02/11, 12, 13: Tucson
I know -- I'm falling down on the job. But there's not a lot to share. We spent Wednesday driving from San Diego to Tucson and arriving at the resort about 3pm. It's in the Oro Valley and a ways out of town, but really nice. A perfect place to just kick back and relax. Thursday was one of those relax days. We explored the resort -- it's quite large with a great pool and clubhouse and multiple hot tubs scattered throughout the grounds. In the afternoon, I got a pedicure and haircut after dropping Cecil off at the theater. Back to the resort to savor the sunset with a glass of wine.
This morning we had a 9am tee time at Tucson National located at the Omni Resort about 15 minutes away. It was a beautiful course -- in much better shape that those in California. We played with one of the members, Gary, thank goodness. I think we would still be out there totally lost without him guiding us from hole to hole. He also provided some great tips and pointed out where to aim on each hole -- not that my ball listened!!! There were several memorable holes but the best was #14 (I think.....) that went straight up and provided a great view of the valley from the green. Pictures below! Another beautiful sunset is about here, so I think I may head to the hot tub with my wine to enjoy it before dinner!
02/14-19: Tucson to Phoenix
Just a quick update! Our last couple of days in Tucson were spent relaxing on the golf course and by the pool. (Well.... I was at the pool getting sun while Cecil went to a show.) We also played our last round of Tucson golf at Oro Valley which was in great shape and, thankfully, fairly easy. We left Tucson on Tuesday for Phoenix where we were able to check into the timeshare early and get settled in the room before picking up Gay and Lloyd at the airport. Gay organized our tee times for Phoenix and so far we played Seville on Wednesday and the Persimmon course in Anthem today. I know this is boring for non-golfers, but some of the pictures are kind of fun since we were joined by a variety of local golf course residents! We ended the day with dinner on the deck at Anthem enjoying a sky full of hot air balloons followed by another amazing sunset.
02/20-22: Phoenix
Just a quick update. More golf, sun and fun with friends! No tee times on Friday so that was our "tourist" day. We started out with a free lunch at the University Club where we all enjoyed a fabulous filet mignon and luscious deserts (nope -- no pictures; forks just couldn't wait for the camera!). From there it was on to Taleisan West -- Frank Lloyd Wright's winter "camp". The tour was one of the best -- in large part due to Skylar our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. The complex was extensive and impressive considering it was built in the 1930's. It is still an active architectural school today (40 students) and still has just the one bathroom. (A new dorm was built in the late 1990's that included bathrooms!)
After our tour we headed over to the Arizona Biltmore where we did a quick tour of the golf course homes -- I mean mansions! -- and then plopped ourselves into comfortable chairs in the inside courtyard of the hotel. We enjoyed happy hour (no price discounts....) while afternoon turned into evening. Back to the room for a game of golf (the playing card version!) before retiring for another great day of real golf in the morning.
Okay -- I'll keep this short for the non-golfers. Gay and I headed to the store for some quick shopping before golf. It was early and so we ended up at Walmart -- OMG, the things you see at a Walmart early in the morning (or maybe any time of day....!)
We headed to Gainey Ranch for 18, to Don and Charlies for dinner and back to the resort. Oh, and Gay reminded me: between 4 of us we lost 13 golf balls! I think the water had a little bit of influence....
We headed to Gainey Ranch for 18, to Don and Charlies for dinner and back to the resort. Oh, and Gay reminded me: between 4 of us we lost 13 golf balls! I think the water had a little bit of influence....
Sunday was another relax day -- Gay and Lloyd visited a friend and Cecil met his aunts and uncles for lunch. (They've been Arizona snowbirds forever!). I spent the time driving around Phoenix checking out other timeshares -- already thinking about next year! We were all back at the room in plenty of time for the Oscars!