Phoenix, Arizona

I am a big believer in signs from the universe. When I was battling cancer with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, I often was lying in bed attempting to rise above the pain and nausea. One of my favorite games to play was “Does this Spark Joy?” inspired by the Maria Kondo show Tidying Up (which I loved and highly recommend!). One of the first decisions I made was to let go of tennis. It was a game I loved and I went from only holding a racquet a few times in my life to playing competitively on the MAC B Team. I started on the K Team and worked my way up, often skipping levels to get to the top. My goal was to make it to the A Team, but what I realized is that the joy of the game was slowly eroding by every increase in level of play. Gone were the joys of just playing for fun. It was all about winning. And I just wanted to play for fun.

Thank goodness Picklball arrived in my life while I was trying to determine why I was not feeling well. I was able to take an beginners clinic in Pickleball and that fun game became my joy while I worked on getting healthy … only to realize that I had aggressive HER2+ Breast Cancer and life would never be the same. I am so glad that I’ve kept many friends from my tennis days and many of them are now also my Pickleball buddies. There is competition … but it is fun competition with lots of laughs.

As I take my first trip since Cancer and COVID, this sweet comic makes me smile with the realization that I am in the best place for me now. I am off the Tennis court, onto the Pickleball court, and ready to go to a National Park. Big KUDOS to Marie Kondo for helping me find my new path!

And there is so much beauty to see in Phoenix!

I highly recommend getting drinks at Platform 18 Bar! Before arriving make your reservation to ride the tails and enjoy their super creative speciality cocktails. ALL ABOARD!

“Take a trip back in time. You and your party will depart from Platform 18 in a glamorous, Presidential Pullman-inspired train car, residing inside Century Grand. 

If you haven’t experienced Platform 18 for yourself, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience that we bet you’ve never had (especially in a bar!) The train bar’s immersive and elevated cocktail experience comfortably seats 36 guests.

By booking a ticket (i.e., making a reservation), travelers will embark on a 90-minute journey through the Rocky Mountains with your host Hollis Cottley Pennington, a railroad tycoon, and bootlegger. Guests will enjoy an opulent adventure to the early 20th century while imbibing on exquisitely crafted cocktails inspired by worldly flavors and ingredients.”

And I loved all of the other restaurants we enjoyed during my adventure in Phoenix.

Glai Baan is a cozy Thai restaurant focusing on shareable street food and snacks from Bangkok and Isan.

And while you wait for your table at Glai Baan, pop over to Rewind Beer and Wine Bar to pursue their eclectic decor and enjoy some tasty beverages.

Tacos Chiwas features Chihuahua Style Food. It is a family owned restaurant focused on providing quality, excellent service and preparing fresh food from recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Valentine is JJ’s favorite restaurant in Phoenix and it is delicious! It is a laid-back destination with a lounge area offering eclectic Southwestern fare for brunch & dinner.