Phoenix, Day 1, Sun 19th, Mesa Temple

Sunday, February 19th we made it to Phoenix. Flight went well. Arrived a bit early. We found our way to the Sky Train Station at the airport. We needed to go to the Rental Car Center which is located off the airport property. The Phoenix Airport is named Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Sky Train has a stop at the airport and you take it to get to the Car Rental Center. These kinds of things are always interesting to find your way around when you travel. It is a nice light rail train this is elevated over all the roads. There is only one stop at 24th Street between the airport and the rental cars. The Car Rental Center is huge and at least three levels tall. We found where Alamo was at the far end, of course, and went to their counter. I explained our need to change and the conversation with an Alamo agent who suggested we come to the rental counter and see if a car was now available. This agent looked and said there might be a truck (uh, NO) and maybe a car. She did the paperwork and sent us down a level to where the Alamo cars are all parked. There were two cars and we chose the Toyota Camry since there is a Toyota plant in Georgetown. Another blessing. We had a car and would not have to go back to the airport and find where the hotel shuttles meet passengers.

We left the airport and found our way to the hotel. It was only about 11am. Check-in time is not until 3pm. We thought we would give it a try. They couldn't give us a room yet. No surprise. She gave us her card and said to call after 12:30. No guarantees but she would see what she could do after that time. 

It was time to find something to eat. Not a lot of restaurants by our hotel. I found what was available on Google Maps. We picked the Roadhouse. It was actually a bar that also served food. We were the only customers when we arrived. The server/bartender was such a pleasant person. We asked if we could just sit for a while after we ate. She assured us that was fine and to sit as long as we wanted. We each had a nice sandwich and soda. Then sat and visited for a bit. We decided to try and find the Mesa Temple. Ironically, this is the area I had our hotel reservation in before we changed it to be closer to the airport. 

I thought Phoenix and the surrounding communities did a wonderful job with their sound barriers along the highways and Interstates. I only took this picture. Should have taken some of the more detailed, intricate ones. Very Southwest!

We would spend our afternoon visiting the Mesa Temple grounds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was about 70 degrees and a light breeze. A perfect afternoon to visit. The grounds at the temple are stunning. Some families were their with children to enjoy the peace of this place. 

We entered on the East side of the temple grounds.

These two pictures are standing at the reflecting pool on the East side looking South and then North.

We walked all the way around the Temple and through the grounds on each side. This is the South Side of the Temple.

Around to the East Side of the Temple. I loved this side. The flowers were all shades of purple!!

Among the flower on the East Side of the Temple, was an unusual plant. Actually several of them. After we left, I looked it up. These were artichoke plants. What a fun choice for foliage!

Outside of the grounds on the North Side of the Temple is a open area with a stage. This where pageants would be performed. 

The North Side had olive trees on either side of another reflecting pool. Loved this.

We sat for a bit on the Northeast corner. A lovely cactus garden with benches under trees around the edge.

As we prepared to leave out the East gate, a family walked past. I asked if they would be willing to take a picture of Claude and I in front of the Temple. He graciously agreed. 

On each corner of the Temple near the roof, were carved reliefs. These are pictures of those reliefs beginning with the two on the East Side and going around the Temple.

It was so pleasant to do this at the beginning of our visit to Arizona. Happy we had such a great day and plenty of time to spend on these grounds. I love to see the Temple!!

Back to the hotel we went. On the way we talked about just staying in and not going out for dinner. We stopped at a Circle K. There is one on every other corner. We found a Hormel cracker, sausage and cheese box and purchased that for dinner. With water and snacks, we were ready to settle in for the evening. 

These two ladies were standing in this pose as we pulled up to the office. I went into the office and checked us in. I was amused as another man came in to check in. He asked the front desk clerk he was working with if their rooms were nice and clean. I mean really. What is the clerk supposed to say, "No sir, they are old, tawdry, and not clean." It seems he stayed at a very upscale hotel the night before and his room was not clean. I assured him we had a hotel that lost power and had a fire drill. Even the best of hotels can have issues. Somewhere in this conversation I mentioned this being a trip for our 53rd anniversary. The clerk checked me in and when he gave me the key he told me he upgraded me to a whirlpool room. After all this happened, I went back outside to our car and the two ladies were still in the same pose. Claude told me they had never moved a muscle. We drove past them to our room and they never flinched. Not sure what they were doing for exercise but I don't think I could keep my arms up and still for that long!!