This should be the last entry of this blog. Alex's 2-week stay in AZ concluded today. He was checked in at the Phx-Mesa Gateway Airport around 7:10am and passed through the security checkpoint by 7:30am.
We have enjoyed Alex's stay here and he is always welcome to come back and visit again.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A Day of Rest
The boys basically stayed home and played video games. This was a day to just chill. Tomorrow's plan is to get up at 5:30am and get out by 6:30am.
We shall see...
We shall see...
Monopoly at Miss Lois' house
(7/18/2009)
We met Ms. Lois at church last year and became good friends. She lives in Mesa with her elderly mother. Saturday night, we were invited to her place for pizza and Monopoly. The game lasted for hours-- 7pm till 12:30am!
During the game, we paused for a few minutes to peek at the changing weather outside. A wind storm was churning up sand and debris. It went on for at least a half an hour! I was hoping for the monsoon rain would come, so Alex could experience it... no luck this time :-(
We met Ms. Lois at church last year and became good friends. She lives in Mesa with her elderly mother. Saturday night, we were invited to her place for pizza and Monopoly. The game lasted for hours-- 7pm till 12:30am!
During the game, we paused for a few minutes to peek at the changing weather outside. A wind storm was churning up sand and debris. It went on for at least a half an hour! I was hoping for the monsoon rain would come, so Alex could experience it... no luck this time :-(
Friday, July 17, 2009
Once a month, the AZ Game and Fish Dept hosts a bat workshop in Phoenix educating residents about bats. July workshop happened to be tonight. We went hoping to see a colony of Mexican free-tail bats flying out of their habitat at sunset.
A pretty big crowd gathered near the opening of the tunnel where the bats roost. Everyone was anticipating a swarm of bats coming out. As the Sun set, we could see a few bats flying out of the tunnel. People started to woo and ahh at the sight; camera flashes probably temporarily blinded some of the exiting bats.
Out of the possible ten thousand bats living in the tunnel, we maybe saw a few hundred to a thousand bats leaving the tunnel. It was interesting, but not as impressive as we imagined :-(
A pretty big crowd gathered near the opening of the tunnel where the bats roost. Everyone was anticipating a swarm of bats coming out. As the Sun set, we could see a few bats flying out of the tunnel. People started to woo and ahh at the sight; camera flashes probably temporarily blinded some of the exiting bats.
Out of the possible ten thousand bats living in the tunnel, we maybe saw a few hundred to a thousand bats leaving the tunnel. It was interesting, but not as impressive as we imagined :-(
(7/16/2009)
As usual, the kids all slept in until almost 9:30am. While I was pondering what to do, Joey told me they really did not go out running around... so I obliged.
The temp was above 110F. So I suggested to head down to the pool and cool off after a late breakfast/ early lunch. Joey has some aversion to large body of water, so he spent his time sitting around. Alex and Andrea played with pool toys and diving for them.
In the evening, the kids usually watch NCIS on cable. Since Alex discovered the show by watching it with us, he is hooked. On Thursday nights we spend hours watching NCIS, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, and sometimes, In Plain Sight. I guess you could say Thursday nights have become our TV nights.
As usual, the kids all slept in until almost 9:30am. While I was pondering what to do, Joey told me they really did not go out running around... so I obliged.
The temp was above 110F. So I suggested to head down to the pool and cool off after a late breakfast/ early lunch. Joey has some aversion to large body of water, so he spent his time sitting around. Alex and Andrea played with pool toys and diving for them.
In the evening, the kids usually watch NCIS on cable. Since Alex discovered the show by watching it with us, he is hooked. On Thursday nights we spend hours watching NCIS, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, and sometimes, In Plain Sight. I guess you could say Thursday nights have become our TV nights.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
(7/15/2009)
Joe took a day off so he could join us sight-seeing. We went to Goldfield ghost town in AJ, AZ, where someone rebuilt the town to attract tourists. (It is a tourist trap. But we were hoping for the best.) Perhaps it was because we came on a weekday, there were not anyone there dressed in period costumes and re-enact wild west street scenes. We did walked around and looked at different buildings; one thing they all have in common: very hot inside if no A/C running!
Goldfield is situated right at the foot of Tonto National Forest, so we decided to drive up the mountain road and see what's up there.
The road quickly became narrow and
winding. Many stretches have no guardrail. The road is paved and thank goodness for that! The view is desolate but grand. Layers upon layers of colorful rocks and dirt make the landscape otherworldly. However I took very few pictures because I was quite preoccupied with hanging onto the car door handle! I must admit, I was quite nervous on the way up. Then paved road ended. We were not willing to bounce the next 10- 20 miles to higher ground so Joe turn the car around and headed down. Well, compare to the trip up, the way down was even more exciting! I hope my nervousness did not transmit to the 3 kids in the back seat. I did, back at the entrance of the park, told myself not to come back in the near future!
Joe took a day off so he could join us sight-seeing. We went to Goldfield ghost town in AJ, AZ, where someone rebuilt the town to attract tourists. (It is a tourist trap. But we were hoping for the best.) Perhaps it was because we came on a weekday, there were not anyone there dressed in period costumes and re-enact wild west street scenes. We did walked around and looked at different buildings; one thing they all have in common: very hot inside if no A/C running!
Goldfield is situated right at the foot of Tonto National Forest, so we decided to drive up the mountain road and see what's up there.
The road quickly became narrow and
winding. Many stretches have no guardrail. The road is paved and thank goodness for that! The view is desolate but grand. Layers upon layers of colorful rocks and dirt make the landscape otherworldly. However I took very few pictures because I was quite preoccupied with hanging onto the car door handle! I must admit, I was quite nervous on the way up. Then paved road ended. We were not willing to bounce the next 10- 20 miles to higher ground so Joe turn the car around and headed down. Well, compare to the trip up, the way down was even more exciting! I hope my nervousness did not transmit to the 3 kids in the back seat. I did, back at the entrance of the park, told myself not to come back in the near future!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
HP and the Half Blood Prince
Joe got an invite from Lenovo to go to an early screening of HP and the Half Blood Prince, before it opened nation-wide. We totally enjoyed the film and all agreed that this one was the best one so far!
Monday, July 13, 2009
visiting the old point loma light house
(7/12/2009)
I thought alex should at least see the light house during this trip. At this vantage point, one has the bird's eye view of san diego bay and the pacific ocean.
I thought alex should at least see the light house during this trip. At this vantage point, one has the bird's eye view of san diego bay and the pacific ocean.
going to san diego, ca
(7/11/2009)
on our way there, we went through several border patrol check points in az and ca. each time, it was about a quarter of a mile line before the check point; not too bad. usually, they ask questions like "where are you driving from?" or "are everyone in the car us citizen?"
on our way there, we went through several border patrol check points in az and ca. each time, it was about a quarter of a mile line before the check point; not too bad. usually, they ask questions like "where are you driving from?" or "are everyone in the car us citizen?"
Friday, July 10, 2009
homeschooler game day
Alex came to East Valley homeschoolers' game day. We usually meet once a week at someone's house. Kids play video games, hang around, or if it is hot like today, swim.
As I am blogging now, Joey and Alex are at Game Daze (card store at the mall) dueling 3 20+ years old Magic the Gathering players. Big Joe called to tell me the good news/ bad news:
Good news: Joey is playing with some local pros and will be able to learn a lot from them.
The bad news? The game does not end until 9pm!
Update: They came back around 7pm. Joey lost his match but he learned a lot from the older players.
As I am blogging now, Joey and Alex are at Game Daze (card store at the mall) dueling 3 20+ years old Magic the Gathering players. Big Joe called to tell me the good news/ bad news:
Good news: Joey is playing with some local pros and will be able to learn a lot from them.
The bad news? The game does not end until 9pm!
Update: They came back around 7pm. Joey lost his match but he learned a lot from the older players.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Today, all 3 kids were itching to go to the mall. We decided to split up, so the girls and the boys would not suffer needlessly ;-) The guys hit the game store and the card shop. Evidently, Alex bought some Magic the Gathering cards and started his own deck. Upon the reveal, he found a few very rare and powerful cards... I guess it is a very big deal!
Panning for (fool's) gold!
(7/8/2009)
At AZMNH, it has a hands-on gold panning site for anyone who wants to try his luck. These 3 really got into it! Later, Alex even found a sweet spot where you could see the nuggets resting on top of the sand. He, like a true 49er, staked out the spot and worked it like mad!
At AZMNH, it has a hands-on gold panning site for anyone who wants to try his luck. These 3 really got into it! Later, Alex even found a sweet spot where you could see the nuggets resting on top of the sand. He, like a true 49er, staked out the spot and worked it like mad!
Alex's interpretation of the statue.
(7/8/2009)
We spent a few hours at AZ Museum of Natural History. It is a small museum in downtown Mesa, AZ. I thought it is interesting how Alex interpret the mood of the statue.
We spent a few hours at AZ Museum of Natural History. It is a small museum in downtown Mesa, AZ. I thought it is interesting how Alex interpret the mood of the statue.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Cactus Walk & Moon Light Hike
Maricopa County Park Dist put together a "fruity cactus" natural walk and moon light hike this evening. I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to check out what the park dist has to offer.
It was interesting to learn about saguaro cactus and how natives used to utilize it. It was quite amazing to see a 15' tall saguaro and found out it is over 50 years old. The ones that has "arms" are at least 70 years old.
As the sun set and the moon rose, we went on a self-guided 2.2 miles hike within Usery Mountain Park. The elevation there is 1900'+ and overlook eastern Mesa. At night, the lights are quite beautiful, but not as much as the desert under the moon light.
the Boys Hit the Pool Yesterday
It was a hot one and Alex wanted to check out the pool. Joey reluctantly agreed since he isn't that much of a pool person. The water was nice and the boys spent about an hour there.
Some neighborhood kids came over and asked to play video game with Joey. Alex and Joey were in and out all afternoon; I think they even went back to the pool later in the day.
Late night, we got an email from manager of our HOA that said the pool will be closed for the next 5 days for repair... GRRR! The timing is terrible!
Some neighborhood kids came over and asked to play video game with Joey. Alex and Joey were in and out all afternoon; I think they even went back to the pool later in the day.
Late night, we got an email from manager of our HOA that said the pool will be closed for the next 5 days for repair... GRRR! The timing is terrible!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Finally...
At around 10pm, 7/4/09, we arrived at our final destination. This was a over 38-hour drive from Sheridan, IL to eastern Mesa, AZ. All said and done, the kids were great and tolerant of the crammed backseat. Alex did say something about his tailbone...
The next day. Joe took the kids to Bass Pro Shop and Chandler Fashion Mall. Something about malls with these kids; even though all the shops in the malls are all the same from state to state, they just love them.
The next day. Joe took the kids to Bass Pro Shop and Chandler Fashion Mall. Something about malls with these kids; even though all the shops in the malls are all the same from state to state, they just love them.
Rest area somewhere in NM. (7/4/09)
I could not remember where this was, other than it is in NM. I guess I was too tired to notice.
Cross near Groom, TX. (7/4/09)
I did wake up every one for this. Nothing like visiting the possibly the largest cross of USA at 5am ;-) If we stayed a little longer, we might have been able to see the sunrise with the cross in the fore ground. But the time constraint would not allow it.
1800 MILES AND 6 STATES
I told Alex this would be a road trip to remember. He had no idea what it's like to be crammed in the back seat with 2 other teens. Of course, a 36+ hours road trip was still a foreign concept to him on the morning of July 3rd. I did not explained much; I did say it would be fun.
I took a picture in each state we passed. Time was short, since we wanted to get to our destination asap. So when it was not possible to get out of the car for a better shot, a back seat snap shot would do.
I took a picture in each state we passed. Time was short, since we wanted to get to our destination asap. So when it was not possible to get out of the car for a better shot, a back seat snap shot would do.
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