day 34: into Tempe, AZ

Gotta keep it real simple, Keep it real simple

Bring everything right back to ground zero

‘Cause it all comes down to this: Love God and love people

We’re living in a world that keeps breakin’ But if we want to find a way to change it

It all comes down to this: Love God and love people

Danny Gokey, singer

25 miles riding around Tempe

We got up early and headed to Tempe where we were going to meet our friends, Miles and Laurie McMillan at our hotel, the Moxy. On the way we came across a bunch of hot air balloons in the sky. So of course we pulled over to see them up close. We had planned to be in Albuquerque for the Hot Air Balloon Festival, but it was cancelled due to Covid. So this was a great surprise.

Since Bruce didn’t ride yesterday he for sure wanted to ride today. Our friends Miles and Laurie recently moved to Scotsdale. Problem solved. Bruce and Miles headed out for a bike ride around Tempe while Laurie and I went to breakfast and got pedicures. We walked over to Press coffee shop. I had a delicious breakfast burrito and a chai. So good!

We walked back to the Moxy and then went to get our pedicures. Normally I don’t love pedicures, but my feet have gotten so dry I really needed one. We even treated ourselves to the paraffin treatment. Oh yeah! And Jennie gave me strict instructions to rub coconut oil on my feet when I get home. I told you I am becoming a mountain woman. I think I’ll need a facial from Miriam when I get home too. If you’ve ever had one, you know what I’m talking about.

It was so great to spend some time with Laurie and Miles.

Bruce’s business partner, Matt, is also in Tempe this weekend with his friend Mike to do an IRONMAN race tomorrow. Bruce went to lunch with them. They did not have pb&j’s. I checked into the hotel and relaxed in the room. When Bruce got back we went out to the pool. In the places we have been it seems like it dropped 20 degrees when the sun went down. Not here. It was still 89 degrees at 7:00 when it was pitch dark. Which sounds weird on many levels when I say that out loud. It should not be dark at 7:00 when it’s 89 degrees.

We relaxed on these canopy bed looking things in the pool area. They were so comfy I seriously wanted to just go to sleep. But then a thousand tween-age girls came out to the pool, so that thought was dashed. Bruce ran across the street and got What-A-Burger for us to eat by the pool. I sure love their fries. Also please note that I actually did get a little embroidery done today. Maybe I will actually finish this tea towel.

I’m guessing the Moxy concept is to be cool and hip for all the cool and hip people. We got a room here because it was a Marriott close to Matt’s hotel. Thanks again Van & Janie! I love the big bean bag like chair. And Bruce loves the guitar. Just wait until we check out on Monday. Bruce will have a goatee and I will umm … uh… er …. be wearing bell bottoms? … is that even hip? I guess I’m so unhip that I’m not even sure what it would take to be hip.

Also just wondering, anyone else still humming “standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona …” No? I guess it’s just me.