown. – photo by Joe Alexander
There are a number of brightly colored murals in Boston’s Chinatown. – photo by Joe Alexander
Chinatown was the most colorful area I saw during my visit to Boston.

Chinatown Park provides a visual entrance to the neighborhood.

Boston’s Chinatown is downtown in the area just northwest of where of IH-90 and IH-93 come together and a few blocks southeast of Boston Common.

Historic architecture of Boston’s Copley Square

The Old South Church in Copley Square is next door to the Boston Public Library and catercorner from Trinity Church. – photo by Joe Alexander
The Old South Church in Copley Square is next door to the Boston Public Library and catercorner from Trinity Church. – photo by Joe Alexander
Copley Square in the Back Bay area includes the Boston Public Library, Trinity Church and the Old South Church as well as some strategically located public art.

The Boston Public Library has Renaissance-style architecture and was completed in 1895.

The Trinity Church has Romanesque architecture and opened in 1877.

The Old South Church has Gothic Revival architecture and opened in 1873.

Downtown Boston in the fall

Downtown Boston in November, 2021. – photo by Joe Alexander
Downtown Boston in November, 2021. – photo by Joe Alexander
A sunny day in the first week of November provided a perfect setting to wander around downtown Boston.

The historic city has great parks, tall modern buildings and friendly neighborhoods that are close enough together to enjoy on foot.

Only a quick subway ride away are places like Fenway Park and Cambridge.

Harvard University and Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. – photo by Joe Alexander
Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. – photo by Joe Alexander
The area of Cambridge, Massachusetts near Harvard University includes plenty of open spaces to walk around including Harvard Yard, Cambridge Common and, if you want to do some shopping or grab something to eat, Harvard Square by the Charles River.