Scottsdale, AZ #3

Ok so I serious thought that I would get to the third day before now. I have consumed my weekend with 'the girl with the dragon tattoo.....the girl who plays with fire....and the girl who kicked the hornet's nest'.

I might say this was good trilogy. I had not heard too much about them but those who have said they have seen them say only good things about this movie or book. I loved them. I am glad I got to watch all three at once. I can't imagine if I had to wait for the next one. :)

So on to my third Arizona day...which really was our last day there. On Monday our true last day we didn't do a whole lot checked out and returned the rental car so I would have to say that it was not as exciting as our other days but a good day to do what we did and that was sit around the pool in the sun! :)

On Sunday, Jan. 23 we went on a trip to Roosevelt Lake which is just east of Phoenix. I have told Dan of stories about going to this lake as a little girl to camp there with my dad's family....cousin who he says is a true mountain man. I remember a few things about this trip and they are ....my dad's cousin actually camped in a Teepee. They had horses and I remember getting to ride them, even if it was a short ride it was the coolest ride when I was kid to do. The other memory I had of this trip...the one when I was little girl....was that my sister and I sat in the sand on the beach and dug up indian pottery. Now as a kid this was truly a neat thing to do but as an adult I think it would be almost surreal to actually be sitting in the sand and find an artifact that a person used so many years ago.

As I remember these pieces were not very big. They were no bigger than a sticky note. Just a little piece history. Something that someone made to use for everyday use. Makes you think about a part of life that I do not have to do. Make my own things other than a meal.

So, as we set out on that day we took the road north to see the lake from that north. No plan was made other than to just drive over there to see what it was like and for Dan to see something that I talk about, a memory. When we got just north of the lake we stopped at a store to pick up a drink and lunch. We picked out guacamole and salsa.

We made a stop on the lake to eat our lunch. Dan and I walked the shore line to see if Dan could find any pottery. But I was pretty sure that we would not only because that was 25 years ago if not more. If there was any it was long gone ....or on a hill somewhere. After reading the literature at the rest stop we realized that in recent years they have redone the dam there to the lake and raised it 77 feet. If that were the case....which it was....the part that I even explored 25 + years ago was now under water.

After lunch we drove south and saw the newly built bridge and dam. Pretty amazing site to see. We took pictures and then realized that the road we were about to take back to Phoenix was about 24 miles of dirt road all on a side of a mountain. The apache trail. Roosevelt claimed that it was the most scenic route in the world.....and it was very scenic if I might say so myself. Most parts were narrow one lane road that you had to yield for other cars. Up and down the mountain we went. We saw several lakes and mountain cliffs that were very unique and not of what we see here everyday in Indiana. We even saw a cave that I know Dan really wanted to explore but there was not a parking spot because others were exploring and we didn't have a flash light.

Once we made it back to the paved road we came out where we were the day before...the lost Dutchman's park. We started to the north and made a circle to the loop back to the phoenix area.

We did not make it back in time to catch the bus to dinner with the rest of the group but that was ok because we found a restaurant by using 'yelp'. It was in walking distance from our hotel. Petite Maision, a french restaurant rated 5 stars for the scottsdale area.

It was a very good dinner. Nice to sit outside in January and enjoy a nice meal.

I must say this adventure to Scottsdale, Az was an amazing one. I really enjoyed spending time with my best friend. Making me realize once again I am truly blessed to have such an amazing person as my husband. He is my best friend and I am lucky to have found that in my life. I only wish that everyone could experience my adventure with me. :)

cinnie

Scottsdale, Arizona #2

So... on the second day of our trip we decided to rent a car and go to a trail that was recommended by another Angie's list traveler. The Lost Dutchman's mine....siphons drawl. This trail is located in the superstition mountains.

This day of our trip was Dan's bday.

On our way there we were amazed at the beautiful mountain. When we parked the car we had no idea what was in store next. We started on the trail just with the goal that we would go as far as we could. Two hours into it Dan did leave me and that was ok. He went up the mountain to the spot called flatiron. The top! :) ( 4,300ft) I was really excited for him that he did it! At first I was upset with the disappointment that I did not make it as far up the mountain. It was ok after I thought about it. I actually started to sing the song....."just the way you are" by bruno marcs. Your amazing just the way you are...I thought of that because sometimes we try to do things that we just can't do and we need to know it's ok. Just try. Even if you can't climb that mt. the first time, try again another time. Sometimes it takes up more than one try to get to the top. Now it makes me want to start working out and train to other mt.s and trails. ;)

I was just happy to be in the sun. Looking at the scenery. I love the mountains. I love looking at them. I lived in Tucson when I was a little girl and one thing I missed the most (other than my grandmother) when I moved to Indiana was the look of the mountains.

After we were finished with the hike we went to a mexican restaurant which we found on yelp.

It was really good and I could see why it was rated 5 star on yelp. Dan had a second helping because it was so good! :)

Truly a fun day! Didn't know that when we left for the day that our adventure would be so awesome.

Scottsdale, Arizona

My husband and I recently went to Scottsdale, Az. We went without our children. We have done this now for the past three years. It was a hard thing at first to leave our children, but we got used to it and it helps that we have family watching them for us.

We went with my husbands work. There were about 100 people that went on this trip. We stayed at 'Hotel Valley Ho'. This was a very nice hotel and I loved the decore. Very retro....modern look. Humphrey Bogart stayed in the suit there at the hotel.

Dirty Martini style is what I would have called it. There was even a martini set with a small mini bottle of Belvedere vodka. I love martinis.

We partied on the roof top the first night. The scenery was 'amazing' on the roof top.
We had a mashed potato sundae bar. Never had one before but my mother in law has already thought of the idea herself. The toppings there were such as blue cheese crumbs, onions, bacon, cheese, sour cream, butter, even pecans for the sweet potatoes. :)

Boy I am going on and on about the food and the first night. I think I will take a break and write more tomorrow about the second day and what we did on our adventure to AZ!

Cinnie

The adventures of spice girl cinnie

I have wanted to do this for a long time now. I have even wanted to write a book. I am really excited to start this adventure of writing something about nothing.

I recently watched the movie 'Julia and Julia' and that made me want to start my blog even more.

She writes about recipes that she try's from Julia Childs cookbook. Oh how I loved this story because I too love food and it is my safe haven. I love to cook and eat!

I am a terrible writer when it comes to writing in the correct format. I have even taken classes on how to write and I must say I am still an awful writer! I just write what I feel....how I feel it and there it is.

I don't know who will read this adventure I have started but I really don't care. I am just writing to write. Blogging to blog. Seeing where this will go....

;)