Camelback

It "cooled" down to 85F earlier last week so we decided to hike Camelback after work. Quite the adventure, Steph nearly died of fright from a snake and then we saw a rescue!

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/05/07/injured-hiker-rescued-phoenix-fire-camelback-mountain/70986192/

We were on our way down when we saw the crew, a guy fell pretty bad, they thought he broke a few bones. About 2 dozen firefighters hiked up, full gear. The mountain has a helicopter pad halfway up for these type of rescues. 

we made it!

cute steph

the snake was in the crevice. I hiked right over it, then heard a scream haha 

great views at the top

which way do i go?

big wheel (I had to google it). They put the person on the stretcher they attach it to this to go down the mountain. I think they make the rookie firefighter have to carry it up :)

We explored Phoenix yesterday, took Steph to a fun beer bar - Angel's Trumpet

Spam sliders pictured - the coleslaw was amazing, had feta in it :) We want to go back, the whole menu looked great

Hoover Dam

Stopped at the Hoover Dam on the way back. We didn't feel like waiting for a tour inside the dam but would love to with visitors :)

The bridge in the background is the new bypass. Apparently it used to take 1hr+ to drive over the dam due to security. 

it was scary looking down, very steep!

there are cars parked down there

Lake Mead

Las Vegas

Steph had a conference in Las Vegas last week, we decided to do a quick trip before it starts getting hot there. So I took off Friday and met her Thursday night. Drive was super easy, 5 hours, fairly quiet highway with some fun curves for the Mustang :)

Another reason for going, Steph had a Hilton deal: we had to sit through a 2hr timeshare sales pitch. (I had to coach her before the pitch haha) $150 for 4 days, 3 nights at the new Hilton Elara on the strip, plus dinner and a show! The same suite is literally going for $1500 a night this weekend because of the big fight. It had a little kitchen, we brought food for breakfast (and beer) to save money.

approaching the city

flowers in the bellagio

i met this "unique" couple while waiting outside the bathroom They insisted i take their picture

bellagio buffet, one of my favorite parts of the trip. There was a hour wait but it was well worth it!

Walked around Fremont strip after the buffet

so much walking

Wasn't quite pool weather (60/70s) but we tried :)

awww

Great Arizona Beerfest (GAZBF)

I joked with Steph that the acronym sounds like you're saying GABF (big colorado fest), but drunk. :)

It was held at the Cub's spring training field, just a few miles south of us in Tempe. Everything was very well organized, clean. We were impressed!

Hiding in the shade during the first hour, it was hot

always bring food to beerfests! I like the photobomber

normal

 Although beer scene is a lot smaller than CO, it is growing a lot. Two new ones are opening in Scottsdale this summer. I really like the ones in Flagstaff too.

Big Move to AZ

half way packed! I think we got a 16ft truck

we had a to drop off donations @ the thrift store, one last stop at NBB

Mary and Erica came up to visit, we had dinner at a greek place then walked around the new Trader Joe's in Fort Collins. It was great to see you!

the final pack. Erik and his gf came up for a quick breakfast (and I loaded his car with junk haha) then we hit the road

30deg while packing, 90deg while unloading!

not the most exciting drive, this was one of the highlights

stayed the night in Sante Fe, much smaller than I expected. It was very windy, the town was dead. We didn't care, we were both tired from packing and the drive

a few people recommended this french bakery, steph was happy :)  We got sandwiches to go for lunch too

steph really wanted to stop at the sign, but there were no parking signs everywhere so we both ran out of the cars then got out of there quick!

Thanks to my years of moving experience, it was overall very stress free and nothing broke. OK, the only thing to break was a mason jar, whoever cleaned the fridge in the new place didn't secure the shelves, I set it down then BAM. Steph and I had  "fight" about trash bags too. She was mad I was smiling during this "fight". When your only problem in life is which type of trash bags to use you can't help but smile. Love you Steph!

We didn't really take pictures unpacking, Dan came down from Flagstaff and Steph's dad came down from Durango to help. We unloaded for an hour, watched the MSU game then came back and finished the rest. Steph went to see her Grandparents in Tuscon with her Dad the next day, Dan and I drank beer and unpacked :)