Explore This! Tempe, Arizona

Filed in Explore This , The Quirky Lover Posted on July 11, 2011 @ 2:00 pm 11 comments

This week’s tour takes us to the home of my newest literary crush, Atticus, and his Irish wolfhound, Oberon (I may have an even bigger crush on the dog; what a wit!). These, of course, are the main characters of Kevin Hearne’s The Iron Druid Chronicles, of which I’m currently reading the second book in the series, Hexed.

When I think of Arizona, I always think of Phoenix or Scottsdale and the accompanying images of whitewashed buildings, arid desert landscapes, and golf. With all the crazy happenings in Atticus’ life, I thought it was time to see what Tempe looked like…and here it is:

Of course this area will also have its fair share of palm trees.

This is a hotel in Tempe which brings together those whitewashed buildings 
with the rocky steppes in the background, and a small patch of 
grass that looks putting green worthy!

This stadium is home to the Arizona State University Sun Devils.
More pictorial proof of my stereotyped image 
of this area…and it looks so relaxing!

Downtown Tempe, looking a bit similar to the New Orleans post, right?
More of downtown Tempe.
My obligatory night time pic. I love the city lights reflecting off the water!

With the Arizona desert, there would definitely be no shortage of cactus…
some of it even helps Atticus out of a tough spot with a demon!
While this store is actually located in Tombstone, AZ, 
I thought it might just give us an idea of Atticus’ ‘day job’
Yes, folks, there really is a Rúla Búla in Tempe! 
(complete with Irish fare, including Smithwicks)

So, what do you all think? Is this worthy of a visit? How many of you that have read Kevin Hearne’s books pictured the city looking like this? I’ve heard that Arizona is a great place to live because of the dry heat, especially for those suffering from ailments like arthritis. I think it looks just beautiful, either way!

About Jackie


Jackie is a quirky mom, living in Ontario, Canada. She's a bookkeeper by day and a book lover by night. She also blogs at The Novel Nation and writes occasionally for Heroes and Heartbreakers.

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11 Comments

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  • Estella July 11, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Would love to visit Arizona someday!

  • Jackie July 11, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    @Estella – Yes! I think I've only scratched the surface here…

  • Melissa (My World...in words and pages) July 11, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    See. See. You are tormenting me again Jackie. ;D This looks like a lovely place. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  • JenM July 11, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    The problem with Tempe is that it's hot! Right now it's probably 105 or 110 degrees F at least, and it will be that hot right through September. It's a great place to be in the winter though.

  • Jackie July 11, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    @Melissa – hehe, it's my life mission to tease you about these books, which hopefully will arrive soon for you 🙂

    @JenM – But, it's a 'dry heat' *G* I know everybody says that but today in Toronto, it was the equivalent of 102F with the humidity…it was just yucky. But I imagine sitting at Rula Bula with a cold one would help in Tempe 😉

  • Ju Dimello July 11, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    Beautiful place 😉 I'd love to visit someday…

    I always wonder how the residents feel about their place while they live there 😉 since, from the outside, it looks like a wonderful tourist spot..

  • Melissa (My World...in words and pages) July 12, 2011 at 9:35 am

    Well, thanks Jackie! 🙂 I'll keep an eye out. And have to say your tormenting is always fun. 🙂 And great books too.

  • Jackie July 12, 2011 at 9:42 am

    @Melissa – 🙂

  • Jackie July 12, 2011 at 9:58 am

    @Ju – That's a great question! We never seem to be tourist-y in our own towns, so I can see how they would look more attractive to non-residents.

  • Ju Dimello July 12, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    /me nods sagely, pretending to be the brilliant philosopher 😉

  • Jackie July 14, 2011 at 8:58 am

    @Ju – Thanks again for your sage-y-ness 😉

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