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Had to watch the big screen but you come for the atmosphere

Had to watch the big screen but you come for the atmosphere

Final Four: Rooting for the Zags, Phoenix sights, Cave Creek nights

April 08, 2017 by James Engrissei

Last November Rae called and asked if I wanted to go to the NCAA Final Four since it was being  held 5 miles from my brother's house in Sun City. There was no delay in my saying yes.  We invited our psuedo-son, Miles, since his passion is roundball.  He was able to stay at my brother's as well while we are down here.  We got tickets behind the Zag student sectoin a couple rows from the consourse around the stadium's 100 level.  We had access to a fan party prior to the game where you got some food and soft drink but had to pay for beers.  Overall it was a nice experience before the games.

On the basketball "off day", Sunday, Miles got us tickets to the Diamondbacks season opener against the SF Giants.  The D-Backs won in the bottom of the ninth after Fernando Rodney, (remember him Mariner fans?), tried to give it away in the top of the ninth like he did so many times for us but the home team rallied and came out on top.  This was the first home opener of any baseball team that Miles has made it to.  When we found out there was no way we could refuse him, besides, he covered the ticket costs...

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 The white boy had to make his own shade 'cause the seats were in the sun until the 9th.  At least they gave out T-shirts he could use.

The white boy had to make his own shade 'cause the seats were in the sun until the 9th.  At least they gave out T-shirts he could use.

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Well, the Zags got past South Carolina and Nort Carolina beat the Ducks.  I would have liked to see the Bulldogs play the Ducks, and beat them, but that was not to be.  Our next bucket item was to have the Zags beat the Tarheels but the Zag's big man was off his game under the rim.  He got rebounds but his FGs just refused to drop.  If he had made just half of his close attempts the Zags would have been National Champs.  Oh well, you can't have everything.  We'll have to "settle" for Gonzaga getting to the Finals and being the 2nd best team in the country at the tournament.

NCAA Championship Finals

NCAA Championship Finals

 During the final game a thunder and wind storm rolled through.  We didn't notice it in the stadium but this gate structure blew over.

During the final game a thunder and wind storm rolled through.  We didn't notice it in the stadium but this gate structure blew over.

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 Now, THIS is a portable grill.  

Now, THIS is a portable grill.  

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 I was wondering if that whole lower half of the tanker was full of propane.  Now, that would be a scary design.  

I was wondering if that whole lower half of the tanker was full of propane.  Now, that would be a scary design.  

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On Tuesday, before the "kids" left town we went down to South Mountain Park.  The day had little UV and smog due to rain and wind from Monday night so views of the valley were real good.  Rae had to get to the top by 2 for a phone call and for the last mile or so there was no cellular and we had to be at the very top, by all the radio and cell towers, for reception.  We made it but she missed the first call attempt because of slower traffic and poor service.  She did get connection soon after arriving.  

Great views of the Valley from here.  There are about 3 really nice overlooks.  Usually you can't see the mountains in the distance due to smog and dust.

Great views of the Valley from here.  There are about 3 really nice overlooks.  Usually you can't see the mountains in the distance due to smog and dust.

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We had a late lunch and dropped them at the airport on our way back to my brother's.  We had a couple days left here and we did some more sightseeing.  We drove out to Saquaro Lake on the lower Salt river reaches just east of Phoenix and after that we took a walk through the neighborhood to check out the houses and landscaping.  We were looking for cacti in bloom and due to the homeowners watering their plants the blooms down here are more abundent and close to you.  No wandering through the desert and getting caught on the thorny brush.  

 Saguaro Lake Marina.  Nice restaurant here

Saguaro Lake Marina.  Nice restaurant here

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 Saguaro blooms

Saguaro blooms

 Saguaro Arms, bird apartments

Saguaro Arms, bird apartments

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It's "Bike Week" here this weekend and we went out to Cathy's cousin's house in Cave Creek on Friday afternoon and evening.  The downtown area on Cave Creek Rd was restricted to one lane with the right hand lane devoted to parking motorcycles.  Vendors had stalls along the street selling gear and colors.  The Cave Creek Chapter of the Hells Angels had one of the largest "sale" tents.  We walked to the Horney Toad saloon and cafe for dinner.  The Toad is an institution in these parts.  Good food at reasonable prices and an eclectic design.  We also headed over to Buffalo Chips saloon and bull riding arena.  We got there a bit late for the semi-pro bull riding, cowboys start out in these small arenas trying to make it to the PBR circuit.  It was not all lost.  They had a little kids sheep riding contest and if you've never seen one it's worth it.  Slap helmets on kids 4-6, put them on the back of a sheep, tell them to hold on to the wool and let them out of the chute.  Its really fun to watch.

 Monica's back yard

Monica's back yard

 Harley town

Harley town

 Bozo with the ladies at the Horney Toad

Bozo with the ladies at the Horney Toad

 The Buffalo Chips arena

The Buffalo Chips arena

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Well, my nephew and his kids should be back soon.  We hung around a couple extra days in order to see them.  We leave on Sunday for Vegas, Tonopah and Sparks to see our niece and her family.  Then on to either Ashland or Klamath Falls, Portlandia and then home.  We'll have about 4 bottles of the fine wine we left home with.  We found some good vino here at Total Wines to ensure we had some really good wines to share on our way home.

Ciao for now.

 

April 08, 2017 /James Engrissei
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