Sun Break

I can think of many words to describe winter in Portland-- dark, dreary, cold, wet, damp, gray, rainy, ominous, infinite. Which is why the Hoybooks plan at least one small trip, every spring, to somewhere sunny. It really doesn't have to be warm, just sun-shiny. Last year, we spent a week in Hawaii and the year before? A long weekend skiing in Bend, followed by sun on the beach in Galveston.

This year, we stepped it up a notch (for us anyway) and headed south to the desert. Three days in Phoenix with B's good friends, followed by three days in his third home, Tucson.

First stop: Tempe Diablo Stadium for spring training with Mike, Jen & Ava.

Then, dinner with the friends at Liberty Market in Gilbert.

Stop two: Scottsdale. For shopping, lunch with more friends and a real quick swing by Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's home.

Then, it was time to head even farther south. Stop three: Tucson. Home to B's alma mater, U of A and constant 85 degree sun-shiny-ness.

Stop four: Sunset in Saguaro National Park.

Stop five: Sabino Canyon. For a little jaunt into the desert. We took the Bear Canyon trail up to Seven Falls, which involved five stream crossings. For it being a desert and all, there sure was a lot of water around...

The trip was delightful and we were welcomed back to Portland on Thursday night with more wet, rainy rain. Ah summer, you cannot come quick enough.