Sunday, December 1, 2013
We began December with a slow quiet day after all the excitement and activity over the past week. Dylan had a hockey game that Rich, Marianne, and I attended. He is in the dark uniform on the right.
Since this is how my daughter bundles up at the hockey rink is it any wonder that I can state unequivocally that she will never live in a cold climate?
After the game we went to the kids' house and visited with the rest of the family.
Monday, December 2, 2013
There were still a few things we wanted Marianne to see before she left on Wednesday. There is an exhibit of Dale Chihuly glass at the Desert Botanical Garden; we loved the one five years ago!
For dinner that evening we took her to Organ Stop Pizza. That is just the coolest place! The pizza, pastas, and salad bar are great but the real attraction is getting to hear the incredible music from the world's largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in a casual, family-oriented atmosphere.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
We were running out of time so decided that today we would drive up Apache Trail into the mountains we love so much.
Goldfield Mountains
Canyon Lake in the background
Tortilla Flat is a little "town" along the way. There is a small history museum, a couple of shops, and of course, a saloon!
We continued on our way, running out of paved road shortly after leaving Tortilla Flat. The next four photos were taken at Fish Creek Hill.
We turned around at Fish Creek Hill and returned to Tortilla Flat for a late lunch at the Superstition Restaurant & Saloon. Every inch of the interior is covered with dollar bills, even the ceiling.
Marianne is keeping an eye on the rattlesnake skin mounted above our table.
Long story, but when we were all in California, the nieces started calling "JOCKO!" to each other so, in honor of that family joke, Rich wrote that on a dollar bill that we left to be permanently posted by the staff.
While we were eating, Marianne noticed this Capitol Records 45 rpm record on a high shelf. Rich and I met when we both worked at Capitol Records, him in L.A. and me in Jacksonville, IL, making that a most very cool coincidence.
Another unique part of the place was the women's restroom. These are the stalls so when you are standing inside one, you take on the persona of a saloon girl...loved it!
Of course no trip to AZ would be complete without a hike in the mountains. Here is Marianne hiking; you can see the trail meandering away behind her.
It was good to get home and relax after that grueling mountain hike...
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Since Marianne was flying home later in the day, we just went to the Superstition Mountain Museum which is just a few miles from our house. It's a small museum but they have some interesting displays. When we were browsing through the gift shop, Rich discovered a book written by the original owner of our house! How about that? It turns out that he has written several books about the history of the area so we bought one, of course.
Another favorite, we have so many, place to eat is Rubio's which has the best fish tacos anywhere in my humble opinion. We took Marianne there for lunch before taking her to the airport. It was great having her here for ten days and having the opportunity to share just a few of the things that we love about this area.
Sadly, by the time we were driving home from the airport later in the afternoon, I knew I was getting sick. It turned out that I was extremely ill for the next several days and still have no idea what would have caused such a variety of ailments at once. Anyway, by the time I could function at all we would Christmas shop for a couple of hours then I would crash and Rich would wrap gifts and care for me and do everything, I mean everything.
I had my strength back in time to do a little baking with the kids and to celebrate a most wonderful Christmas with our AZ family but do wish I had been able to participate more in the preparations. As soon as I can, I'll post about our Christmas.
Lovin' Life ~~ Healthy Again
