Welcome to Phoenix (30-31 March)

"Welcome to Phoenix Skyharbor, the USA's friendliest airport" said the sign. Next thing I knew, I was having my fingerprints taken. I guess it's 15 years since I last visited the States, so I shouldn't be too surprised that security was tighter. Fun and games collecting the hire car (isn't there always?) then roadworks on leaving the airport (isn't there always?) so by the time we reached the hotel bed beckoned.

Tom and Steve woke up at silly o'clock and couldn't sleep.  At 5am, Tom briefly decided to do some of his holiday homework ... then thought better of it.  Instead, they crept around the hotel, exploring.  I slept. When we finally went down for breakfast (7.15am) it was sunny and warm, the birds were singing and the sun was twinkling on the pool outside.

Next up, a little mooch around "Old Scottsdale". Great if you like art galleries (the sort where you buy art), but otherwise just somewhere to wander around. Nothing seemed very genuine, and it was all a bit "Ye Olde Worlde Western" town.  Yee-hah.

Being Mothering Sunday I got to choose the trip out, so we visited the Desert Botanical Garden. This was probably older than Old Scottsdale - some of the plants were well over 100 years old. Here's a few of the best views.