Going to the dogs...

I should point out that Alex, Babe and I spent most weeks in Phoenix without the company of our families. It was on our second Arizona project (Scottsdale), a year later, that we were able to enjoy the most time with them.

With lots of free time in the evening, we would explore the Phoenix area for things to do. And one thing we enjoyed was going to the greyhound races north of town. (In these years, Phoenix actually had “city limits” and the race track was north on the Black Canyon road. The Black Canyon freeway was quite short and ended at the edge of town.) At the track, we could sit in air conditioned comfort and watch all of the action through large plate glass windows. We didn’t bet a lot of money, having learned some sort of lessons from our time in Las Vegas. But a $2 dollar bet on each race would just about guarantee that you would pay $20 for the evening’s entertainment.

And when we weren’t betting on the dogs, we might go to the Stockyards restaurant, a premier eating establishment located in the Cattleman’s Association building. Coincidentally, the building was located in the middle of the stockyards. And on a hot summer night…the fragrance was overpowering. But once you walked through the doors, all was elegance. Candles, fine linens and a piano being played softly while you dined. The food was as good as the ambiance and we would try to have enough money to eat there once a week.

One of our favorites? “Calf Fries” or “Rocky Mountain Oysters” I wonder if they are still on the menu?