March 17

Happy St. Patrick's Day.  I am in my 3rd day of self isolation. Haley had stocked my fridge on Sunday morning just before I got home. The plan for today is to bake a batch of cookies.  Yesterday, I baked buns.  It's good to be home even if I can't get out to see family and friends.  Just knowing my loved ones are a few minutes away is comforting.  Last Wednesday, I was wondering whether we would be able to fly out of Phoenix, but all went well on the flight back home.  The Phoenix getaway with Deb was excellent.  Our Airbnb was well situated for the activities we enjoyed.  Having a whole house with a well-equipped kitchen and a backyard complete with patio furniture/barbecue made for an even more enjoyable stay.  We only had one restaurant meal in the two weeks we spent in the Phoenix area and that meal was a buffet that went with a show at the Silver Star Theatre in Mesa.  The highlights of the vacation were as follows:
1.  We hiked 10 of the 14 days in Phoenix area.  The recent rainfall meant the desert was green and vibrant.  Although the cacti were not flowering yet, there was an abundance of desert flowers.  Mexican poppy, brittle bush, lupines, mallow, turpentine, daisies, etc.  Some of the trails we hiked were Desert Vista, Pinnacle Peak, Wave Cave, Apache Wash, North Mountain Park, Buffalo Ridge, and Tom's Thumb.  The desert scenery never gets old.  Every detail, rock formation, and vista is a masterpiece of nature. Of all the activities we enjoyed, hiking is the least expensive and the most enjoyable.
2. We took western two step and cha cha dance lessons at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek on two occasions.
3.  On March 3, we saw The Toronto Raptors defeat the Phoenix Suns at the Talking Stick Arena.
3.  On March 7, we went to The Yacht Rock Revue at The Van Buren.  Yacht Rock is easy listening songs of the 70s and 80s.  Hall and Oates, Loggins and Massina,  Gerry Rafferty... People were dressed in captain's hats, blue blazers, and Navy Blazers.  Most of the audience knew the words to every song and sang along with gusto.
4. We watched the Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 8.
5. One night we attended the Scottsdale Rodeo.  Amazing to watch the Americans displaying patriotism.  The Star Spangled Banner went on for 20 minutes.  Maga hats and Vote Trumps signs were evident.
Now, my traveling days are over for a long while, it seems.  And it feels great to be home.  I am thankful I don't have to be out in all the craziness going on these days.  My heart goes out to all the people who are facing the challenges of Covid19 outbreak especially the people who do not have the supports of friends and family.  Stay safe, my friends.