Different Sights, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

As Dorothy said, "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." This is definitely not a plant seen growing randomly in the Boston, Massachusetts area.  But it sure does grow here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2200 miles to the southwest.  Boston is a sea level kind of place with a coastal continental climate and Albuquerque's elevation is a mile high along the Rio Grande with a high desert climate.

Trader Joe's, on the other hand, can be found in both places - but not with flowering cactus growing in the parking lot. 

In the days of the old wild west, there were lots of hitchin' post for tying up one's horse.  Now, in a sign of the times, there's hitchin' posts for tying up one's bicycle.  

A cool piece of art in the ABQ Uptown shopping center.  It is called OURE Man - outdoor urban retail environment man.

Ever think about how the eye is drawn to the color red?  There must be some science behind that since we paint important and emergency info in that color.  That being said, however, it seems that the trend today is to paint firetrucks, ambulances, and bright clothing in lime green instead of red.  That suggests that red may not have been the best idea after all. Although this red sure drew my eye......

This was a new and different sight for me.  I have traveled through many airports over my lifetime and only had to sleep in one of them.  I saw this sight when passing through DFW airport (Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas) enroute to Albuquerque. Beneath the overhead monitors showing flight status is a huge pile of folding cots and blankets.  I guess if your flight is cancelled and you elect to stay in the airport, you grab an orange blankie, pick out a cot, and find a place to set it up and sleep in the terminal. Seems like a good idea to me - it's better than the floor.  Ah, remember the "good old days" when airlines would give out hotel vouchers and meal vouchers if they canceled your flight? Ha! Never see that again.