2013-03 Phoenix Arizona

Ray, LeAnn and Hailey went down to Phoenix to visit LeAnn's mom and take in some warm weather.  It has  been a long winter and slow spring in Minnesota this year with a lot of snow still on the ground and highs still barely reaching 50.  Hailey's friend Rosie joined us for the week after going down early and spending some time with her aunt who lives in the Phoenix area.

 On Monday we met LeAnn's niece Jenny for brunch and then took in a Giants vs. Cubs baseball game at Hohokam Field in Mesa.  It was a nice sunny day and we sat out on the lawn in the outfield, my favorite way to watch a spring training game.  This is the last year for Cubs baseball in Hohokam as they are getting a new stadium next year.  Hohokam will be remodeled, and then the A's will make it their home field.

Tuesday we spent some time at the pool and then went to Organ Stop Pizza for dinner and show.  We go here most times we visit.  The organist gives a different 30 minute show about every 40 minutes, and controls everything with the organ from the lighting to the percussion instruments.  The organ has been expanded multiple times since it was first installed and takes a very large blower system to supply enough air for all the pipes.

On Wednesday we went up to Sedona, which is about 2-1/2 hours away.  This is known as red rock country ans is made up of limestone and sandstone.  Erosion over the years makes for beautiful cliffs and scenery.  We stopped at the national park visitor center and got some information on hiking in the area.  They recommended the Brins Mesa trail.  We ended up doing about a 6.5 mile loop along Brins Mesa and Soldier's Pass.  Along the way we saw the 7 sacred pools and Hell's Kitchen (a giant sinkhole).  The vistas were very pretty as they overlooked green valleys   

Ray and LeAnn went to Papago Park on Thursday and explored the hole in the rock and Grant's tomb.  Grant's tomb overlooked the Phoenix zoo, and we saw quite a few animals from above.

On Friday, LeAnn's sister Yvonne came down to visit and relax.  The kids spent a lot of time at the pool working on their tans.  We checked out the owl that lives up in the palm tree near the clubhouse.

Saturday we booked a trip on the Desert Belle on Lake Saguaro.  This is one of 4 dammed lakes northeast of Phoenix that are heavily used for recreation.  Mainly fishing in the winter and water sports and camping in the summer.   There is lots of wildlife around the lakes, although on our trip we didn't get to see any of the bald eagles or big horn sheep that are known to be in the area.

After Saguaro Lake, we went out to Tortilla Flats, and old stagecoach stop that has become a tourist stop.  it has an old general store, ice cream parlor, bar and restaurant, along with a population of 6 people.  People have lined the walls with money from all over the world.

On Easter Sunday, we met LeAnn's sister and her kids Jenny and Chris for Easter dinner.  It was great to see them all and good way to wrap up the week.  We took the red eye flight back home leaving Phoenix at 1:00 AM on Monday morning and getting back to Minneapolis at 6:00 AM ready to start a new week