Guess Where I Went?

This is your first hint!

I was invited to join a friend on a midwinter's getaway
at the Phoenician resort in Scottsdale, AZ
for four nights about a week ago.

They pampered us in every way. This is how we
were welcomed our first night there. Marshall came to our room
bearing a tray of fine china and silver and delectable treats of
cheese, fruit, crackers and bottled water in glass bottles!

I was blessed to be asked to join Kim for restorative trip
away from home. Kim is a dear friend that I've known for many years.
She has spent the last year caring for her beloved mother who
passed away earlier this month. It was her husband's idea to give
her a mid-winter break to rejuvinate after such a difficult time.

This is Michelle, the wonderful concierge who helped us
make the most of every moment we spent at the Phoenician.
Not only was she extremely helpful but she always had a smile for us.

I got a kick out of the giant stacks of towels in one of the
ladies restrooms. Every time we went in there the stacks
were completely full! Did they have someone on staff full time
just watching and filling those stacks of towels?

This is a photo I took of the resort from Camelback Mountain which we
hiked twice while we were there. The mountain was within walking distance
from the Phoenician so we laced up our hiking shoes and had a fabulous
time hiking the trails and taking in the breathtaking scenery on two
glorious mornings. You could see for miles from where we eventually
stopped our climb!

Two fearless hiking/talking/scrambling-on-rocks buddies.
It was a beautiful way to start the day.

This was the view from our balcony. It was such a
delight to wake up each morning and see the lovely grounds
with the mountains in the distance.


We sat out on the patio at night, enjoying a glass of wine
and watching the sunset with the lights of Phoenix twinkling in the distance.

They had these amazing tables with fire pits in the middle of them.
We sat around the table visiting with others before our meal. Such a delight!


We rented a car one day and drove outside of Scottsdale and visited Taliesin,
Frank Lloyd Wright's Arizona former residence and school for architects.
The tour and property are amazing and were fascinating to see.


Our lunch we shared (one delicious crab cake each) at
Arcadia Farms. I think I could eat there every day and never
get tired of food like that.


There's a part of the city called Old Town Scottsdale that
is filled with art galleries full of amazing art. I quickly snapped
a photo of these incredible wooden spheres in one of them. They
were quite large, maybe three feet, four feet and five feet tall
and smooth as silk with nary a seam felt in the wood.


Behind the resort is a beautiful cactus garden with walking trails.
I enjoyed checking out all the different desert vegetation.
It's so different from home but beautiful in its own way.


We enjoyed a high tea in the hotel lobby on our last day.
I think I could drink tea and eat like this every afternoon
with no complaints but it's probably better for my waistline that I don't!


Here I am on our last morning, in the depths of despair.
I'm begging Kim, "Please don't make me go!"

Saying good bye to the Phoenician in the gorgeous lobby.

I will never forget our wonderful stay in this most welcoming

and special resort. Good bye, Phoenician! I hope to return someday!

As fabulous as the Phoenician was, my time spent with Kim was even better.

It was a time of laughter and tears and reminiscing and healing. I will

treasure the memories we made here for the rest of my life.

Thank You, Lord,

for blessing me with a friend like Kim.