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Spring in Chaparral Park–Baby geese are on the way

Dru Bloomfield — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:37:10 +0000

I took a short bike ride this morning down the Indian Bend Wash path and and then doubled back through Chaparral Park this morning, stopping by the bird island on the south end of the park. It’s spring, and was hoping to see if there were any baby geese or ducks around.

I spotted several eggs out on the island (circled in red). Yes, they are really lying out there in the open.

And, in a few days, or maybe a little longer, they’ll be hatching and looking like this:

These three baby geese (goslings) from last year were adorable, and definitely drew a crowd.

There’s parking on the east side of the lake, when you enter from Chaparral Road. Otherwise, you can enter further north on Jackrabbit, park, and then walk south to the lake.

Biking in Scottsdale–An Easy Way to Explore

Dru Bloomfield — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:07:00 +0000

Getting out on my bike has always been one of the fastest ways for me to clear my head.

The other night, I dreamed I rode my bike from McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale to the 202 Freeway in Tempe. When I woke up the next morning, that’s exactly what I did.

The main north-south bike path in Scottsdale runs from about Shea Boulevard south to Tempe Town Lake. I rode straight down to the freeway and when I got there, decided I might as well go all the way to the lake, since it was only a couple hundred more yards.

Riding under the freeway was interesting. The light was bouncing around, and it felt kind of like a cave, except for how bright it was and the noise overhead.

Just south of the underpass, the path turns west and runs along the lake, toward ASU. With temperatures well into the 100’s, just looking at this much water felt cooler.

Heading north, I took a few more pics to share. The Tempe portion of the path goes through a natural desert area and has a few lights near the freeway underpass.

A mile or so north, you can see the back side of Big Surf Waterpark.

And in Scottsdale, the bike path runs through several parks, most with water.

There’s a Frisbee golf course next to the path in South Scottsdale, and further north, you’ll find the Eldorado Skate Park.

Another view of the “2-lane” path, running along a public golf course.

And then a quick view of the lake at Chaparral Park.

The bike path is flat, except to and from the underpasses. With the newest underpass at Chaparral Road, it’s now possible to get from Indian Bend Road to Roosevelt without crossing any roads.

For a map of this Scottsdale bike path, you can view the Indian Bend Wash Shared-Use Path, and here’s more info on Biking in Scottsdale.

For an overview of bike paths and lanes in Metro Phoenix, see the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Bike Map 2008

Yelp reviews of the Scottsdale Green Belt

More about biking in Scottsdale:

Scottsdale Parks–Did you know?

Dru Bloomfield — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:40:09 +0000

Did you know that the City of Scottsdale has:

41 public parks encompassing 941 acres
4 public swimming pools
105 miles of bike lanes
67 miles of paved paths
143 miles of non-preserve trails.

Learn more about Scottsdale here Scottsdale Parks and Recreation:

A Hidden Treasure: Scottsdale’s Xeriscape Garden

Dru Bloomfield — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:07:17 +0000

I love this little (5 acre!) xeriscape garden in central Scottsdale. I discovered it last year and make a point to stop in every once in a while. Like this morning.

Grabbed a few photos as I was riding through.

The garden is tucked in east of the Dog Park on the southwest corner of Hayden and McDonald.

More about Scottsdale Parks & Recreation:

City of Scottsdale Parks & Recreation Classes: Lots of choices, great instructors

Dru Bloomfield — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:28:59 +0000

I’ve taken family photos for years, and when I got into real estate, expanded into housing a little bit, always using a Point and Shoot. Last year, I bought a DSLR, and was immediately overwhelmed by all the technical details of this new camera.

I signed up for a Photography class from the City of Scottsdale Parks & Recreation. Four classes later, I’m so glad I did. I’ve had two instructors, each with a different focus on photography.

My current instructor, Joshua White, a graduate student as ASU, has stretched me at an artist, while giving me the tools and techniques to understand and effectively use my camera. Some of the first assignments that he gave were fun and excruciating at the same time. I learned so much.

Josh is graduating in a few months, and moving to Pennsylvania. He got married last week, and I was delighted to be invited to the ceremony and celebration at WestWorld. I took my camera, of course!

Our homework for this past week was “Love, in black and white”, and I shared these two photos for critique in class. Above, the post-ceremony antics, with the best man and woman overseeing the wedding photographer. Below, I was able to sneak in a little closer and catch Josh and Liz – totally in love!

Thank you, Josh, for being a photographer, an artist, and a teacher who has made a huge impact on me.

Thank you, City of Scottsdale, for hiring Josh. We are so going to miss him, while wishing him well on his next journey of life!

Why Wouldn’t You Want to Live in Scottsdale?

Dru Bloomfield — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:44:15 +0000

First off… Happy New Year!

The year has started off with a bang, and it’s been a full-speed week.

I caught this video today, courtesy of the Scottsdale Visitors and Convention Bureau. The intent was to tout Scottsdale as a golf destination.

Watch it, and you will see that it’s much more than that!

Why Golfers Love Scottsdale

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the video:

Scottsdale “people are doers, not watchers.”

“lifestyle”

“camaraderie”

“boutique” community

“very vibrant”

“wouldn’t trade it for anything”

“everywhere you look it’s beautiful”

and

Why wouldn’t you want to live in Scottsdale?

“It’s paradise.”

I have to agree with them all. Scottsdale is a hugely vibrant and very beautiful city. I’m so glad to call it home.

My Hero, Dorothy Brunker. (She’s soooo AWESOME!)

Dru Bloomfield — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:26:13 +0000

Dorothy Brunker, of Scottsdale, is my new hero. I’ve seen her at races before, but this past weekend, she really took my heart.

Crossing the finish line of the Runner’s Den / Fiesta Bowl 5K in Scottsdale last Sunday.

My somewhat jaded 19 year old looked at her picture, and said, “Now, that’s cool!”

Yes, and then some. Just in time for some New Year’s motivation. Right?

She’s a regular on the runner’s race circuit. She’s also 83, uses a walker, and finishes a 5K (3.2 miles) in just over an hour. Think about it. That’s amazing, wonderful, and so much more. I love her style, her grace, and her motivation. She’s my hero!