Spring Break 2012

Technically this wasn't my Spring break, since I'm not in school, but it was more then my usual trip to Arizona to watch Spring training baseball. This year we left a half day earlier than usual and watch all three games of the NCAA basketball regional games in Phoenix.Our flight left San Diego on Thursday around noon, and an hour later we were in Phoenix. We had time to check-in at the hotel before heading downtown for the two sweet 16 games. Along the way we were joined by some other people we knew and climbed up to our seats. Even though we were up high we still had a good view of the whole court.

The first game was Louisville at Michigan State. This was a slow, low-scoring game and Louisville won. After a 30 break game two started, Florida at Marquette. This was a much faster, more intensive game. In fact, at half time we decided to move up (or down) to closer seats that we saw had been empty the whole first half. Probably from fans who were there just to watch the first game. So we walked down to the lower level and sat in the nice, padded seats with a much better view of the game.

The game was more exciting when you sit closer to the action, and this game was higher scoring and faster paced than the first. Florida won by one point, meaning the game on Saturday would be Florida against Louisville.

After the game we zipped back to the hotel to meet up with one of the other people that sat with us and followed him to a restaurant in Mesa that we had never been too before. The food was good and the bill with all the food and beer was really cheep.Back at the hotel we went to bed, not staying out nearly as late as we did in you younger days.

Friday morning we were up for our free breakfast at the Embassy Suites hotel where Pam, a longtime cook at the hotel, made us fresh omelets. Our plan was to leave early and pick up our friend and his son at the airport, however, they had missed their flight from Denver due to various reasons. Luckily they were able to catch a flight 90 minutes later. So we all piled in the big, white van, went to the airport and then made a stop at the Talking Stick Casino for a little gambling. This casino is across the freeway from the ballpark we were headed to. I played some 25 cent video poker and once I started getting some good hands I bet more money and ended up winning $20.25! Well, I couldn't stop my winning streak there, so I played the Wheel of Fortune game and quickly lost $20. But I was still up 25 cents, so I stopped gambling.

After a quick drive to the park, we parked our van and just by chance, just like last year, we happened to park next to the guy who we sold three of our tickets to. I think his name was Marcus. We hung out with him and his friends, playing some disc toss game (well, I didn't play). As game time approached we went inside to see the Rockies play the Cubs. Our friend's from Denver were there to see the Rockies, of course. The Rockies won, I think, and we left shortly before the last inning. Then, about 15 minutes of driving in traffic as we headed home, someone realized he forgot his backpack, which contained a camera. So we made a u-turn and drove back to the park where he found the pack as it was being taken to lost and found. All was good.

Once at the hotel we rested up (translated: took a short nap) before going out to dinner. We went back to Arribas, a Mexican place we ate at last year. The food was good, but not great. After dinner we somehow decided to go bowling again, just like last year. There is a bowling alley across from our hotel. We got there just before 10 and waited to bowl until 10 because they were having a special where you could bowl unlimited games. There were eight of us so we broke off into two teams to have a contest for the highest score. I hoped my team wasn't relying on me to score too high. But surprisingly, I bowled my best game ever, around 140, on the first game. Yes, that is good for me. But, not being a bowler, my score declined in games two and three. My bowling arm just gave out, that and the beer. So our team lost :-(

Per tradition, we had planned to hike Camelback Mountain sometime on this trip, and the next morning was the best opportunity. So those of us that wanted to hike decided to wake up by 7AM to get ready to go, which seemed like a bad decision considering it was already 1 AM. Well, there would be time to sleep later.

My alarm went off at 6:45 and when I went to check on the others I was surprised that everyone was awake and ready for breakfast. So we ate quickly and then jumped in the van and drove to the  Echo Canyon trail head, which is the starting point for the shorter but much steeper hike up the mountain. We were there a little later than planned, but the parking lot was full and they had rangers and police there making sure people didn't block traffic. After circling the lot a few times, Steve let us off the van and he drove around some more with no luck getting a parking spot. So he drove to the place a few miles away where they had a shuttle service back to the trail head.

Once we started hiking it was obvious that this trail had gotten very popular. There was a constant stream of hikers the whole way up. I'd say that there were six times as many hikers as last time we hiked this trail. The two really steep section that have a metal hand rail to grab onto to pull yourself up the rocks was as crowded as those pictures you see of people climbing half dome in Yosemite. There was someone right in front of you and right behind you.

We ended up breaking up into groups, with the fast people, medium hikers and slower hikers. I was in the medium group most of the way - by myself, which I guess didn't make it a group. I am normally in good shape, but not after a long day and night of drinking lots of beer and getting little sleep.Once I got to the top the first group was there resting and just like the trial up, it was packed with people. I wished I had taken a photo of all hikers. Once the rest made it up we took this group photo. Don't let the smiles fool you, we were all really tired, except for Mark, the young kid who is in good shape and drank no beer the day before.

We then made the steep decent down the mountain as fast as we could. We needed to get back to the hotel and get ready for the second day of the NCAA basketball game. The game started at 1:30 and it was already 11:00. But we made it back to our hotel, got ready and back downtown and into our seats in time for the tip off. We had the same seats as before, high up in the arena. Since this was a "elite eight" game, the teams were the winners of the two games we saw on Thursday. They both played good and the game was more exciting than the other two. Louisville came from behind and beat Florida, and after the game we went down to the lower seats to see the post-game ceremony, which include the cutting of the net by each player and coach of the winning team. I'm glad we stayed for that because it was quite fun watching the team celebrate.

We left the arena, got our van and back to the hotel we went. I got in a good hour-long nap. After all, it was Saturday, our night to dress up and go out to an expensive restaurant for some steak and seafood. We had reservation at Eddie V's in north Scottsdale. The drive there from the hotel seemed to take forever, as I let everyone in the van know. We got to the place about 15 minutes late, but got seated quickly, except the table only held eight people and there were nine of us. Eventually they got us another two seats after the couple next to us left.  Now I'm not a big steak fan, so I went with the basic, filet mignon, medium. The steak was good, but what I really enjoyed were the sides. Besides each of us ordering our main course, we ordered  about four appetizers and five side dishes to share. I think the side dishes were the best, especially the macaroni and cheese. Our waitress was really nice, and the staff was really good about keeping our table clean, almost too good. They were ready to take away our appetizer plates before we were finished.

After almost two hours we were finished. I think everyone enjoyed there food, and we agreed that we'd go there again, but I prefer to try a new place each time. Back at the hotel we were done for the night. Everyone was tired so we went to bed to get ready for Sunday.

Our game for Sunday was in Peoria to see the Padres play the Diamondbacks. Peoria is one of the furthest parks from our hotel, but we still got there and got good parking with plenty of time to have some beers in the parking lot before heading in. We had really
good seats, once again. Near the end of the game we spotted Kevin Towers sitting in our section. He was wearing a really bright, pink shirt and wasn't hard to miss. When we were hear once many years ago we got a group photo of us with him, so KC took the initiative and walked up to him as asked if he'd take a photo with us, and he did! It came out very well, but I don't have a copy of that photo yet. I believe the Padres lost that game, but it is Spring training, so the games don't count. After the game, before going back to the hotel, we made an out-of-the-way side trip to the stadium in Surprise to buy some gifts at their gift shop since the one in Peoria was running low on merchandise. I didn't buy anything this year. When I do buy a shirt, I end up never wearing it for some reason. I bought an nice black Angels polo shirt last year and forgot I even had it until I packed for this trip. But I didn't bring it since it was black and that is not a good color for sitting in the hot sun.

For dinner this Sunday night we went back to the Four Peaks Brewery where we went to last year. Once again we had a short wait for a table but once seated we had quick, but not necessarily good service. Our waiter was not really friendly. He seem almost annoyed that he had to serve us. Plus, they did that thing where they bring out the appetizers and two minutes later they bring out your main course. The beer and food were good, but we agreed that he would get no more than 15% for a tip, unlike the cute Romanian waitress from Eddie V's who was tipped generously

It was Sunday night, our last night in town, so our motto was that we were "going hard", meaning we'd stay up late and have lots of fun.  Well, we had fun but didn't last too much longer into the night after hitting another bar or two. That's was just fine. It is nice waking up without a headache.

It is always a bummer waking up the last morning and having to pack your bags. Yes, our flight didn't leave until 5:40 PM and we still had another game to watch, but everyone's mood was kind of somber. Our motto for the day was "finishing strong". The last game was the Angels vs. the Rockies at the Angels' stadium in Tempe, very near our hotel. We got there two hours before the game, and we needed that time to finish our beer. We had so much beer we were giving it away to everyone who walked by - who looked to be at least 21, of course. The weather was much better than last year when it was cold and raining. We were told is was raining in San Diego Monday morning, but not in Tempe. Some of the gang went into the park early to get autographs, and the rest of us went in just in time for the first pitch. Those of us that had to fly home at 5:40 left around four. We said our farewells to Mark and his son who were flying home later and Rick and his father who were driving home.

We got to the airport with plenty of time, except for the two who had to return the rental van. They got to the boarding gate just in time, making us who were already there feel stupid as we sat at the wrong gate and missed our boarding group. But no worries, we should have boarded in group A but got in just before group B boarded. The flight home was quick and non-eventful. I got back to my house by eight and in bed by 10, ready to get up for work the next day (not really). However, come Wednesday I got sick and missed a day of work. As I write this I still don't feel 100% well. That's what happens when you have too much fun and not enough rest. So, now the countdown until next year!