Hi everyone! Its been a little while since we last updated our blog, because we've had visitors. On Feb. 10th Miranda and Dustin arrived at the Phoenix airport from Edmonton, via San Francisco. Their trip is a tale of the horrors of modern air travel. They were flying United all the way, but midway between San Francisco and Phoenix, their flight changed to a US Airways flight. Of course, US Airways flights come in to a different terminal than United, but nobody thought to tell us... so we waited a the wrong terminal, watching the arrivals board announce that they had arrived, but no one in sight! Eventually, we were able to call Miranda and find out what terminal they were actually at. No rush, because the airline had lost their bags!
They reported the missing bags, and were told they were still in San Francisco, but would be flown in to Tucson and delivered to us. Dustin had needed medication in his bag, and we tried to get the airline to expedite the delivery. The bags landed in Tucson around 6:00 pm, but they would not deliver them until sometime between 8 and 11. We were not allowed to pick them up, or to know the name of the delivery firm! After much cajoling, threatening, begging and pleading, we found a receptive ear at US Airways and the delivery was pushed to just after 8.
After picking the kids up at Phoenix, we headed south towards Tucson. They had eaten nothing all day, so we stopped at the Golden Corral Buffet in Casa Grande for a big lunch. Miranda and Dustin were amazed at the huge selection of food you can eat for just $9.95. After eating till we just about burst, we hit the highway again and got to our trusty Georgie Boy at about 4 pm. Drinks were required, and since it was raining we sat inside and imbibed, while we caught up on the latest news. We made a pork roast for a late dinner.
Miranda and Dustin stayed with us for the night, and in the morning we took them shopping at Walmart so they could buy some liquor for their hotel room. We returned home for lunch, and Marlene made fresh salsas, guacamole and chips. After that we went shopping at various workwear stores for Dustin and Victoria's Secret for Miranda. We made a nice dinner of Mexican giant shrimps with clam pasta and a Caesar salad, with a couple of bottles of wine (2.97 a bottle at Walmart). After dinner we took the kids to the Quality Inn, and got them checked in, and they settled in for the night.
Friday morning we picked up Miranda and Dustin and headed to the San Xavier mission. We had been before, and we were impressed with it, and now the kids were too. We sampled some native fry bread, then headed south on I19. Our next stop was the Titan Missile museum near Green Valley. This is the only remaining Titan underground silo, and it has been preserved and serves as a great reminder of the success of the MAD policy of the US during the cold war. The site is truly impressive, and we learned a great deal about how the missiles were launched, who operated them, and all the details. The missile is HUGE.
After we left the missile museum, we went further south, and stopped at Cow Palace, a restaurant and bar with a good reputation. We had some really fantastic burgers, and nice cold beers, and the prices were quite reasonable. My chile burger was immense, as were all the other assorted types we tried.
After a nice relaxing lunch we drove on down the highway to Nogales, where we parked the car on the US side and walked across the border into Mexico. We wandered around looking at all the various junk for sale, and made a few souvenir purchases before lining up to cross the border back to the US.
After Nogales it was back to Tucson where we dropped the kids off at TGI Fridays so they could satisfy their hunger. We did not join them, because I had caught Marlene's cold. After dinner the kids went and checked out some downtown nightspots before returning to their hotel.
Saturday morning we picked up Miranda and Dustin and went to the Tanque Verde swap meet/ flea market, where we did some serious shopping around. After that, we drove to Old Tucson (the movie studio/ theme park where many western movies and TV shows have been filmed, such as Young Guns, Little House on the Prairie, Rio Bravo and many others), but it was already about 2 pm, and the place closes at 4. We would have missed the stunt shows and other attractions so we decided to leave it for another day. We decided to show the kids the Tucson Presidio downtown. There was an event going on, with players dressed in period costumes and baked goods on sale. We learned more than we really ever wanted to know about how a flintlock rifle works!
After the Presidio, we returned to our motorhome for a few drinks and smokies on buns (and Dustin made his first guacamole). After a rest, it was time to go out for dinner. We had chosen the Guadalajara Grill, a highly rated Mexican restaurant. Good thing we had reservations, because the line-up outside was LONG. We waited about 10 minutes for our table, and were escorted into a colorful dining room. The place was hopping, with mariachi players strolling around serenading, and servers in traditional dress were preparing fresh salsa tableside. This was really good salsa! We had a hard time choosing meals from the extensive menu, but eventually figured out what to order. The food here is very good. Tasty, without being over spiced. Each dish has a distinct flavour. Service was good, even with the large, boisterous crowd. The Margaritas were especially tasty! At the end of this wonderful meal, Miranda snatched up the check, and refused our offers to go dutch. She treated us all to this fine dinner. What a daughter! Replete after a the large meal, we took the kids back to their hotel, and retired to our trusty Georgie Boy for a much needed rest.
Sunday morning I went for breakfast with Miranda, while Dustin got some alone time. Miranda and I ate at the Waffle House, a chain of diners we have seen all across the south. After a nice breakfast we picked up Dustin, and then went and picked up Marlene and Ben, and the packed lunch Marlene had prepared, and we drove north to the Catalina State Park for some hiking in the hills. We first went around the trail around the native ruins (about a mile), then we went to follow the trail to the equestrian center, but about 3/4 of the way along the trail we came across a meeting of the Tucson Street Rod Association. There were about 30 lovely street rods on display as the owners set up their big picnic. This was a real surprise to find in the middle of the park on Valentines Day. After ogling the cars, we walked back to ours, and had our own picnic. Then we drove the kids to their hotel for some poolside tanning, while Marlene and I went home to do laundry! Later that evening the kids went out to a steak house for Valentines Day dinner. Marlene and I dined on leftovers!
Monday morning we picked up the kids at their hotel, where they had checked out, and we brought their suitcases to the motorhome. Then we went to Old Tucson. We had a fine time there, and I even was dragged into one of the shows! See the picture of me beating a drum at a Snake Oil salesmans wagon. We drove the antique mini cars, went down on the mine tour (where Marlene got scared) and we saw a couple of gunfights and stunt shows. Miranda and Dustin rode the antique carousel and we saw the can can girls perform in the saloon. We toured the old movie sets, and saw the costumes worn in famous films and TV shows.
After a few hours at Old Tucson, we picked up a couple of Pizza Hut pizzas ( 2 large for $20) and went home to feast. A few beers were also consumed. Then Marlene and the kids went to swim and sun at our pool. I stayed home with Ben and worked a bit. After everyone came back, we had a few drinks and then I barbecued some nice rib-eye steaks for dinner. We had breaded zucchini sticks and mashed potatoes and fresh salad to complete the meal. Oh yes... we also drank 3 bottles of wine! After dinner we watched some TV, then turned in for the night.
Tuesday morning Marlene made sausages and eggs for breakfast, and Miranda, Dustin and I went to Target so Miranda could buy some more clothes. Then we went back home and loaded the suitcases into the car. We decided to take Ben with us for today's road trip. First, we went to the Tucson Harley Davidson showroom, a really nice place. Dustin checked out prices, and bought a shirt. Then we went and looked at a modular home sales lot. They are much cheaper here than in Canada. Next we headed to Phoenix to get to the airport. It was a quiet drive as we were all sad to see the end of the visit.
At Phoenix Sky Harbour the kids tried to avoid the $20 a suitcase charge because of the lost bags last trip. No dice, they won't give and inch! We left the kids at the entrance to security, and with tears in our eyes got back in the car for the trip home.
Miranda and Dustin were to change planes in San Francisco again. Unfortunately, when they got there their flight was canceled because of fog in Edmonton. They were told that the next flight to Edmonton would be in 2 days!! So they got put on a flight to Vancouver, with supposed connection on to Edmonton the following morning. But on arrival in Vancouver, Air Canada said that the flight was already overbooked, and they would have to wait until morning to find another flight. Miranda has learned well, and she made a real fuss. Called United, called Air Canada, and miraculously they were able to take the overbooked flight and arrived very tired and grumpy in Edmonton at about 9:30 am. Only 10 hours late! Miranda and Dustin were the only ones from their doomed San Francisco to Edmonton flight to actually get home today.
I will never fly a commercial airline except in emergency. Driving may take longer, but I like to be in control. I also have no interest in being scanned, patted, de-shoed and humiliated in a show of phony security.
Well, that's a long post today, and I need a cocktail. Stay tuned....
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