47warlord
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I’m Still Standing
“Piano Man” Matthew Banks closed out the concert with a rousing rendition of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” that had us all on our feet singing along and dancing. Kudos to the guitarist, bass guitarist, sax player and drummer who not only backed up the songs but each had amazing solos!
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A Star
“Piano Man” singer Matthew Banks sang “Philadelphia Freedom” with the video screens behind him showing stars and American flags.
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Elton on Stage
Matthew Banks sang the songs of Billy Joel and then came out dressed as Elton John. This was the view from the first row, which puts you really close to the great music (and the outstanding musicians).
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Piano Man
We had tickets to “Piano Man” at the V Theater, a tribute to the songs of both Billy Joel and Elton John. A small theater, which made for an intimate but energetic show.
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Flames
Since it’s Vegas, every now and then the facade of the V Theater lights up with flames and dramatic music. Just to attract your attention. It sure got mine.
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V Theater
The V Theater in the Miracle Mile shopping center has a North African vibe under a hand-painted sky. Even knowing it’s painted, you still keep thinking the clouds are moving.
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Vegas Sign
Our evening on the Las Vegas Strip started with a walk through the Miracle Mile Shops. Of course, one of them had the iconic Las Vegas sign at the front, so here it is.
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Peek-a-Moo
Driving across northwest Arizona toward Las Vegas, we stopped at a gas station and watched a cow wander across the parking lot and then hang out in a ditch. Not what you expect to see looking up at you when you get out of your car!
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Verde Valley Trail
Our campground in the Verde Valley of central Arizona has a number of trails around the campsites and along the sides of the bush-lined valley.
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Oak Creek Cliffs 3
Red and white cliffs keep appearing above the Oak Creek Canyon road to Sedona, AZ.
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Oak Creek Cliffs 2
Another view of the cliffs above the Oak Creek road to Sedona.
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Oak Creek Cliffs 1
Looking up at the scenic cliffs above Oak Creek on the drive down to Sedona, Arizona, you see sights like this.
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Canyon Drive
The road down into Oak Creek Canyon above Sedona featured plenty of trees with occasional glimpses of the white and red cliffs on either side.
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Navaho Jewelry
A number of Navaho tribal members had handmade earrings, rings and other colorful pieces of jewelry for sale. Elaine found a pair of opal earrings that looked great on her!
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Oak Leaves
Above Oak Creek Canyon, the oak trees were beginning to turn fall colors, mimicking some of the shades that we would see on the rock walls once we descended into the canyon.
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Canyon Colors
Oak Creek Canyon above Sedona, AZ was showing some fall colors down among the rock outcrops.
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Oak Creek Canyon
At the top of Oak Creek Canyon, we looked down into the distant valley before driving down the hairpin turns to the scenic views below.
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Cooper
Resting on limestone steps after walking around Montezuma Castle, our dog Cooper was ready for another adventure.
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Shady Stream
Where the water from Montezuma Well emerges from a nearby shady hillside, residents built a canal that ran for miles and irrigated acres of corn, beans and squash over 600 years ago.
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Cacti
Without water (such as from Montezuma Well), this area mostly grows juniper bushes and impressive plots of prickly cactus.
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Ruins by the Well
These foundation stones are from a building near Montezuma Well. Though abandoned by 1425, local Hopi, Zuni, and Yavapai tribal members recount oral histories of their ancestors living here.
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Lakefront Property
This dwelling in the cliff above Montezuma Well is the last surviving of more than 30 stone structures that were built around the rim of the lake before 1400.
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Montezuma Well
A surprising lake in the middle of the desert, Montezuma Well is a limestone sink with 15 million gallons of fresh water that has spent the last 10,000 years flowing underground from the high Colorado Plateau around Flagstaff.
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Castle Model
This reconstruction of the inside of Montezuma Castle reveals some of the different activities shared by the Southern Sinagua people who called it home in the 1300s. What we don’t know is why they abandoned the site; was it resource depletion, disease, group conflicts, or a changing climate?
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Bricked In
A well-preserved section of a five-level apartment structure at Montezuma Castle.
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