I took this picture in Prescott a couple of months ago.
There was something about the juxtaposition of the hoop against the tree that pretty much blew my mind...
Showing posts with label Prescott. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prescott. Show all posts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Hoop Tree
I took this picture in Prescott a couple of months ago.
There was something about the juxtaposition of the hoop against the tree that pretty much blew my mind...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Prescott Snow
A snow storm hit the last night we were in Prescott. Living in Phoenix, snow is a real treat. I grabbed my camera and a cup of coffee and took an early morning walk .
The town was so quiet, so peaceful, nothing but the sound of my running shoes crunching in the snow.
Kind of felt like I was walking on clouds.
Magic.
There was a high school basketball team from Santa Rita staying at the hotel. They played for the state championship Saturday night. I had breakfast with the coaches in the hotel lobby. The team's quest for the championship was successful. After celebrating at a local pizza joint, the boys went up to their rooms and a couple of the coaches headed out to Bucky's Casino. Upon returning to the hotel they conducted a room check. No boys. It turned out that the kids were behind the hotel building snowmen and firing snowballs at each other. Coming from the Tucson area, many of them had never seen snow. Must have been quite an experience, winning the state championship and then experiencing snow for the first time at three in the morning.
I dig Prescott.
Magic.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Prescott Weekend
This is my gorgeous wife, Gail. Every year the two of us drive a hundred miles to spend our anniversary weekend in Prescott, Arizona. We always make it a point to make a few stops along Whiskey Row where local musicians play blues, classsic rock, and country.
As always, we made the most of our time. We spent an hour in Bucky's Casino braving the blanket of cigarette smoke and playing the penny slot machines. Gail lost ten bucks while I won five. Five bucks for an hour's entertainment for two ain't bad.
We had the opportunity to see Crazy Heart, Shutter Island, and Valentine's Day.
Crazy Heart was excellent. Good story. Jeff Bridges is the man - so much more than just the Dude. I've been inspired to grow a Bad Blake beard. Robert Duvall was very cool in a small but important part. The movie got me thinking about the creative spark, addiction, forgiveness, redemption, and Bridges' love interest, Maggie Gilinhall - I'm thinking she needs to put on twenty or thirty pounds.
Valentines Day was an absolute thumbs down, baby. I sat through two hours of cutesy Hollywood starts giggling and making goo goo eyes at each other, apparently trying to show the world how cute they are. Blechhh.
Shutter Island was interesting. I knew there was a twist going in, so I figured it out right away. The music was a little over the top. It's hard for me to give a true review because the movie experience was ruined by the idiot sitting next to me, not my wife - the guy on the other side. The schmuck smacked and slurped his pop corn nonstop for the first hour of the movie.
Gail and I had some great food and stayed at a beautiful hotel; best of all, we got to hang out together.
My wife did did a little Saturday morning shopping while I wandered the alley behind Whiskey Row.
Above is the back of the Hotel Saint Michael. Tough guy president, Teddy Roosevelt once stayed here; not in the alley, in the hotel.
This is the back of the Palace Bar, arguably the oldest saloon in Arizona. A lot of history went down in this establishment, a place where the Earp brothers drank, Little Egypt danced, and Steve McQueen made a movie.
I've been puttering away at a time travel story that takes place in Prescott.
I've been puttering away at a time travel story that takes place in Prescott.
Walking the alley way behind Whiskey Row somehow connected me with the history of the old territorial capitol.
Looking at the back ends of buildings has a way of taking me back in time.
This spooky old crow kept me company for a solid three blocks. He added atmosphere to the experience.
Whiskey Row Burned to the ground in 1900.
New buildings were under construction within a couple of weeks.
Looking at the back ends of buildings has a way of taking me back in time.
This spooky old crow kept me company for a solid three blocks. He added atmosphere to the experience.
Whiskey Row Burned to the ground in 1900.
New buildings were under construction within a couple of weeks.
Some of the buildings have held up the last 110 years better than others.
This is Granite Creek where gold was first discovered in the early 1860s. The first makeshift buildings of Presott were constructed along Granite Creek. The winding stream borders the Whiskey Row alley at this point. The original Whisky Row backed up against the the Creek for several blocks. Drunken miners and cowboys had a tendancy to fall into the creek and drown after a night on the row, prompting the proprietors to move the row a block away.
This is Granite Creek where gold was first discovered in the early 1860s. The first makeshift buildings of Presott were constructed along Granite Creek. The winding stream borders the Whiskey Row alley at this point. The original Whisky Row backed up against the the Creek for several blocks. Drunken miners and cowboys had a tendancy to fall into the creek and drown after a night on the row, prompting the proprietors to move the row a block away.
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Last Prescott Posting: Prescott Alleys
Considering the Prescott Justice League trip was my first serious stab at photography since 1974, I think I did OK. Consider the symmetry, the style and the symbolism of the picture above.
I have a thing for the alleys of Prescott. There something about strolling along a desolate alleyway and letting my mind wander back in time. There's nothing in these pictures that says 2009. It might as well be 1909.
Richard Nixon spent his chilhood summers in Prescott. The odds are he wandered these alleys in the early 1900s.
And this is pretty much what he saw.
Sherrif Bucky O'Neil probably arrested somebody in one of these alleys.
Wyatt Earp must have loaded up his supply wagons behind one of these old structures when he was running the town saw mill.
Maybe Steve McQueen sweet-talked Barbra Leigh behind one of these buildings.
Yeah, I really dig these old back alleys. It's good to know there are places where a guy can let himself drift back and relive a little history.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The 100th post: Clif the Lawyer's Prescott Photos
This is my 100th blog entry. I don't really know that it means anything; just thought I'd mention it.
The 2009-2010 school year is up and running and I've been busier than a one armed chicken plucker. That's right I wrote "busier than a one armed chicken plucker." This is my 100th blog and I can write whatever I like. Besides, I think it's a colorful simile. Anyhow, I've got lots of blogs piling up in my skull. If you check in from time to time, you'll eventually learn about about the Arizona heat wave, a scorpion invasion, the smartest ficus tree,in the world and The Manly Guy Blogger Award.
Here is a shot of the all too heroic Arizona Justice League of Photographers in Prescott, Arizona.
Clif the Lawyer developed this logo. There could be Arizona Justice League of Photograpers could be tee shirts in the future. Maybe we could get patches made and sew them onto the backs of leather jackets. Then we could buy Harleys. We could roll down the Americas highways and backroads protecting people in small towns from outlaw biker-photographers.
Guess we'll see how it goes.
Above is Bryan Frank and the original Justice League, the Los Angeles Justice League of Photographers. http://coolshots.blogspot.com/
The Hassayumpa sign has been there since 1927.
Here's a fantastic shot of the Bird Cage Saloon. The Bird Cage is a biker hang out. I have a personal connection with this joint. Did I mention my wife and I were married in Prescott? On the morning of the wedding I rodeto the church with old friends Pat Rodriguez, Danny Martinez and Steve Vanderwall. We some how lost the directions. It was eight a.m and the Birdcage was the only place open. So we ducked in for directions. There were a half dozen tough looking bikers bellied up to the bar. One of them gave us the directions and another bought us each a shot of Jack Daniels. We threw back our shots, thanked the bikers and got back in the car. We hadn't made it half a block when we realized that each of us thought one of the others had been paying attention to the directions. So we cranked a u-turn and piled back into the birdacage. Danny Martinez bought a round of shots for the house and Pat Rodriguez jotted the directions down on a bar napkin. The wedding went off as planned, thanks in no small part to the bikers at the Bird Cage Saloon
Here's a shot from the entrance of Matt's Saloon.
This is Gurley Street, Prescott's main drag. That's Thumb Butte in the background.
Above is Bryan Frank and the original Justice League, the Los Angeles Justice League of Photographers. http://coolshots.blogspot.com/
The following photos were taken by Cliof the Lawyer.
The Hassayumpa sign has been there since 1927.
Here's a fantastic shot of the Bird Cage Saloon. The Bird Cage is a biker hang out. I have a personal connection with this joint. Did I mention my wife and I were married in Prescott? On the morning of the wedding I rodeto the church with old friends Pat Rodriguez, Danny Martinez and Steve Vanderwall. We some how lost the directions. It was eight a.m and the Birdcage was the only place open. So we ducked in for directions. There were a half dozen tough looking bikers bellied up to the bar. One of them gave us the directions and another bought us each a shot of Jack Daniels. We threw back our shots, thanked the bikers and got back in the car. We hadn't made it half a block when we realized that each of us thought one of the others had been paying attention to the directions. So we cranked a u-turn and piled back into the birdacage. Danny Martinez bought a round of shots for the house and Pat Rodriguez jotted the directions down on a bar napkin. The wedding went off as planned, thanks in no small part to the bikers at the Bird Cage Saloon
Here's a shot from the entrance of Matt's Saloon.
This is Gurley Street, Prescott's main drag. That's Thumb Butte in the background.
A little film called Nobody's Fool, starring Eric Roberts and Rosanna Arquette was shot in Prescott in 1986. Dig that mullett on Eric Roberts.
Well, that's all I have for today. Now that I've posted my 100th blog I somehow feel - like I need to burp.
If you're new to this blog, you probably didn't know I wrote THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON, a quirky collection of mostly true stories about growing up in 1970s Southern California. And you can download the e-book for a measly 5 bucks by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B005NWH8L4
If you're new to this blog, you probably didn't know I wrote THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON, a quirky collection of mostly true stories about growing up in 1970s Southern California. And you can download the e-book for a measly 5 bucks by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B005NWH8L4
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Arizona Justice League of Photographers Two - Eric's Photos
The following photographs were taken by Eric on the Arizona Justice League of Photographers' Prescott outing.
The Hassayampa Hotel opened in 1927.
The hotel is the home of two ghosts, Hope the jilted honeymooner and the night watchman. She has been sighted looking out of the top window above.
The night watchman, who has been sighted descending this stairway.
This photograph was taken from the entrance to the Peacock Room, one of the finest restaurants in Arizona. My wife and I dine here each year on our wedding anniversary.
The lobby hasn't changed much since 1927. I can tell you from experience, it's the perfect place to read the sunday paper.
The Hassayampa Hotel opened in 1927. 
The hotel is the home of two ghosts, Hope the jilted honeymooner and the night watchman. She has been sighted looking out of the top window above.
The night watchman, who has been sighted descending this stairway.
This photograph was taken from the entrance to the Peacock Room, one of the finest restaurants in Arizona. My wife and I dine here each year on our wedding anniversary.
The lobby hasn't changed much since 1927. I can tell you from experience, it's the perfect place to read the sunday paper.
I once played Chop Sticks on these keys.
Above is the Hotel Saint Michael. Theodore Rossevelt and W.Z. Snyder slept in this hotel. My wife and I had our wedding reception in the hotel's banquet hall.
The Territorial Court House
The Bucky O'Neil Rough Rider Memorial is recognized as one of the world's finest equestrail staues.
The Rough Riders are remembered for their charge up San Juan Hill in the Spanish American War.
It was later learned that the Rough Riders actually charged up a land formation called Kettle Hill. Theodore Roosevelt commanded the regiment. Bucky O'Neil's last words were, " There isn't a Spanish bullet made that can kill me."
Eric caught the historic flavor of Precott.
This Civil War guy was hanging out in front of the Palace Saloon.
These cowboys were cruising the town square in search of elligible cowgirls.
Here's a Word War I Doughboy. I did the math; he's not old enough to be a real World War I Doughboy.
The Vietnam Memorial
Billy Jack, one of the reatest B movies of all time, was filmed in and around Prescott in the early seventies. When I was in the eighth grade I thought it was the greatest movie ever made. The story followed an Indian former Green Beret who protected peace loving teenagers, Indians and wild horses from local rednecks. The theme song isOne Tin Soldier. I owned the 45 and must have played it a hundred times a day.
Above is the Hotel Saint Michael. Theodore Rossevelt and W.Z. Snyder slept in this hotel. My wife and I had our wedding reception in the hotel's banquet hall.
The Territorial Court House
The Bucky O'Neil Rough Rider Memorial is recognized as one of the world's finest equestrail staues.
The Rough Riders are remembered for their charge up San Juan Hill in the Spanish American War.
It was later learned that the Rough Riders actually charged up a land formation called Kettle Hill. Theodore Roosevelt commanded the regiment. Bucky O'Neil's last words were, " There isn't a Spanish bullet made that can kill me."
Eric caught the historic flavor of Precott.
This Civil War guy was hanging out in front of the Palace Saloon.
These cowboys were cruising the town square in search of elligible cowgirls.
Here's a Word War I Doughboy. I did the math; he's not old enough to be a real World War I Doughboy.
The Vietnam Memorial
Billy Jack, one of the reatest B movies of all time, was filmed in and around Prescott in the early seventies. When I was in the eighth grade I thought it was the greatest movie ever made. The story followed an Indian former Green Beret who protected peace loving teenagers, Indians and wild horses from local rednecks. The theme song isOne Tin Soldier. I owned the 45 and must have played it a hundred times a day.
Here are links to a film clip and One Tin Soldier.
Billy Jack Film Cilp.
One Tin Soldier
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