AZ 2019 Chapter 2

I keep thinking I prefer Sedona to Scottsdale but it’s probably not true and they are impossible to compare. Greater Phoenix is huge and we do a lot of driving when we are in North Scottsdale where the two timeshare properties are that we have access to. Better for me would be central Scottsdale or Arcadia but hey, here we are again and it’s not exactly a hardship posting.

April in Phoenix is spectacularly in bloom. The palo verde trees define April for me and they are in full yellow glory which will fade to nondescript soon while the magenta bougainvillea (with Jim hiding in one) and red ocotillo are the counterpoint.

an ocotillo framing the view from Gateway Loop

a small-ish palo verde

 We’ve been keeping up our walking exercise, sometimes outside and if it is really hot, inside. We are only about 5 minutes from the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and took advantage of the proximity yesterday with a moderate trail, the Saguaro and Gateway Loops, about 6.5 miles all told. 

the Arizona Canal

Today took us down to a section of the Arizona Canal which has paths on both sides and runs for miles. The reward was a nutella/banana crepe at Top Marks Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall, in Old Scottsdale. On one of our first visits to PHX we were near the Arizona Biltmore and travelled the canal path regularly. On another trip we backed onto a huge greenbelt, about 20 miles of municipal park, golf courses, lakes, tennis courts etc. I may be making this up but I think this might be the only city to have the 4 major professional sports teams: hockey, basketball, football, and baseball. And golf of course, maybe 250 courses to choose from and the Phoenix Open tournament.

 

Lego art at Arizona Mills

What we always notice is that the streets are wide and clean, the landscaping is spectacular everywhere, and the public amenities, parks, art, recreation, and athletic facilities are endless. Not to mention museums, art galleries, and theatre. Tonight we are going to the Phoenix Theater to see “Sisters In Law” a play about Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, both Supreme Court Judges, one Republican and one Democrat. How can that not be a fascinating story?

Tomorrow we are off to Chandler in search of a Merrell outlet store and maybe a new pair of trail shoes for me and then we are overdue for a sundowner on the patio at The Phoenician. Friday is supposed to be up to 98F so it will be a perfect day to go back the Musical Instruments Museum which, if you are ever in Greater Phoenix, you have to explore. You don’t have to be a musician, neither of us are, to appreciate MIM!