Arizona - Feb 2004
With a free ticket and five days leave to use before the end of March, it seemed silly not take up a friends offer to come and visit her in Phoenix. My friend Helen had managed to get a weeks leave, which unfortunately coincided with half term in the UK. Anyone familiar with airline staff travel will be to aware that school holidays are not the best time to travel on a standby basis. Looking at the loads in the reservation showed the flight to Phoenix to be almost full and oversold on the way back. It could be difficult, but the thought of swapping the grey drab February weather here in the UK for some Arizona sunshine was just to great an opportunity to pass up.
Therefore I was surprised to receive a telephone call from Helen a few days before leaving the UK, informing me that we were going skiing. Skiing in Arizona I asked? Yes it appeared that the elevation and temperature in Flagstaff was indeed cold enough for snow. Now filled with fear, I was beginning to panic. Winter sports have never been high on my priority list. In fact it had always baffled me why anyone wanted to go down a mountain slope at breakneck speed on two planks of highly polished wood. What was worse it looked like I was just about to find out why for myself? Having ascertained that it was only for one day, I relented slightly. Looking at my annual travel insurance I was not covered for winter sports, and as it was a Saturday I had no chance to amend it. With the US renowned for its high medical bills, I was now starting to wonder what happened if I broke a leg. Even more panic and fear began to set in.
Even as I sat crossing the pond, sipping on a glass of red, fear and anxiety were still very much in evidence. Despite the 10 hours, the flight seemed to pass reasonably quickly, aided by a little more red and a few of the recent film releases. I was even sad enough to take my HTML book on board to read during the flight.
Arriving in Phoenix it was great to be back in sunshine.
Next day it was a drive up to Sedona. I had not been back here since my very first visit in October 1998. The scenery is absolutely spectacular and the red rocks, which surround the town have been used in many westerns and commercials.
In fact the town takes its name from the wife of one of the original settlers to the area. Which together with beautiful surroundings gave the inspiration to also name my daughter Sedona.
After a relaxing picnic next to Cathedral Rock it was time to move on to Flagstaff for the next days activities at The Arizona Snowbowl.
The snowbowl offers a first time skiers package, consisting of ski hire, a lift pass and a 2-hour lesson for 65 Dollars. So it was decision time. Taking the plunge I parted with the cash and was promptly measured for my boots and skis. 15 minutes later I was outside on the snow ready to go. With hindsight I should have saved my money I was awful. I spent most of the first hour in a rather undignified posture, with my arse pointing skywards as I tried to stand up still attached to my skis. Luckily for me no one had a camera out. By this time Helen and the rest of the class had abandoned me as they steadily progressed down the slope. Trying to motivate me the instructor, now referring to me as her 'challenge' tried to get me to relax. However by this stage, I had realised skiing was not for me and it was time to quit. I handed back my equipment and headed for the bar.
Helen actually proved to be quite good and went back out for a few hours following lunch.
It was then back to Phoenix and that sunshine.
I was quite keen to do some flying while in Phoenix. Helen had taken a week off from sitting in the right hand seat of light aircraft. So not wishing to turn it into a busman's holiday for her, it was up to one of the local schools at Scottsdale (Sawyer Aviation) to provide a Cessna 172SP and an instructor for my check ride.
Scottsdale is apparently the busiest single runway airport in the US and handles a large amount of corporate jet traffic. It was pretty impressive sitting at the holding point between a Citation X and an Astra jet.
As I only wanted to do a few hours of flying, it was easier to go somewhere for my check ride. Since visiting Sedona it had always been an ambition for me to fly in, especially as the airport is located on a plateau. I was not disappointed the flight up required me to climb to 10,500 feet (the highest I have ever travelled in a light aircraft) to clear the mountains north of Phoenix. The view approaching Sedona was spectacular and the approach and landing very different from landing at Wellesbourne!
After breakfast in the airport cafe, it was back out to the aircraft for our return to Phoenix. Prior to landing at Scottsdale I managed to squeeze a couple of touch and go's. As we parked up on the ramp so ended one of those flights that I will always remember.
That evening I celebrated my last night in Scottsdale, out with Helen and her friends at a local nightclub (Barcelona's). Guys, if you ever get the opportunity to go out with a gang of girls it is a real eye opener. They think we are bad.
All to soon it was time to head for the airport and my return to the UK. Not wishing to hang around for the oversold direct London flight, I elected to fly over Philadelphia; a route, which I knew had seats available.
Arriving back in the UK it was all to soon back to the daily routine.