Arizona - Lost Dutchman State Park

 Getting into the routine now, early morning peaceful swim before the family emerges. Then its a couple of cups of coffee, hopefully before everyone gets up. Aimee joined me this morning and we managed one cup of coffee before bedlam commenced.

This bird was sitting on the wall when we went out this morning. There are a number of Thrashers with this curved bill but internet research seems to point to the aptly named Curved-Bill Thrasher, native to Arizona.

Breakfast then

Christmas presents (this is our family Christmas get together though I plan on having Christmas, independently, with both of my kids families in December)

Christine is an accomplished gift giver, books and

quick dry towels for everyone.

Cousins ready to go into the pool area.

Lots

of

fun

in the pool

and

the hot tub

with the Mockingbird wondering what all the noise is about.

Packed a picnic and then about a half hour drive to Lost Dutchman State Park

It didn't take long to get beyond the sprawl of the Phoenix area and into the natural landscape.

No fancy Palm trees here, just low scrubby shrubs and magnificent

Cacti.

We ate our picnic at a Ramada (a shelter in Spanish)

and then walked a short trail.

It was very hot and Chris wanted a picture before we all got sweaty.

While walking we saw a Rock Squirrel, Road Runner and a group of Gambel's Quail. All were too fast at diving into the protection of the undergrowth for me to get pictures.

There was ample reading material

and I loved seeing the Cholla Cacti again (last seen in Joshua Tree Park in California)

Brown Thrasher.

The trail was just long enough to give us a feel for the environment but not too long for the little ones.

Then it was home to put River and Cigi down for naps while Aimee, Maya and I hit Costco for simple, "we are on holiday" meals.

Watching some screen while

waiting for supper.

A lovely sunset, a rarity here

as there are usually no clouds in the sky.

Then Maya and

Mike had an evening swim.

The low light resulting in impressionistic photos.

Arizona - just "chillin" in Mesa

 First order of the day...a swim. The pool is heated, not quite as warm as bathwater but absolutely no shock when you get in. The hot tub is only slightly warmer as it empties, via waterfall, into the pool. A lovely way to start the day; some lengths and some aquafit exercises.

Then, while having breakfast with Cigi, we spotted this bird but couldn't get a good picture through the window

so she promised to be quiet and still and we went outside for some birding.(Eye patch on for an hour every day to correct a "lazy eye") She kept her promise and was still and quiet as a mouse

I think this is a Northern Mockingbird.

Not a lot of birds around

but we did see a Hummingbird in this flowering shrub.

Giving Chris and Jason a bit more peace and quiet, we went for a short walk and found a cat sitting in the shade.

but our real purpose was to take pictures of cacti.

Cigi would point out the ones she wanted me to take pictures of..."the one with the arms",

"the little ones"

and her rendition of this "pwicky pwear".

Then there was swimming

grocery shopping, lunch, napping,

more swimming,

then dinner, bath and bed.

 This AirBnB has a pool table so Chris, Jason and I played "Poker Pool" while awaiting the invasion of the Edmonton crew, due to arrive some time after 10 tonight.

Arizona - Phoenix

I spent the night at Chris and Jasons, we got up very early and arrived at the departure gate just as we were to board. Just enough time to grab a cup of coffee to drink on the plane. We arrived in Phoenix (4 hour flight, 2 hour time difference) , picked up the car and were able to check in to the hotel early.

I swam, hot tubbed and read by the pool while the rest were supposed to be napping. That didn't seem to happen

but in spite of the obvious exhaustion ( on all their parts)

the hot tub was a big success.

The roads here are either numbered or named after presidents.

Chris' research procedure consists of googling "cheap eats" and then comparing ratings and reviews. This sent us walking about 4 city blocks to "Taco Boys".

It was packed, obviously popular with locals and vaguely reminded me of Webers on the way up to cottage country....masses of customers, masses of staff taking orders, cooking and filling them, huge grills full of meat, nothing fancy just ample good Mexican food. They called your name when your food was ready and there was an area to fill little containers with salsa, pickled red onions, runny guacamole, salsa verde, hot sauce etc. I had a small vegetarian quesadilla and a large pineapple juice (Cigi drank half) 

Walking back: lots of colourful

street art,

and rental electric scooters.

To bed early after a very long day and the 2 hour time change threw off sleep patterns.

A good complimentary breakfast at the hotel and then off to a park.

Built during the depression, the lake is stocked with fish and

fishing, with a license, is permitted.

Paddle boats and canoes are rented and there is a train loop

and an amusement park.

But we were there to walk around enjoying the warm day with a light breeze,

the environment,

the various geese

and ducks

and then to go to the playground.

Peels of laughter tonight

When I showed her

how the slide effected her hair.

Then hot tub

Pool (hard to get in after the hot tub)

No fear.

It was all designed to tire her out so she would nap before we had to check out of the hotel.

Unfortunately she had to be woken from that nap, not happy about it but I got lots of cuddles because of that. Then lunch at Pita Jungle, another cheap but good food chain.

A street festival helped

fill the time

before we could check into our AirBnB.

Walking the streets, still in her PJs from nap time.

Phoenix is a big sprawling city in a flat valley surrounded by mountains.