Day One~
I left out for vacation last Saturday morning. I flew to Phoenix and rented a car to drive to Sedona. I don't have too many complaints about my vacation, but the couple that I have are all in this post. First complaint...not a fan of the Phoenix airport. I've never waited so long for an airport to get the checked bags. Second, they have all the rental car places off site. They bus you there and then everyone descended in mass to the counters. The rental car company I was at had the longest darn line. It took over 2 hours to get bags and the car.
I had rented a mid-sized car. I got a Nissan Sentra. Since when is that a mid-sized car? I'm almost certain that should be a compact car, no? Good part of that is that my little car got good gas mileage for all the driving I did. Bad part is that my SUV has ruined me. Anyhow, I was just so darn happy to finally be in a car, I burned rubber out of the airport! I was hot...
I left out for vacation last Saturday morning. I flew to Phoenix and rented a car to drive to Sedona. I don't have too many complaints about my vacation, but the couple that I have are all in this post. First complaint...not a fan of the Phoenix airport. I've never waited so long for an airport to get the checked bags. Second, they have all the rental car places off site. They bus you there and then everyone descended in mass to the counters. The rental car company I was at had the longest darn line. It took over 2 hours to get bags and the car.
I had rented a mid-sized car. I got a Nissan Sentra. Since when is that a mid-sized car? I'm almost certain that should be a compact car, no? Good part of that is that my little car got good gas mileage for all the driving I did. Bad part is that my SUV has ruined me. Anyhow, I was just so darn happy to finally be in a car, I burned rubber out of the airport! I was hot...
please note: 100 degrees proven by the iphone pic!
and I was hungry...
yum...
The drive to Sedona was just over 2 hours. During the first 30 minutes or so outside of Phoenix, I was so darn excited over the zillions of Saguaro Cactus that were on the side of the road!
I have no idea why I was so excited. I don't know if I had ever seen those typical "cartoon" type cactus before.
To get to Sedona, you exit off of Interstate 17 and drive on a two lane road into Coconino National Forest (Forest being a bit of a misleading term). Initially, I was NOT impressed. I thought, "What the heck, this just looks like New Mexico!". Then you turn and corner and, AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!, you see this...
(iphone pic)
After driving about 30 minutes with this view, I arrived at the Hyatt and checked in. I had called a week before and requested a room with a view. I knew it was kind of last minute, but I figured some people may not ask until they get there, and at least I'd be ahead of them. When I check in, I was given my room assignment and I inquired about whether I had a good view. "Oh yes," the guy said, "You have a fabulous view of Snoopy Rock". (they name all the red rocks there and that's the name of one of them). So I give myself a little silent Yippee! and get in my car to drive around to my building. I park and see this view walking up, so you know I'm getting excited, right?
I walk into my room and notice it is very dark and cave like. Because it was a Studio, instead of the 1 & 2 Bedrooms they have there, the only window I have is the sliding glass doors. I go to the door to see my fabulous view and this is what I see...
Wha? Where's my view?
I hop on the phone and dial up the front desk and say, "You've got to get me out of this cave!" A nice girl told me she would see what she could do and call me back. About 30 minutes later she called and said that there was nothing she could do for the night, but on Sunday she could move me for the remaining 6 nights. Hey, it's better than nothing, so I told her fine.
The room was pretty nice, aside from the cave problem. Here is the set up (note the photos are actually of the 2nd room, that's why it doesn't appear all dark and cave like- just didn't want you to think I was exaggerating!)...
Instead of unpacking, which I had planned to do, I went to Safeway for some sodas, grapes, crackers, etc. I left everything in the car the first night (suitcase included) and just brought in what I needed for the night. I was tired, got supper to go and ate in the room while watching some tv.
Day Two: Part 1
I was still kind of tired on Sunday morning. Partly from travel, partly due to the 2 hour time difference (since Arizona doesn't do Daylight Savings). I decided to head to the movie and see "Something Borrowed" again. I had trouble getting my head around it the first time. I think because I've "known" these characters for 6 years and read the story several times. I needed to see it again, and thought this was the perfect opportunity...
And what is that you see in the background? Yep, when I got back from the movie, my new and improved room with a view was ready! And... WHAT. A. VIEW!
Stay tuned for Day 2: Part 2...
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