Friday June 20, 2008

Leaving on a JET plane...

Wow. I finally get to leave sunny and baking hot (108F today) Phoenix. The 60 day project has reached a finale. We are all taking some time for the July 4 holiday, and leaving the systems to "soak" for a couple weeks in test. I don't really know if my children will remember me at this point. I have been home for a grand total of 11 days in the past 2 months, and those days were mostly spent running around doing house maintenance, laundry, re-packing a suitcase, and mowing grass.

Phoenix is a great town, though I highly recommend avoiding the summer months. Great restaurants and tons of things to do. I highly recommend Flo's, Earl's, Jason's Deli (great salads), Mastro's and Fleming's for keeping the body nourished. Definitely take a drive east and check out the old gold mining town near Superstition Mountain (a neat thing to see if you are middle aged and watched old Disney films). Canyon Lake is alot of fun, worth spending a day if you are here for a weekend. Of course, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, the huge meteor crater, and lots of other tree-hugger and tourist shopper attractions can keep you entertained as well.

I got the chance to hop the border one weekend, and did some tourist wandering in Nogales Mexico. Fun place once you get past the "cheap perscriptions, MD on site" pharmacies and grungy border businesses. Lots of local crafts and shopping within walking distance of the border crossing (which was easy, painless, and not crowded at all).

Great working with you folks (Sun and non-Sun), travel safe! Thanks Mr. and Ms. customer, it was a fun project! Special thanks to Debbie for keeping us nourished with fresh backyard grapefruit, apple brownies, and homemade cookies, Tony for the good questions and challenges, and Chris and Ryan for the local knowledge and operational viewpoints. Tim and Steve, if this thing breaks after I'm gone, it will be all your fault!

bill.