I ♥ Wide-Open Spaces

Photo by Lisa E White

One of the most beautiful sights in Scottsdale is the view from the 101 freeway.  Looking to the East, because of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation (SRPMIC), drivers can get an almost uninterrupted view of desert, fields and the mountains in the background such as the McDowells including Pinnacle Peak and Tom's Thumb, Four Peaks, Red Mountain and the Superstitions.   The sunrise heading South in the morning is as breathtaking as the sunset is in the evening, when the sun slides behind Camelback or Mummy Mountain.  This picture shows the Talking Stick Casino, the one multi-story complex newly developed on the land to the East, and Scottsdale Ranch at Via Linda marks the southern edge of Scottsdale neighborhood development that runs up the Shea Corridor to Fountain Hills. However, for the most part the Indian land creates a natural border to the East.  The 101 opened to Shea Boulevard in 1999, and the 101 loop opened to I-17 in 2001.  It is hard to remember the days when Pima Road marked the Eastern boundary, especially the dispute with the Indian community in 1986 when SRPMIC played political hardball with ADOT and closed their portion of Pima.  ADOT later planned to tear down 500 homes near Pima before negotiating a $280 million deal for 9.5 miles of tribal land for the 101.  SRMIC has had continued prosperity by opening two casinos in the mid-nineties.  Scottsdale maintains a great relationship with its neighbor to the East, especially with the opening of Salt River Fields in 2009. (See blog of Pavilions July 28; Talking Stick Aug. 24; and Fall Ball Oct. 12.)