This weird scene is in a housing area in Maricopa called "The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado." In the background, behind a cinderblock wall, is a mostly-finished neighborhood. In the foreground is a barren field that has been prepared for more housing but is sitting idle---probably related to the tanking of the housing market in 2008. As with other housing areas in Maricopa, streets are paved, sidewalks have been installed, utilities are in place, and weeds are growing in the dirt.

Blank spaces like this are ugly but offer some visual variety. The housing developments of Maricopa all look the same and every one is surrounded---in whole or in part---by a cinder block wall about seven feet (2 m) tall. The sameness rots the brain. I feel sorry for any children living in this dreadful cookie-cutter environment.

Photographed from Placone Road as I sat on my recumbent trike.