November 3 - November 9, 2024
This week continues my adventures in Arizona. I wrapped up time in Phoenix and then headed to the Tucson area for a bit.
Sunday, November 3rd
Today was an absolutely lazy day, hanging out with Kristina.
No agendas, no pretenses, just time to talk, veg in front of the tv, enjoy a few meals together and hang out together.
It was a good day. 🎉
Monday, November 4th
Kristina and I left around 9 this morning to make the drive to Sedona for an afternoon of hiking and checking out the area around Bell Rock. It’s so beautiful out here!
We also briefly walked around the touristy part of Sedona, which was rife with stores selling crystals, gems, incense and similar items.
Sedona has a special vibe to it, and I feel like the commercialization of the area has cheapened the beauty that Sedonas has to offer, so let’s just focus on the beauty of the area, ok?
Tuesday, November 5th
This morning, I dropped my vehicle back off to have my dashhcam installed. They said it could take up to 3-4 hours depending on when they got to it in the queue, so I walked a quick 15 minutes to the Mesquite library, where I worked on my laptop for about an hour and 45 minutes before they called to let me know my car was done.
I walked back to pick up my car, then spent 10-15 minutes trying to figure out how to use the new dash cam features. I *tried* to use their handy QR code to get to their instructions, but you know where the QR code takes you? To this aggravating page:
And clicking around the various links didn’t help. I ended up going back up inside and one of the guys came out to show me how to use the features.
Unfortunately, one walk-through is not enough for me to be able to retain the information, so this purchase that was supposed to simplify my life and offer me additional protection against potential insurance scammers and fraudsters is another piece of anxiety-inducing tech. Ugh.
I’m sure’ll I’ll figure it out, but for now, I’m aggravated.
I wrapped up the afternoon with some errands, and got all caught up on laundry, and tidied the guest room at Kristina’s.
When she got home, we enjoyed a quiet dinner and hung out for a hit before she headed off to her house-sitting gig.
Wednesday, November 6th
Kristina popped over to her place this morning before work so we had a chance to say our goodbyes/until we meet again.
I’m super grateful for the time I had with Kristina this past week. We had some really deep, great conversations that helped me clarify my perspective on some matters that had been plaguing me.
Clarity is a big deal, and I’m grateful for the clarity my time with her has given me! Yay for friends! 🎉
However, when I left, I noticed that someone in tech complex had keyed my car. It’s deep. I’m wasn’t happy. Actually, I’m still furious. I know it’s just a car- just ‘stuff’, but these days, it represents so much more. I’ve tried to shake it off, but I can’t. And every time I get in/out of my car, I see it and it makes me mad all over again.
Of all the things in the world to be upset about, *this* continues to eat at me.
So, off I went, pissed off at the world, struggling to be grateful.
Once I hit the road, I made good time, arriving at my friends, Tammy & Monte’s, just before noon. They helped me quickly settle in, then I jumped on my weekly coaching call with Jon.
After the call, they gave me a tour of their gorgeous home and community.
Thursday, November 7th
We lunched at The Parish today. It’s a blend of Southern food- Louisiana, Texas & Arizona cuisine.
Monte & Tammy gave me a tour of some of the health and recreation facilities– I love it here! There are so many options and things to do right here in the Saddlebrook community – and ridiculously, reasonably priced!
Friday, November 8th
Ahh, the water! Tammy was kind enough to book time at the lap pool for me, so I was thrilled to get in a 45 minutes swim. Affterwards, Monte and I took one of the pups for a walk, and I fell in love with all the different varieties of cacti here.
Later we enjoyed an early dinner at La Hacienda Club, which is one of the restaurants within the community.
On the way back, we took the slow route, weaving through the streets slowly so I could marvel at the beautiful cacti decorating the years. The house has specific
Being here has given me plenty of time to work on my various projects and get in some writing time and I’m grateful for it.
It’s taking a lot of time to dig out and catch up, but it’s happening, slowly but surely!
Saturday, November 9th
Yay for morning swims! I enjoyed my swim time, then jumped in the sauna for a bit before head back to Tammy & Monte’s.
My sense of direction remains consistently unreliable, so the 3 minute drive took closer to 20 minutes. (That’s what I get for leaving my phone at the house).
Monte enjoyed the laugh at my expense, then soothed my wounded ego by seeking out some labyrinths with me. There is a labyrinth at Canada del Oro Riverfront park, but we couldn’t locate it– turns out it would have required a bit of a hike and neither of us were up for it.
Instead, we opted to drive to the Episcopal Church the Apostles, where I spent some time marveling at the cacti. The beauty of the desert is still novel to me, and I am still loving it!
Once I finished gawking, we wandered over to their labyrinth, which is this is the first (or second?) Man in the Maze I have ever had a chance to walk.
Oh my goodness, I loved it! Something about the narrowing of some of the paths drove home a different stratum of purpose in these walks. It forces contemplation on a different level. It was different- and it left me contemplative in a new way. 🤨🧐
Afterwards, Monte directed me to the San Xavier del Mac Mission (yeah, that’s right- I was driving, and Monte has the emotional scars to prove it.)
It was Monte’s idea to check out the Mission, and I am so glad we did. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was much less touristy than I would have expected.
When I think about the idea of a manifestation of the Virgin Mother of God in the Lourdes Grotto, I think about how wondrous it would have been to witness, I was glad to see the solemnity here.
Right next to the mission was a small co-op of stores an vendor booths, and though I am on the road most of the time and don’t need to accumulate any more ‘stuff’, I picked up a couple stickers… of Man in the Maze labyrinths, of course! I passed on the fry bread because I knew Jon wouldn’t approve (it’s called the Hawthorne effect and it refers to how people modify their behavior when they know they’re being observed.)
Having restrained myself with Fry Bread, we stopped for lunch at the Habit Burger Grill where bad food decisions were made, then drove down the Miracle Mile so I could fully revel in the experience. What, you ask, made that stretch of road a Miracle Mile? I’m so glad you asked!
The Miracle Mile was a historic retail district along Oracle Road in Tucson, Arizona, that flourished in the 1950s-1960s. It was known for its neon signs, motor courts, restaurants, and shops catering to automobile travelers. Monte explained that it was called the Miracle Mile because it was the first divided highway in the state. Now, it is mostly run down old motels and looks more derelict than anything else. Underwhelmed? So was I, so was Monte, but hey, I wrote it down my bucket list, just so I could check it off. ✅
Upon our return, the peccaries AKA javelinas AKA skunk pigs that Monte arranged to greet me were tearing up the grass around the gates of the resort, so I had a chance to see them in person.
And THAT, my friends, wraps up this week!
