Arizona 2014: Its All Relative

When flying between Provo and Mesa there is a very good chance you will end up sitting next to a crying baby, an old country farmer or a flirting college student. I got all three as I sat out the hour delay in the very full Allegiant Air waiting room. I do love the view of the Wasatch Front when flying out of Provo. I forget just how massive the mountains are!

View of the southern tip of Utah County

It was only 85 degrees when I arrived in Mesa. Just yesterday I was just thinking 80 degrees was rather hot. But today in Arizona, it is actually quite nice. At least it is not 100+ as it very well could be this time of year. Its all relative, I guess...especially when traveling with Jan and Steve :)

Picacho Peak

Once firmly back on Arizona soil, my parents and I headed straight down to the old mining town of Bisbee, only 8 miles north of the Mexico border. We drove past pecan orchards, Picacho Peak and the emu/ostrich farm. Dad was driving, so driver picked the songs. We started off with the 60's sounds of Simon and Garfunkel which were later taken over by Elvis's 70's hits. Dad sang along at the top of his lungs, just like I always remember him doing on road trips. Mom had packed up a cooler of sandwich fixings and leftovers and odd packets of ketchup and salsa. Old habits die hard. 

It took us just under 4 hours from Mesa to wind our way to the Copper Queen Hotel. Completed in 1902, this hotel has a lot of character. It comes complete with creaky floors (this hotel has several rooms that are rumored to be haunted), Victorian style wallpaper EVERYWHERE and a claw foot tub! It is 9:30pm and my parents have settled in for the night. With the time change, I will be up with the dawn. I hope to explore the town before the rest of the tourists ascend upon it!

Baton Rouge 2014: Moss and Mystery at The Myrtles Plantation

One last day to explore the back country of Louisiana. I got my GPS set and headed up to St. Francisville, about a 35 minute drive to the northwest of Baton Rouge. 

The Myrtles Plantation prides itself as one of America's most haunted mansions, but is now a Bed and Breakfast complete with Spanish moss dripping from the trees like icicles and mystery tours. Like a good tourist, I paid my $10 and wandered through the remnants of times past.

We were told of Chloe, the servant that roams the halls of the main house and likes to take earrings from the guests as they pass through the halls (mine made it out without incident.) Mirrors, keyholes and room corners were the prime portals for ghosts to enter the house. It was quite interesting to learn of the pains the owners took to insure they were protected - upside down key holes with covers to confuse the ghosts and guardian angels on the light fixtures to guard the corners of the room.

After the plantation, I headed in to the village of St. Francisville and stumbled upon a couple of churches built in the early to late 1800s. The clean lines and simplicity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church were calming and serene. The Grace Episcopal Church had a stern stone exterior but opened up to a spacious chapel with vibrant stained glass windows.

I was happy to have the chance to see a little more of Louisiana, learn of its history and get a feel of its culture first hand.

I could feel the heat and humidity building up in the afternoon. That evening a brilliant lighting and thunderstorm rolled through. We went out to Sammy's Grill for dinner. I had some shrimp Po-Boy sandwiches and fried pickles. Definitely felt like Louisiana.

Baton Rouge 2014: Sunday Best and Reasons to Believe

Nothing like a bike ride with Dad. Even better for Brennan is a ride to church in his suit and tie like a police officer. Not to be out done by the  bike...we all did some posing after church in our pre-Easter best.

That evening, I finally got a chance to see my sister's musical production of "Believe" (which she did both the music, lyrics, and text for.) They had to postpone the actual performance for a couple of weeks, but it was great to see what a beautiful job she has done!