Phoenix July 2023 - The Return

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Got packed up this morning.

Returned home by this afternoon. It really is quite pretty from above. 

You can see the Minneapolis skyline in the center of the above photo if you squint or enlarge the photo ;). Some of the Minneapolis chain of lakes are just below downtown - Cedar Lake to the left, Lake of the Isles in the center, and Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) to the right. 

Flying over Lake Harriet. 

My alma mater, Washburn High.

You can barely see Lake Hiawatha in the distance to the left. Lake Nokomis is to the right. 

Phoenix July 2023 - Quiet Day

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 

Quiet day today. Dianne and John got back from their travels yesterday. They took Brenda, Irv, Dale, and me out for brunch this morning to celebrate our anniversaries. 

The rest of the day was quiet and restful. The above photos were taken around 7:30 p.m. As it became darker we could see lightning in the distance. Didn't get any rain here though. 

Phoenix July 2023 - Heard Museum: Hula's Modern Tiki

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Dale and I continued our Phoenix Tiki Tour with a stop at Hula's Modern Tiki. We stopped by on our way home from the Heard Museum and made it in time for happy hour. Tiki cocktails were only 7 bucks (down from 12) and all appetizers were 7 bucks as well. 

Our bartender was great. I acknowledged to her my awareness that most tiki drinks have an element of sweetness but I'm not fond of drinks which are overly so. I asked if she could recommend one that had a little sharpness to balance out the sweet. Before she could say anything I asked about the Pink Bikini Martini because I thought it sounded interesting and that the color pink is quite IN because of the Barbie movie. She matter-of-factly told me that that's about the sweetest drink on the menu and that it basically tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher. I appreciated her honesty. She recommended the Zombie which is what I went with. She was spot on about it not being over sweet. I've had Zombies before and have found them to be less sweet but you never know how individual establishments make them. According to their drink menu their Zombie has "Bacardi light rum, dark rum, overproof rum, passion fruit, pineapple and lime juices." It was awesome. Dale had a beer. 

For my next drink she recommended the Hawaii 5-0. According to the menu it consists of "Bacardi light rum, spiced rum,pineapple, passion fruit, orange and cranberry juices." I liked this one even better than the Zombie. I also liked that it had a slight fizzy element to it. Dale had a beer. 

For my third (and final drink) our bartender recommended the Blood Orange Martini. The menu listed the ingredients as "vodka, blood orange liqueur, orange, lime and cranberry juices." She said she found it to be very refreshing. Agreed. Again, a winner. Dale had a beer.

By the way, for an appetizer we ordered the Hawaiian ceviche which was whitefish with chips. Yum. For dinner Dale got the chicken Cesar and I got the mango and shrimp Cesar. Wow. Not only were the drinks fantastic but so was the food. 

We arrived at the restaurant pretty early, say 4 p.m., and it was unsurprisingly not busy due to how early it was. By the time we left after 6 it was hoppin'. The place had a great energy and vibe. Dale and I both had a wonderful time. 

Can't wait to go again!

Phoenix July 2023 - Heard Museum: Overview and Art by David Hyde

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

From Wikipedia: "The Heard Museum is a private, not-for-profit museum in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art. It presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art by American Indian artists and artists influenced by American Indian art. The Heard Museum collaborates with American Indian artists and tribal communities on providing visitors with a distinctive perspective about the art of Native people, especially those from the Southwest."

Also from Wikipedia: "The Heard Museum's mission is to be 'the world's preeminent museum for the presentation, interpretation and advancement of American Indian art, emphasizing its intersection with broader artistic and cultural themes.' The main Phoenix location of the Heard Museum has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride."

This visit reminded me of how completely cut off from Native culture we are. There's no way to truly appreciate the beauty of this art without recognizing the decimation of our Native population. 

Art by Doug Hyde

Phoenix July 2023 - Heard Museum: Joyce Growing Thunder, Juanita Growing Thunder Fogarty, and Jesse Rae Growing Thunder

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

The Sandra Day O'Conner Gallery featured beadwork by different Native artists. They were all beautifully done. Included in my blog are Joyce Growing Thunder, Juanita Growing Thunder Fogarty, Jesse Rae Growing Thunder, Jamie Okuma, and Rhonda Holy Bear.

Phoenix July 2023 - Heard Museum: Jamie Okuma

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Beadwork by Jamie Okuma

Phoenix July 2023 - Heard Museum: Rhonda Holy Bear

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

All of the dolls were beautifully done but the one pictured above was particularly striking to me. The piece is titled Maternal Journey and the artist is Rhonda Holy Bear. From the front you see the mother figure moving forward with one of her children. As you can tell the craftsmanship is jaw-dropping and the symbolism beautiful. See below for a description in the words of the artist.