Successfully having dwindled our numbers back down to two, we comfortably returned to Appa, now teeming with extra space, and set off south back into Arizona. We were heading to Tempe (pronounced temp - eeey), Arizona, just outside of Phoenix, to meet up with Rebecca, one of Dan's friends from high school. We arrived just as the sun began to set, so she took us to Hole in a Rock, an aptly named rock formation that is plagued with a gaping hole in the middle of it. The view of the sunset was surreal, the pollution from Phoenix distorting the colors into deep oranges and reds that are not naturally seen. I don't know what all these "Save the Environment" people are talking back - warmer weather and stunning sunsets? Bring on the greenhouse emissions.
Once the sun had successfully plowed through the smog to its sub-horizon resting place, we dismounted the rocks and headed out to dinner at Green, a little vegan restaurant offering all sorts of mock meats and soy products. Had we not been informed of the meats' lack of authenticity, we would have had no idea; the food was, in two words, lip-smackingly nummy. We made a note to return the next day for lunch (perhaps without the ironic accompanying accessory of Rebecca's leather purse), and set off to get some ice cream from the shop where Rebecca is employed. This was the type of ice cream shop where they mix all of the toppings in with the ice cream - a marriage of flavors certain to turn any frown upside-down. I would never be able to work at a place like this because I would literally eat myself stupid. So we bought a cup and romantically shared it three ways before setting off and exploring Mill Street, a bar scene found near the University of Arizona. Rebecca introduced us to the musical stylings of Guitar Man on Mill, a man with dreads down to his ankles playing regularly found jamming on a street corner. After deciding to like him on Facebook later, we headed to Forepeaks, a local brewery, rather than one of the college bars.
We ordered a couple of beers, including a remarkably palatable peach beer. Feel free to question our masculinity, but that beer was delicious. While there, we were met by Jackie, an old friend was college out in Tempe for medical school. Under the influence of some alcohol, it was decided it would be a good idea for her to practice the skill of acupuncture on me. I spent some time with a needle sticking out of my hand. I can't remember what it was supposed to be doing, but the combination of alcohol and the shock of having a needle projecting out of my skin was oddly relaxing.
Seeing our utter delight in the peach beer, the ladies decided we needed to try another fruity beer that Tempe had to offer - an orange concoction at the Mellow Mushroom back on Mill Street. We settled our tab, headed over to this new bar, ordered the Orange Blossom Wheat and successfully had our minds blown. Not only was orange in there, there was a hint of vanilla and dare I say a tinge of honey? It easily could have been the best beer we had ever tasted, and let me tell you, Dan knows something about beer.
The next day, we attempted to sleep in a bit, still trying to rebuild energy after our multi-week camping excursion, but the two tiny dogs in the house had different plans for us. They greeted us as the sun greeted the sky, walking on our faces until we reluctantly awoke. We wiled away the morning, chatting with Rebecca's housemates while she was at both work and class. We have forgotten what those things feel like, so we spent the morning moving sluggishly, until we decided it was time get some lunch. Obviously we went back to Green, for there was still so much more to try. We spent a few hours there, eating mock this and soy that while catching up on picture posting and email sending (obviously not blog writing, though).
We had every intention of taking a hike on some of the nearby trails on the recommendation of both Rebecca and Jackie, but with full stomachs and tired legs, we decided to return to Rebecca's house and regroup. That regrouping immediately turned into a three and a half hour nap for me. When I next opened my eyes, the sun had set, Rebecca was home and it was time for dinner.
It is a wonderful feeling to eat a big meal and then sleep until the next big meal - to call it an accomplishment is an understatement.
We tried to use a restaurant.com coupon for a local Thai place, but we were greeted with a sign saying they no longer accepted such coupons, so we were forced to think on the fly. Dan and I are notoriously inept at thinking on the fly, so we forced Rebecca to make the decision, as true gentlemen do. After some deliberation, we were back on the road on our way back to what had become our home away from home, Green. We enjoyed our third meal there in less than 24 hours, and returned to Rebecca's house for some wine and hot chocolate filled with peppermint schnapps, marshmallows and a candy cane. Feeling particularly jolly and full, we retired for the night.
We awoke the next morning, said goodbye and thank you to Rebecca and her housemates and hit the road for Sedona, Arizona, to explore the red rock landscapes in that area.
This post has been brought to you by tasty, feminine beers, Green and naps.
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