Arizona, Monday, March 6, 2023

It is warming up in South Central Arizona. Temperatures up to mid-60’s this Sunday. After a slow start, we loaded up the host’s vehicle and headed to Litchfield Park, some 30 miles to the south and west of our Anthem location. Some comments on Phoenix in general: traffic is heavy at the quietest of times and rush hour is a nightmare. With a metropolitan population of nearly 5 million and all of them impatiently wanting to get some where, driving is a joy. Geographically, Phoenix is the 11th largest, both in population and in area, in the U.S. Unless you are traveling to the neighborhood grocery store, any trip is 10 miles or more. Although they are building a light rail system, commute times between the various areas is an easy 45-60 minutes.

We pointed the vehicle south to Litchfield Park for an Arts and Crafts fair. Our actual destination was Wigwam Resort, one of the oldest and largest Senior living developments in the area.We arrived around noon and the area was crawling with people - mostly old (like us!) We walked in and out and up and down, looking at all the wares and crafts. Food stalls galore with everything from street tacos to barbecues to “fresh” lobster and seafood. Eventually we stopped into a sports bar, The Lazy Palm Sports Grill. We enjoyed a couple of chicken salad sandwiches, some chicken strips and sides of fries and potato salad, washed down with some beer and fruity Prosecco. We enjoyed the various basketball games on the multiple TV sets, and stretched out our stay to watch the finish of the Nebraska-Iowa contest, which Nebraska won! Deb ended up with a new “spring” purse as the only purchase of the day; the afternoon was enjoyable. 

We motored north back to Anthem for cocktails and a soak in the hot spa - our first of this entire trip. We then enjoyed the Sennentz hospitality as Dell grilled a huge side of salmon and Karen prepared a salad and some boiled potatoes. Good food and a quiet evening.

Monday morning we rolled out at our normal time (retirement makes all the days run together.) Without work or kids to schedule, we never know what day of the week it is unless we have a radio, newspaper nearby or television playing. Lounging around during the morning, we visited, read, completed a few work phone calls, and generally acted as if we were on vacation. In the middle afternoon, Dell proposed a drive to get us out of the house and away from the sunny patio. It seems a few of us pale white types were getting a bit over cooked. 

We headed south again, past downtown Phoenix to South Mountain. This is a municipal owned area known as South Mountain Park, the second largest municipal park in the world! We drove up the winding road to the Dobbins Point observation area for a view of the Salt River Valley and the entire Phoenix Metro laid out at our feet. A stunning site. We then drove back through downtown Phoenix noting the tall buildings interspersed with squat, typically southwester structures We passed the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum, both of which will make interesting day trips on our next visit.

We returned home just at sunset, enjoyed a cocktail and then Dell fired up the grill again. This evening we dined on huge filet mignon and fettuccine Alfredo with some steamed vegetables with cheese sauce, again a most filling meal. We watched a movie, read, and poured ourselves into bed around 11:00.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, is our travel day. We will return to Omaha with memories of 4inches of snow, cool to freezing temperatures, sunshine and a soak in the hot tub, and hours upon hours of visiting and eating with good friends. Not bad for a pair of aging freeloaders from the plains. Thanks to both sets of hosts; we never felt uneasy nor intrusive. We will be glad to return if they allow. As always, we will be happy to arrive home to our usual routine of eating, reading, watching TV and starting over again. Thanks.

Arizona 2023, Saturday, March 4, 2023

Friday morning was another bright and sunny day in Tucson. Today is a travel day. We were all packed up prior to breakfast. This morning we dined on fresh fruit, cereal, a bagel and cups of coffee. The previous evening, we had received an invitation from Mark And Kip, our fellow dinner guests, to visit and view their home in a nearby subdivision.  The four of us motored the 15 minutes over to see the most wonderful home we had seen in years. A much larger home than Casa T&K but without the mountain view. A glorious front courtyard complete with a stretch of green Astroturf, lemon trees, and cacti.

The kitchen had been newly remodeled with new countertops, double ovens and a beautiful gas cooktop. Bedrooms were much larger and, as both men work from home, they were outfitted with full offices, including multiple monitors and music, along with beds and toys for both cats who were lounging in haughty disregard for the visitors. The pool area was wonderful- Mark was enamored with the solar powered Roomba-like skimmer puttering over the surface and Deb was astounded by the outside shower tucked around the corner, which was also accessible from the master bath adjacent. Said master bath included a huge walk-in double shower and boasted a pair of walk-in closets, each seemingly larger than our bedroom back in Omaha. We were suitably impressed with their home - and we walked away with a batch of both regular and Meyer lemons, from their garden trees.

Back home , Tom ordered a large pizza from the neighborhood Rosatti’s Pizza store and went to pick it up just as George and Karen arrived from their 2 1/2 hour drive down from Phoenix. We shoveled in our pizza, Tom and Kevin gave Dell and Karen a tour of their home and we then said our goodbyes before we headed back up the road to Phoenix. We once again offered heartfelt thanks to Kevin and Tom for the gracious and generous hospitality and putting up with our freeloading ways. Another enjoyable, and surprising, winter visit.

The trip north on I-10 was fraught with the normal problems. An accident at about the 70 mile marker forced us off the route and onto smaller roads. We made a a detour around the east side of Phoenix, stopping for a fuel and restroom break at the local Costco store. We arrived in Anthem at the Casa Sennentz around 6:00 and unloaded the vehicle, dragging our luggage into the new sleeping rooms. As March 1 was Dell’s birthday, Mark had brought him his customary gift of a bottle of Single Malt Scotch, this time a bottle of Auchentoshan, an Islay of distinct flavor derived from its maturation in three separate casks, Bourbon, Olorosso and PX Sherry. After sampling this wonderful scotch along with preparation of a dirty martini and a margarita for the ladies, Dell prepared and cooked some hamburgers on the grill while Karen prepared some ham and beans to accompany them. We rolled into bed, well fed and watered.

The next morning we were up and “rarin’ to go.” Deb completed some morning work while Dell and Mark headed off in the Mustang convertible for the CVS store and the local Ace hardware to run some errands. We were each on our own to raid the larder for lunch,: Dell opted for some re-heated pork ribs he found in the refrigerator, Karen sliced up some not too great tomato and layered it over some cottage cheese, Mark sliced up a leftover cold hamburger and covered it in with kosher dill spears and some ranch dressing on bread. Deb had some toast and peanut butter accompanied by a chocolate caramel macadamia nuts treat.

We napped and read in the afternoon before cocktails on the patio. This evening we drove to Cave Creek area to try a new restaurant we had found on Open Table called Ofrenda’s. Deb tried a house special Watermelon Margherita which seemed acceptable as it soon disappeared. The Mexican fare was authentic, and we chose a smothered chicken enchilada, s couple of pates of dinner tacos and a new to us chicken enchilada smothered in Suiza sauce - a cream and lightly spiced tomatillo sauce. We finished up with a shared set of churros with a caramel sweetened dipping sauce. The drive home was uneventful and we arrived by 7:30, ready for a little TV watching, conversation and reading. all were retired at a normal 10:00. No late nights for this batch of septuagenarians. Happy to see our old friends again, we pronounced this a couple of smooth days.

Arizona - Thursday, March 2, 2023

As noted in yesterday’s post, we awoke this morning to 3-4 inches of snow blanketing the patio, cacti, and xeriscape. The pink Catalina mountains from the evening before were covered and white - quite a spectacle. Neighbors report that this is the most snow in their 24 years here in Tucson. An astounding experience for our sunny southwest sojourn. The snow was gone by 11:00 in the morning and the sun was out, although the temperature never rose much over the upper 50’s.

Needless to say, we stayed close to the Casa T&K until middle afternoon. The brand new coffee maker decided that the workout we were giving it was too much. This caused a trip to Best Buy for a trade-in replacement. As long as we were out, we stopped at Crate & Barrel, West Elm, and Williams Sonoma to see all the paraphernalia we would not buy and did not need. Nothing on offer that we were willing to haul or ship home. Besides, that would occasion a discussion of what to throw out in order to make room for any new stuff.

Tom & Kevin had invited their friends Mark and Kip to join us for dinner. Mark & Kip are also transplanted Omahans who are still gainfully employed but working from home most times. During the conversations, we discovered a number of mutual friends and acquaintances - really a small world after all. Kevin prepared a macaroni and cheese with mock crab casserole accompanied by peas and a delightful salad. We had cheese, crackers and salami for hors d’oeuvres, some nice dirty vodka martinis, and conversation before our meal. 

All said and done, the snow melted, the Catalinas turned pink at sunset and all was again right with the world.

Arizona, Wednesday, March 1, 2023

 This morning broke cool, sunny and a bit breezy. The sun made a glorious rise over the mountains and, if the you were willing to sit in the cool breeze, presented a promising start to the day to enjoy a wonderful cup of coffee on the patio. Mark commandeered the Casa T&K kitchen and prepared a brunch of Eggs Benedict accompanied by some more fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee. A proper start to any vacation day.

After cleanup of the kitchen and the bodies, we spent the early afternoon reading, communicating and napping. We left the Casa around 3:30 and drove first to the amazing Total Wine liquor store to stock up on some supplies and then drove to a nearby shopping center filled with smart galleries and our eventual dinner destination. We perused the galleries, scored an artsy blouse, and contemplated a number of future purchases.

We next dropped in at our restaurant destination, Tavolino Ristorante Italiano. Deb and Tom ordered a Negroni cocktail as our son Ed had noted it was one of his favorite craft cocktails and also a classic. Deb tried two sips and then handed it to Mark while she ordered a replacement Dirty Martini with Grey Goose, her usual go to drink. Tom finished his Negroni but was not inclined to order it again. Mark will drink most anything. Kevin, as designated driver stuck with a single glass of wine.

The food was classic Italian, a pair of Tagliatelle Bolognese, a Spaghetti Frutti Mara, a Penne al Fungi all accompanied by a bottle of Nero d’Avola. We eschewed a dessert, although we were tempted by the menu. We were back at the Casa T&K by 9:00 and settled in for some reading and television entertainment. Around 10:00 it started to snow! After staring out at the large flakes dropping on to the cacti and other flora in the yard, we went to bed thinking we were in some alternate universe. 

Thursday morning we awoke to a white winter wonderland with an inch of fluffy white stuff covering the landscape. Not something we had dressed for. We will see what the day brings.  

Arizona - February 27

 We are on the road again! It seems strange to be standing on line at the TSA Pre check in Omaha; it has only been five months since we returned from our nearly two months in Europe but that feels like a lifetime ago. We are now headed to our annual visit (some would say freeloading) to our friends in the Southwest. We left our home at 4:45 AM on Monday, stopped to pick up our driver Darcy (dear DAPC2) who will drive our car back home. Our first leg on Southwest Airlines was uneventful, we arrived in Denver and immediately proceeded to the McDonald’s outlet in the C concourse for an egg, bacon, cheese biscuit sandwich  and a potato patty to share and take the edge of our hunger. We arrived at the Tucson airport where Tom & Kevin are on hand to meet us. We loaded our meager luggage into their white sedan and headed to the Casa T&K bed and breakfast for the next few days. Kevin was our chauffeur this morning with Tom riding shotgun.

A scant mile from our destination, we were stopped in the turn lane waiting for the light to go our way when SMACK, we were lightly rear ended by a Mercedes SUV. The light changed, we pulled around the corner and into a grocery store parking lot to make the obligatory information exchange and inspect the damage. No injuries, barely a tap, and no apparent damage to either the Toyota or the Mercedes. The offending driver (Gigi) was in a tizzy, extremely apologetic and nearly in tears. Kevin spent a great deal of time calming her down and getting the necessary information from her. Cellphone pictures of license plates and insurance card info make this whole fender bender situation so much quicker.

Back on our way, we quickly arrived at Casa T&K for the beginning of our stay. We visited at length, Kevin made some grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch and then we laid our tired bodies down for a quick nap. Next thing you know it was up and on to cocktail hour. The mountains that form the stunning view from the deck of Casa T&K were beginning to change color with the setting sun, and as they say here “When the mountains turn pink it is time to drink!” Mark mixed up a pair of dirty martinis for Tom & Deb (twice) and Kevin and Mark enjoyed some wonderful Scotch single malt whisky.

Kevin had prepared a magnificent dish of creamed scalloped potatoes, a delightful bowl of peas and garlic and grilled a quartet of beef filets for our dining pleasure. We ate well, talked into the night and fell into bed happy with our first day of “Spring Vacation.”

The weather in Tucson has been decidedly chilly, highs in the low 60’s and lows into the upper 30’s. Sitting on the patio if it is not sunny in the afternoon requires a light sweater or jacket. Mark, of course brought his sandals and shorts, which seems only natural to him. These pair well with his fleece pullover so things are fine. Deb has long pants but not nearly enough long sleeved blouses - some quick shopping may be in order! For Tuesday morning, Kevin has prepared his usual B&B spread of fresh fruit, danish coffee cake, bananas, juice, cereal with milk and of course, copious cups of coffee. The Hampton Inn buffet would be shamed! This morning we loaded up the Toyota and headed south to the border town of Tubac, Arizona. This historic town, first established as a Spanish presidio in 1752, is now primarily an art colony and the shopping area is crammed with over 100 art galleries. We walked, shopped and stopped for a wonderful lunch at the famous Elvira’s Restaurant.  Although we have heard stories of the Arizona wildlife, we only encountered a lonely grasshopper on our visit to Tubac.

Elvira’s was originally established in 1927 in Nogales, Sonora county, Mexico. In the 1980’s the restaurant closed as US tourists stopped flocking to the restaurant due to the combination of drug/gang violence, economic downturn and changing regulations requiring passports to cross the US - Mexican border. They re-opened in 1987 in Tubac and serve wonderful Sonoran cuisine. We dined on a Mole Poblano, a Chili Relleno, some chicken enchiladas, and steak and mushroom quesadilla. All accompanied by a Modell Cerveza and house margaritas. Our chauffeur Tom stuck to ice tea.

We arrived back at Casa T&K around 5:30, in time for Pink time, and then grasped on leftover scalloped potatoes and some grilled kielbasa. By 10:00 we were nodding our heads and crawled into our beds, having enjoyed the touring, the food and the camaraderie.