I have quite a few friends who’ve visited Phoenix, AZ and later moved there.  Just about all of them love living in Phoenix, so I figured I’d check it out.  I hear Phoenix has some fantastic scenery, so I’m looking forward to doing some shooting (photography people!) out in the desert and mountains as well as connect with old faces!

I caught an early flight out of O’Hare and arrived at Sky Harbor Airport around 11 AM.  The flight was pretty smooth except for a little turbulence over the Rocky Mountains.  Then again, I slept almost the whole flight!  I was up the entire night before preparing for the trip and taking care of a few other odds and ends.  I stepped off of the plane and…ahhhhh, heat!!!  I was born and raised in Chicago so you’d think I’d be use to the cold.  I swear my body was built for year round good weather.  One of these days I’ll relocate…Phoenix perhaps???

Anyway, I made my way to baggage claim and then took a shuttle to the car rental building.  I was almost duped into upgrading to a compact by the customer rep guy.  He told me I probably wouldn’t “fit” into the compact.  After I told him I’d manage he said my car wouldn’t have power locks, power windows, or AC!!!  Had there not been a 48% “airport” tax on the rental I may have considered paying the $150 he asked for the upgrade.  When I went to garage to pick up my car I found out that I was allowed to pickup whatever car that had in the lot.  I went ahead of got the Dodge Caliber as I was suppose to have gotten in the first place, but of course I got the one with AC, power everything, and XM Radio as an extra perk. 

By then I was starving and sleepy, but I wanted to explore just a little.  I drove downtown for a bit, took in the scenery (and fantastic 80 degree weather!), and headed out a ways from downtown.  Finally I stopped at McD’s to grab something quick to eat and enter the address of the hotel in my GPS.  I must have been using “the force” when I was driving, as the hotel was less than a mile and a half away.

My room is TINY, but nice.  Apparently they have been remodeling all of their rooms.  I think I’m the first person to stay in this room since it was made over, it still has a faint scent of new paint and fresh hardwood.

I took a long much needed nap, showered & shaved, and headed out to do a lil’ exploring.  By then it was dark so I didn’t take any photos.  Right now I’m planning out the day for tomorrow.  Hopefully I’ll have something much more interesting to post!

Goodnight all…