Phoenix impressions

Because of the heat and my own laziness , I’ve spent less time outside than usual in my visit to downtown Phoenix. But what I’ve seen so far is hard to fall in love with.

The streets are too wide, making Salt Lake’s famous team-of-oxen standard seem puny. And empty… even at morning commute time everybody seems to be somewhere else. And the buildings are too big, giant concrete boxes that take up the whole block, often without street-facing shops and windows.

And did I mention it’s hot? Without watering, even the presumably desert-hardy plantings aren’t making it.

I think there are interesting manhole covers still to be found.

This massive art installation was a fun surprise.

This sunset was sponsored by the “We Told You the Arizona Flag Was a Good Design” committee. Well done!