We Root for the Dodgers Even When They Lose

Some say that baseball is America's favorite pastime.  One of our hobbies is visiting stadiums when we're traveling.  When we were in Phoenix, the Dodgers were in town!  Chase Field was a nice place.  I really appreciated that it was covered and air-conditioned.

We went to two really sad games for the Dodgers, but what can you do when Kemp, Ethier, and Gordon are all injured?

But, as we passed US Airways Arena, these window displays lifted our spirits.

Awwwwww, yeah.

A Modern Oasis in Phoenix: Hotel Palomar

Because of Mr. Monkey's frequent stays at Kimpton Hotels for work, he is in the vaunted Inner Circle.  Hotel Palomar in Phoenix was perhaps the best Kimpton we've experienced to date.  Every single employee was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the whole place was gorgeous.

Hotel Palomar is modern, spacious, and off to a great start.  It has been open for only one month, and I imagine the service will just get better and better.  You can get all this for just $139/night.  Our free room service breakfast was the perfect send-off.  Yay for Mr. Monkey's elite status.

Fantastic Flagstaff Fare: Diablo Burger

After the Grand Canyon, we headed to Flagstaff and had a late lunch at Diablo Burger. The place is tiny, very popular, and totally worth the wait.

You place your order at the cashier, and a friendly server brings your food to you.

All of the burgers here are made from local open-range-raised, growth-hormone-free, grass-fed beef.  Unless you specify otherwise, your burger will be cooked to medium-rare perfection.

Gosling's Ginger Beer ($2.50) and Stewart's Diet Root Beer ($2.50).

I love anything Gosling.  Baby geese.  Ryan.  And ginger beer.  And, as far as diet stuff goes, Stewart's Root Beer is tops.

DB House -- blackening spice, homemade pesto, over-easy fried egg ($11.25).

The fried egg was no joke.  I got egg on my face.  And hair.  And pants.  And I loved it.

Blutarsky -- blackening spice, bacon, sharp cheddar, guacamole ($11.25).

Crazy awesome.  Really, just read those ingredients.  Can't go wrong.  See that green stuff in the small black container?  It's a side of homemade pesto for the phenomenal fresh-cut double-fried-in-peanut-oil Belgian-style frites seasoned with herbes de Provence that come with every fancy, juicy burger.

Diablo Burger doesn't mess around.  These are serious burgers for serious burger fans.  If you ever find yourself in Flagstaff, make sure you pay a visit!

The Grand Canyon

When we came back from Europe in February, US Airways screwed up our flight, so we got a free flight and a bunch of miles to make up for the mistake.

For some reason, Mr. Monkey decided this meant we should go to the Grand Canyon.

So that's what we did on Saturday.