Spring Road Trip: Arizona

As some of you are aware, Conor has taken a real liking to cycling the past 15 months. He loves it. I love that he loves it and the adventures it provided the past year. Not so much him being gone most every weekend on a long ride--but that's part of the territory and training he embarked on for his ultimate goal to ride in Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP). Conor was already commuting to and from work in downtown Houston and decided he wanted to do some longer rides like he had done growing up. He found a local randonneuring group to join and had long-distance rides to complete by the end of 2010 and first half of 2011. Lets just say a short ride to Conor is 40-50 miles. Needless to say, I haven't ever joined him. He feels we have plenty of years to work on that; I like his optimism. To read more about his cycling and getting inside his brain, or behind-the-scenes action, check out his blog. It's quite entertaining and I've actually been able to learn what his rides were really like. Not the, "pretty good" statements I was getting out of him after he had to sleep for hours to recoop.

In order to qualify for the PBP ride, Conor needed to complete a 600km ride. He found one in Arizona this Spring and thought it would be fun to take a trip. We strapped on his bike, loaded up the car and headed off for our adventure, taking a new route along the TX/Mexico border. Exciting and never plan to take that route again. The ride was around Tucson area. We went to Tombstone and played around a bit before, stayed in Sonoita at a charming inn, and wound up back where he started all the fun.

Slush Monkey--how could you pass that up?!

Miles and miles of road. Flat road.

One of my drive-by photos from the car. Could be New Mexico.

Conor in Tombstone, AZ--charming western town, albeit commercialized.

Store owner picked this hat out for me and told me how good I looked. LOL!

Quite excited over his locally brewed sarsparilla.

We had a dishwasher at hotel and it ate my plastic lid. Not to mention the horrid smell!!!

Conor all prepped the night before his big ride.

It was early--yes, I actually woke up and saw him off!

Scenes from Conor's ride along the route.

He slept a few hours at the Sonoita Inn where I stayed. I couldn't believe the amount of salt that sweat out of his body. Had to take some pics of the crusted salt on his helmet straps!!!

This has to be the funniest thing I've ever read. LOVE that he got a pic of it!!!

All finished!!! He made it. Had to show more of the salt on his face--and the sweet hair! : )

This is where we stayed. It was rather charming inside and all rooms were different.

Only place to eat--and the location of the wedding Jubi went to--see below. The wedding party stayed at the Inn.
I even met the bride and groom over breakfast. Now we're Facebook friends. Don't you love life?!

Across the street from Inn. All the businesses in town were housed there.

This sign cracks me up. Good thing we already had their number.

From my room. Watching for Conor--but I must have missed him!

My friend I met at the Inn, Jubi. She's from Luxembourg and flew out for a wedding.
I taught her how to eat an English muffin at breakfast and we bonded. : )

Rodeo!!!

How can you live in Texas and not enjoy the rodeo?! : ) Lets say it's a rather big event in Houston and I was able to get in on the action this year. My friend, Cristy, volunteers for the Houston Rodeo and scored us some free concert tickets. We were able to go twice and check out some rodeo events and cowboys prior to the country concerts. Loved it!!! Still no luck finding Cristy a cowboy--maybe next year! ; )

Dayna posing with the cowboys. 

1st Concert

Showing off my cowboy signature book. Cristy was jealous I had a heart on mine next to Clint. ; )

2nd Concert

My Mug Shot

Oh yes, I am famous. My brother texted me this morning and said he liked my article on ksl.com and then my friend, Amberlee, also texted and said she liked my photo. I had to check it out for myself and this is what I found.  http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=960&sid=18256157&title=record-low-number-of-americans-changing-residences

Yikes!!! Just over a week ago I had a phone interview and the following day they sent a photographer from Deseret News to take photos. Conor was totally jilted in the deal since he was working in North Dakota. I'm sure he's sad about it. Honestly, I figured it would be in section J, tucked away in the middle of the paper. Or, I wondered if the article would even be published and the editor would toss it out. It happens. My mom called a little later in the morning and said people in her neighborhood had called. By now it was on Facebook and posted to my wall. I get another text from my brother--with my mug on the front page of the newspaper!!! LOL--yikes. My mug plastered all over the front page. On people's doorsteps, newsstands, kitchen tables. Scary thought. It makes me laugh. Maybe I'll have to mod podge the article on some wood and hang up in our house. I guess in a way I was famous for a day and that makes me feel special. My mom always said I was special . . .

New Orleans!!!

Conor had a last minute trip to New Orleans for work the end of February. He was able to book a flight, but there were NO rental cars in sight. He decided to cancel the flight and drive, and invited me along for the ride. (One of the sweet perks of self-employment and having a flexible schedule that I love.) I packed along receipts and papers to work on my business taxes and updated spreadsheets at the hotel. I managed to fit in some time at the pool and lay out (yes, I actually got sun--too much sun) and catch up on my photo magazines. It was close to Mardi Gras so we hit up a couple parades, caught some beads, wandered the French Quarter and all its glory, and ate at some of our favorite spots. Plus we spent time with friends that live there. In between it all, Conor managed to do the work he was sent to do.

This one's for my Dad--Semper Fi!!!

Conor at the parade

Dayna and MONKEY beads!!!

Cadillac Transformer--can you believe there's a guy under there?!

Well, I thought it was cool & gave him money & took a pic!

Infamous Saint Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter

Dayna & Natalia--we look great for after midnight! : )

Isabelle & Dayna

Conor & girlfriend Issy

Conor, Dave, Isabelle

We stood at edge of window and could look down on the street--we thought it was cool!
Below you can see all the people starting to line up for parade in the street.

I couldn't resist. Proof that a picture is worth a thousand words!