Alagna Family

Phoenix AZ Trip January 16th  2015

These photos are from  our Phoenix Trip


At the Grand Canyon

This trip filled 2-bucket list items, to see Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Weather was nice about 65 to 70’s during the day and nighttime

about 35 to 40s. Crowds were nonexistent as this is the slower time, love that! We had a great week exploring Arizona from way south to the north.



Carla wanted to be pushed over - did not work


One of the many photo opps. at Grand Canyon

See the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

Movie of Grand Canyon

Movie of  Grand Canyon

Crazy Seattle family with us on the Grand Canyon tour

The road sunset view on way to Phoenix

View of Sedona

Sedona

Near Jack and Margaret's home

Sedona

Sedona

Cousin Joe Matt at Portillio's

At Jack & Margaret's patio

View from Jack & Margaret's

Jack & Margaret's Spool  (Spa & Pool)

Jack & Margaret's Home

On the road to Phoenix, tons of Cactus

Snow up near the Grand Canyon

Cactus in Phoenix

Jack & Margaret Barry at their lovely Home

Friday – arrived at Phoenix – ate at Franco’s Italian Cafe in Scottsdale. Great meal in quaint restaurant and actually #2 Restaurant in Trip Advisor.

 Saturday –we ate breakfast at The Breakfast Club in downtown Scottsdale then headed south to Marana AZ where Jack & Margaret Barry live. We stopped on the way and ate (again) at one of our favorite fast food joints In & Out Hamburger. Arrived at Jack & Margaret’s and visited in their unbelievable lovely neighborhood and home. We then headed to a local steakhouse ate dinner. We spent the night at Jack and Margaret’s. Lovely home and people!

 Sunday – we left early and headed to Sedona, AZ  -we arrived in afternoon and took a Pink Jeep tour up the mountain. I have to let you know this was unbelievably fun and adventurous. This Jeep is so tough that it easily navigated the roughest roads and trails I have ever witnessed. It was awesome!! We went to dinner at the Mesa Grill which is located right on the airport runway, dinner was very nice. We stayed the night in Sedona at the Sky Ranch Lodge which is a very old place but clean, it’s also convenient to the best sunsets.  

 Monday – In Sedona, we spent a few hours walking a local shopping plaza named Tlaquepaque - what a quaint place mostly art and jewelry Shoppe’s, we would recommend a visit, We had lunch at an excellent Mexican Restaurant named El Rincon Mexican Restaurant. We left in afternoon and headed up to Grand Canyon! Our drive was beautiful and we arrived at the Canyon at night so could not see much. We did catch a glimpse of the canyon which piqued our interest that much more! We stayed the  night at Kachina Lodge which was old campy and clean.

 Tuesday – Bucket List Day! – We opened our curtains and WOW there is was, the Grand Canyon!! We ventured out along a trail and took some photos. What an amazing view and canyon! We then took a Pink Jeep tour (3-hours) around the canyon rim. I would recommend a tour as they provide much more information that you can read and see.  During the afternoon we left and drove back to Scottsdale, about a 3 ˝ hours. We checked in and then went to eat one our favorite Chicago fast food joints Portillios! Obviously the Italian Beef and Hot dogs are wonderful.

Wednesday - ate breakfast “on the cheap” at our Hampton Inn – then went shopping all over including shopping at IKEA and other places. We had our first stint of Casino at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino we lost about $100. That night we ate at Oregano’s Pizza which we would rate about a 4 out of 5.  We then went to a very nice clean Vegas type casino Talking Stick Casino very nice, we lost about $90.00 but had a great 5-hours of entertainment. I drank a bit too much, but was having a great time watching basketball game and playing video poker with a state senator and his mistress.

 Thursday – ate breakfast “on the cheap” at our Hampton Inn then we went to meet my cousin Joe Matt at Portillios We had a great time eating and talking with Joe, he is very fun! Then we headed west and went to try to find a place to fly the Soar Media Drone. On the way we found another casino which was very smoky, dark, ugly and dirty named Ft. McDowell Casino we do not recommend unless you like smoke! However we did win about $180 so there ya go! We did find a neighborhood to fly Soar and sent her up for some fabulous views, kind of windy but fun.

 Sedona Links

Sky Ranch Lodge – nice place clean but dated, great neighborhood

Tlaquepaque Shopping – very cute place with lots of art and jewelry shoppe’s

El Rincon Mexican Restaurant- wow very good Mexican food! At 10!

Pink Jeep Tours – we enjoyed them, great fun staff

Mesa Grill – nice dining on the airport runway – we rate about a 7 ˝ out of 10

 

Scottsdale Links

The Breakfast Club Restaurant  -great breakfast place, busy but great – rate 8

Portillios – Chicago Italian Beef and Hot Dogs  - Rate 10

Oregano’s Pizza – Chicago Pizza  - rate 7

Franco’s Italian Cafe – Italian Café  - rate 8

 

Phoenix Links

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino – rate 8

Ft. McDowell Casino – rate 0

Talking Stick Casino – rate 9