Vacation to Arizona

Last week Kyle, Anna, and I flew out to Arizona to visit Kyle's parents while they were vacationing there.  We stayed in Prescott but also visited Sedona and Phoenix.  It was a great trip.  The weather was perfect, the food was fantastic (we had both Canes and In and Out!), and we all survived the nine total hours on an airplane.  Anna got some much needed grandparents time, another National Park stamp, and soaked up the sun at a park in Phoenix.  I have to say, it is so nice having a child that can now walk.  It was so fun to let her explore on her own and burn some energy too.  We also walked a lot and I got more comfortable with Anna on my back in a pack (... next to a yak...  wiggity wiggity wack).  Hopefully this means I will use it more in the future.  My only complaint is that Anna did not sleep very well, which meant we did not sleep very well.  We came home pretty tired, but it was still worth the trip!

Here are some pictures.  To see them all, click here.

Probably the Best Work Week Yet

Above is the room that I just spent 4 nights in... for work!  I went to the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona for a conference.  I left snow and 28 degrees in Kansas City to land in sun and 86 degrees in Phoenix.  A short taxi ride later, I was in paradise.  My room was spacious and had a HUGE tub, and a fridge and a microwave (which comes handy when traveling on per diem, as hotel restaurants can be pricey!).  The hotel grounds were beautiful with fire pits, pools and hot tubs, comfy outdoor seating everywhere, and a Starbucks.  I did have to actually work and participate in the conference, but I managed to have some fun too.  It is always nice to see the geographers from the other regions and I got to see family as well.

All in all, a very good work week.  Next time, I will plan to spend more time there and maybe even bring Kyle!