CPT Visits Phoenix, Arizona

CPT recently visited Phoenix, Arizona for a business meeting. While visiting Phoenix, CPT’s Mark Spivak also photographed native cacti, climbed Camelback Mountain, ran through the campus of Arizona State University, and visited the incredible Museum of Musical Instruments.

Phoenix, Arizona- Phoenix offered a host of beautiful cacti in all ranges of size.
Phoenix offered a host of beautiful cacti in all ranges of size.

Phoenix is Arizona’s largest city and the state capital. Phoenix has a population of 1.56 million people, which makes Phoenix the most populated state capital in the country and the only state capital with more than a million inhabitants. The Phoenix metropolitan statistical area, which lies within the Salt River Valley, has a population of 4.3 million people, which constitutes the 12th largest MSA in the United States.

Despite its subtropical desert climate and location in the northeastern Sonora Desert, when founded in the 1860s, Phoenix first thrived as a southwestern agricultural center, whereby canals from the Salt River fostered ample irrigation. However, during the 1940s Phoenix became principally a distribution center. Presently, high-tech is the number one industry.

Phoenix has experienced tremendous population growth. From 1940 to 2010 the population has expanded from only 65,000 persons to over 1.5 million. The attraction of industrial and high-tech jobs, the presence of two nearby national level universities (Arizona State University and the University of Arizona), year-round warm weather with little rain, an outstanding highway system, reasonable housing costs, and low overall population density (due to its large land area) has made Phoenix an attractive residential destination. Due to the excellent highway system and low population density, Mark found Phoenician traffic much more manageable than in Atlanta. From a weather standpoint, Phoenix is a haven for those who despise cold or inclement weather. On average, Phoenix has only one day per year below freezing, over 107 days where the temperature reaches 100 degrees, and only one month (July) where there is more than one-inch of rainfall. Interestingly, to conserve electricity, Phoenix does not abide by Daylight Savings Time.

Phoenix, Arizona

Compared to hiking the Grand Canyon the previous day, the climb up Camelback Mountain was less rigorous. The ascent is only 1,280 feet and the distance only 1.4 miles each way. However, the 100-degree temperature and the lack of shade were certainly taxing.

Arizona State University has an urban campus situated in Tempe, a southeastern suburb of Phoenix proximal to Sky Harbor Airport. ASU has the largest enrollment of any public university in the USA, with over 66,000 undergrads and 15,700 graduate students. Admission is guaranteed to any in-state resident who graduates high school in the top 25% of his/her class and who has in excess of a 3.0 GPA in core courses. ASU also has an extensive online curriculum. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked ASU as the “most innovative college in America.” Mark completed a 6-mile run through Tempe, along the Salt River canal, and throughout the campus. The campus seemed friendly and active and a few buildings had photo-worthy architecture.

Mark is a museum aficionado, who has visited many of the top museums in the USA. Yet, Mark believes the relatively obscure Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) should be ranked amongst the best and most unique museums in the country. One reason for its obscurity may be its recency. The MIM first opened its doors in 2010, as the largest museum of music in the world. The galleries hold over 15,000 musical instruments from over 200 countries. Entertaining video presentations that turn on automatically when a patron wearing headphones walks by the exhibit play audio and visual samples from each instrument. Placards meanwhile explain the history of the musical culture and instruments in each country. The exhibit halls are sorted by continent. It is amazing to hear and see the similarity in musical style present in adjoining countries, but to observe slight differences that convert to major differences as one moves more distant in geography. If you are a lover of music, Mark HIGHLY recommends a visit to MIM.

Paradise Valley, Arizona- Although most Phoenicians prefer xeriscapes to grass lawns, this Paradise Valley golf course appears healthy and provides stunning mountain views for the golfers.
Although most Phoenicians prefer xeriscapes to grass lawns, this Paradise Valley golf course appears healthy and provides attractive mountain views for the golfers.
Paradise Valley, Arizona- Camelback Mountain is situated by the border of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and opulent Paradise Valley. The southwestern architecture and landscaping of Paradise Valley's mansions are a sharp contrast in style to what we observe in Atlanta.
Camelback Mountain is situated by the border of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and opulent Paradise Valley. The southwestern architecture and landscaping of Paradise Valley’s mansions are a sharp contrast in style to what we observe in Atlanta.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paradise Valley, Arizona- A gigantic and beautiful southwestern adobe house in Paradise Valley.
A gigantic and beautiful southwestern adobe house in Paradise Valley.
Paradise Valley, Arizona- A stunning Paradise Valley mansion surrounded by the McDowell Mountains to the east and the Hieroglyphic Mountains to the north.
A stunning Paradise Valley mansion surrounded by the McDowell Mountains to the east and the Hieroglyphic Mountains to the north.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and northern Stockdale, as seen from Camelback Mountain.
Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and northern Stockdale, as seen from Camelback Mountain.
Phoenix, Arizona- A majestic cactus, the city of Phoenix, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Hierooglyphic Mountains to the north. Phoenix is one of the flattest cities in the country. It is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains that trap the hot, arid desert air.
A majestic cactus, the city of Phoenix, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Hierooglyphic Mountains to the north. Phoenix is one of the flattest cities in the country. It is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains that trap the hot, arid desert air.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- Phoenix's climate is hospitable to many types of cacti. This is just some of the cacti observed during the climb up Camelback Mountain.
Phoenix’s climate is hospitable to many types of cacti. This is just some of the cacti observed during the climb up Camelback Mountain.
Phoenix, Arizona- A cactus growing on Camelback Mountain.
A cactus growing on Camelback Mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockdale, Arizona- A view of eastern Stockdale, southern Paradise Valley, and the McDowell Mountains as seen from Camelback Mountain.
A view of eastern Stockdale, southern Paradise Valley, and the McDowell Mountains as seen from Camelback Mountain.
Paradise Valley, Arizona- A view of southern Paradise Valley as seen from Camelback Mountain. Paradise Valley is Phoenix's wealthiest suburb and has an abundance of enormous, elegant homes with a wide variety of Southwestern architecture.
A view of southern Paradise Valley as seen from Camelback Mountain. Paradise Valley is Phoenix’s wealthiest suburb and has an abundance of enormous, elegant homes with a wide variety of Southwestern architecture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paradise Valley, Arizona- A view of suburban Phoenix and Tempe from near the top of Camelback Mountain. Camelback Mountain acquired its name due to its distinctive two humps when seen from a distance.
A view of suburban Phoenix and Tempe from near the top of Camelback Mountain. Camelback Mountain acquired its name due to its distinctive two humps when seen from a distance.
Scottsdale, Arizona- A closeup of the Scottsdale suburbs from near the top of Camelback Mountain.
A closeup of the Scottsdale suburbs from near the top of Camelback Mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tempe, Arizona- Wells Fargo Arena, the home of the Arizona State University basketball team.
Wells Fargo Arena, the home of the Arizona State University basketball team.
Tempe, Arizona- The distinctive Verde Dickey Dome, also known informally as "The Bubble," on the campus of Arizona State University. The Dome provides climate-controlled indoor practice for the ASU football team.
The distinctive Verde Dickey Dome, also known informally as “The Bubble,” on the campus of Arizona State University. The Dome provides climate-controlled indoor practice for the ASU football team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- Native cacti outside the entrance of the Musical Instrument Museum. The Musical Instrument Museum is phenomenal and a must see for any museum or music lover who visits Phoenix.
Native cacti outside the entrance of the Musical Instrument Museum. The Musical Instrument Museum is phenomenal and a must see for any museum or music lover who visits Phoenix.
Tempe, Arizona- The stunning Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Arizona State University.
The stunning Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Arizona State University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- One of the introductory exhibits on the ground floor of the incredible Musical Instrument Museum.
One of the introductory exhibits on the ground floor of the incredible Musical Instrument Museum.
Phoenix, Arizona- Have you ever seen this many guitars? An introductory exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museum displaying the progression of guitar design from acoustic to electric.
Have you ever seen this many guitars? An introductory exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museum displaying the progression of guitar design from acoustic to electric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- The Musical Instrument Museum is amazing! There are over 15,000 instruments displayed within exhibit halls arranged by continent and then sorted by country. Each country's exhibit shows native instruments and a television screen that displays audio/video of persons playing and/or singing local music. This photo shows part of the Africa exhibit hall.
The Musical Instrument Museum is amazing! There are over 15,000 instruments displayed within exhibit halls arranged by continent and then sorted by country. Each country’s exhibit shows native instruments and a television screen that displays audio/video of persons playing and/or singing local music. This photo shows part of the Africa exhibit hall.
Phoenix, Arizona- As the exhibit states, "Music reflects who we are." The Musical Instrument Museum does a brilliant job of showing how music reflects culture and how culture reflects music.
As the exhibit states, “Music reflects who we are.” The Musical Instrument Museum does a brilliant job of showing how music reflects culture and how culture reflects music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix Arizona- Instruments from Uzbekistan.
Instruments from Uzbekistan.
Phoenix Arizona- African Drum.rican Drum.
African Drum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- The Asian exhibit hall displays a diverse array of musical cultures.
The Asian exhibit hall displays a diverse array of musical cultures.
Phoenix, Arizona- Instruments from former Soviet bloc countries.
Instruments from former Soviet bloc countries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- Tibetan horns.
Tibetan horns.
Phoenix, Arizona- Indian sitars and costumes
Indian sitars and costumes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- Japanese bells.
Japanese bells.
Phoenix, Arizona- Chinese bells and chimes.
Chinese bells and chimes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix, Arizona- Beautiful flowering in the garden of the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Beautiful flowering in the garden of the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Phoenix, Arizona- Gagaku is Japanese imperial court music.
Gagaku is Japanese imperial court music.