Tucson, AZ - Sunset on Mt. Lemon

Just outside of Tucson, Mt. Lemon is gorgeous. This picture is taken at about a 7000ft elevation and the view was simply spectacular, as was the drive up.

Tucson, AZ - Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

When Michelle told me about the Desert Museum, I laughed at her. How could that possibly be interesting? As a member of and frequent visitor to our local art museum, I have some pretty high standards. The desert museum is amazing. The drive up is spectacular. The scenery is lush and vibrant, the paths and signage are well done and informative. They even have 60SPF sunscreen in the restrooms. I never take very many pictures on vacation and I took a few hundred out here.

The desert museum is definitely a must see. More info and a bunch of pictures are available on their website at http://www.desertmuseum.org/.

Old Westbury Gardens

We went there on in mid July and it was really amazing (a little hot but not too bad).  The grounds are huge, there is a lake and its all really crazy.  The pool was one of my favorites and the house tour is done by some really talented staff.  There is a pretty sizable pond and even bigger lawns, some walking trails that are fun, but the house and its immediate grounds (gardens, pool and such) are the reason to go IMHO.  They do concerts here outside on the patio, but the one going on while we were here was for kids (I hope it was that, anyway).

The house was built by John Phipps, who was a partner with Carnegie.

Its a fairly short drive here -- maybe an hour or so out on the gold coast.

Wave Hill house

A quick drive from the city. Absolutely beautiful gardens, grounds, buildings, vistas of the Hudson.

Should be amazing in the fall when the leaves change or, well, fall and provide a more open view of the Hudson.

Some good modern art there this weekend and interesting book on the history in the visitors shop. Mark Twain and Teddy Roosevelt both lived here. They do concerts and a Sunday brunch, both of which seem fun but we didnt get to try. Not to be missed.

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