Sedona & Scottsdale Adventure September 2022

October 26, 2022

September 21, 2022

#blog #travel

Summary

Just to get away for a few days we flew to Phoenix and drove to Sedona for a couple days and then back to Scottsdale for a couple more days before flying home.

I caught up on my rest. We dined at some great restaurants. We hiked a little . Sedona is one of the most scenic areas in the USA; therefore, our eyes were drenched in some of the most brilliant sites imaginable. 

The Road Goes on Forever

Logistics

Flights

  • 9/21: Flight 417 – 10:25AM – 10:50AM
  • 9/26: Flight 569 – 11:05AM – 3:40PM

Hotels

  • September 21-23 at Wyndham Sedona
  • September 24-25 at Home 2 Salt River

Restaurants

  • True Food Kitchen Scottsdale for lunch
  • Cucina Rustic in Oak Creek for dinner
  • The Hudson in Sedona for lunch and dinner. Make reservations as early as you can
  • Mesa Grill for lunch at the Sedona Airport
  • Beckett’s Table in Phoenix for dinner
  • Portillo’s in Scottsdale for when you miss Chicago Italian Beef
  • Grassroots Kitchen & Tap in ScottsdaleRestaurants not good
  • Golden Goose in Sedona – Been there forever – reminded me of eating back home in Alexis
  • Olive & ivy – very good restaurant but nothing on the menu that Gwen can eat

Activities

  • Mainly eating and hiking
  • Montezuma’s Castle – although not as good as our last visit. Some flooding tore up the area along the river which was the prettiest part of the park
  • Oak Creek Canyon
  • Jerome 
  • Desert Botanical Garden

TL;DR

Sep 21, 2022 at 9:08 AM: Yesterday was the Training Class at Myers Park. Went well. We used Camtasia to the the whole screen to record the video. I’m going the produce the movie on vacation.

The night before Training Class which would be the evening of the 19th Gwen was very restless and non-coherent. We went to bed late because based on her behavior I did not think she would sleep anyway so best to keep her up for a bit. 

Shortly after we did go to bed I must have been asleep she called out to me to take her watch off. I stubbed my toes really bad in fact I think I broke at lest one and the entire foot is sore. Then before I could get to Gwen to take her watch off I fell against the bed “foot board” and hit my thigh pretty bad. The day before that I had banged my left shin against the “foot board” and cut it. It now appears to have an infection and is very sore also. So I have a bad left foot, sore left shin, and sore right thigh. And we are traveling to Sedona to go hiking. What a mess.

Stayed at Mike & Sara’s last night. Had a good time. Gwen slept like a log. She seems to be in a predictable cycle – one night can’t sleep & the next night sleeps like a log.

Sitting at the Airpot in Terminal B waiting on our flight to Phoenix

The flight was on time and the ride was smooth. No passengers hit the flight attendants. Our rental car is a Nissan Kick which is a nice little car. 

Phoenix and the trip up to Sedona is cloudy, cool, and with little light drizzle.

We ate lunch at True Food Kitchen in Scottsdale. – a great and healthy lunch spot.

We made a slight detour and stopped off at Montezuma’s Castle on the drive to Sedona. Its a cool, in the Summer, and shady place to spend some time. The ancient Indians constructed a pueblo 3/4 the way up a sheer Clift there.

Dinner was at the Cucina Rustica in Oak Creek Village. The food and ambience was outstanding. On our next trip I’ll pack a pair of long pants just for restaurants just like this one.

Sep 22, 2022 at 10:47 PM: Gwen had a bad day today. Lots of pain in her shoulders.l

This morning we ate breakfast in the Wyndham. Then we took a walk on the Sunset Park Trail which is near the condo. 

We had lunch at The Hudson. I think it Gwen’s favorite restaurant – at least for lunch. The views there are most excellent “dude”. We’ve never eaten there for dinner because like Eote you need to book 2 months in advance when the reservations open.

View from The Hudson

After lunch we drove up to the top of Oak Creek Canyon . Its usually a very scenic and leisurely drive up to the top of the Colorado Plateau. Not this day. First, the rains came with a vengeance . After the rain subsided we came upon a traffic light – red of course. A sign above the traffic light said the light will change within 15 minutes. I believe we waited 14 minutes before it changed. Turns out the road up the escarpment was a one lane road for maybe two miles. We drove to the top, admired the view, and then drove back down to Sedona stopping at the traffic signal again. 

Flowers at Oak Creek Canyon Lookout

We ate dinner in the condo. – leftovers

Sep 23, 2022 at 10:58 AM: We slept in until 5AM. Breakfast in the condo again – bread from the Eatery we brought with us from Dallas.

In the morning we drove to Jerome and took some photos. I scored a Indian Scout Sign in a souvenir shop. The only Indian Scout I will ever own.

We ate lunch at the Mesa Grill. It’s not fancy but both of us loved our meals.

After lunch we just drove around the hills taking photos.

Dinner was at the Golden Goose. I think its been in the same location before there was a Sedona. The servers all must have worked their 25 years. This place would fit right in Monmouth Illinois like a glove. Gwen liked her pork chop. I had the meatloaf and would not order it again. If you ever eat there don’t get the calamari. As for us we will find a different restaurant

Sep 24, 2022 at 8:40 AM: Gwen had another bad night sleeping last night. That’s at least two nights in a row. Hopefully she will sleep better 

Breakfast in the Wyndham and then drove to Scottsdale. 

Lunch at Portillo’s. My Italian Beef was excellent. 

Tried to check in at the Home2. Been waiting 3 hours now. Just setting in the Lobby watching football games. 

In parallel Gwen wanted me to go to an Urgent Care because of my leg swelling. I did and they basically told me they did not know what was wrong and I should go to the local ER in case I had blood clots. Talked it over with Gwen and decided to wait until we are home and go see our family doctor.

Dinner was at Beckett’s Table. We first visited this restaurant on our first visit to Phoenix and liked it so much we have gone back on every trip here. We were not disappointed on this visit either. I had the Green Chili Stew. 

Sep 25, 2022 at 3:51 PM: Gwen had yet another bad night and so did I. My problem was the bed. It was as hard as a rock. Many hotels have extra firm beds and I don’t know why.

Breakfast was in the hotel as is normal for us on this trip. The bread from the Eatery really paid off. We did have to buy a bread knife here in Scottsdale because the room did not have one. However, the price of the knife was less than a McDonald’s breakfast for us. 

After breakfast we visited the Desert Botanical Garden.

For lunch we drove 5 minutes down the road to Grassroots Kitchen & Tap. I was surprised the server gave us their regular menu. Apparently they don’t have a weekend brunch. Good news for us. Grassroots is definitely a “go back to” establishment. The food was most excellent dude.

We spent the afternoon watching NFL games in the hotel.

Dinner was at Olive & Ivy. Although it’s a great restaurant there is nothing on their menu Gwen can eat so it’s out for us from now on.

Sep 26, 2022 at 8:42 AM: Up at 5 so we could make our flight. Sitting at the airport now waiting for the flight to board.

Home 2 thoughts: The bed was a good height for Gwen but the hotel has shown a lot of wear and tear with no obvious attempt to keep it in tip top shape. We had to wait over an hour after they promised us we could have our room until it was actually ready. Maybe because of the location but the hotel is a madhouse of families with teenage noisy youths.

Summary: We like Home 2 hotels because of the bed but would not stay at this particular location again

For more photos: Click Here

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Napa & Monterey

August 4, 2021

August 03, 2021

#travel #california

We planned a short vacation to Napa Valley and Monterey this July (11-16) in order to escape the Texas heat. Things did not work out as planned. Texas was experiencing a cooler than normal July because the high pressure system that normally dominates our weather in the summer moved west and was hovering over, you guessed it, Northern California.

Napa was hot reaching or coming close to 90 every day. On top of that the most severe drought in many a year had blanketed most of the western U.S. Not only were conditions for forest fires extremely high but most of California was under severe water restrictions. Although on the surface Napa is the premier wine producing valley in the USA under the surface they are hurting. Most of the 2020 vintage was dumped down the drain because the 2020 wildfires in he area induced a Smokey taste in the wine produced that year from local grapes. This year the drought is affecting the grapes.

We did have a great time and hope the valley recovers quickly. Such a treasure; It would be a tragedy if it were destroyed.

Monterey, unlike Napa, was seemingly unaffected by either the drought or the heat wave. The highest the thermometer reached while we were there was 61.

Mt St. Helena

Food

I did not list all the establishments we visited, only the ones I recommend:

  • The Fish Market – Several locations in the Bay area
  • Calistoga Inn and Brewery – great brews and eclectic menu
  • Calistoga Roastery – Coffee shop in aging storefront on Main Street Calistoga
  • Sarafornia Cafe – Calistoga – Good place for breakfast although Gwen will not return because of food restrictions
  • Sams Social Club – Calistoga – In a newer resort in Calistoga. Great breakfast and lunch.
  • The Market – St. Helena – Best meal we had in Napa – Dined on sidewalk a foot from the owner’s Yukon
  • The Bench at Pebble Beach – Lunch on the patio overlooking the 18th green at Pebble Beach
  • Enzo Ristorante Italiano – Carmel – super small but outstanding Italian fare and

Activities

Some activities we enjoyed:

Napa

  • Petrified Forest
  • Wine tasing
  • Redwood Trail
  • Walking around Calistoga

Petrified Forest

Monterey

  • 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach
  • Walking along the Monterey waterfront and watching seals
  • Drive down highway 1 to Big Sur

Hotels

  • Napa – Bergson in Calistoga – thumbs up
  • Monterey – Marriott in Monterey – thumbs up

Duration

  • 5 nights – Sunday, July 11 to Friday, July 16 2021
  • Sunday – fly to SFO; drive to Napa
  • Monday – at Napa
  • Tuesday – at Napa
  • Wednesday – Drive to Monterey
  • Thursday – Monterey
  • Friday – drive to SFO ; flight home

Flights

  • 07/11 – DFW to SFO Flight 2798 8:35AM to 10:19AM
  • 07/16 – SFO to DFW Flight 2802 3:22PM to 9:08PM

Bixby Bridge

TL;DR

Jul 11, 2021 at 11:30 AM: On flight Rower One San Francisco. We left DFW about an hour late at 9:30AM. Storms rolled through DFW last night which caused havoc with flight schedules.

Jul 11, 2021 at 4:09 PM: We’ve arrived at The Bergson in Calistoga, our home for the next three nights. After picking up the rental we ate lunch at The Fish Market in San Mateo. Then we drove up here. I’m ready to rest for a bit.

Later in the evening we strolled around town and had dinner at the Callisotga Inn and Brewery. Food was excellent. We sat in the bar so we could watch the NBA finals. Bad choice, the game was not close.

Jul 12, 2021 at 10:39 AM: Breakfast this morning was coffee and bagels at the Calistoga Roastery. I would be a regular if I lived here.

Visited the Petrified Forest this morning. It’s just a short drive from Calistoga. It’s private and therefore they charge an admission – $11.00 for seniors. The walk through the forest is around a mile and a very easy walk. We enjoyed our visit there.

Jul 12, 2021 at 7:57 PM:

Lunch: Palisades in Calistoga was not what I expected although it was good. After walking in you order from a counter sort of like Rosa’s. Forgetting what I expected. If you are in your early 20s and on a fairly limited budget it’s an excellent choice for a good wholesome meal for a reasonable price. If I were not married to Gwen Palisades would be my expensive, splurge mask on the trip.

In the afternoon we drove down the Silverado Trail to Yountville and explored the towns back to Calistoga by automobile.

Dinner was Brasswood Bar + Kitchen. The meal was delicious but the service was poor. They sat us in an area served by the bartender. About the time we sat down a large group or groups ordered a number of complicated to make drinks. 20 minutes later I was asking the hostess to move us when he finished and took our order. The rest of the evening including the food was excellent.

Jul 13, 2021 at 5:41 PM: Breakfast this morning at Sarafornia Cafe. Mine was good but something did not agree with Gwen’s stomach.

Then we hiked the Redwood Trail in the local state park. Much longer walk than yesterday. Most of that area had a forest fire a year ago. Most of the redwoods had black trunks quite high but were still okay. They have extra thick bark that protects them from forest fires. However many of the younger trees had died. The ground cover had started to grow back but the drought has killed most of the ground cover off and the area is ripe for another forest fire.

Lunched at Sam’s Social Club in the Indian Springs Resort on the east end of town. Gwen liked the tea so much she wants to go back for breakfast.

Took a scenic drive this afternoon and bought a book at the local bookstore, Copperfield Books.

We dined at The Market in St. Helena. It’s a farm to table restaurant whatever that means. In any case it was very good. The best we’ve had here in Napa.

Jul 14, 2021 at 3:46 PM: Breakfast this morning was back at Sam’s because Gwen loved their iced tea.

After that we checked out of the hotel and drove to the Monterey Marriott with a side trip back at The Fish Market in San Mateo for lunch. It’s 59 in Monterey at 4PM.

Checked in the Monterey Marriott. Much color here – 55 degrees. Dinner at Domenico’s on the wharf. Good but I’d try somewhere else next time. Seafood in Monterey should be brilliant.

Jul 15, 2021 at 9:37 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Very good. Of course they have a buffet but we ordered off the menu.

57 this morning. Heat wave for Monterey.

Drove the 17 Mile Drive on a partly foggy day. Still a wonderful experience.

Then lunch at The Bench at the Lodge at Pebble Beach overlooking the 18th green.

After lunch we wandered aimlessly around Carmel for awhile before driving to Big Sur on Highway 1.

Before dinner we walked along the Monterey Waterfront. We dined at Enzo Ristorante Italiano. Superb!!!

Jul 16, 2021 at 4:00PM:

We had a restless night at the Marriott before breakfast at McDonalds and Starbucks. First I walked 1/2 mile to the McDonalds for Gwen’s Iced Tea and an orange juice. Took them back to the hotel and then a block to Starbucks for coffee and bagels.

Before leaving Monterey I called The Fish Market for lunch reservations but they were booked solid. Oh woe is me; I was counting on another great meal at the best seafood restaurant in the Cosmos.

Checked out of the Marriott and drove to San Mateo for lunch at Mendocino Farms for lunch before heading to SFO for the flight home.

Pebble Beach Coast

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Phoenix 2021

July 23, 2021

We decided to travel to Phoenix after we were notified our Baltic Cruise was delayed another year and like everyone else we were weary of staying at home. Therefore, we planned a trip to Phoenix on short notice.

In Scottsdale we found a new Wyndham property for our base – Orange Tree Resort . It’s not new; the place is showing some age. I think Wyndham took over a Shell Travel Club resort. I was amazed how cool the unit stayed even in 111 degree temperatures. I would stay there again especially since I don’t have to lay out cash for the condo.

We also traveled up to Flagstaff one day and night just to cool off. The morning we left Flagstaff the temperature was 45 degrees. That afternoon the Phoenix temperature hit topped out at . That’s a 66 degree change. The elevation change between Phoenix and Flagstaff is 5,900 feet.

Overall, its great to get away from home from time to time. We had a great trip but I don’t recommend Phoenix in July for most people. February or March is much more pleasant.

Hotels

  • Phoenix: Orange Tree Resort
  • Flagstaff: Hilton Garden Inn

Flights

  • AA first class
  • June 10 DFW to Phoenix: Flight 520 @ 9:05AM
  • Jume 14 Phoenix to DFW: Flight 1169 @ 1:25PM

Restaurants

Places we dined I would recommend:

  • The Parlor Pizzarea – Phoenix for lunch
  • Sakura – Flagstaff for dinner
  • Keegan’s – Phoenix for lunch
  • Becket’s Table – Phoenix for dinner
  • Portillo’s – Phoenix for lunch – Chicago chain that has reached Phoenix

Activities

As with restaurants, these are activities I’d recommend to a friend.

  • Musical Instrument Museum
  • Butterfly Wonderland
  • OdySea Aquarium]

Timeline

Jun 10, 2021 at 11:08 AM: Stayed at Sara’s last night and flew to Phoenix this morning first class on a large plane. Seating was the best in the US

Now at The Parlor Pizzarea. They serve Half Acre Pale Ale. It is magnificent. Will look for it at home.

5:14 PM: After lunch we did the Musical Instrument Museum. It divided into 2 main sections.

  • Instruments and music for different parts of the World. Pretty much covered everywhere and included countries I did not know existed.
  • The Artists of some significance centered basically in the USA. For example no Bach but included Bernstein.

Jun 11, 2021 at 7:32 AM: Tried to go to Switch in Phoenix for a late dinner at 7:30 but they were not taking anymore diners. So we went back to The Parlor where we had lunch and shared a pizza.

Gwen had a “restless” night and finally got up at 4 to read. Me thinks she over did it yesterday.

Today we drove to Flagstaff to catch some cool weather and hike. It’s 2 hours North of Phoenix and sits at 7,000 feet. We did the Mars Hill hike, and dined at Sakura, a Hibachi grill we’ve been a couple time before and loved it. Just as. Good this time

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, a good hotel if your ever in Flagstaff. Unfortunately there was a party going on in the next room. I finally knocked on their door at 12:30 and told them to quiet down. Wish I had done that at 10:30.

Jun 12, 2021 at 4:39 PM

Woke up this morning before 6. Therefore we packed up, picked up a coffee and an iced tea, and drove to Phoenix. The temperature was 46 when we left Flagstaff and 93 when we drove into Phoenix 2 hours later. The temperature as I write is 108.

Breakfast was crackers and peanut butter in the condo.

On our way to the Diamondback/Angel game we stopped at Keegan’s for lunch. Reminded me of the Houston’s restaurant in DFW.

The Diamondback game was okay. I’m spoiled with the new Ranger ballpark.

Dinner was at an old favorite – Becket’s Table. Their menu is small but always delicious and the presentation on the plate is always something to look forward to.

Jun 13, 2021 at 10:20 PM: Slept in this morning until 7. Then we had breakfast at Panera’s.

Our activity today was The Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Aquarium. The butterfly conservatory was excellent. First they showed a film about Monarchs. Then we entered the conservatory with thousands of butterflies. We stayed there a very long time and marveled at the rainbows of butterflies. The aquarium was okay but not world class. I’d put in the same category as the Dallas Aquarium.

For lunch we discovered a Portillo’s In Scottsdale – a little bit of Chicago in the desert.

We spent the afternoon holed up in the condo because of the 111 degree heat.

Dinner at Olive & Ivy, one of our favorite restaurants in the area.

Jun 14, 2021 at 9:41 AM: Breakfast at Butterfield’s Pancakes. Headed for the airport and flight home. Escaping just as the heatwave gets real dangerous

That’s All Folks

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Traveling Man

March 21, 2010

I have been on the road for a month now and am ready to be home.  Actually I have been in Denver for a month working including the weekends.  More than ready to be home!! Miss the wife, the kids, the grandkids, the dog, the neighbors, and the home!!  Like Dorothy says “Toto – there is no place like home!”

One huge problem when you are traveling is what you don’t get done at home.  Just before I left noticed one of the toliets does not quite shut off and the outside faucet on the patio leaks a little when I turn it on – probably because of he record low temperatures in February.  Also, I need to do taxes bad.  On top of all that Spring has arrived in Dallas and I need to be digging up winter plants, putting in the Summer plants.  While I am on the subject of landscapes I need to do something permanent to the  Northeast corner of the house landscape!  And no telling what my better half has not told me because she does not want me to worry.

So farewell beautiful Denver, but I am more than ready to be Home!

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