A quick trip to Phoenix June 25 - 28, 2016

I originally was scheduled to go to Phoenix June 23 - 25 for my Wayland Baptist class - but that class was canceled.  I still needed to go, as my Arizona drivers license was set to expire in July.  Because of the surprise visit to Ketchikan for Megan's 30th birthday, the dates of my trip were pushed back to June 25 - 28.  As usual, I was up early to do my class and to feed and walk Mr. Shadow.  I enjoyed some of the summer colors on our morning walk.

I then left of the airport about 7:00, catching first a bus and then the light rail, arriving around 8:00.  I was early, so walked Concourses C, D and E for exercise.  In one of the connectors between concourses, they have this display of birds - I had to take a photo for my niece Laura, the ultimate bird lover and soon to be ornithologist.

My flights to San Francisco and Phoenix went as I scheduled, and I took the Skytrain, Light Rail and a walk to get to our condo.  Our friends Anne and Shawn offered to give me a ride because of the high temps, but I politely declined and made it just fine before 4:00.  About 5:15, Cathy came to pick me up and we went to Anne and Shawn's house for a delightful visit and cool dinner of caprese salad, melon wedges and dates wrapped in prosciutto, and a salad of jicama, corn, tomatos and onions.  We caught up on recent events and then I walked the three miles back to the house.

Sunday morning, Anne and I met at 6:00 at the start of the Bridle Path and walked north for a mile and then back.  Combined with walking from our condo, that was a good 4.5 mile trek to start the day.  Along the way, I came across both some color and some agaves that had bloomed and would now die.

Wanting to get in my full ration of steps, when Anne and Shawn asked for help with changing the water filter in their fridge, I declined the offer of a ride and walked the three miles there.  They thought the fridge had to be moved out from the wall, unplugged from the electrical outlet and disconnected from the water line.  I thought this was too much.  After a quick search online, we found a you tube video and discovered that all you had to do was open twist the filter off and install the new one.  Fortunately, I was able to do it without using any tools - but I doubt they had the hand/arm strength to do it so it was good that I was there to do it.

I then walked back home and noticed how a neighbor had found a creative use for old golf balls.

While the official high was only 108 degrees, I walked home by this insurance company thermometer that was in the sun and which showed 116 degrees.

Monday morning, Anne and I met at 6:00 and walked the same two miles on the Bridle Path.  I then went to Arizona DMV at 51st Ave. and Indian School by walking, light rail and bus - it took about an hour and only cost $10 to renew my license.  I took the bus back to 3rd Street and Indian School Road, had lunch at Wendy's and then walked through Steele Indian Park and up 7th Street to our condo.  I took it easy and then walked to Christo's Restaurant to meet Anne, Shawn and Meg for dinner.  I passed the same insurance company thermometer and it was a bit warmer, with the official high of 113 degrees and showing 120 degrees - but it is a dry heat.

We had a delightful dinner and visit, and they celebrated my upcoming birthday since I would not be around - thanks for the treat, ladies!

Anne then brought Shawn home and drove to The Vig Uptown on 16th St - I walked to continue getting my steps.  TJ's wife Michelle flew in from Pasadena for an interview she had Tuesday morning and arrived around 8:30, about the same time as Lauren and Blaise.  We all visited and talked until about 10:00 and then they drove home while I walked back to the condo - Monday I managed to get in 27,399 steps for 13.4 miles.

Tuesday, I worked at the condo, cleaned things up and then headed for the airport around noon.  My flights to San Francisco and on to Portland went as scheduled, and by riding the light rail and taking a bus, I got home in Portland by about 10:30 - another good trip.

Our surprise trip to Ketchikan for Megan's 30th birthday, June 22 - 24, 2016

We returned home around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, did laundry, showered, rested and got ready for the next trip - 17 hours later we left our house at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday for our 9:15 flight to Seattle and the connecting flight to Ketchikan.  While we were in Bolivia, we found out that Jon would be in Montana for training for the week of June 20 - 25.  This meant Megan would be home alone on her 30th birthday.  So from La Paz, we planned to surprise her.  Ben paid for a massage for her from 1:00 - 3:00 on her birthday, Wednesday June 22.  Dave, the owner of the company where Megan works, had ordered a birthday cake and ice cream, and coordinated with us - he met us at the airport, took us to the floral shop where we had ordered flowers and balloons, and then took us to the MFA hangar.  We got a tour of the planes, marina and hangar, and then waited.  Dave had given Megan the message that she was needed at work after her massage - she apparently assumed that they had cake for her.  When she arrived, Patty and I hid in the bathroom with the birthday cake - apparently, this is what they do for all birthdays, with the candles lit in the bathroom and then singing Happy Birthday as the cake is brought from the bathroom.  Megan was the only woman there, so when the singing began and she heard a female voice, she was surprised.  When we came around the corner, she was even more surprised - she knew something had been planned but had no idea that we would be there.  To say the least, she shed tears of happiness - and many of the macho guys who work at MFA did so as well. We had a great time sharing cake and her favorite - chocolate chip mint ice cream. That evening, MFA treated us and about ten employees to a wonderful dinner.  After dinner, we walked around the town center and got a photo of the setting sun.

We know that Megan won't forget her 30th birthday.

Megan stayed with us that night in our room at the Edgewater Inn.  The next morning, I wandered around and took some photos of the hotel and surrounding areas.

The hotel is on the water and the airport is reached by a ferry that crosses the water, with the airport on that island.  But the water is used by the many floatplanes to take off and land - here is a short video of one taking off while I was walking around.

After breakfast, we visited Totem Bight State Park and walked the mile long loop with many totem poles and buildings.

It is difficult to tell, but there is a lighthouse on that island out from the park

There were numerous bald eagles present - we could regularly hear them talking.  I tried capturing them in still photos (unsuccessfully) and then tried a video (successfully).

Megan showed us where there were many salmonberries, ripe and ready for picking - they made a nice mid-morning snack.

We visited a replica of a home that would have been inhabited by several families but is now used as a ceremonial center.

At the Visitor Center, we learned more about totem poles and the wildlife at the park.

We also learned about banana slugs - Megan told us they had a special day for them, with prizes for the largest ones.

We then headed for Ward Lake which is a recreational and camping site in the Tongass National Forest.  There is a nice hiking trail around the lake and we spent an hour hiking it.

Another banana slug

A possible bear hibernation spot

 

Many of the trees had gaps at the base that appeared large enough for bears to use to hibernate in the winter.

This was a massive space - I could have easily camped in here

We then went for a nice lunch before heading out to the airport.  Megan needed to renew her ID card for access to secure portions of the airport and then gave us a tour of the hangar they now use, as well as the new office and planned hangar construction for MFA.  Megan was looking at the office and control point, as she will be ordering the new furniture to outfit the space - a waiting room, an entry control point, office areas and break room.

We then went out for a private birthday dinner with just the three of us at Megan's favorite, Bar Harbor Restuarant.

Megan then brought us back to the hotel and we said our goodbyes, as after two days off from work, she needed to get ready to be at work at 6:30 Friday morning.  Friday morning, Patty and I took it easy and then headed over to the airport at 10:30.  We had a light snack there and caught our 1:00 p.m. flight to Seattle, and on the connecting flight to Portland, I got these photos - the top of Mount Rainier above the clouds and the foothills below the clouds.

Ben and Martha met us at the airport around 6:30 and we went out for a very nice dinner at the Aviary Restaurant - many unique dishes.

I had crispy pig's ear with avocado, mint and rice

Ben had sticky rice

Patty had flatiron steak with potatoes and bone marrow custard

Martha had the pan seared tai snapper

We got home about 9:30, we unpacked and I got ready to leave early Saturday for Phoenix - it was a most enjoyable and memorable three day trip.