July 4th weekend (hotel/concert)

OK, all our activities were over by 11p July 3, and PJ worked a full shift on July 4. But it still felt like a fine 4th of July holiday weekend.

We revived an old practice (maybe even a "tradition") by staying over at a Scottsdale hotel for the holiday. The revival was instigated by Chris and Paul Jr, who figured out that the event (last held in 2002, we think) probably wouldn't happen again unless they made the reservation themselves. So, we were on. Arrived July 1. Parked beside a 2003 Kia which we correctly interpreted to mean that Patrick had shown up (unannounced) all the way from Santa Monica. It's not easy to pull off a surprise, but he did it. Once his mother recovered from the shock, we checked into the room, went to the happy hour (the property does draw an interesting, shall we say, crowd), to dinner at the onsite restaurant, out for a little swimming, and back to the room for a little euchre to finish off the day.

Full day at the hotel on July 2. The breakfast hasn't changed. Card-playing marathon; Nedda and Pat H joined in. Lunch. Some swam, the older folks napped a bit. Mary Beth joined us later in the afternoon. Back to the manager's reception. Sat outside by the pool and listened to "live music" after happy hour each night - it was not unpleasant, but gosh what a gig for the performers ("entry level" minus, I'd say). July 2 was the hottest day in Phoenix in several years (118F). Had a delightful dinner at Roaring Fork - right within walking distance - this place has a wonderful happy hour menu available all evening in summer. The green chile pork stew is the star of the show. Ate PJ's fancy holiday dessert (pictured above), played a bunch more cards, tried to teach Nedda euchre (but I think perhaps she was teaching us).

Checked out Sunday 7/3 after breakfast - just a delightful weekend, and it was v. nice EPG made the road trip.

It happened that Paul Jr. had bought four tickets for a Jeff Bridges concert at the Biltmore hotel in the evening of 7/3 - the music from the movie "Crazy Hearts" was quite fine, and the guy is now releasing an album. So PJ and I attended with he and Nedda; we were in the first row behind the tables thanks to the intercession of someone they knew from Greenberg. Nice setting, nice music, nice evening; Jeff B wasn't really effective at communicating with the audience so that was a small minus. Dinner at Rokerij.

PJ and I appreciated being treated to the hotel and to the concert.