Our trip to the Grand Canyon did not start out very smoothly. As it turns out, the north entrance, which we blindly selected from the GPS only leads to cabins.
After another 4 hours, we arrived at the main entrance. We decided to take a quick stop at the Grand Canyon, since we wanted to make it to Phoenix by dinnertime. This was Allison’s first time visiting the canyon. It is very difficult to capture the beauty of the canyon in a photograph. It is a one of a kind, and needs to be enjoyed in person, but we did try our best to get some pictures!
Our next destination was Phoenix. Allison and I both were anticipating this stop. I have several family members who live in Phoenix and Mesa. We don’t get to see each other as often as we would like. Duane greeted us when we pulled up. He asked “Is it hot enough for you?” I would say 110 degrees was pretty hot! After catching up with Duane and Wink, it was dinner time. Allison helped Duane prepare dinner. Wink and I were given difficult task of shucking pistachios. We continued to catch up over dinner. Duane and Wink gave up some ideas for additional stops in California. Duane and Allison made a delicious meal of grilled chicken with Brussels sprouts. After dinner we took a dip in Duane’s hot tub. It was the perfect cure for our sore feet!
The next morning we slept in, which is very rare. We took it pretty easy that morning. Duane invited us to his work for lunch. He is a cook at a small restaurant called The Cafeteria. They serve one of the best burgers I have ever eaten.
After lunch we visited a few used book stores. We didn’t find anything too exciting, but it’s always fun to browse. Next, we headed to Mesa to visit my cousin, Shona. Shona and her husband, Chad, just had their second son, Jake, last month. It was great getting to meet him. Catching up with Shona was a blast. We are both broke and busy, so we don’t get to see each other very often. I had a great time hanging out with her son, Gage. I can’t believe is going to turn four soon. Gage and I wrestled while Allison and Shona talked about stuff. Gage convinced us to stay at their house for dinner. He later extended the invitation by saying, “You guys can stay for five months.”
We headed off to the grocery store for dinner supplies. The store Shona took us to was super-affordable, so Allison and I took the opportunity to stock up our food box. After a delicious pork chop dinner, I couldn’t stay awake. While I rested, Allison and Shona whipped up a batch of peanut butter sweet and salty cookies! The next morning Shona made delicious breakfast burritos. Gage reminded us of his offer, but we sadly had to leave. We headed back to Duane’s house in Phoenix. We spent most of the afternoon indoors, to hide from the sun. We cooled off a bit in the pool, walking quickly over the hot concrete. For dinner that evening, Duane and Wink took us to an amazing Italian restaurant. It was a small, family-run restaurant very close to their house. Duane told me that this restaurant was very similar to the ones they ate at in Italy. Allison and I don’t normally eat pasta at restaurants. But if they were all as good as this place, I would throw that rule out. After dinner we finished packing up our things, and left very early the next day.
I had a wonderful time in Phoenix. It was great getting to see my family. I was also glad that Allison got the chance to get to know them better- we haven’t had the chance to hang out with them on more of a one-on-one (or two-on-two) basis. We both hope we get to visit Phoenix/Mesa again, very soon!
-Marc
After another 4 hours, we arrived at the main entrance. We decided to take a quick stop at the Grand Canyon, since we wanted to make it to Phoenix by dinnertime. This was Allison’s first time visiting the canyon. It is very difficult to capture the beauty of the canyon in a photograph. It is a one of a kind, and needs to be enjoyed in person, but we did try our best to get some pictures!
Our next destination was Phoenix. Allison and I both were anticipating this stop. I have several family members who live in Phoenix and Mesa. We don’t get to see each other as often as we would like. Duane greeted us when we pulled up. He asked “Is it hot enough for you?” I would say 110 degrees was pretty hot! After catching up with Duane and Wink, it was dinner time. Allison helped Duane prepare dinner. Wink and I were given difficult task of shucking pistachios. We continued to catch up over dinner. Duane and Wink gave up some ideas for additional stops in California. Duane and Allison made a delicious meal of grilled chicken with Brussels sprouts. After dinner we took a dip in Duane’s hot tub. It was the perfect cure for our sore feet!
The next morning we slept in, which is very rare. We took it pretty easy that morning. Duane invited us to his work for lunch. He is a cook at a small restaurant called The Cafeteria. They serve one of the best burgers I have ever eaten.
After lunch we visited a few used book stores. We didn’t find anything too exciting, but it’s always fun to browse. Next, we headed to Mesa to visit my cousin, Shona. Shona and her husband, Chad, just had their second son, Jake, last month. It was great getting to meet him. Catching up with Shona was a blast. We are both broke and busy, so we don’t get to see each other very often. I had a great time hanging out with her son, Gage. I can’t believe is going to turn four soon. Gage and I wrestled while Allison and Shona talked about stuff. Gage convinced us to stay at their house for dinner. He later extended the invitation by saying, “You guys can stay for five months.”
We headed off to the grocery store for dinner supplies. The store Shona took us to was super-affordable, so Allison and I took the opportunity to stock up our food box. After a delicious pork chop dinner, I couldn’t stay awake. While I rested, Allison and Shona whipped up a batch of peanut butter sweet and salty cookies! The next morning Shona made delicious breakfast burritos. Gage reminded us of his offer, but we sadly had to leave. We headed back to Duane’s house in Phoenix. We spent most of the afternoon indoors, to hide from the sun. We cooled off a bit in the pool, walking quickly over the hot concrete. For dinner that evening, Duane and Wink took us to an amazing Italian restaurant. It was a small, family-run restaurant very close to their house. Duane told me that this restaurant was very similar to the ones they ate at in Italy. Allison and I don’t normally eat pasta at restaurants. But if they were all as good as this place, I would throw that rule out. After dinner we finished packing up our things, and left very early the next day.
I had a wonderful time in Phoenix. It was great getting to see my family. I was also glad that Allison got the chance to get to know them better- we haven’t had the chance to hang out with them on more of a one-on-one (or two-on-two) basis. We both hope we get to visit Phoenix/Mesa again, very soon!
-Marc
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| The McDonalds near the Grand Canyon is one of the most expensive in the country. A double quarter pounder with cheese meal is almost $10! |
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| Cactus, Cactuses, Cacti. |
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| Allison likes taking pictures of people taking pictures with iPads. |
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| It's Grand! |
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| Isn't it Grand? |
