This morning we awoke to our 6 am alarm and it was Arizona or bust! We were hoping to make it in time for a few of Tyler’s calls but knew we would be cutting it close. We were packed and loaded up traveling down the highway at 6:30.
The morning was quiet. Between client calls and constant emails, Tyler’s back seat driving kept at bay. It was either that or the fact he has caught on I am an incredible driver and he need not worry! I like to think it’s the latter of the two. The kids and pups slept in the back seat and I listened to whatever good radio I could find. I refrained from Podcasts as I didn’t want to exhaust that resource before I was to the tired point.
My family should be grateful to me. I give them all the summer concert series that Covid has taken away. With each station, I sing and sometimes belt out various genres of music. Tyler has always found it crazy that no matter what station I am on, I will somehow muster up the lyrics. There have been numerous times on this trip I have thought to myself, they should be paying me for this…then I remember they don’t necessarily enjoy my singing! RUDE!
Late into our travels I accidentally turned on SiriusXM radio which we do not currently subscribe to…and it WORKED! I’m sitting here just wondering how long I could have been listening to commercial free perfect radio from nearly anywhere…I will take it while I can get it!
We stopped for gas 3 times today and traveled 425 miles. We also stopped for Tyler’s baby bladder and to get a cup of joe to keep me going. The roads we traveled today were much better than Texas. They were smooth, wide, and they didn’t have construction everywhere. In the distance, it appeared as if we were driving into a pastel mural. I found the mountains/hills to be so beautiful and no matter how far we traveled, they were always sitting in the distance in front of us. We also saw large stacked rocks along the freeway at one point and cactus’s for my first time. How cool are cactuses?
We stopped for lunch just before Phoenix and then stopped off of the highway in Phoenix where Tyler was able to jump on his Zoom call. While he was on the call, Ashton decided on a haircut. We were hoping to go to the TJ Maxx in the same lot but learned they are still under construction. We came back and sat in the air-conditioned car instead.
Tyler performed his calls in the trailer and once he was finished, he brought his iPad back to the car. The kids tried to jump on the iPad and it said it could not be used as it was too hot. This was just a small taste of the heat here in Arizona. At one point in our drive, it was 70 degrees and there was rain coming down, less than an hour, and maybe 60 miles later it was 103 degrees. I am a naturally cold person and I enjoy being warm, but I am not certain I could ever get used to this heat.
We arrived at our friend Angie’s home just after 2:30 pm. We gained another hour back and we are officially living in the same time zone as our home state. We enjoyed catching up while the kids played with Mason. Tyler’s only wish these past few days has been to BBQ so we made sure he could make that happen.
We stopped into the grocery store and Tyler grabbed Carne Asada meat to grill and make steak tacos with all the fixin’s. He really is good at what he does. We relaxed and were introduced to the Tortoise and chatted about what we could do these next few days. Much of Arizona is closed. In addition to seeing our friends, we had come here in hopes to go to the water park. Recently they shut down all pools, slides, bars, and gyms. Though we were slightly bummed, we are just happy to have a few days of nothingness!
The kids begged us to take them to the skate park, so once dinner was finished, Angie, the kids and I headed to the skate park. Angie on a bike, the kids on scooters and me running. The park was 1.25 miles away, so I used the opportunity to run in the 100+ degree temperatures. In total my run was 2.6 miles and I chalked that up as a win, though I was reminded today that nearly a year ago, I ran 1/2 marathon. NEVER AGAIN!
While at the skate park, someone set off a couple fireworks and Ashton once again saw his life flash before his eyes. He thought we were being shot at again. This kid is just so funny with his doomsday worrying all the time! He LOVED the skate park and hopes to go back tomorrow.
We arrived back at the house and Tyler traded in Ashton for Angie on Sequence. We played 3 games and Addi and I came away 2-1, but Angie picked up the concept quite well. Tomorrow, we will not be driving…or doing anything much for that matter. Tyler plans to grill again and we have talked about going to the Lake, though I am not certain what that looks like.
It’s another day outside of the car so it’s bound to be a great day! What are your plans for the 4th of July?
The Church Hideout 