Barbara, Robyn and Mike looking for the Yard House from the Mall directory
The journey on a road trip is always longer and lonely when one drives alone, I should know, I have done quite a few of them: I decided to call up my girlfriend Barbara (I met her through the Southern Arizona Adventure Company) to see if she would be interested in accompanying me to Scottsdale for the Travbuddy meet up. Initially I had signed up to attend the Wine Tasting meet up organized by Southern Arizona Adventure Company (SAAC) of which I'm a member in Tucson. But I changed my mind after going through the attendance list only to find the list was full with only the regulars attending; same old faces (no disrespect here). Barbara was happy to go with me but had to find someone to help with her dog before she could confirm. In the meantime, I contacted Robyn (www.travbuddy.com/freespirit3) to find out if she had room for an extra house guest on short notice.
Cynthia and I
Robyn and I have been friends for a year and counting (we meet through travbuddy), she was glad to host both Barbara and I, she offered to make dinner prior to our arrival, it was served when we arrived a little after 8:15 p.m. I must have been hungry because the smell of fresh home-made food hit me as soon as Robyn gave me a hug outside the door - she had been preparing the dinner ofcourse (smile!)
The meet up location in Scottsdale was suggested by Dante (www.travbuddy.com/intacto) who was unable to make it due to time limitations. The meeting time was changed to 10:30 p.m. to accommodate Robyn and Adrian both of who could not make it until later in the night. Barbara and I began arrangements to journey from Tucson to Buckeye (Robyn's residence) at about 3:00 p.
Me, Teresa and Donny
m. but we left Tucson at 5:00 p.m. only because it took Barbara one hour to find a dog sitter and another hour to pack a one night bag (you've got to love her). Once Barbara's bag was packed, we loaded my car and decided it was about time, just then Barbara remembered she had left the pair of jean trousers she needed for the following morning on her kitchen counter, another 15 minutes went by before she re-emerged with her trousers in hand and make up bag, but we were finally able to leave Tucson getting on to I-10 at twnty after 5:00 p.m. As with all my road trips short or long, I printed a map from Google (I prefer Google to MapQuest). From my door to Robyn's door in Buckeye would take a little over two and a half hours maybe three hours depending on the traffic. Our route was more direct because once on the Interstate ten (I-10) all we had to do is keep driving west until exit 117 (Watson exit) to Buckeye then a few city road left and right turns and we were at Robyn's house.
Along the way Barbara and I decided to pick up some fruits, Gouda (smoked) cheese and matured Italian wine for desert.
Robyn, Teresa and Donny
Dinner was delicious. It was not until five to ten before we decided to get ready to go to the Yard House, mind you the Yard House is in Scottsdale and we are in Buckeye which is about an hour's drive back east on interstate ten. Quarter after ten we were out the door, Robyn the designated driver (great driver I might add). We arrived at the Yard House by 11:00 P.M. to find six members already waiting including Dema, Keith, Cynthia and Tribble. We moved to a much larger table that would accommodate all who came (well three tables together did it ). Within ten minutes Donny arrived with Teresa, Krysta, Adrian and two other friends and soon we had a full table (a total of 14 including 9 travbuddies, I can't recall if Tribble was a travbuddy or not, I'm so bursted).
Travbuddies in attendance included: Myself (www.
Adrian, Me and his friend
travbuddy.com/africancrab), Adrian (www.travbuddy.com/acowboy), Robyn (www.travbuddy.com/freespirit3), Cynthia (www.travbuddy.com/flakis), Keith (www.travbuddy.com/kchrist454), Donny (www.travbuddy.com/donnydude), Krysta (www.travbuddy.com/kre0123), Dema(www.travbuddy.com/demachelle), Teresa (www.travbuddy.com/lildreamr)
It was a late night, we stayed until 2:00 a.m. when the last of us decided to go rest our heads. Great get together, great time away from Tucson. Looking forward to another time. I love TB meet ups!
