What a day

What a busy day I had today. Started with breakfast at Waffle House (mmm). Didn't have a waffle though but did have a good ham, cheese and jalapeño omelette. 

From there I finished off my shopping, looking for replacement batteries for one of our cordless phones but couldn't find any. I was too cheap to spend $20 at home on the replacement batteries when I could get the same ones for $10 in the states. Well, best buy here doesn't stock the batteries that they have on their website so... Guess I'll buy them at home. 

From there I went to the Pima Air and Space museum. I went before, probably 4 years ago but still enjoyed it. They had some new exhibits and planes so it was pretty neat. 

Here's a picture of a B-29 bomber that they had inside:

The weather was great to walk around the compound to see the other planes. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was about 90*F. Good thing I wore my new hat, kept my neck and ears out of the sun. 

After the museum I went to Safeway and grabbed a few things to create a lunch - a sandwich, bottle of water and Gatorade, Apple and cliff bar. I made my way to Mt Lemmon to drive up to the top. 

The drive was really neat - you start in the desert with cactus and make your way up to grassland-like surroundings and end up in coniferous forest. The temperature sure dropped too - started in the mid 90's (at 2,500 feet) and ended at 58*F at 9,000 feet. 

Here's a picture from one of the lookouts at 6,000 feet:

(View looking southwest at Tucson)

When I got to the "top" (at the ski hill) there was an Oktoberfest celebration going on but I got there when it was just shutting down. They had the chair lift running and you could ride up to the top of the mountain (I don't think it was actually the top) but I elected to save $10. Instead I drive further up the mountain to the university of Arizona's "Sky Center" where they have telescopes. The drive up was closed a small distance from the observatory so I parked the car and took a short hike (1/2 mile?) to some radio towers to take some pictures. Sorry, no example - you will have to wait for me to transfer pictures at home ;)

I then drive back down to the same viewpoint at 6,000 feet to watch the sunset. Again, you'll have to wait for pictures fr here but below is one from about 4,000 overlooking Tucson city lights:

I then made my way back to the hotel (45 mins drive) to have supper at 8:00. 

Boy, busy day. No wonder I'm tired. Hope you all had a good weekend and are ready for the week - I am.  Looking forward to coming home Saturday morning. 

Shopping

Here are some photos of today's purchases:

Lunch at the Olive Garden (mmm, soup salad and breadsticks):

"A" new beach hat:

Handles for the cabinets (not sure which to pick yet but good prices):

Something for Gwen:

(It's a surprise)

A new car:

Haha just kidding. 

Time to go sit by the pool and enjoy the warm weather. 

The weekend!

Ah yes, the weekend. Should be a nice one here in the southern US, 30*C. 

Plans?  Nothing much. I'll see if I can find a faucet worth buying here that is cheaper than back home. Also I will see if I can find a good deal on a camera for Gwen. Her's has been in need of replacement for a while - too much use ;)

I have tentative dinner plans for tonight - going for burgers with Jason and his girlfriend Katie who's parents are from Winnipeg. 

Last night was good - I went to Jason's for dinner (steak on the smoker, mmm). Was a good dinner and visit with Katie and her parents (again). Then I made my way back to the hotel to talk to Gwen for a bit before going to bed. 

Here was a shot of the sunset from Jason's backyard:

Hope everyone stays dry today, I'll try to not get lost in my shopping adventures. 

Arizona Adam

[Post title credit - Blair Coolidge]

It's been a busy few days down in Tucson so far.  Work is busy and the evenings are equally busy.

On Tuesday I went to the Tucson Engineering Manager's girlfriends parents place for dinner.  It was just Jason and I and his "inlaws" because his girlfriend was working.  Jason invited me over because his inlaws are both Canadians - Dave is originally from Toronto and Sandra is from Winnipeg.

We had some good conversations, Sandra asking lots of questions about Winnipeg.  Their place is a typical ranch-style home - very large and open.  Plus, there is always something neat about seeing a big Saguaro Cactus in the back yard, by the pond.

As big as the place was, it still took me 30 mins to find the place - mostly because I punched it into the GPS wrong.  Although, it would have helped if Jason gave me their address instead of a general print out from Google Maps.  It would also have helped if Jason knew the address... lol.

Wednesday I took one of our contractors who is also down here out for dinner to Guadalajara Grill.  William requested Mexican food so I took him to the place with the best table-made salsa and cheap menu.  For $13, I got a burrito which was too big to finish with a side of beans and rice.  And for $5 I also got a 22 oz Dos Equis Amber. 

William elected for the Molcajete Ultimo:

This thing came out at probably 200*F and the sauce continued to boil away for 5 mins after being on the table.  William ate about half of it and took the rest to go.  The bowl was still hot when we left the restaurant.

Today was more relaxed - I went to Safeway and grabbed a rotisserie chicken, some Uncle Bens rice in a bag and salad.  I'm getting a little tired of Mexican food - three lunches and one dinner since I've been here, time for something different (and lighter).

While at Safeway I saw the yellow sign below, made me think of Grandma and Grandpa:

 

 

After Safeway I stopped at Lowes to see what they had for faucets and cabinet/drawer handles.  I wasn't impressed with the handle selection and not too sure about the faucets either.  It would have helped if I looked at the right faucets (Delta) instead of Moen...  Oh well, something to do this weekend I guess.

After my shopping adventures, I returned to the hotel to eat some supper and to talk to Gwen.  But before all of that I was able to get this picture of the desert sunset:

Traveling once again

I'm curious how many miles I have traveled this past year?  

Montreal - who knows how many times

Peterborough - 3 times

Ottawa - once

Orlando

NYC

Boston

Chicago

Tucson - ???

Switzerland 

St. Louis 

I guess we know that it is about 2,500 Kms from Winnipeg to Montreal so my car did at least 5k of these travels...

As much "fun" as it is to get to travel all these places, it's still not home. Vacations are better because at least your are with friends or family; for work that's not usually the case. 

Don't get me wrong, the people I work with a great people but I usually get to spend at least 8 hrs a day with these people and generally speaking that is good enough ;)

At least this trip is only for 2 weeks with one weekend in between. Hopefully Gwen will be able to come down for the weekend if I can get my proposed expenses approved. 

Weather should be good too - in the 30's for the week. Just hot enough for me to sweat... Actually I guess that is any temperature over 20...

Hopefully everyone has a good week back home. Equally I hope my week goes well in the desert. 

Off to St. Louis

Too bad this wasn't around a weekend, Gwen tells me I'm only 240 miles from Louisville - I could have visited Eric. 

Selling dresses

Well since I'm mostly sitting at the cash box selling dresses I figured I might as well blog a little bit. 

10:10 - Gwen's favourite wedding song is playing "I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll". Lol

10:30 - first dress sale!

11:15 - second dress sold!  

11:35 - one lady in the store, it's quiet...

12:00 - lunchtime! Back to the Nedohins house. 

1:20 - going to change the oil in the van. 

2:20 - done!  Only spilled about 50 mL...

3:00 - back to the store. It's quiet again. 

4:00 doors shut time to go back to the Nedohins. Will resume tomorrow at 10 am.