Old Town Scottsdale Trip

When a co-worker of my told me about an SPE conference in Scottsdale, I typed an email to my boss as quickly as I could to ask if I could go.  Not only was the subject matter directly related to my current role in the company, but the conference is in frickin' SCOTTSDALE!  Only one of the coolest party towns in the country.  When I told Bo that I was going to Scottsdale for a conference, his reply was, "There's no oil in Scottsdale?"  True.  But there is sunshine and cool bars and great food. 

This is where I got to spend last week!  The conference was hosted at the Hotel Valley Ho is Old Town Scottsdale.  It reminded me of a decade long lost, but it was definitely nice enough for a mini-getaway!  I arrived on Sunday and got cozy in my new place.  My co-workers arrived shortly after me and we had a nice steak dinner at a place called the Pink Pony.

               

Monday through Thursday we were mostly locked away in a conference room talking about frac'ing, and microseismic, and performance analysis, and water resource management... all kinds of interesting topics.  A vendor took us out to dinner on Tuesday at a restaurant called Maestro's - phenomenal.  Best steak I've ever ever had.  My mouth is watering just thinking of it now.  So yummy. 

Bo arrived on Wednesday and we met up for drinks with his friend Nick, who has lived in Scottsdale for awhile.  After being harassed by a few locals at dive bar called the Coach House, we ventured to a place called Grimaldi's for dinner.  We shared a brick-oven pizza and only wished that our tummies could hold me.  Then it was off to Bo's favorite bar in the town - Rusty Spur.  One of the oldest bars in Scottsdale, we were entertained by a live band, scantally dressed women, and singing bartenders.  I finally busted out my camera for a few snapshots.

The conference wrapped up on Thursday, and after wrapping up a few loose ends for we, Bo and I made our way to Camelback Mountain for an afternoon hike.  About an hour up, and hour at the top, and an hour day.  The hike up was a little challenging, but I enjoyed hanging out with Bo and getting my legs moving after several sedentary days.  The views of Phoenix were awesome.  It truly is an oasis in the desert.  Lots of posh green golf coures, palm trees, and resort style pools!! 

Thursday night was especially romantic.  After getting showered and dressed up, Bo and I walked to a small family-owned Italian restaurant.  The menu wasn't too appealing to us, so we just had a few drinks and chatted with the friendly bartender.  Dinner at Frank & Lupe's was a let-down, and we met up with Nick again at a bar called The Lodge.  Cool place and lots of free drinks for the shot girls.  A golf cart took us back to the Valley Ho - yes, a golf cart.  It was particularly chilly in Scottsdale that night, so I ordered a hot cocoa and baileys and Bo got another beer at the hotel bar.  We snuggled and fell asleep in the chaise lounge outside under a comforter and the stars.  It was a very special moment that I know I will never forget. 

It was back to Houston on Friday - and sadly we left the sunny Scottsdale for gloomy Houston.  We were welcomed home by thunderstorms, flight delays, and horrid traffic.  Apparently Obama blocked off the air space and half the streets of Houston for his visit... even prevented Bo and I from getting late night Chinese food!!  Oh well... we still have the memories of Scottsdale to look back on.