South by Southwest

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

    It's all about strategy: the conferences offered to physicians in the winter tend to feature one of two things - very warm, sunny climates and summer-vacation inspired locations, or skiiing. While the Colorado or California mountains looked inviting, I have not skied (downhill) in years and we did have our fair share of wintry weather already! So as I perused the options for CME the search was on for a balmier destination. 

   That had to line up with own travel strategy, however, which has been to combine any trip with visiting friends and relatives as well. Thanks to Mayo Clinic Phoenix, it all lined up in Arizona!

  The first few minutes were vaguely like arriving in Vermont - suddenly transported to a refreshingly different scenery, mountains in the distance. As soon as we hit the highway, the red crags and distinctive road names were all Southwestern!

   Spring is in full bloom here! The sunny yellow everywhere is the Paleo Verde tree (the state tree).

We enjoyed staying part time with Jeff's uncle and aunt, and a few nights at the Kierland Resort. 

Greenery and rocks of all types not found in central Illinois...

 The mountains from our balcony, high above the non-native but very naturalized palm trees all over Phoenix.

The very native, blooming prickly pear cactus!

Never ending fascination, this Southwest.