Day 29: Arizona... Florida of the West

While California is a lovely place, it's really really long. We are finally leaving today. I go for one last run on the Pacific Coast beach. It is so fun to watch the waves and the surfers while running. It's an early start  as we have a 6 hour drive to Scottsdale Arizona.

Mile 4617 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

New scenery for us... mountains made completely of smaller rocks. It was a nice change of pace

 Mile 4688: We are right next to the Mexican Border.

The Mexican border. We didn't cross into Mexico, but they have border patrols all along the road we were on. They asked if we were American.  James has gotten very tan, so I understand where there may have been some confusion. The kid looked like he should have been in school (not very intimidating)

Desert Classic

Woooohoooo! New state.

Finally, Arizona!

It was super hot. Back in San Diego, it was 74 degrees. Here in the dessert, it's 109. 

Please look carefully at the background. That was all the eye could see.  James just asked me if I could stop if I see a Walmart so he could get a fishing license. Ummmm....I don't even see any other cars.

A.- There is no water. It's a desert. Where is he planning to fish?

B- There is no civilization. It's a desert. Even Walmart wouldn't take this real estate!

About 200 miles later... just west of Phoenix on 10...

We see signs off the freeway in Phoenix for In-N-Out Burger, Culvers and Chick-fil-a. James is practically jumping up and down.  He claimed that Culvers is better than In-N-Out burger about a week ago. We thought we would never be able to do a taste test since Culvers is in the Midwest and In-N-Out is in CA. Too bad (or thank God for our health) we already had lunch. 

Entering Phoenix... we just drove by on our way to Scottsdale

Mile 4906: Scottsdale AZ

We stayed at the Firesky Kimpton in Scottsdale. Super nice hotel... great AAA rate. Free happy hour from 5-6.  We partake. 

We went to dinner here- The Roaring Fork. It was another Yelp! recommendation. We didn't have  a reservation so we decide to eat in the bar... it was mostly old people. At least 2 walkers were spotted at the bar. 

This dish was amaze-balls. It was a cauldron of chili  pork. The menu description did not mention the cheese... it was a bonus. James rated this as one of his top 3 meals on our trip thus far.

*Note to East Coasters- while we enjoyed Scottsdale, you can get the same thing in Florida. Nice hotel, great pool, a big selection of restaurants, and hot weather.

We called it a night after dinner. tomorrow: Sedona Arizona... one step closer to the Grand Canyon