It seems everyone is busy this time of year and we are no different. We have decided to take advantage of things that the Phoenix area has to offer, including the beautiful weather and 70 degree days. :) In addition to going to the pool, we have climbed a couple of hills and attended 2 Christmas light shows just to get us in the mood.
Our first little hill climb (and you can't even really call it a climb was to "Hole in the Rock" which is just what it sounds like. Its history is one of time telling. Historians think Indians used it to tell both daily time and monthly as well. It is right outside of downtown Phoenix and next door to the Phoenix Zoo and the Phoenix Botanical Gardens.
After we walked up to "Hole in the Rock", we took in Zoo Lights which is a Christmas light show at the zoo. They rope off the front part of the zoo around a pond/lake and decorate every tree with lights and also put up animal sculptures that are all done up in lights as well. Gorgeous! They also do a small music and light show every 15 minutes so we took in 2 different shows while we were there. They also have yummy food and fun treats like hot cocoa and spiced up coffee. Gary and I sort of giggled as we walked by many Phoenixians all bundled up against the "cold" since it was 63 degrees and Gary was wearing shorts. :)
A few days after Zoo Lights we did a true climb. It is called Piestewa and it's a little over a mile but you spend almost the entire time going vertical. It took us about 40 minutes to get up and about 30 to get down. It was a wonderful 73 degrees so you just can't ask for better weather. While at the summit you can take in the entire Phoenix valley. It really is a beautiful sight and well worth the climb.
Wanting to take in more Christmas lights we decided to attend the boat parade at Tempe Beach Park. There were about 30 boats all decorated with lights and they actually motor down the river, stop in front of the crowd and turn a little to the right and left so you can get a great view of the boat. Our favorite was a boat with the theme of "Finding Dory" complete with Dory and her friend the octopus named Hank. What a fun way to celebrate the Christmas season! It is such a novel concept to be able to do all of these fun things outside in December!! Being from a cold weather state that has a true winter, I am used to bundling up with layer upon layer and still freezing. It's very refreshing to head out in yoga pants and a sweatshirt. I just cannot be grateful enough!
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