Our Arizona Adventure: Scottsdale in a Day
Waking Up at Pauline’s
There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep, is there? Well, that is if you’re not kept awake by a chesty cough. Michele and I, on the other hand, slept like babies at Pauline’s place. The poor woman, however, wasn’t so lucky—her chesty cough kept her tossing and turning through the night. But it didn’t seem to faze Michele and me as we woke up bright and early, fully rested. By 08:30, we were up, dressed, and just about starting breakfast when Howard and Christine knocked on the door, right on time at 09:00. Morning chatter, anyone?
Now, I don’t know about you, but I never rush packing. Why bother, right? So, after a leisurely breakfast and a lovely chat with Howard about his service in the US Air Force, we finally managed to get our bags sorted. Along with military stories, Howard regaled us with tales of our great gran and relatives in Scotland. There’s something about family history that makes time fly, and before we knew it, it was 10:30.
Pauline was finally resting peacefully after her rough night, so we decided not to disturb her. I must admit, I felt a tiny bit guilty about leaving without saying goodbye, but let’s be honest—she needed the sleep more than she needed our farewells. So, we crept out quietly, leaving her to her much-needed slumber.
On the Road to Scottsdale
Our next destination? Scottsdale, of course! Just a short 114 miles away—an easy two-hour drive, or so we thought. The roads were kind to us, and we found ourselves making good time, cruising through the scenic Arizona landscape. There’s something quite liberating about driving across vast stretches of road, knowing the only thing you need to worry about is making sure you don’t run out of snacks. Before we knew it, we were pulling up to the Holiday Inn Express in Scottsdale.
Check-in was smooth, bags were dropped in record time, and we were out of the door before the receptionist could say “Enjoy your stay!” You see, Scottsdale was waiting, and we weren’t about to let it down.
Exploring Old Town Scottsdale
We strolled into the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, soaking in the desert sun and the charm of this historic little enclave. The area is a curious mix of old-world cowboy aesthetics and modern luxury, making it the kind of place where you half expect a cowboy to trot by on a horse, while the other half of you contemplates which boutique store to pop into.
But first—lunch! Let me tell you, the portion sizes in the US are no joke. I ordered what I thought was a simple sandwich, and it arrived with a side of fries and salad. I think they mistook me for someone about to run a marathon. We devoured our meals and set off to see more of what Scottsdale had to offer.
The Scottsdale Fashion Square Saga
No day trip would be complete without a little shopping, right? Enter Scottsdale Fashion Square—an absolute behemoth of a shopping centre. Picture the Trafford Centre back home in Manchester. Now triple it. That’s Fashion Square for you. We wandered the stores, dazzled by the array of luxury brands and glitzy displays. Michele, bless her, was itching to shop, but we both knew there was simply no room left in our suitcases. Our luggage had already reached peak capacity, and any further purchases would result in some tough choices—leave behind the souvenirs or buy another suitcase?
We resisted the urge to splurge, for the most part, and decided to check how far we’d walked so far. A quick glance at the trusty pedometer revealed a whopping 5.75 miles! No wonder our feet were starting to feel the burn. It was time to summon an Uber and get back to the hotel before our legs gave out completely.
The Search for a Pint
Once we were back at the hotel, we allowed ourselves a brief rest before heading out again in search of something very important: beer. After all, there’s nothing like a cold one after a long day of walking, right? We headed to a local bar, only to find it had already closed its doors for the night. Now, I’m not one to be easily defeated, but this was a disappointment. So, back to the hotel it was—only to discover that there was no bar on site either. At this point, things were looking dire.
Enter the humble canned beer. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done. We grabbed a couple of cans from the shop and settled into our room for the evening. Perhaps not the lively night out we had envisioned, but at least we had beer.
Resting Up for Sedona
As we sat in our room, sipping our makeshift drinks and reflecting on the day, we couldn’t help but feel excited for the next leg of our journey. Tomorrow, we’d be off to Sedona, with its stunning red rocks and mystical energy. For now, though, we were happy to relax and recharge. After all, there’s no better way to prepare for an adventure than by catching a good night’s sleep (hopefully without a cough this time). So, here’s to tomorrow and whatever excitement awaits us on the road to Sedona!
