Unlike some people who vacation in warm climates while their dear friends and family are left to endure the rigors of a particularly evil period of cold and wind-driven snow that stings the cheeks and freezes snot, I was brought up not to gloat.
So, during this month of January as Linda and I return to our Fountain Hills, Arizona rental for the first time in a couple years, there will be nothing but guilt feelings conveyed here in, what I hope will be, more frequent blogging about life among the cactuses. (Cacti?)
Okay, maybe just one shot of snowy 4 Peaks..the view from Fountain Hills the day we arrived.
First, a little about how we got here.
It was time to give Big Red, our 15 year old Town Car with 170 K, a rest. In spite of that, I have no doubt the old girl was up to the challenge, but the thought of a two and a half day drive out here through weather that can be..and usually is..dubious at times, we decided to exercise the Allegiant Airlines option. The decision was finalized when our desert daughter, Christy, bought a second car and agreed to let us use it while here. Deal done.
I spent a little extra for Exit Row seats for the leg room and for an extra suit case. (pretty hard to cram a month’s worth of stuff into just two checked bags.) In spite of Allegiant horror stories including regular delays, our flight took off about on time and was uneventful for two of the two and a half hours. That’s when a child a few seats ahead began to perpetuate the stereotype of what defines “terrible twos.” We could not see him but everyone within the confines of that enclosed aluminum tube could hear him for the final 30 minutes. It began with some whimpering as soon as the pilot started reducing altitude. At first, you could sense the sympathy from everyone, including me, as the mother tried to sooth her toddler who seemed to be reacting unfavorably to a pain in the ears that weren’t popping properly as we got lower. Ahhhh. Poor baby, we thought.
Then, efforts to console the little fellow were being rejected more loudly..and, in our mind’s eye, more violently, as each non stop ear piercing scream was punctuated with a “NO”. But then it became clearer that his ears were fine..he was just angry…really angry.
Anyone who flies knows that it seems to take forever to land once the captain throttles back..but on this trip, a half hour felt like an eternity..especially after I lost all feelings of concern for that kid and began imagining all sorts of ways I’d like to shut him up. Shameful things that I’m not proud of but could tell others around me were fanaticizing about too. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love kids and know they get out of sorts especially when they’re strapped in against their will. I would never do or say anything. But I did find it necessary to jam my forefingers in my ears to maintain sanity until the wheels screeched on the runway and we rolled to a stop at our gate. I finally got a look at the little rascal when he and his mother got up to exit. He was banging an empty plastic pop bottle on his grandpa’s head and getting mad all over again when told to stop. Dear little angel.
There are lots of things going on out here in the Phoenix area during January..including the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction which this year will feature the Ron Pratte collection of cars which is one of the world’s finest..many purchased by Pratte at previous Barrett-Jackson sales for big big money. Even though the event has gotten huge, I decided to apply for media credentials to cover it for my blog and..to my surprise, received them. So, I hope to get out there to take some pictures and write a few words for you.
The Phoenix Open golf tournament is at the end of the month and, of course Phoenix hosts the Superbowl. But that won’t happen until after we head home…hopefully on a flight where all the children are contented little darlings.
One of our favorite hangouts out here is the “Rusty Spur” in Old Scottsdale. They always have live music and have added some interesting bar stools that Linda was more than happy to model. The image has been quite a hit on Facebook.
Ta Ta for now.
12 Responses
I was on a flight like that once and the mother proceeded to nurse the child, it quit crying. How unique I thought, I looked at Sharon………………..she gave the Eye Roll and Snake Eye. Still it seems like it would work.
Glad all is well down south. Had plans to clear all the white freezing fluff at your South Dakota abode after work tonight but Bob and Drake got ‘er done this afternoon ; ) Knew it would put your mind at ease to know you have NO WORRIES BACK HERE IN FLIPPING RECORD BREAKING FRIGID TEMPS!!! LOL Lotsa love from all and enjoy every minute of your getaway as we all know it goes way too fast. XOXOXOXO
Doug – if you can squeeze it in make a trip to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park , Superior, AZ. Maybe an hour or so from you on 60 past Apache Junction / Gold Canyon. Donna and I have a condo in Mesa and we go to the Arboretum a couple times a month – absolutely fascinating place. Guided tours each day – 100s of types of Cactus Cacti? Trees from North and South Amerca. Observe Plants, animals,birds (and yes bees) from all points of the compus.
The quite easy walking tours are about 1 1/2 hours long and the guides are very knowledgeable and informative.
Go to azstateparks.com and look for Boyce Thompson – it will give you great info, videos, and a scheduel of events and workshops they offer.
Cheers.
Have you ever attended a show at the Arizona Opry east of Apache Junction? It is a dinner show that is well worth it. We like the variety show. The music director is George Starkle, formerly of the Tokens who sang the high voice in The Lion Sleeps Tonight. I know you would enjoy it. Have a great time.
Doug and Linda–So glad you are able to go back to Arizona again–you deserve it! And you couldn’t have picked
a better January to get out of Dodge! Uffda –Carol Swanson
Okay, he won’t gloat but I will . . high of 77 today here and that’s why I live here. Yes, the summer is warm but you can just go inside! Hoping to enjoy the weekends with them and taking a few days off for birthdays. Stay warm!!!
Thanks John and Harlan for the ideas. As Linda’s sister and bro in law live near Apache Junction, we’ll put both on our to do list.
If you see a 1970 Chevelle convertible LS6 at the auction and have the opportunity to blog about it, my husband would be tickled! He says they supposedly only made between 18-74 of them but he can’t watch 6 days of auction even if he’s retired!
Doug – Allegiant seats are a ‘little’ closer than the seats on the flight to Hawaii a while ago. But, only about a couple hours, (not 6 or more to the Islands) from S Falls to Gateway/Mesa, so they are tolerable. The Methodist Church in Gold Canyon has a ‘Cowboy Service’, a musical service that’s really nice…attended with friends, a few times. We haven’t had the snow ‘up North’ that you did in Sioux Falls this last go around, but you picked an excellent time to head to AZ!
How did you find a place in Fountain Hills? Love that area and are thinking of coming down for a month or so. Any suggestions where to look? Stay cool.
I do not travel anywhere near the amount that used to, but during those days that I did, I learned not to pack anything that can be purchased at where I was going. Unless you are traveling to some remote jungle area, there are stores in which personal grooming and hygiene products can be purchased. When ready to come back, those items can be given to your family living there, or just thrown away. One time I took a month’s vacation, what I did instead of packing suitcases, I shipped a box of my clothing via UPS to the home of someone I knew and would be visiting with.
When you are ready to come back to SD, send your clothing back via UPS or FedEx. Your package will be delivered to your home, so there is not the burden of hauling the suitcases.
Now that my babies are 17 and 13 I am an expert – but I will say this is why God invented Benadryl