More summer adventures around town

It's an interesting dilemma in life trying to find a balance between work and time with family. I don't work a traditional day job and the entertainment industry is naturally slow in the in the summer months around Phoenix. Lesa is a teaching assistant and is off for the summer. We have lots of time for adventures but not as much money for them. We are running a bit low and have decided to put a couple of the National Parks on hold for about 60 days. We've done almost all of the sites that are at higher elevations or northern locales that are cooler. The remaining ones are in the southern part of the state and would probably be too hot to enjoy. We are making a California run for Legoland and that will require some cash so we are switching to some local adventures for the remaining three weeks. We'll finish the National Parks on October break.
Above- This is a photo out in front of Skysong- it's a think tank adjacent to ASU that has a giant shade sail out in the courtyard. I just like the contrast in this photo. Lesa says that she was feeling like a blow torch was blowing in her face and that's why her hair is the way it is.

Below- Here's the SSIQ- Shade Sail In Question.

Down town Phoenix- US Airways center. The Phoenix Suns play there. Lesa and I went to see Sting and the Police in concert there a couple of years ago and Shaw and I went to see the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus there. The curved roof line behind it on the left of the frame is Chase Field where the Arizona Diamondbacks play- Shaw and I went to a game a couple of weeks ago. The roof is open today to get some sunshine on the grass inside.

Here we are outside of the Police Museum which we discovered too late is under renovation for a few months and will re-open in the fall. We are right beside the light rail train tracks or "Phart" as it is affectionately known around here- Phoenix Area Rapid Transit system.

A small bit of downtown Phoenix.

Here's us at the Arizona State Capital Building.

We are in the upper gallery/viewing area above the legislative chambers. This is a great picture of our family.

I'm standing where the Arizona Constitution was hashed out in the fall of 1910. Arizona joined the United States in 1912 on Valentines Day. It was the 48th state and the last of the "continental" states. Alaska and Hawaii joined still later. The State is gearing up for a centennial celebration next year and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is performing at US Airways Center (see pic above) as a part of the festivities. Tickets already sold out a year in advance.

There is a Liberty Bell replica out front- sans the crack. Shaw touched it and burned himself and exclaimed how hot it was and Lesa- ever curious- also had to touch it to see how hot it was. No permanent injuries thankfully.

Finished off the day with a street taco at El Taco back in Mesa. No pictures- we were too busy eating...