ARIZONA: WINTER VACATION 2008.

We rented a one bedroom apartment in the ANASAZI gated condominium complex for two monnts. The apartment was OK after we did some cleaning and re-supply shopping. The location was not good, because of the building #6 was facing the VERY busy and noise Cactus Road. The bedroom, the living room and the balcony, facing the swimming pool were quieter.

I rented a nice red car; beside everything was close-by, like Wall-Mart, Target, T.J.Max, Albertson supermarket, even the Whole Food too. Not far was the Paradise Valley Shopping Mall with Macy, J.C.Penny, Dillard's Ann Taylor and many restaurant.

The driving was easy on the long and straight busy roads. The drivers were good, no honking or cut-inns.Phoenix, Scattsdale is a very busy place! We enjoyed the Red Lobster and the Olive Garden.

I didn't have a computer in the apartment, but I was able to use one in the well organized Phoenix Public Library, free of charge.

In the complex every 3 building has a small, heated swimming pool. We used the larger one beside the Building #14, facing the Stone Creek Golf Club. Almost every day we walk on the long and well kept walkway and watching the the golf players, old and youg, and enjoy seeing in the back the Camelback and other mountains behind the golf course.

It was the worst winter in Phoenix, we had many cold and rainy days, even we have to heat the apartment some time. We used the nicest days to travel, to see many places, many art galleries. In the Main Street in Scottsdale we visited more than 20 galleries: the Simic, the Heritage, the LeKae, the Russian and the PHX ART MUSEUM. There was a "CELEBRATION OF FINE ART" event in Scottsdale with 100 artist's studios. It was open for the public for 3 months. The artists were working there. We spent almost a whole day there seeing many beautiful objects of art and to talk to many artists

Our good friend Judy Laufer was our "adviser" about shopping, sightseeing eating places. She introduced us to the Community Centre and for a few of her friends. We enjoyed Kati, her mother's short visit in their beautiful home in Paradise Valley. She invited us for dinner in their home to meet some of her friends and to celebrate my 84th Birthday with a candle and a musical cake. Four days later we celebrated Judy's Birthday with Nathan, her charming, friendly famous husband and his parents and of course with their son Andrew in the exclusive Royal Palm Hotel's restaurant. There were a large Birthday cake, candle and happy people singing all around us.

Our son George, our daughter-in-law Joanie and our youngest grandson Alex came to visit us from Toronto. They were staying in the close-by Embassy Suite Hotel, and celebrated my 84th and Alex 15th Birthdays in the P.F. Chang restaurant, downtown Scottsdale. They visited many interesting places and spent 3 days in Sedona.

HERE IS A SHORT LIST ABOUT OUR TRIPS IN ARIZONA........