Arizona Trip Jan 2021

Friday:

This year we had to come up with a different place to go since Mexico wasn't going to work. If going to Mexico we would've had to test for Covid upon our return and if positive we would have to stay two additional weeks. Felix had already departed for Arizona, Erma stayed back for her second vaccination. We decided to rent a vacation rental in Gold Canyon, Arizona only 15 minutes from Apache Junction. We took a direct flight out of O'Hare departing at 6 PM. Matt was bragging about getting an amazing airport dinner. $70 later we were not too thrilled with our beef jerky and ham sandwiches. Felix and his neighbor picked us up at the airport at 9:30pm. We got to borrow Felix's car this week. We dropped him off at Roadhaven and made our way to our amazing rental after stopping to get Popeyes chicken. We were all famished at 11 PM 12 PM Stoughton time. The chicken pita and Oreo shake was amazing. Our place had four bedrooms, three baths, outdoor pool, outdoor and indoor fireplaces, outdoor bar, outdoor fire pit, and large flat screens TV's in every room. Our ceilings were vaulted.

The living room had huge bamboo ceiling fans that looked industrial they were so huge. The place was in a gated community with million dollar homes. Everyone backed up to the Gold Canyon golf course. Many times we had golf balls hitting our place.

Saturday:

This morning I ran an hour, out and back. Matt hit the grocery store while I ran so that we had breakfast to eat. Next we headed to Apache Junction, Matt and I, to get the weeks worth of groceries at Fry's. Matt wanted to shoot me a given I was spending way too much time checking ingredient labels. Once back to our place we unloaded groceries and had some lunch. We decided to hike wind Cave Trail. It was a 3.7 mile out and back. Halfway, at the summit, we checked out an amazing cave that had spectacular views. We picked up Felix this evening and decided to go out to dinner in Apache Junction. Afterward we came back to our resort and and hit the hay as it was a bit late.

Sunday:

This morning after my morning run and breakfast we decided to pick up Felix and go to the swap meet. I had intentions on getting a sweatshirt...no such luck. I did buy raspberry chipotle salsa! Greta bought fossil rocks. The whole time it was a cool 45 degrees and raining. We also hit Walmart that morning to buy Felix a replacement wind shield wiper blade as his decided to fly off going highway speeds! Thank goodness we didn't hit anyone behind us! Felix ended up coming back to our place today so that we could all watch the Packer game and celebrate dad's birthday. I went to the store to buy the ingredients for our amazing chocolate cake topped with Reese and vanilla peanut butter frosting. Awesome idea on the frosting Noelle! After making up our cake, the girls and I went out to take photos. We got beautiful mountains views while standing in the middle of the road. Afterwards we had burgers and tater tots to celebrate dad's birthday. We went on a twilight family stroll around our neighborhood gaucking at the million dollar homes. Afterwards we watched dad open his gifts....the infamous

Walgreens photo calendar and his Camaflash readers. We devoured our home cake and ice cream while chatting with Erma on speaker phone...it felt like she was right with us! We all crashedr after an episode or two of Glee. Even though Felix was begging for more.

Monday:

This morning we were awoken by the sound of coyotes fighting. Wow, were they loud. We loaded up the car and headed down the highway with intentions on seeing Sedona. Two hours in we double checked the weather as snow flakes were beginning to fall. Sedona was under a winter storm warning...3-24 inches of snow! They predicted road closures, so we decided to play it smart and turn around. We dropped off Felix at Roadhaven and then decided to go to Tortilla Flats and Canyon Lake. It was raining so our roadside photos were quick. Once to Tortilla flats we hit the gift shops and got our ice cream fix. I had the most amazing coffee gelato I have ever had. Greta had black cherry ice cream.

Matt had cookies and cream ice cream. Noelle had the same. Once back to our resort Greta and I did some water therapy as I like to call it (hot tub inside, cold pool dips outside and then hot shower inside). Boy does that wake you up!! MeAnwhile Matt went on a run. After chilling we decided to go find Mexican. That evening Matt won the contest of having the worst case of ADD on the planet. We couldn't make up our minds on a restaurant if our lives depended on it. What we did settle with was really good. I loved my shrimp taco salad. Our waiter was so funny!! The wittiest waiter I've had in sometime. After dinner we headed home to watch more Glee and for Greta and I to play kings in the corner.

Tuesday:

We opted to let the kiddos sleep in and both enjoyed morning runs. The kids did not have any zoom calls with school since Stoughton had a snow day. I packed up lunches and we headed to Superstition Mountains for a hike. The 40 degree temps and cool breeze weren't going to stop us. Halfway through our loop the snow began to fly. Luckily Noelle spotted a area protected from the wind...a cliff rock...where we decided to have our lunches. We had to admit...lunch could have been sandpaper and tasted good...we worked up an appetite with this hike! Afterwards we made our way back to our resort and chilled till it was time to head to our pizza place to meet Felix and his neighbor friends. Matt and I went on a walk through our neighborhood. The gold course was snow covered!! Our meeting time was 4:15! And Noelle thought my 5:30 dinners were early! Afterwards we went back to Roadhaven for a golf cart ride with photography and an evening dip in the warm pools. Even the cool pool was warm! We relaxed a good hour while watching Dad attempt the butterfly and Felix catch any conversation possible with nearby persons in his swim diaper (floatation). I drove our golf cart home while the girls sprinted in their wet bathing suits. We played Euchere with grandpa while devouring popsicles. We again had Erma on speaker phone with us...felt like she was right there! We then headed back to our resort and crashed.

Wednesday:

This morning I was able to time my run just right to get sunrise views. Afterwards, I enjoyed my smoothie at our outdoor bar with my crazy dressed hubby. He was wearing James plaid PJ bottoms and his non-matching fleece. Only a few golf carts drove by viewing the spectacular attraction. As the temps were cool this morning we shifted our relaxing to the fireplace beneath the large flat screened TV. Again...Erma was on speaker phone with us....informing us that Felix ought to come home with us given he could get his first Covid immunization! Noelle and I hit a couple shops this morning. We were hoping to find resale shops but instead found one blue haired clothing store and a locally owned CBD store with a hippy owner. Jill enjoyed chatting with the gal...she was a former therapist who now runs this store. She was a tree hugger! When asked if she was getting the vaccine she replied "my body knows I should not be getting it." Interesting.... Once back to our place we booked a flight for Felix and then set out for the day after cold pizza leftovers. Yes...even Jill ate the chicken BBQ pizza! Yum!! We couldn't quite agree where to go today so we hoped in the car and headed to an outdoor Mall and Rei. Noelle found hiking boots to be delivered to our house and Greta bought candy. That was the extent of our shopping...our attention isn't usually too long for such things. We then headed home for Matt's much needed run and my solo walk and water therapy. Every trip comes with a day of feeling a little blah....today was the day for us all...thanks to Noelle...her humor turned the moods around and the day wasn't all that bad! Noelle and Fuzzy also enjoyed solo pool time...maybe got a little tan?? Today was the day of most sun...at 62 degrees. For dinner this evening we cooked up chicken on the grill and watched a great movie called "The Fundamentals of Caring". We hit the sack soon thereafter.

Thursday:

I enjoyed my final run...yes it was 35 degrees...but at least no snow on the ground and sunny. We packed up our belongings and headed to Roadhaven. Luckily Erm and Felix won't have to grocery shop for a good month. I once again over estimated the amount of groceries we needed this week. Oh well...good exchange with Erm and Felix given they let us use their van. Our lift driver picked us up and we made our way to the Phoenix airport. We departed at 12:40.

Even though we all would have loved warmer temperatures, the chance to get away and see sunshine and to spend quality time together...with Felix and Erm (on speaker phone 20 times per day) made this a special trip. Who knows maybe we will rent this place again! At least we got a backyard landscaping idea....so when can we start that project, Matt?

Until next time...

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