black travel | Nestlie B

October 29, 2021 4 Mins Read

Our Surprise Your Eyes Pop-Up Art Experience

Lifestyle

We had a variety of ideas on our things-to-do list during Kola’s visit to Arizona. One of those items on the list happened to be the Surprise Your Eyes Pop-Up Art Experience located in Scottsdale. I thought this would be a unique experience from the moment I saw it appear on my Facebook timeline months earlier. Kola’s visit was the perfect excuse to go check it out.

Our Experience

The Location

Surprise Your Eyes is located in Scottsdale at the Arizona Boardwalk. This location is actually chock-full of fun-filled family activities. There is something for everyone to enjoy at this venue. It’s definitely a good place to visit if you are travelling with a family to the Phoenix area.

Surprise Your Eyes is a 3D selfie attraction which allows you to take pictures within a 3D optical illusion backdrop. The website describes it as an “Instagrammer’s Paradise” which I wholeheartedly agree with. As soon as we walked in, we saw with our own eyes all of the photographic possibilities.

Anyway, we visited Surprise Your Eyes on a Tuesday in the early afternoon. Apparently, this was the perfect day and time to go because we had the place to ourselves the entire time we were there. We checked-in with the staff member at entrance. Then, we were off to see what all of the hype was about.

Let the Fun Begin

Our experience began with the mining cave backdrop. It took a moment for me to figure out the right angle, but I finally got the shot. Fortunately, they have decals on the floor showing you where to stand for the perfect shot. They also have sample photos posted on the walls in order to give you an idea of how to pose in order to get the picture right.

Pop-Up Art Experience at Surprise Your Eyes

Once we got into the swing of things, we moved from one art backdrop to the next. We had a blast trying to achieve the 3D effect depicted in the sample photos. Kola appears in most of the pictures since I’m a bit camera shy, but I did take a few pics in order to prove I was there.

By the time we were done roaming the venue, we had a ton of photos to post online and add to our scrapbooks. I even took my nieces back a few months later so they could experience it as well. They seemed to enjoy the experience too (see the photos below).

Final Thoughts

Kola and I had a wonderful time taking photos during this activity. Even though I had read mixed reviews about this activity, I thought it was nice way to spend an afternoon. I just think you need to have realistic expectations of the place. It’s a fun photo opportunity and nothing more. Don’t expect it to be a thrilling amusement park ride. It’s not that type of place.

Here are a few tips to help you plan your visit.

Tips

Purchase your tickets in advance. The website allows your to purchase your tickets online. They offer discounts at various times of the year. Additionally, I believe the tickets are open-ended. You can go any day and time.
Wear comfortable clothes. You will be sitting on the floor and sometimes climbing the walls in order to get the best shot. Therefore, comfy clothes will be helpful when you are taking your pictures.
It’s a safe place to visit. According to the website, they are following all of the CDC regulations in order to provide a safe place to explore. They advise that you wear masks and social distance. Additionally, they sanitize “high touch areas” to ensure everyone’s safety.

October 29, 2021 4 Mins Read

Our Magical Road Trip to Sedona

Lifestyle

During my cousin Kola’s visit to Arizona, we took a quick day trip to Sedona. I chose Sedona because it’s considered to be a beautiful and mystical place due to its scenery. Also, I figured she would enjoy taking photos of the various views of the red rocks and soaking up the local flavor.

Our Adventure Begins

We arrived in Sedona during the early part of the afternoon after a two hour drive. As I drove us down the main strip leading into the center of Sedona, Kola started taking pictures of the breathtaking red rock formations coming into view.

The Sedona McDonald’s

In an effort to keep our day laid back and stress free, I only loosely planned a few activities for our day in Sedona. For our first stop, we visited the one and only McDonald’s in the U.S. that doesn’t have the golden arches. In fact, the signature arches are a teal color because the locals would only allow them to build the location if it blended into the Sedona environment. I thought this would be a nice first stop on our trip for my cousin to see.

Aura Readings

After our photo op at Micky D’s, we travelled back to the main strip in order have our auras read. I couldn’t resist doing this activity because Sedona is known for having lots of soothsayers and psychics in the area. It is suppose to be a mystical place with strong lay lines. It was an amusing and enlightening experience.

Collectibles Shop

Once our readings were complete, we visited Son Silver West which was situated next door. This establishment was a large collectibles emporium filled with an assortment of odds and ends for the home as well as souvenirs (old signs, art, pottery, etc…). It was a great place to roam because there was a plethora to see at every turn. It was definitely a feast for the eyes.

Early Dinner

By the time we finished roaming through the store, we were ready to eat. We had asked the cashier at the aura shop to give us a few restaurant suggestions and she didn’t disappoint. Out of several options, we decided to visit Javelina Cantina since it was close to our location.

The restaurant was neatly tucked inside a hillside shopping area with views of the the red rock formations. The inside of the restaurant was decorated with Mexican décor and the atmosphere was easy going. The host was able to seat us immediately because we arrived early enough to beat the dinner crowd.

The menu had a variety of items to choose from. We ordered appetizers, a main course, and desserts. With the exception of the Mexican street corn, which was a little bland, we enjoyed every morsel.

Final Thoughts

Sedona is a must see for anyone visiting Arizona. The lovely views alone are worth the drive. It’s definitely a place for tourists that enjoy visiting places that are not the norm.

Here are a few tips if you decide to visit Sedona.

Tips

Visit the Sedona Website. It will offer a multitude of ideas for your visit.
Plan Ahead. There are a lot of activities to do in Sedona. It’s best to create a list so you will have an idea of where you are going and how to get there.
Check the weather. Sedona is located two hours north of the Phoenix area. Therefore, it experiences seasons unlike the southern part of the state. So, don’t expect it to be warm during the fall, winter, or early spring. Dress appropriately for the season.
Take Pictures. The views of the red rock formations are stunning and unique. Therefore, you will want to take plenty of pictures for your photo album or scrapbook.

October 28, 2021 5 Mins Read

Our Tour of Taliesin West: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Desert Laboratory

Lifestyle

World renowned architect and educator Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices built a compound in Scottsdale, Arizona named Taliesin West. Established in 1937, Taliesin West is an architectural marvel dwelling in the heart of the desert. Taliesin was built as a winter home for Wright and his family which was also meant to inspire and educate future architects.

Today, Taliesin West still stands and continues to educate anyone interested in architecture and design. Take a moment to read about our experience touring Wright’s “Desert Laboratory” below to learn more about this popular attraction.

The Tour

Arrival and Check-in

Our adventure began with the drive to site on a bright and sunny afternoon. The GPS led us up a long and winding road for a few minutes. As we slowly drove up the road, we gazed at the landscape surrounding the laboratory. It was dry and sporadically littered with cacti (a normal view in Arizona). Eventually, the road ended at the parking lot and we easily found a parking space for the car.

We walked up the path and checked in at the kiosk. The staff member then gave us instructions on how to use our phones to login in and listen to the guided tour. As usual, my phone was acting goofy (no signal). Fortunately, they were able to provide me with a device and I was able to use it to listen to the tour.

Our Experience

The tour started at the entrance that was located between the kiosk and the parking lot. The moment the audio tour started, we were given some pretty interesting facts about the entrance design. According to the recording, every part of the design had a meaning. The location of signs, the placement of stones, the water features, etc… There was nothing there that wasn’t meant to be there. All features were there to serve a purpose. I was simply amazed at how much thought was put into the design of such a small area.

As we strolled along the path, our digital tour guide continued to explain each structure and the meaning behind its design. I was absolutely fascinated with the concept of compression and expansion that he used in his designs. Most of the buildings that we entered used this concept of small entrances that led into a wide open space. It was very cool.

Another impressive aspect of the design is how Wright and his apprentices worked hard to ensure that Taliesin fit into its environment. The concept of using local materials and creating a design that worked with the weather conditions and landscape of the Arizona desert was absolutely brilliant.

As we continued with the tour, we were able to witness how no stone was left unturned when it came to the design of Taliesin West. Wright and his team were able to think of how to survive living in extreme desert conditions by working with the materials he had at his disposal and learning as much as he could about the natural environment. While on tour we were able to witness how they incorporated these ideas into the design of the living quarters, his office space, the student workshop, and the structures where he entertained his guests.

The Gift Shop

Once the tour was over, I dropped off my listening device at the welcome kiosk and headed to the gift shop. The store was full of items which reflected Wright’s life and architectural style. It was filled with books, apparel, and a variety of art. After perusing the store, we walked back to the car and headed to our next destination.

The entire tour took approximately an hour and half. This included walking around, pausing the audio in order to soak up the sites, and time to take photos and videos.

Final Thoughts

Taliesin West is a delightful attraction to visit in Arizona. It not only provides information about Frank Lloyd Wright, but it also gives you a historical perspective of how his vision impacted the layout and design of Arizona and its landmarks. I definitely would recommend this site as a place to stop if you are visiting Arizona.

Here are a few tips to ensure you have a pleasant Taliesin West experience.

Tips

Use the website to plan your visit. The website is full of information on how to plan your visit, prices, and what to expect.
Purchase your tickets in advance. This will ensure you don’t have to wait and will be able to tour the facility on a day of your choosing.
Bring Water. No matter what time of the year you tour this attraction, Arizona is dry and you are bound to get dehydrated.
Wear sunscreen. This tour is predominately done outdoors and this area of Arizona is bright all year. Therefore, it is wise to wear some form of sunscreen or block while you are walking the grounds.
Bring your headphones. If you chose to do the self guided audio tour, you will need to use your headphones on your device or theirs.
Bring your phone. You will need your phone in order to connect to the website and tour info. If your device is unable to connect (like mine), you can use one of their devices. Just make sure you have your own set of headphones.
Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking on this tour. You want to be comfortable as you stroll the grounds.
Wear sunglasses. Again, it is always bright and sunny here. There is a reason why they call it the “Valley of the Sun.”