The Corpse Reviver and Ghost Orchids

Arizona Trip – Day Three

Friday we had a plan. My mom and I wanted to go swimming in a pool and Michael was going to go to the driving range with my dad to see if he could hit golf balls. Since Michael’s back has been hurting since December he hasn’t been able to do a lot of physical activities, one being golf. The driving range was a good place to start. They dropped my mom and I off at the Oro Valley Municipal Pool and they left for the golf course.

We had 1.5 hours to swim. I was so excited. The moment I saw that outdoor pool I was in HEAVEN. Oh my god.

An Olympic size pool, outdoors, heated, with 16 lanes for lap swimming! I’M IN HEAVEN!!!! This was the best part of the vacation. 🙂

I grabbed a lane for us and I started swimming my laps. The last time I swam I was unable to because of my chest issues but I didn’t have any issues (thankfully). It was absolutely amazing to swim under the sun in the middle of the desert. Words cannot describe how peaceful and soothing it was to workout that way. I have no idea how many miles I did. Maybe a mile? Maybe a mile and a half? Who knows–I was on vacation! I swam for about 55 minutes then got out to shower and change.

Seriously–swimming outside is a wonderful way to stay fit. I was glowing and all smiles after that. The boys picked us up, we went back to the house for lunch and to make a plan for the afternoon.

Swim Stats:

Time: 55 minutes
Calories Burned: 465

An old friend from Middle School recently moved down to Tucson to go to the University for her PhD. I really wanted to see my old friend Christine since I was there and we made plans to meet up at the Hotel Congress downtown.

My dad and Michael booked a T-time at a golf course downtown and my mom checked out the shops while I spend a few hours with Christine at the cute outside bistro cafe.

We caught up, shared girly drinks and spent about 2 hours or so just hanging out in the shade, a cool breeze keeping us comfortable.The first drink was a Ghost Orchid. So delicious and like art.

The second drink we split: a Corpse Reviver. It had absinthe in it too! I enjoyed that drink as well.

Corpse Reviver

We split the fruit and yogurt plate. It was delicious. The plain yogurt had granola, dried fruit, walnuts, agave syrup and whipped cream on top, plus fresh fruit. It was a lovely, light snack in the middle of the day. I MUST buy Agave syrup. So good.

I love my parents and was having a great time but at the same time it was nice to be out decompressing with a friend!

After my date with Christine, I met up with my mom and we hit a few art galleries and a park near the golf course.

We checked out the Cathedral in downtown Tucson, as well. There was some cool art in the courtyard.

I saw the only cat the entire trip outside of an art gallery in downtown Tucson. Then we walked around the park where we saw the only water in Tucson. 🙂

We picked up my dad and Michael and the four of us went to a local Mexican restaurant for dinner. El Parador had been in Tucson since 1946 and seemed to be a popular local favorite. The inside of the restaurant used to be an outdoor patio. They enclosed it but kept it looking like a garden oasis–the trees still grow inside.

It was a nice dinner and I did not care about the insane amount of calories. Especially in the table side guacamole. YUM.

The food was tasty but not authentic in any way. I was mildly disappointed in that. My hope is that I have REAL Mexican food on our trip to Texas. 😉

Despite the eating out a few times during my trip, I did pretty well with still counting my calories, watching what I eat, being mindful.

Every day of my vacation I was in bed by like 8 pm. Totally exhausted!

QUESTION: Do you maintain your normal eating habits while on vacation? Have you ever swam in an outdoor pool like I did?