So So Cal

Monday, October 19, 2015

Trip To Surprise Az

A quick trip to Surprise.


Just in case you don't know, Surprise is a city in Arizona just north of Phoenix.

We took the trip to visit Barb and Leon following the surgery that Barb underwent to remove a kidney.
Anne and I were so impressed with the progress Barb has made, she is so much more mobile and getting around unaided, no walker, no cane, just getting on with life.

Well done Barb, and I'm sure that I can speak for all of your friends in congratulating you for your efforts.

We took some flowers from Erik and Fabienne in Belgium.


Just shows to go you  (SIC) Barb has friends all over the place.

On Wednesday when we arrived, Leon had prepared a barbecue with some Desperate Dan steaks.



Very good they were too.
Leon has his own secret recipe for the rub used ahead of grilling.
Excellent flavor.


Leon has added his own Arizona interpretation to the yard.
He made the cactus motif and attached them to the fence.
A very skilled guy is Leon.


Next day we headed out for a tour of the area, 
It's amazing how the cowboy image remains strong here, some of the bars and restaurants maintain the theme very well.






This one in Cave Creek was especially good.
We all had a wonderful lunch in a great place.

Later in the day, just as counterpoint, we went to an Italian restaurant in Surprise.
Carrabbas, they had one of their specialty dishes on the menu.
Chicken Bryan
Leon opted for that and pronounced it one of the best chicken dishes ever.

When we got home I looked it up and made it for myself.
The only downside that I could see, is that it may be addictive.

If you want to give it a try, a link to the recipe is below.
Click on Chicken Bryan.



All to soon it was time to head for home.

We left on Friday morning and got on the road back to HB.


It never ceases to be a source of wonder to me just how big this country of ours is, we only went over one state from California to Arizona.
The distance from our house to Barb and Leon's house is 360 miles.



The equivalent distance in the UK is shown below.
Durham to Calais.





The only difference is that I may have used a bit more gas than you would in the UK.

More soon.

Ciao Bella 

Norm


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Well first hand I'm glad Barbara is doing good And second hand It's always good to have good friends catch up on old times. And Barber and Leon And Norm and Anne Are some of the best friends I've ever Knowen.Love to all God bless your old buddy Jimbo