Over the weekend I went to a place I've never been before in my entire life: Phoenix!
I don't know about you, but my love of roadtrips in general spikes off the chart when it incorporates an entirely new road. I get so excited. The thought of looking out the window and watching the world change, of seeing new terrain, of having conversations and listening to good music and eating things from gas stations...it goes down like the perfect yellow cardigan, like a secret admirer, a handwritten note, and a tiny talking turtle.
In other words: it doesn't get much better than that.
I don't know what I was expecting, but Phoenix sort of surprised me. Based on my fleeting impression, if LA and Las Vegas were to have a baby, it would be Phoenix. To be fair, I hardly had a chance to make Phoenix's acquaintance, although we did have dinner at a place called Citizen Public House and I can't get it out of my mind.
Oh, you world famous chopped salad. Oh, you bacon fat heirloom popcorn. Oh, you pan seared swordfish with roasted cauliflower fregula, charred tomato vinaigrette & tarragon butter.
Oh, you black and tan pudding.
Instead, we frequented various athletic facilities cheering Sophie (#26) and her teammates in a marathon, three day volleyball tournament.
The girls did well, played some great volleyball, and made us all feel like kids again, laughing and cheering from the sidelines.
As is often the case when it comes to raising children, I felt lucky to be along for the ride.