<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11221" rel="attachment wp-att-11221"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-11221" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030001-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Or have you ever had a place on your fairly local "To Visit" list for . . . . oh . . . . 17 years and then finally got around to visiting?

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I'm embarrassed to say that I heard about Arcosanti in 1995 when I moved to Arizona.  I think it was in the "Welcome to Arizona" brochure or something similar.

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I was intrigued by Arcosanti's claim to fame:  the famous wind bells designed by Italian artist Paolo Soleri.

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Yes, I said wind <em>bells</em>, not wind <em>chimes.  </em>There's a difference.  Which you will hear for yourselves in just a sec.

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What is Arcosanti, you ask?

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It's an urban laboratory experiment in the middle of the desert.

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Or as <a href="http://www.arcosanti.org/community" target="_blank"><strong>their website</strong></a> states:  "Arcosanti is an urban laboratory focused on innovative design, community, and environmental accountability. Our goal is to actively pursue lean alternatives to urban sprawl based on Paolo Soleri's theory of compact city design, <strong><em><a href="http://www.arcosanti.org/arcology">Arcology</a> </em></strong>(<em>arc</em>hitecture + ec<em>ology</em>)."

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There are approximately 60 adults and children that call Arcosanti home, and this number increases during workshop season.

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Groovy, huh?

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Yep.  You guessed it.  Arcosanti was born in the 70s.  It's got hippy written all over it.

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I have a sudden urge to break out into "Peaceful Easy Feeling" right now, but you can't hear me, so what's the point.

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Anywho, FOR 17 YEARS I've wanted to visit Arcosanti.  And then one day a few weeks ago A New Friend invited me.  In fact, New Friend suggested it as a "Playdate Idea".

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See?  I really do listen to your suggestions, dear readers.

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New Friend and I schlepped 1.5 hours out into the desert to enter the Urban Laboratory.  (Technically, it took 2 hours because we were yakking away and passed the exit by a long shot.)

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11222" rel="attachment wp-att-11222"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11222" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030003-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11223" rel="attachment wp-att-11223"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11223" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030005-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

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The desert really is beautiful, no?  Don't you get a peaceful easy feeling just looking at it?

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And you thought the Eagles were high when they wrote <strong>that song</strong>.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11230" rel="attachment wp-att-11230"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11230" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P90300071-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11229" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P90300201-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />

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Ok, so the Eagles were undoubtedly high for most (if not all) of the 70s, but my point is that you don't need to get high to enjoy the beauty of the desert.

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This has been a PSA by Late Bloomer.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11233" rel="attachment wp-att-11233"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11233" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030014-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11243" rel="attachment wp-att-11243"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11243" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030019-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>

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I am one of those people on a tour that doesn't hesitate to ask questions.  Lots and lots of questions.

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I try to filter my questions, as I want my fellow tour members to have the opportunity to pose their questions.  However, I've observed throughout the years that most people suddenly become shy and clam up in tour situations.  I therefore feel a responsibility and a duty to pipe up so that the tour guide doesn't develop a complex.  The Arcosanti tour was no different.

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My questions tend to be relevant and (if I may say so myself) interesting.  Upon seeing this site on the Arcosanti tour, what would your question have been?

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11239" rel="attachment wp-att-11239"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11239" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030025-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

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For me, it was obvious.  We were touring a peaceful easy kinda place.

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<strong>Me:  </strong>"How often are there pool parties down yonder?"

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<strong>Tour Guide:</strong>  "Pretty often."

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<strong>Me:</strong>  "Are they . . . . you know . . . . <em>free</em>?"  * wink, wink *

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<strong>Tour Guide:</strong>  "Huh?"

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<strong>Me:</strong>  "You know . . . . au natural?  In the buff?  Bathing suit optional?"

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<strong>Tour Guide:</strong>  "No."

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<strong>Me:</strong>   "Oh."

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* awkward silence *

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<strong>Me:</strong>  "Well . . . . I bet there were plenty of naked pool parties here in the 70s!"

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<strong>Tour Guide:</strong>  "I don't think so."

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<em>Riiiiight.</em>  And there's some beachfront property in that neighboring Arizona town that the guys from The Eagles will sell you after this tour is over.

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Ok, ok!  Enough of my irreverence!  Arcosanti is a unique and special place.  I highly recommend a visit.  Plan to come at lunch for a delish and nutrish smorgasbord of homemade delights.

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Oh, yes.  And then there's the famous wind bells.  They are made by artisans at Arcosanti, and you can locate them all over the property.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11244" rel="attachment wp-att-11244"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11244" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030013-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11245" rel="attachment wp-att-11245"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11245" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030015-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

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Take a look and listen for yourselves.

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<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zu_YqU1aKZI" frameborder="0" width="640" height="360"></iframe>

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Oddball that I am, I waited 17 years to descend on Arcosanti and didn't buy a bell.  Can you believe this???

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<a href="http://www.cosanti.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Cosanti</strong>,</a> here i come!  And i promise to be quicker this time around.  I am building a secret garden patio, and I will need to add finishing touches in approximately 17 days.

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