Passing Observations

 I have three observations I made while driving around a nearby neighborhood last week.  First I saw this three stump that looks like it has been fitted with a roof of its own.  Maybe this is a community center for the birds.  

Then I saw these very rustic doors being used at the entrance to one home.  They make an interesting addition to a modest bungalow.

This house has come up with a more elaborate entrance door.  It's just as rustic as the ones above but I like the addition of all that greenery surrounding the entrance.

Mid-Century Modern

 

When I was driving around last weekend, I spotted two nicely maintained mid-century modern homes that were practically next door to each other.  This one with its green and orange paint was especially nice.

This one has certainly maintained that 1950's look and style.  These two houses stood out because almost every other one on the street had been remodeled or modernized to hide that true mid-century look.

Mountain Homes

 

I happened to be in a neighborhood that gave me a good view of some of the houses that cling to the south side of Camelback Mountain so I took the opportunity to snap a few photos.  These are all what you would call luxury homes so many of them are very large.

These will all give the homeowners a nice view over Phoenix with a glimpse of the downtown high rise buildings to the west and the urban sprawl to the east.

Living on the mountainside has it's challenges as my friend who lives on the north side of this mountain will attest.  That said, the views really are spectacular.

A Flash of Color

 

A flash of bright colors caught my eye as I drove past this house so I tuned around to see what it was.  

The homeowners have added some colorful glass sculptures to the front of the house and one along the side where the garage is located.  They are beautiful works of art and they look very nice against the dark color of the house.  

An interesting addition to the front of a house.

Alvarado Historic District

 

I took a little detour through the Alvarado Historic District last weekend and stopped to snap a couple of photos of some of the houses there.

Each of the houses in this district have their own unique style.  

This neighborhood is near downtown Phoenix and right in the backyard of the Heard Museum.  There are lots of interesting houses on these streets. 

Roosevelt Historic District

 

I happened to be in the Roosevelt Historic District last weekend so I took the opportunity to snap a few more photos of some of those grand old historic homes.  I love the huge porch on this home.

Here is another one with a big porch.  These must have been affluent homes back in the 1930's and 1940's when this neighborhood was new.

The porch on this one appears to wrap around the side of the house off to the right.  This area has some really grand looking houses to admire. I enjoy just driving around here and finding the ones I like.

Towering Over

 

I took a turn down a residential street that sits just behind a big commercial area and was struck by the sight of this modest house towered over by a very tall building.  It almost seemed like that building was sitting in the back yard of that house.  

A little further down that same street, I saw two houses with very large trees in their front gardens.  

They are living in the shadow of tall buildings but the tree-lined street still has that residential quality.  

Relaxing in the Garden

 

I was at my friend Glenda's house Thursday evening and we were sitting in her back garden enjoying the warmth after a very hot day.  We topped out at 106 degrees according to the radio.  Simply crazy weather. When her garden lights came on, I couldn't resist a photo of that lovely setting.

A Home for the Birds

 

When I first saw this birdhouse, I thought it was attached to that saguaro "skeleton" at the front of this house.  Later I saw that it was actually sitting on top of a wooden plank.  

The birdhouse looks like a very roomy, ranch-style house with a nice balcony surrounding it.  The wear on the paint around the opening makes me think it has housed many feathered residents.  

Gables

 

Gables tend to make a house look more interesting or give it some style.  A good place to find these elaborate gables is in our historic neighborhoods.  That's where I found these two examples recently.

These two houses were a street away from each other but the style makes me think they might have been built by the same builder.  They certainly have a similar look.

I love driving around in the historic neighborhoods.  I always find something interesting to admire.

Nice Entrance

 

 Since Phoenix is not what you would call a 'walkable' city, we tend to spend a lot of time in our cars.  Since I like seeing new things and experiencing new environments, I sometimes make a point of driving around a bit when I'm out running common errands.  One day last week, I was on my way to the grocery store and it was such a beautiful day, I decided to take a long way to the store and explore some streets I hadn't been on before.  That's how I found this house with the walled front garden.  I stopped to take a photo because I liked the pretty tiles around the door and the tall, ceramic planters.   With all that greenery on the wall and through the door, it looked like someplace other than the Arizona desert.  

Around the Neighborhood

 

Another walk around the neighborhood yielded a few more photos to share.  This extremely full tree was showing a little color in the leaves.  Unlike some trees that turn yellow, this one is turning an redish-brown color.  

I noticed when walking past this house that I could see straight through the front window and into the golf course behind the house.  It looks like the owners can chat with the golfers right from their back yard.

This house had put up some modest holiday decorations. They've made the front door very welcoming.

Another house had this lovely fountain in front for everyone who walks past to enjoy.  

Return to the Scene of the Crime

 

I featured photos of this house two weeks ago when I discovered those two very tall skeletons on each corner of this house.  I happened to drive by the same house on Saturday and discovered even more skeletons frolicking all around the house.  

These three even climbed atop that tall saguaro cactus.  I had to stop for a few more photos.

Normally, climbing on a saguaro cactus would not be advised but I guess it's okay for these three.  After all, they don't have any skin in the game.  

😉

Call the Exterminator!

 

I pulled over to the curb to snap a photo of this house that clearly has a problem with a large-spider infestation.  I certainly hope they have called an exterminator before those fellow make their way inside that house.

When I turned to put my camera down, I saw this fellow approaching my car.  It was time to step on the accelerator and get out of there.

I feel sorry for the mailman who has to walk past this tall dude to get to the mailbox.

Halloween is Making An Appearance

 

For almost a year, this house was surrounded by construction barriers and equipment while it went through a major remodel.  Recently I noticed it has added the Halloween look by adding two very tall skeletons.

It's that time of year!  Skeletons and other Halloween decorations are showing up everywhere.

Framed in Green

 

I took a drive through the Encanto Historic Neighborhood recently and saw this pretty house that has some shrubbery trimmed to frame the from window.  I like the way that looks.  

I haven't done much roaming in these old neighborhoods lately.  Now that the weather is starting to cool down, I'll have to make a point of visiting them more often.

Big Houses

 

Every now and then, I drive down this street in east Phoenix just to look at the houses along here.  It's always been an upscale street but these days, you see lots of older houses that are being torn down and replaced by much bigger houses.  I never know what I'll find.  I liked this nice brick house with the blue trim.  This might be an older one that has been updated.

This one is most likely a new build.  I like it.  It has a definite Spanish look to it.  And, I always am curious about a house with a 'tower'.  I see some staggered windows there so I'm guessing there might be a staircase inside the round part.

Something New

 

Just a block away from the main library on Central Avenue I discovered these brand new apartments.  Two buildings on either side of the street with a bridge to connect the two.  Such an unusual feature for the Phoenix area.  It caught my eye immediately.  

Hillside Abodes

 

I have three more of those houses perched on the rocky hillside of Camelback Mountain. This one has a substantial rock-face soaring behind it.

This one has a lot of windows to enjoy that view looking across the city.

Here's a modern house set on the rocky terrain.  Properties on the sides of Camelback Mountain are pretty pricey.  These houses would be worth a fortune.

Living on the Rocks

 

Every now and then I roam around the Camelback Mountain foothills looking for interesting houses to photograph.  This one is certainly interesting.  It's built on a sloping lot and instead of leveling the lot, it's building hanging over the slope.  

A little further away and higher up, this massive house appears to be built right into the mountain.  This house is HUGE.  I wonder what they do with all that space.