Picacho Peak + Wildflowers

Picacho Peak rising from the fog in the distance

“Picacho Peak is arguably one of the best spots to see blooming wildflowers and cactus in Arizona…”

Picacho Peak in the background of a field of wildflowers — Picacho Peak during wildflower season. Via Picacho Peak State Park.

If you’ve ever driven I-10 from Phoenix to Tucson (or vice versa), it would be hard not to notice the distinctive shape of Picacho Peak rising from the desert floor.

It’s the center of an Arizona state park and a great spot to see spring wildflowers!

Peak Wildflower Season

“…Experience the trails as they wind through a colorful sea of yellow, orange, purple, and red wildflowers.”

–Arizona State Parks

Superbloom

We visited during the 2023 superbloom year, when Picacho Peak was absolutely carpeted in golden poppies and purple lupine!

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February 14, 2019April 28, 2026

Blush: A Color Story

If fire engine red screams Valentine’s Day, blush whispers it sweetly.

It’s a romantic yet subtle shade, as lovely on walls as it is on flowers. Although it’s a more traditional choice for this holiday than last year’s black and white, they look fabulous together. Blush is also great with deep blues or teal-y greens.

Like the illustrations, destinations, and DIYs in this post, blush doesn’t even have to be about Valentine’s Day at all.
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April 9, 2018April 9, 2018

Raspberry and Tangerine #ColorStory

I had been thinking about spring colors, and shades of raspberry pink and tangerine-y orange kept popping up. Even while I was taking in the view of the Colorado River on our last trip to Yuma, a pair of kayaks – one pink and one orange – just happened to float by.

It’s not a color combination I always think of putting together, but a deep orange can look fabulous next to full-on fuchsia.

Since then, I’ve spotted this variations of this delicious duo in art, design, destinations, and DIYs.

1. Raspberry peach lemonade / The Chunky Chef 2. Kayaks on the Colorado River, Yuma. 3. 1957 Swiss travel poster / Artist: Donald Brun 4. Rose and chocolate centerpiece / A Beautiful Mess 5. “Seven Magic Mountains,” Las Vegas / Artist: Ugo Rondinine

6. “Cool Life” fine art prints / Sarina Daikos 7. Apple and root vegetable salad / Lazy Cat Kitchen 8. Sculptural ring / Jaime Derringer 9. Sew-Along: Journal Cover / Caught on a Whim

9. Mexico City Olympics branding (1968) / Lance Wyman 10. Wild Poppy desktop wallpaper / Source: Design Milk / Design: Lisa Congdon 11. Thread necklace / Artelia Accesorios, Buenos Aires 12. Mumbai guide (2010) / Design*Sponge / 2015 guide

13. Printable treat wrappers / Oh Joy! 14. Burano, Italy houses / Josh Trefethen Photography 15. Bougainvillea / Julia Engel

March 26, 2018January 11, 2021

Poppy

The poppy on our patio bloomed over the weekend, so I thought I’d send out this burst of color, in case you could use some extra warmth in your day.

You’ll just have to imagine the chorus of bird songs that go along with it. They’ve really decided to sing their little hearts out these last few days!

October 2, 2017April 30, 2026

Museum Day in the Garden

Last Saturday was Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day. The weather was too good to be inside, but they count the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG) as a museum, so we took advantage of the free admission and spent the afternoon walking garden paths.

I guess a botanical garden is kind of like an outdoor museum with living plants and animals.

We saw a hummingbird and bees buzzing around the Garden’s flowers and a big lizard was just hanging out on a rock next to the bench where I was sitting.

Since the DBG no longer allows picnicking, we ate our lunch at a nearby picnic area in Papago Park and were entertained by ground squirrels scurrying around and birds attempting to carry off pieces of a pizza someone had left behind.

Maybe they’re the reason DBG banned picnicking. You really don’t want grackles flying through your museum and dropping half-eaten pizza slices.