Before this trip I don’t think I’d ever heard of Chihuly Glass. But, I did know there is beauty in the desert. We’ve always found a special genre of beauty in the desert landscape. It’s a bit tricky to get up close and personal sometimes, but the desert is a artistic landscape. As we made our way south before turning east, a stop in the desert was on the agenda. Although it was a stop intended to meet up with a friend, it was an unplanned trip the gardens that made the day.
The desert has it’s own sense of style and we found a glorious respite at the spectacular Sonoran Desert Botanical Garden, near Phoenix, Arizona.
Chihuly Glass
Near the entrance we came across these incredible Chihuly glass sculptures and knew we were in for something special. Along with the creative genius of Mother Nature there is a stunning exhibition of glass sculptures intermingled throughout the garden. There are moments in life when words fail me and I rely on my camera to do the talking for me.
Morning Dawned Beautifully
We had no idea this garden existed. It was only at the strong encouragement of a friend that we gave thought to going. When we looked online and saw the entrance fee of $22/adult, I admit I hesitated because it seemed a bit pricey. We only had a few hours, but the morning dawned beautifully and we let that be the deciding factor.
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Perfectly Out of Place
I’ve never seen anything so out of place be so absolutely perfect at the same time. The only thing I can think of that would be better than strolling these gardens would be to witness Las Noches de las Luminarias. Seeing the installations at night, illuminated, must be just breathtaking! Who says the desert isn’t beautiful?
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My Tucson backyard looked just like your first photo. And the Sonoran Desert is really beautiful, something I didn’t realize until I lived there for 11 years. It’s much more lush than one would expect. You picked a great botanical garden to visit.
Donna Hull recently posted…20 Under $20: Gifts for the Boomer Traveler, 2013 Edition
It was a real find, the botanical garden and with the added bonus of the glass sculptures, it was really something to see. You must have had a beautiful back yard. We very much enjoy the desert landscape!
Wow! The sculptures are amazing.
Kerri recently posted…Taking Your Child to Auschwitz and Birkenau
They were Kerri, we’d never seen anything quite like it.
I love the sculpures and the added dimension of displaying them with the cacti – lovely shots!
Suzanne (Travelbunny) recently posted…A Morning in Valletta
Thank you so much, Suzanne! It really was a unique setting to find the glass sculptures.
What amazing desert plants. Thanks for sharing these.
santafetraveler recently posted…Cappadocia and Northern New Mexico: Mirror Images
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and the photos, it was a very special garden.
that sure is a lot of cacti
Hogga recently posted…Why Everyone Should Go Eat a Pecker
Yep, there’s quite a few of them in the desert! 😉
As much as I like both the desert and Chuly glass I don’t really care for this combination. Maybe I have to be there.
Gaelyn recently posted…Beaches and birds at West Coast National Park South Africa
I can understand that Gaelyn, I did at first feel as if the glass was out of place but the more time I spent in the garden the more I felt as if it all belonged there and I could see the thought process.
It’s always interesting that people who don’t live near the desert (as I do now and you used to) don’t realize how beautiful it can be if you really take the time to look. Nice catch on the jackrabbit picture btw! Loving your journey as always! 🙂
Mike recently posted…How Street Racing Changed My Life And Was A Shoot To Thrill
Thanks! I thought he was a jack rabbit too but a volunteer told me he was a cottontail. And the quail were hilarious, they yipped to each other in conversation and chased each other, very entertaining. We love the desert setting and the colors and architectural style of the southwest.
We visited this garden quite a few years ago (sometime in the 1990’s). I don’t remember the sticker shock in 1990’s dollars of $22, but it seems as though it has been enhanced even further by the addition of art. When we were there it was quite warm. It looks like you had a beautiful crisp, clear “winter” day.
Suzanne Fluhr (Boomeresque) recently posted…Our Peruvian Honeymoon — 1982
We did enjoy a beautiful day! I think it would be well-worth a return visit to see the gardens at night.