Renaissance Festival

The Renaissance Festival is held each year from mid February to the end of March and is just down the highway a few miles from our resort.  It includes lots of medieval games, food and fun.  It is held on the weekends and drives the locals a bit crazy cause of all the traffic on the only highway running through town.  We hadn't been to the festival before and were surprised by how big it was and all the activities.  It definitely warrants a return visit next year.

Lots of crazy characters.
The employees were dressed in costume but so were a lot of the patrons.

These guys were really into their pipes and drums. 

The music had the lasses just a twirling.
Check out the mascara on the beauty below. 

This shot was taken just after we arrived in the morning.
It got busier as the day wore on. 

Camel and elephant rides.
We noticed some protestors on the highway concerned about the care of the elephants.  

Lots of colours with the trees in full bloom.  

This glass blower put on quite the show.
Never seen this before and was very impressed. 

Started off with a small blob of glass on the end of his
rod and ended up with a beautiful  glass pitcher

Here they were adding the handle.  

Whats a Medieval Festival without knights

And a little Jousting

Notice the lance of the knight on the left.
Snapped in two. 

That catches you up to our major outings.  We did head out to the Queen Creek Olive Mill for lunch yesterday which was interesting.  They farm olives and process all sorts of different flavoured Olive Oils.  There is a Peach farm across the street and we may head back there to see all the peach trees in blossom although given the cold winter so far I'm thinking they are a little behind in the bloomin' dept.

I went to Boyce Thompson this morning for my monthly Photography Editing workshop.  I am very new at the editing game and it is very interesting seeing what can be done to both enhance a picture or create artistic variations on the original picture.  

Nothing planned for Sunday then back to hiking, yoga and a few other activities.  We do have another photo shoot planned for Thursday.  We are heading to St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery which is supposed to have a beautiful cathedral and grounds.  Apparently you can take pictures inside the monastery which surprised me however you can't take pictures of the Monks or Nuns unless you ask them and they give permission.  They do have a dress code though.  Only long pants and long sleeved shirts for men and women must wear long skirts, long sleeved tops with scarves covering their heads.  They will provide proper attire to put over top of your exiting clothes if you are unable to comply however at this point Lori hasn't warmed up to the idea.

There is also a little rodeo in Apache Junction so we might head out there on the weekend.  

I am also anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Fed Ex truck this week.  I have both an Amazon order as well as a little something I ordered from B&H Photography out of New York.  I'll keep you in suspense for the time being but I should have a few additions to report on my photo equipment.