The Phoenix Experience

It has been over a week since my last post – I am so delinquent!  So, it’s time to play catch up once again.

Sammie Having Fun With Her Minnie Birthday Card

We did have a birthday party for the twins last Tuesday, on March 20^th.  By that time, Cooper was sick with the stomach flu and by Wednesday – the very next day, 5 of the group had the full fledged thing and Tom and I were not feeling well, but managed to escape the severity of what the others experienced.  So not much to report for the rest of that week, other than everyone did get well & all were able to enjoy at least a few days of their vacation.

Tom and I left for Denver Friday morning, the 23^rd where we picked up our travel trailer and headed to Phoenix.  We stayed in Las Vegas, NM on Friday night where we had dinner (Mexican, of course) with our friend Sue Strebe.  And darn, I forgot to get a picture of the 3 of us – it is one of my goals to get a photo of everyone we visit on this trip – and I failed at the very first stop!  So, no picture with Sue, but we did have a yummy dinner and a very good time.  Sue is a bee keeper and she gave us a delicious jar of real “home grown” honey.  Thanks Sue!

Saturday night we stayed in Flagstaff, AZ.  Our dinner at The Olive Garden was spectacular – at least mine was!



Tom At Rancho Manyana

On Sunday we continued south to Phoenix.  It’s been a great week here – lovely weather – which means “not too hot”, time to relax, and time for each of us to do our favorite things.  Of course, that would mean that Tom played a lot of golf and I took a fair number of pictures! 

Self Portrait At "The Town Dump"

We also managed to spend some time with friends and relatives.  On Tuesday afternoon we drove north to Cottonwood, AZ and visited Carolyn Sommers.  Carolyn has been a friend for over 30 years, and she and I used to have a wallpaper hanging business together.  That was a long time ago, and we’ve both agreed that it’s not something we want to do anymore (or probably ever again, for that matter)!  Hah!  We had a yummy dinner (there’s always a yummy dinner involved), some good laughs, and I even remembered to take a picture!

Carolyn, Melissa, & Tom

Wednesday afternoon we visited my sister, Bev and her husband Chuck.  They live in Goodyear, which is on the west side of Phoenix.  We enjoyed the beautiful Arizona weather on their patio and of course, had another yummy dinner!  Thanks Bev and Chuck for the very warm hospitality – we appreciated and enjoyed it!

Bev, Chuck, Melissa, Tom

On Thursday night our friends Nancy & Dean Elofson drove up from Tucson.  They spent both Thursday & Friday nights here which enabled Tom and Dean to play a round of golf on Friday.  While the guys were playing golf, Nancy and I went hiking at The Lost Dutchman State Park.  (Neither of us is a golfer & we both only shop when we absolutely have to – so not for pleasure!)  At the risk of sounding like all we do on this trip is enjoy yummy dinners, I must tell you that on Friday night we ate at probably one of the best restaurants we’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying.  “The White Chocolate Grill” – an unbelievable dining experience.  The desserts are listed FIRST on the menu.  We actually did have an entrée first – incredibly delicious – and the desserts that followed – exquisite might begin to describe the desserts

Nancy & Melissa At Lost Dutchman State Park

Tom & Dean on the Faldo Course at the Marriott Canyon Villas

Melissa, Dean, Nancy, & Tom

We have other friends, besides the ones we were able to see, in the Phoenix area.  I’m so sorry we didn’t have time to visit everyone, but the time simply zoomed by!

Tom golfed both here at the resort where we are staying and at Rancho Manyana – a golf course located in a suburb called Cave Creek.  My two most memorable photo experiences were the Phoenix Zoo and the village of Cave Creek.  There is this store at Cave Creek called the “Town Dump” – really!  There are several buildings and lots of outside space – every nook and cranny is crammed with “stuff”.  I’m not sure what else to call it, but they had everything from pots and pottery to iron works to antiquey things to well it’s indescribable!  I’ve included a few pictures – maybe you’ll get the idea.

A "sun star"? wall hanging (for sale) at the Town Dump

A Classic Golfer (for sale) at the Town Dump

Coca Cola Chairs (for sale) at the Town Dump

Happy Photographer (painted on the wall)
at the Town Dump

It is now Sunday afternoon and we are in Page, AZ – and finally we are living in our camper.  No more 5 star resorts – just a 5 star camper!  This morning Tom joined me at Lower Antelope Canyon for 2 hours of picture taking.  He was a real trooper to put up with all of my craziness!  I will include some Antelope Canyon pictures in a future blog. Until Next time…

Melissa