Phoenix rising

Monday was a slow day in Phoenix for me. I got some lunch at a thai place near Bailey's. I spent most of the day playing with Google Earth trying to figure out my route through California to maximize coverage. That evening Bailey, Erin and I met up with one of their climbing buddies Jason at On the Border for some yummy margaritas.

So, Tuesday I decided I would make my way to Taliesin West, the Arizona home of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. I understand there was a period when he was not doing well getting work designing buildings and such, so by the suggestion of his wife he started a school out of his studio in Wisconsin. He bought some property "out west" and would transport his students to Arizona for the winters. They were the ones that helped design and build Taliesin West. The location became the schools winter studio and continues to serve that function. It is now also the home of the FLW Foundation.

That evening I met up with Bailey at the Phoenix Rock Gym. It had been almost six years since I had done this activity my only time. I was able to complete the training wall rather easily and then completed 90% of the next two more challenging climbs and finished with a completion on my final climb. I got a little exhausted belaying, I have this stupid bone growth on my shoulder bone which can bother my deltoid with extended use. Otherwise I had a really good time out climbing.

Wednesday was an overcast day in Phoenix. My plan was to go for a hike in the Superstition Mountains. I chose the Peralta Trail supposedly around a 7 mile trail if my memory serves correctly. The trail was well defined, being one of the most trekked in the state according to some random website. I assembled my pack by bringing my rain jacket and pants, I also brought the Jetboil and a pouch of Backpackers Pantry pad thai to prepare along the trail. I also brought some of my new favorite trail mix, stuff I had picked up at target. I forget the name of it but it has craisins, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and other yummy goodness, it was quite enjoyable. Along the trail I took the photo that is at the top of this post, it is now my desktop... feel free to do the same. Along the way it started to drizzle and I put on the jacket. About an hour and a half in it started to rain a bit heavier. I found some cover under a rather huge rock and pulled out my rain pants (one of my more expensive purchases at REI) I was glad to have them. I then cooked up my pad thai although it would have been returned if it was given to me at a thai restaurant. After eating I returned to the trail and went back the way I had come so to not get stuck in any worse weather. I returned to Bailey's and we hung out at home that evening.

Thursday I got lunch at Pita Jungle, I felt granola, it made me feel good. I then made my way to the University of Phoenix stadium where the NFL Arizona Cardinals play. It is a state of art stadium with a field that moves in and out of the stadium. When football is not being played the floor can be used for concerts, conventions and swap meets (if needed, I guess). My plan was to get a ticket to tour the stadium, well I got there too late for a ticket so I was able to take photos of the outside of the stadium and one of the inside from the store.

After being let down at the stadium I headed to California. My night would be spent at the Joshua Tree National Park.