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Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Our trip officially started at the irrepressible Salton Sea in Southern, CA. We finally saw it up close and Bombay Beach more than lived up to the hype I had seen captured by other photographers. Think dystopian theme park meets freewheeling high-art installations meets Woodstock gone bad. No doubt our milestone destination this trip was Tucson but we certainly struck a little gold along the way. It was our second visit to the city in thirteen months and were determined to dig a little deeper this time around. Carol's smart planning and even smarter travel routes guided us through an eclectic list of venues including art museums, exoctic eateries and a few unexpected finds. Keep in mind however, we're not 'manic sightseers' and right on que we switched to 'full-mosey' mode once we pulled into town. After the better part of three and half days we were more than satisfied with our overall haul.

A memorable highlight was the incredible art and story of Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia (1909 – 1982) at the awe-inspiring Degrazia Gallery in the Sun. Hand built by the artist and his workers, the compound is a living legacy to his art and includes the original house, studio, large gallery, small chapel and numerous desert gardens.

And who knew there was a Sand Hill Crane migration destination somewhat nearby. A major one. White Water Draw near Cochise was a place Carol found in route and better yet, we could do an overnighter there and boondock next to these prehistoric aerialists. Some of the bonus-bingo stops through Arizona included another look at the vintage and charming mining epicenter of Bisbee and the frozen-in-the-fifties street of what's left of the neighboring town Lowell. The small and unexpected high-art town of Tubac was a treat as well.

Finally, a few more words about Tucson. It's a wonderful mix of old and new with a robust art presence, a university scene and plenty of yummy southwestern cuisine. What's not to like? Particularly impressive is the rennovation occuring within and around 'old Tucson'. The pure restoration meshes and compliments the contemporary architecture within the Civic Center it surrounds. And the city seemingly gets by fine with just one freeway (located at the northwest end town). It's suppplemented by well placed and effecient expressways and for a good sized town of 530,706, the place feels much smaller. From an outsider's view, perhaps a prime example of master planning gone right!



Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Sculpture - Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, CA
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Windows - Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, CA
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Beachfront Shack - Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, CA
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Tree Shadow - Civic Center, Tucson, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
El Rapido Mexican Food - Civic Center, Tucson, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Butterfly - Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Cactus - Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Vintage Greyhound Bus - Lowell, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Vintage Shell Station - Lowell, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Window Covering - Globe, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Wall Treatment - DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, Tucson, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Metal Door Grafitti - Slab City, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Flooded Gas Station - Tonepah, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Adobe Wire Mesh Window - DeGrazio Gallery in the Sun, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Steam, Nuclear Generating Station - Palo Verde, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Yellow Headed Black Birds - White Water Draw, Cochise, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Sand Hill Cranes - White Water Draw, Cochise, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Sunset Tree Silhouette - White Water Draw, Cochise, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Chain Link Fence - Tucson, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Lake Reeds (ICM) - Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Oil Rail Tanker - Globe, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Texaco Hieroglyphic - Niland, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Wall Adheasive - Bisbee, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Archaeological Dig - Jerome, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Red Hot Pokers - Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Agave Detail - Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Water Drain Spout - Tumacácori National Historical Park, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Bulletin Boards - Salton Sea, CA
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Metal Barn - near Cochise, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Corrugated Metal Building - Tubac, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Cactus - Superstition Mountain, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Cactus Metal Sculpture (14" x 25") - purchased in Tubac, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Mark Signage - Bridgeport, CA
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Storefront Camper Reflection - Globe, AZ
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Carol and Campsite - Superstition Mountain, AZ