We started out the day by drinking fortified coffee before mutually voting for breakfast out. A quick perusal of options on the internet sent us to a place called the 40th Street Cafe in the city of Phoenix. We soon found that Phoenix is substantially larger than Sundance, Wyoming, or Chamberlain, South Dakota so driving across town takes a while. We must have gone about 30 miles without leaving Phoenix.
The 40th Street Cafe was okay. I continued my dedicated but plainly unhealthy quest for the best chicken fried steak obtainable. It is not, however, obtainable here. Peggy had a Denver Omelet and she said it was great. Prices were very good and so was the food even if I can get better heart walloping fare elsewhere.
We jumped back in the truck, loaded up the Garmin with the coordinates for Phoenix’s Desert Museum and set out. We only got sent the wrong way one time before regaining our course and finding our way into the parking lot at the Desert Museum. I got a cadaver discount of $2 so we parted with $42 instead of $44 and strolled into this neat place. The museum is almost all outside, consisting of flora and fauna of the deserts of the world. There are lots of cactus-like things from all over the planet that have been collected and planted here. A variety of African and Asian cactuses or plants that have evolved such that they can survive in hellish, arid climates are featured as you make your way along the pathways through the facility. The plants were pretty happy since it has been raining and lots of stuff was blossoming. We spotted some Gambel’s Quail, Curved Beak Thrashers, lizards of several types, Cactus Wrens and a variety of butterflies. The paths are arranged so there are shady spots along the way so morons like me can find shelter from the incinerating rays of the sun.
This facility is a pretty good desert park but, unfortunately, it is no match for the Desert Museum in Tucson, where we will be in a few days.