Some Whiskey Row critters

In case you weren't aware of it, there is a minor zoo along Whiskey Row. No, I am not talking about animals artwork in the galleries or geegaw collections for sale in the shops. Instead, these are decorative critters that you see so often that they disappear from your consciousness.

Starting at the top of the Palace. First, someone out there help me -- what do you call the architectural decorative element above? In any event, the section that I'm interested in includes not one or two but three critters:

There's the mountain lion/puma/cougar...

...a hungry bear
...and, in the middle, the prey -- a buck deer. All are elements reflecting our local wildlife.

As is the longhorn skull in the middle of the sign advertising Matt's Saloon. Complete to glowing red eyeballs.

An amusing contrast at the Birdcage Saloon sign -- the pretty blue parrot sitting on the "C" -- and the sculpted raptor looking as though he's ready to pounce the parrot with his open talons. No question that the raptor is the local guy, tho apparently there was "international" trade in such exotics as parrots long before white man arrived in Arizona.

As for the African giraffe and zebra -- I discovered them one day while eating a tamale at Angelina's. The animals were displayed high up on a ledge over the front door.

Winter Links: RV-Boondocker Explorer has settled for the winter in Silver City NM, where he just enjoyed a pretty dusting of snow. Tales From a Birch Wood, who blogs from Dublin, introduces us to a pleasant concept -- winter cherries, which are just coming into bloom. The third link is in a totally different quadrant. As you are no doubt aware, there are bloggers dedicated to very, very narrow niches; this individual collects intel on how writers, artists & other interesting people organize their days at Daily Routines.

No photos please

Can't figure this guy out. He runs a small shop on Whiskey Row that's chockablock full of hats. For the cowboy, the biker, the hiker, the golfer. You name it, he has a suitable hat. Even for Dr. Seuss' famous feline. You'd think he'd like publicity, exposure, getting the word out. And pictures on the Internet. But no way! Look at those signs plastered on the door. The act of photography somehow falls in the same category as soda pop (or beer) and sticky candy. The drinks & food I understand. But photos??? I can't believe that he offers totally custom, one-of-a-kind toppers that might potentially be copied by a spy serving a factory over in China. I guess one can't be too careful these days.

PS -- I did get some pictures inside last fall when the Aussie Bro was visiting. He bought himself a fine cheesecutter, which I'll show some day when I do my HATS post.

Official alley tour

It took Saturday's Prescott Photo Walk to show me the many features of Whiskey Row Alley.

Would you believe that in my several years of wandering downtown Prescott, I've never done the back side of Whiskey Row? Certainly not because I eschew alleys; as the underwear of a city, alleys are usually full of Great Stuff that wows the picture taker in me. It turns out that this particular lane has been quite gussied up for the tourist crowds, no doubt due to the comparatively new city parking garage and the nearby mural.

Be that as it may, it is certainly photogenic, from the back brickwork and fire escapes of the Hotel St. Michael at the Gurley Street end...

...to the back entrances to the handful of saloons that remain in business on the Row, including Matt's, Moctezuma's or is it the Bird Cage?...

...and, of course, the Palace, which includes pleasant outdoor seating (for smokers, I presume).

These are some of the Old Tyme signs that decorate the Palace outdoor patio.

Galleries, too, make themselves known at the back door.

Of course, these old brick buildings date from days when air conditioning was a pipe dream at best; now many of the windows that once furnished needed fresh air are boarded or bricked up. I tend to consider this too bad; in my world, the more windows, the better.

There are two structures on the alley that are new since I moved into Prescott. One is the city parking garage...

...the other is the thoroughly augmented and very R.E.D. Old Firehouse Plaza. Don't you like the idea of formal gowns showcased on the second floor facing an alley? The plaza, which is at the Goodwin Street end of Whiskey Row Alley, has entry gates on both the street and the alley.

This big, busy power pole is the final punctuation mark putting an end to this segment of Saturday's walk.

Oh-oh! Prescott Style caught a not quite literate sign over at the high school.

Strolling Downtown Prescott

After my lemonade at the library lizard unveiling yesterday, it was time to move on, heading for the post office, the Square and Whiskey Row. It was hard to miss this pale yellow hollyhock, prospering in the crack between the alley and the wall of my favorite court building on Cortez Street. It probably grew from a seed from the little rear garden at the upper right. I always applaud the local hollyhocks which manage to grow all over the downtown area if given half a chance.

On the other hand, the landscapers at the post office had another idea about how to cover ground in a small flower bed -- plant hens & hope for chicks later on. Not nearly as colorful as the semi-double old fashioned red roses blooming in many of the cross walk containers (below).

Another photo op along the way -- a very, very pockmarked utility pole in an alley. And, below, a sewer cover that tickled my fancy, in part because it was made in the USA. Antique, no doubt. I found myself wondering if we now import our heavy iron sewer covers from China, along with our computers, our plastic toys and nearly everything else.

Over on Whiskey Row at the Arts Prescott Coop, a cool flag had been painted on corrugated iron -- an idea that worked quite nicely. Also neat: the way that the Courthouse reflection merges into the field of blue. Nor could I resist the sinuous, sneaky Oaxacan tiger below. At Sun West Gallery.

Sticking my nose in another door revealed a display of modish crosses (above). The cute little moose below is dedicated to my daughter, whose Alaskan veggie garden has been invaded by moose who are not nearly as cute. She did, by the way, come up with an excellent moose take-off of those LOL Cats pictures which are so popular.

Oh yes, I happened to look up at the skull in front of Matt's and discovered his bright red LED eyes. You discover something new everyday, if you just keep your eyes open. (End sermon.)

This Friday, I was quite aware of visitors from far places; for example, accents from Spain, England and Scandinavia. But what would Whiskey Row be without some bikers to add color. Plus a touch of macho, aided and abetted by products such as jalapeño peanut brittle in one of the snack shops. Are you ready to try it?

There were other sights to be seen downtown. A curious example is the face in the tree above; more prosaic, the invitation to add one or two more to your collection of high tech goodies.

This car is a new sight, I believe. It is a good example of how people manage to survive in desirable Arizona mountain towns where good jobs are very few and far between -- create the right business or service.

And -- signs of the peak oil times? Of our future? Not one, but two folks with bicycles plus little yellow wagons, neither containing an infant. Can bicycle rickshaws be very far behind?

Cool Sites: Dagny managed to get a great shot of a Cooper's hawk that was stalking her bird feeders; Smile 'n Sigh laments the passing of old fashioned brick sidewalks.

Local history in art

Our local downtown library is a delight for the eye; for the would-be photographer, it is a challenge and a great frustration! First, you should know that one can spend a good afternoon just locating -- and admiring -- all the art work and artifacts on display. Today I saw bronze miniatures of local statuary. Old cameras. A beautifully carved bench. A fine collection of kachinas (impossible to photograph!) A dinosaur with temporary rabbit ears and a mountain lion plus a bronze girl sitting on a garden bench.

But the over-riding theme: local history in varied media. It took three pictures as well as awkward angles to capture the huge quilt which moves from the horse-drawn cart to the computer age. This quilt is only one of several that greet visitors who arrive via the main entrance.

Another fiber arts depiction of parts of Prescott history will be found in the lower level. It appears to be an applique project.

Detail: an Indian woman.

Detail: a member of the Walker Party panning for gold.

Detail: the arrival of the railroad.

Finally, the series of mural-style paintings of high points in our history by Paul Coze. And here I must apologize to the artist. The work is mounted at the landings of a 2-storey staircase starting at the lower level and going all the way to the administrative offices at the top. Shooting angles were very awkward and lighting was difficult; as a result, I cropped in on pictures to avoid showing the amount of distortion in my final images and had to play PhotoShop games to compensate as best possible for spotty flash.

The Mountain Men -- trappers and explorers.

The gold miners.

The first Ft. Whipple -- and the Indians.

Arizona's first territorial capital.

The first rodeo.

Whiskey Row, Shady Ladies and games of chance. I do believe it's all happening at the Palace.

A town growing up enough to entice more prosperous settlers from back East.

And a garden party to celebrate the taming of the land beyond the Bradshaws. As you can see, our history is a short one -- from roughly 1840 to the present day. (And, yes, I will have other pictures from the library soon!)

Linkage: I should have made mention much earlier of the thoughtful commentary written by Lucy (Box Elder) about how Mom enjoyed reciting poems, memorized as a school girl, up until her final days. Thank you again, Lucy.