Phoenix Weekend day 1

We arrived late last night.  We went down to check out of the hotel and pick up our rental car around 9:45am.  I stayed at this hotel because you can pick up your rental car here without the hassle of the airport rental car center.  When I booked it online it said it was for hotel guest only which we were.  So much to my surprise the car was not there at 10:00am as requested.  I was given some story about you had to be a Hertz Gold Member . . . not one single word online or on my confirmation saying this important information.  I was not happy.  It was not the fault of the hotel as they are just the middle man but apparently someone didn't do their job or they need to clarify on the booking site!  So we had to catch the hotel shuttle to the airport and then another shuttle to the rental car center.  What a total waste of our time!  I arrived and no one knew what I was talking about and said that wasn't true and they had people get cars at this hotel all the time.  I proceed to the virtual agent on a screen while holding a receiver and was told that my reservation would be more expensive since I was now going to pick up at the airport not the hotel.  You can imagine how happy I was at this point!  I did manage to get her to match the rate I had and would pay the higher taxes and fees which I understood but again it was not my fault.  Sidenote:  rental car fees have to be some of the most ridiculous fees ever . . . who knows what they actually mean . . . we just pay them because they say we owe them.  Anyway, over 90 minutes later and we have a new contract and head downstairs to pick a car.  Of course I pick a car that rattles and makes noises but no turning back at this point.  We were both starving and my blood was boiling at the wasted time I have spent.  We are finally on our way and what makes us happy?  Food

. . . Colin loves the fun donuts at Hurts Donuts!  Sadly they were out of just about out of all the donuts we like but found something to make the huger pains disappear.  He always reminds me they are open 25 hours a day, 8 days a week which is their slogan.  I guess the sugar calmed both of our nerves and off we go for our first stop . . . Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

It is a beautiful sunny day in the Phoenix area so was nice to grab the Junior Ranger book and head outside to explore . . .

. . . I also managed to get a new National Parks Pass since mine expired last year.  So we are now good to go for the next year for free entry to all National Park sites.  Surprisingly, Colin didn't complain when I asked for the Junior Ranger book until he read the first page and it said how old are you?  Do that many pages.  He was like good grief but the activities are super easy.  Oh and he managed to do 18 so he went above and beyond.  So back in the car to head to our hotel for the night, Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.  I was looking forward to just hanging by the pool even if our time was less due to the rental car disaster.  By this point, we are both just done . . . arguing with each other and both need a nap!  We quickly change and head to the pool area where we ordered a quick snack of buffalo chicken bites and find two chairs in the sun.

Yep this is exactly what we needed.  We stayed for a few hours and headed back to the room to change before going to dinner.  I had a voucher for dinner at the Pointe in Thyme located on the property so we went; hey it's free why not?  Our waiter was great and very prompt and attentive to us however the food was not good at all.  We aren't picky eaters but the food was just not good.  We enjoyed the walk back to the room . . . I started to feel sick and my stomach was a mess.  I was up most of the night sick . . . I probably should have just slept in the bathroom because I was up every few minutes.  Here is looking forward to tomorrow . . .