Day of Contrast

Driving between Tucson and Phoenix along the Copper Corridor Scenic Road West we stopped at the Ray Mine visitor viewpoint. We were amazed at the size of the operation and how toy-like the massive equipment looked in the immense pit. A resonating boom signified a blast, as the dust settled we got the cameras focused. An excited three-year-old boy could hardly contain his excitement as he ran from one view to another, “Let’s find more machinery”

Less than 30 miles away we spent the afternoon meandering the trails through the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. The beauty of the desert in bloom appeared in direct contrast to the mining operation. Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical gardens, now a state park, features not only trees and plants from the Sonoran Desert but from arid climates around the world.

After two hours of walking and photographs we had only scratched the surface; we will definitely return to this beautiful and fascinating treasure.

To cap the day we indulged in a ball of spumoni coated in rich dark chocolate at New York’s Best Italian Bistro in Scottsdale.