<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?

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

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

&nbsp;

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

&nbsp;

What is Arcosanti, you ask?

&nbsp;

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

&nbsp;

Or as <a href="http://www.arcosanti.org/"><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, <a href="http://www.arcosanti.org/arcology"><em>Arcology</em></a>(<em>arc</em>hitecture + ec<em>ology</em>)."

&nbsp;

Groovy, huh?

&nbsp;

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

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

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".

&nbsp;

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

&nbsp;

New Friend and I schlepped 1.5 hours out into the desert to enter the Urban Laboratory.

&nbsp;

<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>

&nbsp;

The desert really is beautiful, no?  Don't you get a peaceful easy feeling just looking at it?  Now you know what The Eagles were talking about!

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11225" rel="attachment wp-att-11225"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11225" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P9030020.jpg" alt="" /></a>