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The Final Countdown

Lisa decided early on that the theme for today would be The Final Countdown since it s the day we ll get to Phoenix. We got on the road pretty early and drove the 30 miles to Winslow, Arizona. Naturally we listened to Eagles tunes the entire way specifically Take It Easy. We made our way through the small town and finally found the specific corner we were looking for. We took our turns standing on the corner and then walked across the street to buy commemorative t-shirts. I still haven t been able to get the song out of my head.

The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona via Hwy 89A was breathtaking. There were lots of hairpin turns but it was mostly downhill so Lola didn t have a problem making it. We got to Sedona s New Day Spa about 45 minutes before our first appointment so we sat in the sauna for a while. We were both immediately relaxed.

My first appointment was a manicure and pedicure with Kathy who was originally from Gurnee IL. She and her husband moved to Sedona about 7 years ago to be closer to her mom. I was amazed to find out that her husband went to Suomi College (now Finlandia University) which is across the Portage Canal from Michigan Tech where Lisa and I both went to school. After my mani/pedi I had a 60 minute facial and a 90 minute hot stone massage. I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful and relaxing it all was. Lisa and I spent about 6 hours total at the spa taking advantage of the relaxation room in between and after our appointments. It was the first time either one of us had ever spent time at a day spa and I think Lisa had it right when she said it was one of those things that you tried once and then became addicted to. She s already planning on going back after her finals are over.

After we left the spa and at the suggestion of Kathy we stopped at a Mexican restaurant called Javelina Cantina. The prickly-pear margaritas were the perfect end to the day and so was the food. We ordered chips and guacamole and each got a combo plate with a taco a flauta and an enchilada. Even though we were starving and the food was delicious neither one of us was able to finish our food. Lisa commented on how fitting it was that we began and ended our trip with margaritas.

We got back on the road for the final stretch a two-hour drive to Phoenix. Even though we managed to be trapped under the solitary rain cloud in the entire sky for a few miles it was beautiful to see the sun setting over the mesas and mountains.

I guess a road trip isn t complete without getting pulled over and we had gotten lucky so far. Inevitably though we got pulled over by an Arizona state trooper about an hour outside Phoenix. Fortunately it was only because Lola s driver s side headlight was out. The trooper wrote a repair order for Lisa and we were on our way again.

We re finally in Phoenix and staying with Lisa s friend Jess. Jess has a 6 month old puppy named Hank who was very excited to see us. By excited I mean that he couldn t stop jumping on us or nibbling at our feet and hands. As sad as I am to be going home tomorrow it feels good to be at our final destination. We considered going out but decided that we were both just too exhausted. It s been a long couple days but it s been the time of our lives!

Relaxed refreshed and prickly-peared

Ida and Lisa