Author Archives: edwinandlisa

Phoenix Meanderings

by

Scenes from our walk around Phoenix.

The weather was perfectly comfortable in the mid-60’s — remember, we had just left a frigid below freezing Portland, so this was tropical paradise to us!

image

image

Phoenix if full of community murals and they are hard to overlook because they are so abundant all around you.

image

The Phoenix Public Market, running every Saturday from morning until one o’clock.

image

We tried samples of peanut butter, hummus, banana bread, chips and salsa, and this award winning cheese.

image

We used our OMSI passes to get free admission to the Arizona Science Center. Here I pose with Robot B-9 from Lost in Space

image

Lisa taking a walk across the balance bridge

An Icy Return Back Home

by

We left on Friday in icy conditions, and three days later we return to find the same.  Our flight back to Portland was actually oversold and they asked for volunteers. We were seriously contemplating taking the offer, but the Portland forecast was for freezing rain Tuesday morning that was supposed to last through the afternoon. If that was the case, there would be a good chance that our MAX trains would be disabled and our walk home would be that much more treacherous. So we decided to stick with our original flight and hope that we got back to Portland on time.

image

We landed by 10:25pm and were able to get our 10:45pm train, which took is all the way to Elmonica

image

TriMet lot still covered in ice

image

image

With very little traffic, we walked in the street for half of our trek

image

We arrived at the MAX station by 12:00pm

image

Our walk took 30 minutes and we finally arrived home at 12:30am

image

Safe journey back fire another canceled school day tomorrow

Doughnut World Tour Stop: Tempe, AZ

by

After my half marathon, Lisa and I walked around the campus and discovered this location of Fractured Prune Doughnuts – –  we actually found them on Saturday in downtown Phoenix, but it had already closed fir the day.  Well we can’t let this opportunity pass us up. And so we got one doughnut, as per our doughnut agreement.

image

In business since 1976

image

You walk in and find a giant board of doughnut creations...

image

But instead of donuts already made, ready to sell, you instead have a bevy of different glazes and toppings

image

The donuts are fried plain, and then they are handcrafted to the specifications of the flavor

image

Once created, they are presented in this nifty little box

image

Voila! Lisa chose the Lemon glaze

image

Yeah, it's gonna be a little hard to eat, so lick those fingers!

Verdict!
Sold!  Only $2 + tax for so many different combinations, we liked how warm and crisp and fresh the donut was. No stale, wasted doughnuts here, just fresh and made right before your eyes.  Yum!!

Phoenix Rock and Roll Half Marathon

by

When I originally booked this MLK weekend escape, I figured it would be a low-key couple of days to tour around and visit some museums and what not. However, last weekend when I was researching things to do and places to see, out popped up the event for the Phoenix Rock and Roll Marathon and Half Marathon.  Groupon just happened to have a discounted entry, and since it would be on the Sunday, it just seemed like a natural fit.  And that’s how I decided to do this run, a test of my birthday age with minimal training… can I do this and live to tell the tale?

image

image

Map of the route

image

At the start line. Because I missed the free Hotel shuttle, I had to walk and Jog 3 miles to the start line

image

Ready to run!

image

My first goal was to finish the race. My secondary goal was to finish in under two hours, which I thought was an easy 9:11 pace...

image

Selfie around mile 8.. I was actually a full minute behind the pace, so I had to run the last 6 miles at a faster clip

image

Rock and Roll! I felt fine until mile 10, that's when my leg muscles started protesting

image

I ramped up my pace, and by mile 12 I knew I would be fine, despite my sore and tired legs

image

Towards the finish

image

And DONE! Official chip time of 1:57:31, which is slower than my marathon pace from ten years ago, but I'll take it!

image

Post race goodies

image

And the post race suffering begins

image

Down and out of commission

Doughnut World Tour Stop: Phoenix, AZ

by

We were just walking along Roosevelt Row, a downtown arts district, when we came across this doughnut joint, Rollover Doughnuts.  And our travel creed is fated by doughnuts – if they appear, we try out one doughnut.  And so it is…

image

The little display shares space with Short Leash Hot Dogs

image

Lisa wanted to get the Spicy Thai Chili Coconut, but they were sold out

image

Instead, she opted for the Orange Pistachio

Verdict?
A definite winner! 
We compare all donuts to Blue Star, and this single sample held its own, and at half the price!