1 Adventure

Wild Car Fire in Texas

Came across this burnt out car this weekend on the road. The conditions in Texas have been so dry that wild fires have been rampant around the state. Not sure what happened here, but the scene was very interesting, scorched, and dead. I liked how the paint of the car melted back to reveal a blue and the shadows reflected off of it showing some of its former glory. Not that a Ford Tempo is a glorious ride or anything. Did a little selective color on it to highlight the colors. The proportions are good and I think it came out appealing.

5 Minute Border Run

Alright this post is fun, and one you can even try at home as many times as you want. On one our adventures down to the Arizona border to stay at Organ Pipe Cactus Monument (famed for the Saguro Cactus), we went to seek out in Mexico or Gringo Pass, USA some cheap alcohol to celebrate the end of our trip for the next night in New Mexico. While we were not able to get some cheap duty free alcohol the night before, we did manage to head down to the border the next day for a quick trip into the liquor store. The only thing we could decide on to buy was a $10 bottle of Danzka Grapefruit Vodka, because none of us had tried it and the sound of it just seemed like it could quench the driest thrust in the desert we called home the night before.

We bought the bottle and were quickly confronted with a sign that read "all alcohol purchasers must bring all alcohol across the border or leave the alcohol for when you return from Mexico". Since we hadn't planned to venture into Mexico because it being Mexico it really didn't have much to offer once you crossed the border. Our plan was to buy the alcohol and make off before anyone noticed. Unfortunately the plan was foiled by a persistent liquor store keeper who stood out of the door and watched our next moves. While I fuddled with the map to look busy, and Emily, Dan, and Ryan debated the next move. We finally decided that we should just drive into Mexico, christen the vodka on Mexican soil, and come back in 5 minutes. That is just what we did, cross the border in our car, drive a few miles down the road, turn around and come back across the border. When the border patrol asked why we had been in Mexico, we told him we thought it would be fun to say we went to Mexico! LOL. ;-). With the goods in tow, we made it out of Arizona and on our way to New Mexico. That night once we had found a campsite in Leasburg Dam State Park, my good friend Dan came up with a drink name we created that night called the "5 Minute Border Run". The name was very befitting. Here is the drink we created:

5 Minute Border Run

1-2 shots Grapefruit Danzka Vodka
3-4 ounces of Grapefruit Juice (fresh is better)
Half a can of Sprite
Splash of lime juice
Sugar rimmed glass

- vary contents to suit taste

Yummmmm! Serve it at your next party.

"5 Minute Border Run" Copyright 2004 - Ben Pfeiffer, Dan Lavin, Emily Anderson, and Ryan D.

Cactus Flowers 2 - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

These two flowers photos right here, made all the cactus I got in my arms worth it. Definately my favorite of the bunch.

Cactus Flowers - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Emily and I - Climbing the Canyon

I normally don't put pictures of myself on the site, cause my focus is the art in my photography, but after a few requests from friends, here is us coming back up the trail. I think we are 3-4 miles in already. Doesn't it look like we need a big glass of cold water. :)

Silver Bridge on Sunrise

Bottom of the Canyon - Sunrise

Sacred Datura - used by the Indians in the area to bring about violent and vivid hallucinogens from the poison parts of the plant in an effort to communicate with the Gods. Most often they would die (from the poison) trying to reach and understand the meaning and intent of the Gods. Not a nice plant.

Coming Down The Trail

Grand Canyon - South Kaibab Trail - July 29, 2004

South Kaibab Trail - 6.5 Miles to the Colorado River

Ok these pictures are nothing spectacular, but they do kinda show you what we say on the way down to the bottom of the canyon.

Black Bridge on Sunrise

Colors of the Green Chile

Colors of green chilis from red, green, to purple. The dark the color of the chile the riper the fruit is. So those chiles that are red or purple have been allowed to age a bit longer on the plant. The long strings of chile peppers are called ristras, and were traditionally used to supply the kitchen with spice year round and still do.

What a fresh roasted green chili peppers looks like, ready for cooking and served with a cold beer.

Hatch, New Mexico - Land of the Green Chile

They say there are more flavors of chili peppers than there are types. With that in mind, if you are ever cruising down the highway in New Mexico, and see a sign for Hatch, New Mexico. Stop! and head right in the green chili/chile capital of the world - Hatch, New Mexico. Also known as the Anaheim pepper, or Cayenne even sometimes. The chiles must be roasted to bring out the full fiery flavor that is savored. Known in the south for its unique and pungent flavor, Green Chili is a new mexican staple as part of the culture and the food. Here in Texas, we even celebrate, this great pepper with a festival and local restuarants who get it directly shipped in for the many chili fans. As a recent convert to the chile movement, I have to say I haven't had any better than a fresh roasted chile directly from a road side stand. Its not to terribly spicey if you avoid the seeds, and makes a great attention to camp meals. Your don't have to tell my friend Emily that twice, as the one that got my into chilis, she would walk a mile for a good green chili if she could, granted you got a cold beer at the end.

If you in the area around August 30-31st, be sure to chech out the Hatch New Mexico Chile Festival

House of Joy - Jerome, Arizona

If there is one place in Jerome, that really stood out, it would have to be the House of Joy. A fasinating and unique brothel inspired shop with so many whimisical and old time items and novelties that would almost take a half a day to fully experience. The lady that owned the shop said it had been open for about 4 years, and since its beginning in the late 19th century first served as a brothel to serve the growing mining towns needs, after so it was dormant, and over the years was a home, restaurant, general store, and a variety of things. Interesting how it returned (somewhat) to its original purpose. The shop was very tasteful, and had a good collection of items from the last century ranging from old russian military recruitment posters to watches, old labels and buttons, and of course any type of sex oriented novelty from your grandparents years. Its a definate must see in this town for a fun trip back in history.

Jerome, Arizona - August 1, 2004

In our week long road trip across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, we came across one of the coolest and artsy little towns in Arizona, very near Prescott and Sedona. If it wasn't such a ghost town I could see myself working if not living in the town. It was so much fun we spent the day there!

They also have an excellent winery in the town, called Jerome Winery, with some very superb wines. My favorite was the Alicante Bouschet and the Tempranillo wines. Which if you don't know whats those are, you will have to one day take the $4 course they offer for newbies (wine included).

-the expert wine guy we talked to said this view was "what made the job, a dream job".

-from the local church up the street

-one of the local residents

Eyes of Joy

Definately one of the best shots of the day in my opinion. I have another version that I took, and while good I like the above a bit better.