Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Phoenix Trip Recap - Planning

It’s been a week and now I have a little time to recap my trip to Phoenix. The worst part of the trip was forgetting my laptop at home. I wasn’t able to get any work or updates done because I had to do everything on my BlackBerry and it’s just not worth the effort.

Planning

Once we decided to go to Phoenix for our mini-vacation, I realized, “Crap, it’s going to be hot.” Checking the weather reports I knew it was going to be blazing hot. My reports were saying 115 degree.

The first thing I did was look for things to do in the heat, basically anything indoors. I went to www.bing.com and searched “things to do in Phoenix”. Then I modified my search for “indoor things” and “things for toddlers”.

During my research I realized that there’s not a lot of stuff to do in Phoenix. Most of the phone things are outdoors and there just is not an abundance of amusement activities. So basically we had to manufacture fun and we did.

Here are the results of our survey: Science museum, Zoo, BBQ Restaurants, Indoor amusement parks, Shopping Malls.

We found that the Phoenix Zoo had an evening event called Starry Safari with lots of stuff for toddlers to do and see. Friday night, bingo, booked.

I then went to Restaurant.com and started looking for dining opportunities. I found a few, but had to pass it by the wife and then forgetting my laptop meant that I couldn’t do it. We did wind up dining at one of the places I found.

Finally we needed a room. I went to good old reliable www.HotWire.com and found a great resort for only $39 a night. I think the resort was offering the great rate because no one visits golf course resorts. We wound up staying at the Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch. 4 Star Resort for basically $90. Great deal.

I will continue my trip report in my next blog.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Phoenix Travel Journal for 8/9/09

Travel Journal

10:13 AM - mypalal: Getting had and heading home - (Twitter)

10:38 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix
MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix - (Brightkite)

10:39 AM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Phoenix
371 miles to go - (Brightkite)

11:14 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Yuma
MyPalAl checked in @ Yuma - (Brightkite)

11:47 AM - mypalal: Is driving through a lot of nothing - (Twitter)

11:51 AM - mypalal: not sure why the car is shaking. wind? - (Twitter)

12:03 PM - mypalal: Click the link and you'll see I'm in the middle of nowhere http://myloc.me/j9AC - (Twitter)

12:09 PM - mypalal: My boring view http://mypict.me/j9Fq - (Twitter)

12:18 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Quartzsite
MyPalAl checked in @ Quartzsite - (Brightkite)

12:20 PM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Quartzsite

Back for more jerky - (Brightkite)

12:25 PM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Quartzsite

Sucker for jerky - (Brightkite)

12:43 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Blythe
MyPalAl checked in @ Blythe - (Brightkite)

12:45 PM - mypalal: Officially back in California http://myloc.me/jam8 - (Twitter)

1:27 PM - mypalal: Changing baby's diaper and switching drivers to me http://myloc.me/jb5K - (Twitter)

2:03 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Coachella
MyPalAl checked in @ Coachella - (Brightkite)

2:06 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Indio
MyPalAl checked in @ Indio - (Brightkite)

2:17 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Cathedral City
MyPalAl checked in @ Cathedral City - (Brightkite)

2:22 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Palm Springs
MyPalAl checked in @ Palm Springs - (Brightkite)

2:28 PM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Palm Springs

Windmill farm - (Brightkite)

2:36 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Cabazon
MyPalAl checked in @ Cabazon - (Brightkite)

2:41 PM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Cabazon

The mighty T-Rex - (Brightkite)

2:50 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Cabazon
This dinosaur store does not believe in evolution. Yeah - (Brightkite)

3:22 PM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Cabazon

IMG00145-20090809-1521.jpg - (Brightkite)

4:41 PM - mypalal: Back at home, safe and sound, ready for a nap. - (Twitter)

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Phoenix Travel Journal for 8/7-8/09

Travel Journal

August 7

5:59 AM - mypalal Thanks for all the birthday wishes. It was a good day. - (Plurk)

6:05 AM - mypalal: ah Twitter is showing signs of life again - (Twitter)

6:17 AM - mypalal: watching Billy Mays and the Dualsaw - (Twitter)

7:23 AM - mypalal: 106 in Phoenix this weekend. i can handle that. - (Twitter)

7:25 AM - mypalal: if you're in #Phoenix area on Saturday, I'll be performing at the - (Twitter)

8:12 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Palm Canyon Resort & Spa
MyPalAl checked in @ Palm Canyon Resort & Spa - (Brightkite)

8:16 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Palm Canyon Resort & Spa

Our timeshare - (Brightkite)

8:36 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ International House of Pancakes
MyPalAl checked in @ International House of Pancakes - (Brightkite)

8:37 AM - mypalal: checked out of hotel and now eating breakfast - (Twitter)

8:54 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ International House of Pancakes

Roots Tooth Fresh N Fruity - (Brightkite)

9:26 AM - mypalal: AM PM has a strawberry banana iced latte yuck - (Twitter)

9:30 AM - mypalal: taking a poopy break - (Twitter)

9:36 AM - mypalal: on the sonny bono memorial freeway - (Twitter)

10:15 AM - mypalal: listening to 101 Dalmatians - (Twitter)

10:19 AM - mypalal: in desert center - (Twitter)

10:24 AM - mypalal: My view for the next four hours
- (TwitPic)

10:50 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Blythe
MyPalAl checked in @ Blythe - (Brightkite)

10:57 AM - mypalal: we are now in Arizona - (Twitter)

11:26 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Quartzsite
MyPalAl checked in @ Quartzsite - (Brightkite)

11:30 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Quartzsite

Got some really good jerky - (Brightkite)

1:42 PM - mypalal Ww have arrived in Phoenix and now waiting for our rooms - (Plurk)

1:51 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix
MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix - (Brightkite)

2:14 PM - mypalal: Relaxing in the hotel room. http://myloc.me/iqpk - (Twitter)

2:35 PM - mypalal: Getting ready for a swim http://myloc.me/iqyq - (Twitter)

4:05 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Wal-Mart
MyPalAl checked in @ Wal-Mart - (Brightkite)

4:07 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Wal-Mart
Shopping for sundries - (Brightkite)

5:04 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Korean Restaurant
MyPalAl checked in @ Korean Restaurant - (Brightkite)

6:12 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix Zoo
MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix Zoo - (Brightkite)

6:13 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix Zoo
MyPalAl checked in @ Phoenix Zoo - (Brightkite)

6:14 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Phoenix Zoo
Evening fun time for kids at the zoo - (Brightkite)

7:13 PM - mypalal: Phoenix zoo is awesome - (Twitter)

9:22 PM - mypalal: Heading to late show of NCT. - (Twitter)

August 8



11:40 AM - mypalal: Drama of the day. My cell phone ran out of power. Spent most of morning fixing problem - (Twitter)

11:40 AM - mypalal Drama of the day. My cell phone ran out of power. Spent most of morning fixing problem - (Plurk)

11:43 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Sweet Tomatoes
MyPalAl checked in @ Sweet Tomatoes - (Brightkite)

11:46 AM - mypalal Eating at Sweet Tomato aka Souplantation - (Plurk)

11:46 AM - mypalal I love clam chowddr , souplantation has the worst:'-( - (Plurk)

11:47 AM - mypalal We bought the kid a potty doll today - (Plurk)

11:54 AM - mypalal No sourdough bread until tonight - (Plurk)

12:32 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Amazing Jake's Pizza Factory
MyPalAl checked in @ Amazing Jake's Pizza Factory - (Brightkite)

12:46 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Amazing Jake's Pizza Factory
Not for toddlers. Heading to the resort - (Brightkite)

3:00 PM - mypalal: got my nap and getting dressed to meet up with Dorian - (Twitter)

3:02 PM - mypalal: i think my phone was trying to send a tweet which caused my battery to go dead - (Twitter)

3:09 PM - mypalal: Ubertwitter is working again. http://myloc.me/iPEs - (Twitter)

3:33 PM - mypalal: now it's freakin' hot - (Twitter)

3:58 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ 5 & Diner
MyPalAl checked in @ 5 & Diner - (Brightkite)

5:17 PM - mypalal: great dinner. fun talk with Dorbo - (Twitter)

6:02 PM - mypalal: the weather in Phoenix was somewhat tolerable. (t) - (Twitter)

9:21 PM - mypalal: finished first show. we won. next show at 9:45 - (Twitter)

11:57 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Old Chicago
MyPalAl checked in @ Old Chicago - (Brightkite)

Friday, August 07, 2009

Phoenix Travel Journal for 8/6/09

Travel Journal

6:10 PM - mypalal getting a few things done before we head out of town. - (Plurk)

6:54 PM - mypalal The kid is sad because Lexy is not going with us - (Plurk)

7:19 PM - mypalal I hate traffic - (Plurk)

7:23 PM - mypalal Don't think we will make dinosaurs at - (Plurk)

7:23 PM - mypalal Cabazon by nightfall - (Plurk)

7:39 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Sam's Club
MyPalAl checked in @ Sam's Club - (Brightkite)

7:43 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Sam's Club
Getting gas at Sam's Club because it's .35 cents cheaper than orange county - (Brightkite)

8:09 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Riverside
MyPalAl checked in @ Riverside - (Brightkite)

8:14 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Indio
MyPalAl checked in @ Indio - (Brightkite)

8:20 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Redlands
MyPalAl checked in @ Redlands - (Brightkite)

8:34 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Banning
MyPalAl checked in @ Banning - (Brightkite)

8:35 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Banning
Getting dinner at jack in the box - (Brightkite)

8:36 PM - mypalal Can't believe I left my laptop at home - (Plurk)

8:44 PM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Banning


Getting dinner - (Brightkite)

8:53 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Cabazon
MyPalAl checked in @ Cabazon - (Brightkite)

9:01 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Cabazon
Traffic is running real slow. Not good - (Brightkite)

9:02 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Cabazon
Looks like construction on the 10 - (Brightkite)

10:29 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ Palm Springs
MyPalAl checked in @ Palm Springs - (Brightkite)

Monday, August 03, 2009

PREVIEW: Upcoming Trip - Phoenix AZ

The Cheap Traveler is back and we have a real trip planned. We’re going to Phoenix, Arizona this weekend.

It’s going to be blazing hot and it’s going to be super cheap too.  Be sure to come back to my blog for details of the trip. It’s me, the wife and the kid.