Temp this AM was 34, which I believe is colder than A2. I can feel your sympathy pouring out to us! The other day it snowed in northern AZ and they closed 17 north of Sedona, and also 40 around Flagstaff. Skiers would love it, but they can't get to the ski resorts. Wed it rained all afternoon here, and most of the night. We went to AZ Biltmore for a nice lunch, and walked around the place. Beautiful facility, but with rooms that start at $300 a night, we will stay there in the next lifetime -maybe. Saw signs in front of some homes in the area: "Mansions 4 Less" We did not enquire. Rode around Scottsdale "Old Town", but nothing screams old town like a sushi bar. Had dinner here at the hotel. Early bird special: dinner rolls, salad, filet, mashed potatoes and vegies, and ice cream for $10.95. Portions were small and the steak was better than Knights, but I suspect that a dietician would say that those are the portions most of us should be eating. May do that again tonight.
Thurs went to the Wrigley mansion and had a nice lunch before J took the tour. Who knew there was that much $ in chewing gum? Then off to another "Mystery Castle" Very funky!
Around the corner from our hotel is a park with a large Christmas tree, made of tumble weeds, sprayed white. Unusual, but pretty, especially at night with the lights on.
Other signs we saw in Tucson: "Come to cool church Christmas service" And a huge sign over the building: "No Tell Motel" - truth in advertising?
Weather is supposed to be better next week, so we will check out Monday and head for Sedona or Lake Havasu or where ever.
Happy new year to one and all. Hope everyone had a merry Christmas
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
12/28
We rolled into Chandler this afternoon and are staying at the Crowne Plaza in "historic" old town Chandler.
In Tucson, we decided not to stay at the Marriott Star Pass. Had Christmas brunch there. Good, but over priced. On the 26th, we checked into Hacienda del Sol, after J enjoyed another brunch of endless mimosas. Nice old hotel (not enough electrical outlets), and cheaper than Holiday Inn.. Spent the afternoon reading and exploring the hotel, which used to be a school for girls. Monday, J HAD to go to the miniature horse ranch, which also had dwarf goats. 45 minutes west of town, in the middle of nowhere. After we left, she complained that it was "dirty". Why my shift, lord?
That afternoon, we visited a glass gallery. Very nice.
Today we had a late breakfast (huevos rancheros) at Mi Nidito. Then off to Chandler. We drove around the Chandler Fashion Center, although I have a difficult time thinking of Sears as part of any fashion center. We passed the Heart Attack Grill, with an ambulance out front and a sign stating they were hiring nurses. Had to try it once, and J was OK, since she is the beneficiary of the trust. When we sat down, the "nurse" slipped hospital gowns on us and took our order. Burgers were 1/2 pound to 2 pounds. I opted for the 1/2 pound , and being a virtuous person, passed on the fries ("fried in pure lard"), with a bottle of water. J had a beer, and nothing to eat. Burger was OK, but the "nurses" were the star of the show. I don't remember nurses with uniforms that tight, low cut in the front, and slit that far up the bank (pink panties). Most of the guys were acting like teenagers, flirting with the "nurses" and getting their pictures taken with them. Been there, done that, no reason to go back.
In Tucson, we decided not to stay at the Marriott Star Pass. Had Christmas brunch there. Good, but over priced. On the 26th, we checked into Hacienda del Sol, after J enjoyed another brunch of endless mimosas. Nice old hotel (not enough electrical outlets), and cheaper than Holiday Inn.. Spent the afternoon reading and exploring the hotel, which used to be a school for girls. Monday, J HAD to go to the miniature horse ranch, which also had dwarf goats. 45 minutes west of town, in the middle of nowhere. After we left, she complained that it was "dirty". Why my shift, lord?
That afternoon, we visited a glass gallery. Very nice.
Today we had a late breakfast (huevos rancheros) at Mi Nidito. Then off to Chandler. We drove around the Chandler Fashion Center, although I have a difficult time thinking of Sears as part of any fashion center. We passed the Heart Attack Grill, with an ambulance out front and a sign stating they were hiring nurses. Had to try it once, and J was OK, since she is the beneficiary of the trust. When we sat down, the "nurse" slipped hospital gowns on us and took our order. Burgers were 1/2 pound to 2 pounds. I opted for the 1/2 pound , and being a virtuous person, passed on the fries ("fried in pure lard"), with a bottle of water. J had a beer, and nothing to eat. Burger was OK, but the "nurses" were the star of the show. I don't remember nurses with uniforms that tight, low cut in the front, and slit that far up the bank (pink panties). Most of the guys were acting like teenagers, flirting with the "nurses" and getting their pictures taken with them. Been there, done that, no reason to go back.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
12/25
Merry Christmas to one and all!
Well, I spoke too soon. J wanted to visit a mission church, built in the 1700's, located south of town. Beautiful old building, and well built: it remained standing when I entered. Then off to Tubac with its dozens of shops in the middle of nowhere. Nice day for walking around. We also drove through the Tubac golf resort. On the way back, we passed through a border patrol check point. They just glance at us and wave us on. But off to the side, they were strip-searching a car while they guarded the driver. After their fellow agent (who was from SE Mich) was killed, you don't want to mess with them.
Christmas eve dinner at McMahon's steak house.
Well, I spoke too soon. J wanted to visit a mission church, built in the 1700's, located south of town. Beautiful old building, and well built: it remained standing when I entered. Then off to Tubac with its dozens of shops in the middle of nowhere. Nice day for walking around. We also drove through the Tubac golf resort. On the way back, we passed through a border patrol check point. They just glance at us and wave us on. But off to the side, they were strip-searching a car while they guarded the driver. After their fellow agent (who was from SE Mich) was killed, you don't want to mess with them.
Christmas eve dinner at McMahon's steak house.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
12/22
People down here wish us a Merry Christmas, rather than the PC Happy Holidays. Being a non-pc person, I like it!
Sun we went to Hacienda del Sol for brunch. Not as expansive as in preevious years, and a few dollaars less expensive, but still very good: shrimp, prime rib, roast turkey, eggs, pastries, salads, etc. But for J, the best part was the endless, or bottomless, mimosa! Spent the afternoon doing laundry, reviewing architectural drawings for our place, and an offer to purchase Orville's home - which J accepted!
Mon some asshole turned left right in front of me. Fortunately, my reflexes and brakes worked, but we were inches from a collision - and that is no exaggeration.
Tues we went to 2 museums and a small mall. I think that J has now visited every museum and gallery within a 50 mile radius, so it is time to move on.
Wed (today) we went out Ajo Highway, southwest of the city, and found Tiny's Family Restaurant. One of those places you would not give a second look unless a friend recommended it. Much larger and cleaner than it looks from the outside, with a good burger. Sign out front: No firearms allowed.
Sun we went to Hacienda del Sol for brunch. Not as expansive as in preevious years, and a few dollaars less expensive, but still very good: shrimp, prime rib, roast turkey, eggs, pastries, salads, etc. But for J, the best part was the endless, or bottomless, mimosa! Spent the afternoon doing laundry, reviewing architectural drawings for our place, and an offer to purchase Orville's home - which J accepted!
Mon some asshole turned left right in front of me. Fortunately, my reflexes and brakes worked, but we were inches from a collision - and that is no exaggeration.
Tues we went to 2 museums and a small mall. I think that J has now visited every museum and gallery within a 50 mile radius, so it is time to move on.
Wed (today) we went out Ajo Highway, southwest of the city, and found Tiny's Family Restaurant. One of those places you would not give a second look unless a friend recommended it. Much larger and cleaner than it looks from the outside, with a good burger. Sign out front: No firearms allowed.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
12/19
Forgot to mention that, on the way to Las Cruces, we stopped at Hatch - the self proclaimed "Chile capital of the world!" The only thing there were thousands of dried chiles. I loved the aroma, but J had a problem with it.
Thurs we decided to visit old haunts, starting with Lodge on the Desert, where we stayed the first few years. Major renovations and additions. Had a nice lunch. It started to rain as we left, and continued the rest of the day. Our first rain on the trip, and the first here in 2 months. Elle, one of the places we liked, moved, so we visited the new location. Glass of wine and antipasto for an early dinner, and a cheese plate to take to the room.
Back to Mi Nidito for lunch on Fri, where I enjoyed a bowl of menudo. Dinner at El Corral, which started with a plate of rocky mountain oysters. They were no longer on the menu that last time we visited, so apparently I was not the only one who complained about their absence. Also visited a farmers' market in the PM. Took J to a shop she wanted to visit, and I parked in front of "Zinburger - a wine and burger bar". Must be good: they had a line out the door at 1:30 on Fri.
J got a massage on Sat and feels better.
Thurs we decided to visit old haunts, starting with Lodge on the Desert, where we stayed the first few years. Major renovations and additions. Had a nice lunch. It started to rain as we left, and continued the rest of the day. Our first rain on the trip, and the first here in 2 months. Elle, one of the places we liked, moved, so we visited the new location. Glass of wine and antipasto for an early dinner, and a cheese plate to take to the room.
Back to Mi Nidito for lunch on Fri, where I enjoyed a bowl of menudo. Dinner at El Corral, which started with a plate of rocky mountain oysters. They were no longer on the menu that last time we visited, so apparently I was not the only one who complained about their absence. Also visited a farmers' market in the PM. Took J to a shop she wanted to visit, and I parked in front of "Zinburger - a wine and burger bar". Must be good: they had a line out the door at 1:30 on Fri.
J got a massage on Sat and feels better.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
12/16
Greetings from warm and sunny Tucson! We arrived Tues, 12/14, and enjoyed a quiet day yesterday: not having to load the car and drive all day was a treat! We are in the Holiday Inn Express across the street from the Tucson Mall (River and Oracle), and had dinner Tues at the Cheesecake Factory. I was sceptical when the front desk suggested it, but it turns out to have a full range of food and drinks. Trying to eat sensibly, we had appetizers and none of the dozens of desserts! Went back for lunch yesterday and had large salads. For dinner, we visited our favorite local restaurant - Mi Nidito. Always a line to get in, and most of the faces are brown. And the food is as good as we remember. (Some of you will approve the fact that some years back, Clinton stopped here and ordered a huge dinner).
On Monday, we stopped for lunch at Sunset Grill in Truth Or Consequences NM (T.or C., as the locals say). Nice little place on a side street suggested by a local. Mon night we stayed just west of Las Cruces and ate at St Claire Winery and Bistro - very good food, and the wine was quite potable. We will back track later and visit some of the southern AZ cities on the way back, but after 3 weeks on the road, we were ready to beat feet for Tucson.
In Santa Fe, most of the locals pretend to be cowboys: "look at my hat, belt buckle and boots - I'm a cowboy!" Sat I was sipping a martini at the hotel bar when a local, wearing what appeared to be real working clothes (with goodly amount of facial hair) rushed in looking for an update on the Army/Navy game. We started chatting and he claimed that he used to teach at West Point - "unconventional war". Maybe - maybe not.
We check into the Starr Pass resort the 24th and 25th, and will return here through the New Year. Then back on the road.
On Monday, we stopped for lunch at Sunset Grill in Truth Or Consequences NM (T.or C., as the locals say). Nice little place on a side street suggested by a local. Mon night we stayed just west of Las Cruces and ate at St Claire Winery and Bistro - very good food, and the wine was quite potable. We will back track later and visit some of the southern AZ cities on the way back, but after 3 weeks on the road, we were ready to beat feet for Tucson.
In Santa Fe, most of the locals pretend to be cowboys: "look at my hat, belt buckle and boots - I'm a cowboy!" Sat I was sipping a martini at the hotel bar when a local, wearing what appeared to be real working clothes (with goodly amount of facial hair) rushed in looking for an update on the Army/Navy game. We started chatting and he claimed that he used to teach at West Point - "unconventional war". Maybe - maybe not.
We check into the Starr Pass resort the 24th and 25th, and will return here through the New Year. Then back on the road.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
More catch up
The drive north from Pecos was made interesting by winds, mini dust storms, and the need to dodge tumble weeds. We were amazed by the number of Chinese restaurants we encountered in TX and NM. The one in Pecos was actually good. The best part of Taos and Santa Fe is the beautiful scenery and vistas. We are north of Albuquerque tonight and I am glad to be back in a modern motel, with electrical outlets and spacious rooms. We have had great luck this trip with Holiday Inn Express, all of which have been newly renovated. And reasonably priced. Competition or economy or both? We left Santa Fe at noon and drove south on 14 to Cerrillos and Madrid. The former is an old dirt town whose claim to fame is that part of Young Guns was filmed there. Mary's Bar is still there. When J walked in, she asked Mary (94 years young) if she was open. "You're in, aren't you?" Then on to Madrid, where part of Wild Hogs was filmed. We ate lunch at Mine Shaft Bar - a great bar. The town motto is "Madrid has no town drunk. We all take turns." We also saw a sign: "Vegetarian. An old Indian term for bad fisherman"
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