Saturday, July 23, 2011

Arizona Castle - Scavenger Hunt Photo

Tovrea Castle
Phoenix, Arizona
USA
#14 - A castle

So, I went and got myself involved in Rinda's summer photography scavenger hunt, and I have been obsessing about taking pictures of this local landmark as part of the challenge.

The photo above is the one I'll use for the challenge,
but here are a few more for your viewing pleasure:

Rinda's list for the scavenger hunt included "a castle," and the only one I know of around these parts is Tovrea Castle that sits up on a hill overlooking the city of Phoenix. Oh sure, it doesn't look like your average mid-evil-castle-with-lush-landscapes-and-moss-growing-on-its-sides. And its only saving grace for me was the romantic story behind it. But then I found out that my version of this castle's history {that I'd always heard to be true} was quite different from the real one.
My version: Once upon a time there was an Italian rancher who loved Arizona and longed for his love to join him in the desert. In order to entice her to move from Italy, he promised he'd build her a beautiful castle, high on a hill, and it would be shaped like a wedding cake. { So, the fair lady traveled from afar to join him, only to find that what he had built and where he had built it wasn't exactly what she had in mind. So, she returned to Italy and left Senor Tovrea alone in his cake house.
You can read the real story here, though I promise it's not as fun as mine.
;o)
I thought it was cool that I could see Camelback Mountain from where I was standing. It's rare to have a view of the entire mountain from city level. {See how it's shaped like a camel's back? The camel's head is to the left, blocked by shrubbery.}
Photographing this castle was a bit tricky because it's closed to the public and there was no parking lot for me to safely land in. I had to pull off the road and walk a little ways in order to peer over the fence and take a few pictures.
 And, Mom, if you're fretting over this, wait till you see my graffiti shoot.
Happy weekend, everyone!

8 comments:

Amy said...

You surely deserve added points for adding in such a lovely story!

debs14 said...

I am very much preferring your version of the story! I think that I may have to 'think outside the box' for my castle even though England has dozens of the things, none are near me!

Alison said...

I DO love your story...will it ever open do you think?
Alison xx

Denise said...

Beautiful photos and love the story, I really don't think I will be able to fond the stuff on the list - but everyone is doing so well so far x

Sian said...

Wow, just think - if it hadn't been for the hunt I would never have discovered a castle in the desert!

Margaret said...

You always do the most fun things! Hey! I go the book and am already half way through it. I hope to post on it soon, but I've having some computer problems. Wish me luck. (Thanks so much! I can't wait to pass the book.)

Mom said...

Okay, tell me the graffiti shots aren't of downtown near that crazy cafe we went that day! And tell me you didn't go by yourself!! Then I'll be fine! These pictures and story are magnifico! Very clever! xoxo

Maria Ontiveros said...

Hmmm . . . the plot thickens on what you were photographing the other day. Can't wait to see the graffiti shot. And I love your castle. So fun to see what everyone is doing. I think my Houston cousin is planning a trip to White Castle hamburgers, as castles are just as hard to find in Texas as Arizona. LOL!
Rinda

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