SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- Lets recap my past week here in Arizona. Yes, getting in was a total pain, but it was 100% due to the fact that we were departing from O'Hare in a snowstorm. So yeah, 5 hour delays suck, but we were in bed after eating and unpacking by 1AM - not terrible. Then for two days it rained. Nope, not kidding, it actually rained here in Arizona. And for anyone who has ever experienced rain here, you know that when it rains in Arizona, it poors in Arizona. Regardless it was Christmas Eve and then Christmas, so it is not like much was open anyway. Normally it's perfect for hiking, which we obviously did not do, but I got a run in and we went to the movies (saw Yes Man - better than expected, 7/10).
Since then we have done one major hike every day in picture-perfect weather. 60s in the valley, 50s in the mountains and higher-elevations, not a single cloud. Did Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale two days ago, a combination of trails through the McDowell Mountain Soronan Preserve including Sunrise Peak yesterday, and Spur Cross Trail in Carefree today. All of them are longer than 4 miles; today was 6.5 miles. Pinnacle and Sunrise are shorter but have over 1,000 feet in net elevation gains, whereas today was longer but only maybe 400 feet up or down. Tomorrow the weather should be great and we'll either hike Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, a classic vertical challenge that we've done some 15-20 times; or we'll hike in the Fountain Hills area on a longer but flatter route. Either way the weather should be great and it'll be a beautiful day. Then Tuesday morning I'll do a 5 mile run before the airport and back to Chicago.
Besides the hiking we've done some other things as well. Spent some time at the community pool and also in our yard-spa. Made it out to Glendale last night for a Phoenix Coyotes game at the Jobing.com Arena, which is already 5 years old but seems to be brand new. Beautiful arena but the game was terrible - the Coyotes were rocked 4-0 by the inferior LA Kings. The area outside the Arena was very cool though - everything is oversized and it reminded me of Vegas to a large degree.
We've also been steadily adding things to the house. New blinds, dishes, pillows - basic things really. I've been marking all of the new restaurants we've been trying to the GPS as well as all of the new trails and towns.
I might update again from here tomorrow or Tuesday morning; otherwise back to Chicago and then home for a few days. Winter Classic is New Years Day, and then after the game I'm off to the airport to New Jersey, and the morning of the 2nd driving up to Montreal. I'll try to keep you posted!
The picture, by the way, is one of eight attempted balance crossings over Cave Creek on the Spur Cross Trail. Great action-shot, and the best part is that I managed to not fall in!
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