The ALT-IMATE Tour!

Saw Our Lady Peace, LIVE and Bush last night at Comerica Theater in Phoenix as part of their ALT-imate Tour. Pretty awesome. The show really brought back memories of my youth, as all three bands were in heavy rotation amongst my friends and I back in the mid 90s.

Cannot believe it's been 25 years since their respective landmark albums were released. God, I feel old. Looking around the crowd it was mostly aging Gen-Xers with graying beards and wives or girlfriends dancing awkwardly in the isles. I think these people are finally becoming their parents even though we swore that'd never happen. It's the natural order of things.

Couple months ago I saw a chilled-out Michael McDonald concert and the median age had to have been 67, with very comparable physical mannerisms. Maybe it's just our general cringey white-ness. Either way, it was comforting to know these bands and their famous songs still have a place in so many people's hearts nearly a quarter century later.

The alt-rock explosion of the 90s was so varied yet so accessible. The only thing I can compare it to musically is perhaps the British Invasion of the 60s. Nirvana resonates just as strongly today as The Beatles, and Bush was always a sort of bastard son of Nirvana to begin with, so it stands to reason their music still sounds fresh.

Thanks to my step-brother, Zack for hooking us up with tickets to the show. It was an early birthday present of sorts, and it was nice to be transported back to 1994 for a few hours.

Gavin still looks like Gavin

Ed still looks like Ed

 

Raine still... kinda looks like Raine?

Petrified Forest National Park

We visited the surreal Petrified Forest National Park last weekend in Northeast Arizona. A minor bucket list item for us, and relatively easy to access. We entered the park from the south entrance, and traveled the meandering two lane road for 26 miles through the park.

Along the way we encountered a myriad of different landscapes, petrified wood from entire logs, to pebbles, painted desert mounds and tepees, to stunning canyon vistas north of Interstate 40.

It's $20 per vehicle, which is fair considering you can spend the entire day in the park, and there are lots of trails, and pull-outs for pictures. They are extremely adamant about not taking home souvenirs, so keep that in mind if you ever visit the park. It's an incredible place.

The Agate House

 The Painted Desert

Outside the Agate House

 Dupes

 Petrified Landscape

 1932 Studebaker on Route 66

2019 Arizona Sunsets

A few iPhone sunset snaps from around Arizona this year.

The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Chandler, AZ

The Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, Phoenix, AZ

The Superstition Mountains, AZ 

Airport Mesa, Sedona, AZ

Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ

Gold King Mine & Ghost Town

Spent an afternoon exploring the historic Gold King Mine & Ghost Town in Jerome, AZ. Lots to see. Seemingly countless decaying cars, trucks, buses, and 100 year-old machinery. Didn't take many photos (only had my iPhone), but the entire place is an HDR shooter's dream. Definitely a must see next time you're in Jerome.

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza Night

Tried my hand at homemade BBQ chicken bacon pizza recently. The dough proofed well enough, but it needed more sugar and a hotter oven temp for that traditional browned crust (unfortunately I don't own a 600+ degree pizza oven).

Regardless, it looked nice and my wife loved it ;).

We used low-moisture freshly grated mozzarella, Rudy's BBQ Sissy Sauce, thick-cut smoked bacon pieces, and herb and wine marinated chicken. Taste-wise, I love anything savory, and this certainly fit the bill since I was so hungry. But personally, I thought it needed something.

Pizza's a learning process, and there's a number of things I could have done differently. But the most important thing is the experience. The tangible creation of food prepared by your own hands is both satisfying, and peaceful. Plus, you get to spend time with the one you love.

Verde Canyon Railroad Day Trip

Traveled up to Sedona for the weekend a while back. Experienced the Verde Canyon Railroad for the second time. Tons of fun. It's a small bucket-list item everyone should experience. Train rides are just cool.