Phoenix - Bridge and Shopping

Today we headed out around 9:45 to go to our Kansas friend's house.  She had invited us to come over to her place to play bridge and she would fix our lunch.  Her kitchen is open to the family room so it was a very nice set up.  She cooked and we played cards.  I think that meal was the best one I had while in the Phoenix area.  Then she finished it off with a delicious dessert.  I was stuffed.  So stuffed that I didn't eat anything else the rest of the day.

After lunch we played a little more bridge then head to the Tangiers Outlet in the Phoenix area.  It was arranged that there was lots of shade which made it pleasant going from store to store.  I must admit, it was a successful shopping trip.  Then it was back to the house where we began to get ready to leave in the morning.

I will be posting my final thoughts in a few days upon my return home.

Phoenix - Church followed by second trip to MIM

Left the house around 8:30 to attend the Community of Grace service at 9:40.  It happened to be there 10 year reunion.  I was quite impressed with the service and really enjoyed the music.  They had an outstanding praise team which included vocalists, an electronic banjo, an electric guitar and 2 electric acoustic guitars.  There was a wonderful sound system which made the music even better.  Then the pastor had a wonderful sermon.  This has turned into a large church and during the winter months they have 4 services to include one on Saturday evening.

We then headed to a very good restaurant, El Encanto, for lunch.  This was in the town of Cave Creek in Deer Valley.  Food and drink were excellent.  There was a guitarist playing music.  The atmosphere was great.

                                                                       Margarita                                                              

Seafood Enchiladas

We had a quick stop at our friend's from Kansas before heading to MIM.  She has the most gorgeous lemon tree in our her backyard.  I cannot believe the size of the lemons.  There is a photo of one in an earlier post.  Here is a photo of her tree.

You can see one of the lemons but this tree is covered.

The first photo below is outside the MIM.  The rest will be instruments that I have never seen before. Today I spent the entire day in the United States and Canadian section of the museum.

These are palo verde trees (green stick).  Bark is green.

This is a 4 person harp.  I don't know where each of the musicians would play.

The next 3 are of a bass foot accordion.  This allows the musician to play another instrument at the same time.

This was a video showing the musicians feet playing the accordian.

He is also playing a fiddle.

Would you believe this is called an ugly stick.

Cigar box guitar, ice bucket guitar, whiskey jug used as a vessel flute.

Then it was back to the house for a light supper and some bridge playing.  It has been an enjoyable day.

Phoenix - Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

Today we went to the Musical Instrument Museum.  I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this even though according to Trip Advisor it is the number one attraction in Phoenix.  Well, they were correct.  This is just a wonderful museum.  The displays are outstanding.  Not only can you read about and see the instruments, there is a video as well.  The videos are shown on a TV that is in the different countries instruments.  You have a pair of user friendly wireless headsets.  You stand in front of each TV and your headset automatically picks up the sound for that exhibit.  I am including several photos of different instruments.  Hope that you enjoy.

This one was outside the museum but couldn't resist.

Tomorrow we are going to church then back to MIM.  We bought a two day pass and I know I am going to enjoy the second day as much as the first.  I will first be heading to the section on the United States and Canada.

Phoenix - Dessert Botanical Garden

Today we headed to the Desert Botanical Gardens this morning.  The plan for us come back to the house for awhile before we headed to the concert at Musical Museum.  Well, about 10 or 15 minutes into the tour through the desert foliage, the heat  had a terrible impact on me.  I was definitely over heating,  I immediately headed to a bench.  Once recovered a bit, I headed to the area where we entered the gardens.  Found a nice bench and just waited for the other girls to finish the tour.  They then called and came back to check on me.  I was doing okay sent them on to see the desert wildflower section.  I know it must have been wonderful as we are here when the flowers are really in bloom.  Oh well, didn't want to pass out.  I did take some photos before I started feeling lightheaded and also after we ate at the garden cafe.  I hope you enjoy them.

This blown glass art at the entrance of the gardens.  

It blended very well with the environment.

Can you believe those flowers?

The size of the catci is amazing.  Look at their height in the next two photos.

Headed back to the house midafternoon.  We had a quiet time which I really needed.  It was good to have a nice rest.  

In the evening we attended a Brad Colerick concert at the MIM Music Theatre.  I was so impressed. He reminded me of John Denver.  The online article referred to his music as Americana wheelhouse. On Saturday we are going to see the MIM, Musical Instrument Museum.

Phoenix - Trip to Sedona

Today was so full of activity that I cannot remember all that we did.  We left the house early to head to a former Belleville gal's home.  She has been chauffeuring us around which we all appreciate. Then off to Sedona which was a 2 hour drive.  The scenery was outstanding.  Although I will post a few photos, my camera phone just doesn't do justice to the color of the mountains.  I also cannot believe the cacti that grow like trees on the mountainsides.

We arrived in Sedona around lunchtime.  We did a bit of shopping before we headed to Rene's Restaurant which serves French cuisine.  I had a mushroom struedel which was out of this world.  I then splurged and had a creme brulee for dessert.  It melted in one's mouth.  I did take a snap of the struedel.

After lunch, we took a trolley ride through parts of the town as well as through parts of the red rocks. It was about 90 minutes and did give one lots of background information about Sedona.  It was a good starting place to find out about this area of Arizona.  I would like to come here again and see this area in greater depth.

Then it was the two hour ride back to the house.  We had a light supper before dealing those cards. Didn't play bridge as long tonight as we were yawning frequently.

Tomorrow is going to be another busy day.  The first thing on the agenda are the botanical gardens.  I thought we were doing this today so you can see I am not a very good listener.  Several other activites have been planned.  We'll see how much we get done.

Phoenix - First Full Day

This was an extremely busy day.  After we finally started moving we took about an hour walk through the neighborhood.  When one first arrives in the dessert, everything just looks so brown. When you start to look more closely, you begin to see color peeking out.  The landscape is just different than anywhere I have been.  Below are photos that I took on our walk.

The color of this bark is truly unique.

 They tell me that I am going to see cacti that are even bigger.  

 How about the size of that lemon.  It was grown on a tree in a neighbor's yard.

 At lunch today we ate at an Italian restaurant for lunch.  The food was delicious.  How about the that TV show. 

After lunch,we headed out to Butterfly Wonderland.  Very similar to the butterfly garden we saw in Key West.  In addition to all the amazing butterflies, they had some honeybee hives as well as salt water aquariums and a few desert insects, i.e. scorpions and centipedes.

After arriving back at the house,  we had some wine and appetizers.  Then back to the business of playing bridge. 

Tomorrow we are heading out early to see the desert botanical gardens.  

Phoenix - Travel Day

James took me to the airport to meet the other gals.  Naturally, I was the first one there but I was glad to get checked in and find our gate.  They weren't very far behind.  I have no reason to complain as James and I left our home around 9, ran Boz to the groomer, and were on the road by 9:30.  They had to be on the road by 7 am.  My trip was under an hour.  There trip was closer to 4 hours.

Flight was good.  Departed right on time.  There was a bit of turbulence for about 30 minutes but the rest of the flight was very smooth.  Must admit it was good to be on the ground again.

What a foursome.  This was taken just after we got off the plane.

We had to wait for the shuttle to arrive to take us to the home where we are staying.  Things just look so different here.  You can tell that we are in the desert.

Take note of the yard and all the rocks in the front of the house.

There is a touch of green which actually has to be mowed occassionally.

We decided where each of us was going to sleep then off to get some lunch.  We ate at Paradise Cafe which is a chain that has just been purchased by Panera Bread.  Very similar and was very good. Time to get some groceries for the next few days before heading back to the house.  

Now it is time to get down to why we are here.

It is good to have the travel behind us and be able to get caught up on everybody's news.

Phoenix Bridge Marathon

Next week I am heading to Phoenix with 3 very good friends.

This was taken in March, 2009, in Abilene, Kansas.

We still look the same.

We have been playing bridge together since before my daughter was born.  She is 37 years old.  We lived in the same town until 8 years ago.  That is when we retired and moved to Lawrence to be near
children and grandchildren.  Fortunately, my friends were willing to still meet me twice a year to play bridge.  Am I any good?  Well, I certainly am the the low man on the totem pole of expertise.  (Thank goodness they put up with me.) Until this trip, we were meeting semi-annually at The Barn Bed and Breakfast near Valley Falls, Kansas.  By the way, a great place.

The Barn Bed and Breakfast

I am leaving James behind.  We rarely spend any length of time apart so both of us are worried about the other.  I know, we will both be okay.  He is trying to line up a few projects to do while I am gone. None of them involve housework.  Oh well. I just hope Boz, our dog, doesn't get him up for a night trip to his outdoor facilities while I am gone.

Not only are we going to play lots of bridge, we will be doing some sightseeing.  I will try to post daily but this is a different kind of trip.