Desert Landscaping

This is what they call "desert landscaping."  You see it all the time at the entrances and exits of freeways here.  They're really fond of elaborate use of boulders, for some reason I haven't quite figured out.  Don't get me wrong, I like the boulders.  I just think they're probably not cheap, and aren't actually necessary. (They've got such a budget shortage here they find any way they can to make a buck, but then spend money on boulders.  Go figure.)

They also use desert landscaping in place of lawns and as part of the "park-like setting" of every apartment complex grounds.

And since it is a holiday weekend, the police are out in force here.  Yesterday morning around 6:00am I was awakened to the sound of sirens.  Someone got pulled over on the street right next to me, on the other side of the wall (every complex here – whether it's apartments or houses – is surrounded by these high walls).  Apparently they found something on the person they pulled over, because a second car came out, which doesn't usually happen for a traffic stop.  (It was probably narcotics, but I'll likely never know for sure.)

Here's an example of the walls they put around everything.  This is from the northwest area, up near Summerlin.  While they're usually a little nicer than this, and often have trees hanging over top to disguise it and make it look less depressingly wall-like. 

You might have noticed, too, that the houses all look very much alike, too..  Not to mention that they are close together and close to the walls.  This is also a common thing here, with both houses and apartments.  I guess being from someplace where house types were all mixed so that the neighborhood doesn't look boring, and had a little character, this drives me a little crazy sometimes.  I'm often surprised that people can find their own home. 

You tell me!

And these are very typical-looking.  Perhaps it's because everything here was built so recently, I don't know.  But I once took my dog to a dog-sitter who lived in a housing complex where every house looked so alike, when I asked how they found their own house, they told me that on many occasions they had pulled into the wrong driveway. 

Though they look nice, these kinds of places (and my own complex is no different) make me want to paint my exterior purple or pink or something!

Stay tuned!  I have some really cool photos coming up!