The misty Monday morning started with a hike up Pinnacle Peak. Nice walk.
We debated if the afternoon Giants game would be rained out. There was 70% chance of rain that day.
June, Bruce, Maryanne, and myself did the annual pilgrimage to Scottsdale for a week of sun and fun.
Some trip info:
Both couples drove, but we took separate cars. June and I spent both Saturday evenings (going and coming) in LA with June's son and his wife.
It POURED on Sunday morning as we were leaving LA for Scottsdale. We actually heard a loud thunderclap when we were getting into the car. But once out of LA, the weather was nice all the way to Scottsdale.
Monday we had a little rain. Then it was a comfortable 75 or so everyday.
Dennis set us up at the Resort Suites with a great rate. Swimming and hot tub just about every evening.
Not shown: 2 rounds of golf at Paradise Valley Park Golf Course.
Bruce, Dennis, and myself one morning.
Another with the four of us.
On Sunday morning (coming home), we had breakfast with Chris and Teresa at The Original Pantry Cafe . What a bizarre treat!
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The misty Monday morning started with a hike up Pinnacle Peak. Nice walk. We debated if the afternoon Giants game would be rained out. There was 70% chance of rain that day. |
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Timmy started the game, then everything went downhill. Shown here, with two out in the top of the third, the Rockies up 5-0, and Timmy is leaving. Shortly after this, the sky opened and the game was rained out. We got our money back. Thanks to Mic for the great seats. We went to three games in the area. The Giants scored a TOTAL of 1 run on a Miguel Tejada home run. Now (with 137 ABs into the 2011 season) he has one more. |
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We had dinner one night at Don and Charlie's, well known for their sport memorabilia. These few baseballs caught my eye. |
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Tuesday afternoon at Angel's stadium in Tempe |
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We parked a way from the stadium. So after a day of fun and several beers, we decided to treat ourselves to a ride back to the car. I forgot our driver's name, but we were good to him. |
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Here we are eating at some joint before the Thursday night game in Scottsdale. I think her shirt is a commentary on the Giants. But it could be me. |
A highlight of any trip to Scottsdale is the hike up and down Camelback. On Wednesday, we started on the East McDonald Dr side and came down on 64th by the Phoenician hotel (we took two cars for those of you paying attention).
I dropped them off at the parking lot and parked the car about a mile down the road, then jogged back to the parking lot. I'm NOT complaining; I need the exercise - that hike isn't quite enough for me (HA!!)
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We weren't alone. An unbelievable crowd gathered at Camelback Mtn. Kinda like an "E" ticket at Disneyland. |
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At the top of Camelback. |
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Coming down off the other side of the mountain is a little slower at the top. The 'trail' is not as well-defined. Bruce and Maryanne are at the top of the image. |
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June posing with a cactus. She is very tough. You know that has to be KILLING her arm! Phoenix in the background. |
Friday we all took the two hour drive to Sedona. Bruce wanted to show Maryanne the Black Mountain walk in Cave Creek, so June and I headed up earlier.
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We researched this nice 2 hr walk to the 'most photographed' mountain in Sedona, Cathedral Rock. Here it is from the Oak Creek / Baldwin trail. |
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The first half-mile or so is along this river. June had to use the facilities, but none were around. |
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Actually, she was taking this beautiful picture. |
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A lady that we passed told us the Cypress trees were twisted because of the 'Vortex' stuff going on there. I'm not sure you want to stand so close to that tree. You are already pretty twisted. |
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The hike up the hill suddenly turned difficult. My choice was to offer June a hand or take a picture of her struggling. We got a little past this point and called it quits. The stacks of rock are trail markers. |
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From Cathedral Rock You can see a church at the bottom of the mountain, between the two peaks. |
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Chapel of the Holy Cross church built into the landscape. |
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Inside the church. It has that familiar 'Catholic' offering candle smell. |
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We all went on a nice hike to the "Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole" (link has better pictures than us) and three of the "Seven Sacred Pools". It also offered great vistas of the surrounding hills. The trail is off Soldier's Pass. |
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Near the sacred pools, Bruce pays homage to the sacred Blarney rock of the great southwest. Fortunately for us all, June is always vigilant with her camera. |
At the suggestion of a ranger at the Red Rock Gateway Visitor's Center, we drove the 8 mile Upper and Lower Loop off 89 in Sedona. We stopped every few minutes and piled out of the car to take, yet another, unbelievable picture. This is nice shot of Cathedral rock and background. |
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Panoramic from the airport. The smaller canyon to the left is the Soldier's Pass area where we walked. |
