First thing in the morning…

I remember back in the mid 70's, Bend OR population sign was right at 12,000.... And that counted every jack rabbit and rattler in the city limits.  About 4 years ago I went through....79,980, and stretched virtually from Redmond to the original Bend.

Haven't been back to where I grew up since '88, but imagine I'd never recognize most of it.

The old saying you can't go back home is pretty much right.  I've accepted the fact the only way to recapture those days, is from memories of happy days there.

Such is the way of life for lots of places, and in fact, most of the places I've ever lived.

The Phoenix area has exploded, the San Diego area has exploded similarly. When I was living back in Virginia, I could have ventured back up to just outside of Philadelphia where I spent a chunk of my misguided youth, but never really got the chance. But looking on GoogleEarth I see it has changed tremendously.

Yup, it's the way of the world.

stikpusher

But then I might be mourning all the change and growth like happened to where I used to be...

I suspect that might be the case. But it's new to you and it's your place now, so you know what to do. (enjoy it and your retirement)

I hardly recognize the city of Scottsdale Hoo Yah and I  were talking about, but such is life.

No worries. Part of me would like to have seen what this area was like back then. But then I might be mourning all the change and growth like happened to where I used to be...

HooYah Deep Sea

Farrell's, heck yeah. Back then, putting away the 'trough' was easy.

Oh yeah, the trough is one of those life experiences I'll never forget.

I remember Mountain Shadows. Good memories.

Sorry Stik, got a little sidetracked....but you started it with the Sonoran Desert.

Farrell's, heck yeah. Back then, putting away the 'trough' was easy.

Like I said, lived in Paradise Valley, right next to the golf course at Mountain Shadows. Was a member of the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Team while in high school. I remember riding motorcycles out in the desert just north of Bell Road; which is kind of funny as that is the geographical center of Scottsdale now!!!

stikpusher

Greg, I had to shave every day from when I reported to Ft Benning at 18 until I retired last March, except for weekends and vacations. It's nice to no longer have to do so.

Yes, that was the first thing I thought about when I saw the picture, Stik. I recall getting a scolding in the Sheriff's office once with a several day stubble going on.

HooYah Deep Sea

Greg, when were you in Scottsdale? I lived there from '68 to '75. I actually lived in P.V. but went to school in Scottsdale, graduating from Saguaro H.S.

 

I don't know the exact dates but I was there every spring around maybe '62 to '72. I remember staying at the old Scottsdale CC hotel and the Valley Ho which were both awesome. I was in Phoenix a few years ago and the Valley Ho has been re-opened and renovated.

Do you remember the old Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor? Fond memories of that place.

I loved Scottsdale, we almost moved there. I recall Dad asking me how I'd like to go to high school in Scottsdale. I don't know what ever happened, but it sounds like we were almost schoolmates.

Thanks guys!

Greg, I had to shave every day from when I reported to Ft Benning at 18 until I retired last March, except for weekends and vacations. It's nice to no longer have to do so. My wife said I was trying to catch up to ZZ Top last year, so I started trimming the beard after "No Shave November" last year. Not quite as much work to keep it trimmed as gone... lol

Steve, it's a fine place to retire and enjoy the good life. I sure can't honestly complain about a thing... funny you and John mention Khan and Ceti Alfa 5, I've half thought about getting some sort of outfit like that and getting a photo taken when one of the haboobs blow through here sometime... lol 

John, sunrise and sunset are hard to beat around here... Mother Nature at her finest.

modelcrazy

I was half expecting to see Kahn in that pic though 

 

Ceti Alpha 5 is beautiful in the morning 

I was half expecting to see Kahn in that pic though 

Beautiful area Stick. Nice place to retire 

Greg, when were you in Scottsdale? I lived there from '68 to '75. I actually lived in P.V. but went to school in Scottsdale, graduating from Saguaro H.S.

Nice that you passed along the pics. Looks good, I am also a big fan of the Sonoran Desert, being introduced to it as a kid up around Scottsdale. It has a special feel that recurrs to this day on the rare occasions I get to visit.

Nice beard. I truly enjoy the occasional recent pic of my online friends, thanks.

Well that makes sense about the river and lore. I've actually driven over it on the 10 many times. Although with last weekend's storm, I could swear that there was some surface water in it when we crossed it just after the storm left.

And the size of mule deer would not surprise me a bit. There is plenty of wildlife around here, and it all looks pretty healthy.

As the Hassayampa is an 'underground' river, the old line from Arizona lore, is that "anyone who claims to have drank from the Hassayampa, will thereafter never tell the truth."

Oh, and out there in that wilderness south of you are some surprizingly large mule deer.

HooYah Deep Sea

You know what they say about people who drink from the Hassayampa River, right?

 

I can't say that I do. What do they say?

Armor, well it may not be the end of the road metaphorically, but it is the end of that particular road physically. And I agree about the splendid open isolation of the southwest. The Sonora desert is such a ruggedly beautiful place. 

    Not the "end of the road " Stik....it's the beginning of a new adventure. I always loved the isolation of the Southwestern desert, really cool.

     All I did this morning was get pounced on by an 85lb german shepard, worse ways to be woke up

You know what they say about people who drink from the Hassayampa River, right?