Arizona

It's an adventure to book a vacation during Spring Break six days beforehand. But with serindipity and cashable airline miles, we went to Scottsdale, Arizona and spent four days (five nights) at the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort.


The kids just wanted to swim, and at a resort with three pools (four if you count the pool at the Willow Stream Spa) that was no problem. We had a room in one of the casitas, which have a small pool, allowing casita dwellers to avoid the walk to the main pools if they wish. Given that there is a slide pool, we were not always at the casita pool.


One day I had a morning at the spa. The spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale is a top-rated spa, and it really shows. I had (have) a cold virus that started the day before we left, so I had an aromatherapy facial that left my sinuses clear and my body relaxed. I followed it with a pedicure, then had lunch before leaving. I was pleased to get a small discount on my treatments through our membership in the Fairmont President's Club. Then I lucked out when my facialist (apparently) mistakenly extended me a 20% discount on my purchase of facial products. (I bought one. I'm always looking for a good exfollient.) The spa is quite large -- separate men's and women's spas, a shared fitness room, pool, and lounge area that includes juices, teas, muffins and fruit. In the women's spa was a hot/cold pool (with waterfall), steamroom, suiss shower, and an inhaling room, scented with eucalyptus and menthol -- perfect for my sinuses. While I did not take the time to use everything, I enjoyed running around in nothing but a plush robe for half a day. I can easily understand why someone would spend all their time at that spa while on vacation.


We also had the opportunity to visit friends in Fountain Hills, where we had the best gelato. Ever. The woman who runs it spent a year apprenticing in Italy with a gelato maker. I had Tiramisu and Chocolate Hazlenut flavors, and it was amazing. We also had a wonderful visit with them. Plus we saw the famous fountain. Fountain Hills, in spite of being one of the most conservative cities anywhere (someone kept covering the naked bottom of a cupid statue with a napkin because they thought it was inappropriate), it is a city known for its artists, and there is fabulous art there, everywhere you look.

While I was there I felt as if I was continuing the family tradition. Although no one stayed at the Fairmont, for years my great-Uncle Henry, the Norwegian bachelor farmer (ref. Garrison Keillor) drove from North Dakota to Scottsdale before the first snow hit, and didn't return until time for spring's work. For several years my grandparents (Henry was my grandmother's brother) drove to Scottsdale for a month or two.

While we were there, I could certainly understand why people winter in Arizona. If most of the days are less than 80, but the nights are never below the 40s or 50s, it's ideal. (Especially if you golf.)

Will return? Maybe not right away -- we are still very much beach people. But some cold winter, when the kids are away at college, and we are feeling grumpy about the rain, we might find ourselves exploring the sites of Arizona.