Back in Arizona

Picking up from the last blog post....  I left Springerville, AZ around 8:00 AM I think and the roads I took left no room for disappointment!  I just had some awesome motorcycle riding all day long.  Salt River Canyon was so much fun, I could've almost turned around and rode through it again....
I rode through that deep canyon and an hour or so later, I was heading through the mountains of AZ.  I took a little longer route, just to be on some real curvy and good motorcycle roads.

Once I got out of Salt River Canyon, it got really hot.  I stopped 2 or 3 times just to make sure I wouldn't get dehydrated.  I'd relax and gulp down a couple bottles of cold water.  It tasted SO good in those 100+ degree temps.

By the time I arrived in Phoenix, my body was getting somewhat overheated and I couldn't find a room fast enough...  I ended up in a little weekly/monthly apartment which has the basic necessities and everything I figured I would need.  It has a nice little pool which I've been frequenting for about an hour in the morning before I go play cards.

The day after I arrived here, I did go to the casino and arrived there, only to realize that I'd left my poker playing money at the apartment.  I didn't really feel like going back, so I counted the money that I had from traveling, (gas, food money, etc...) and thought I maybe had enough to get something going at the poker tables.

I got on the list for a couple of small games and then walked by the 20-40 game just to see who was playing.  There happened to be one seat open and I decided to take a chance with my limited amount of cash and see if I could get a little lucky.  I really didn't have enough money for this game, but you never know what might happen.  I figured I'd either lose the little bit of money I had or if I was fortunate, I'd be able to turn it into something.

Well, to make a long story short.... I was fortunate... and found myself up a little over $1000 after 2-1/2 hours.  I decided to take the win and go back to the apartment.

I ended up taking the next day off and just relaxing and catching up on some sleep after my days on the road.  I think the heat really took it out of me on Monday because I did a lot of sleeping on Wednesday.  I finally felt fully recovered on Thursday and headed back to the poker room.

I played Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and was fortunate enough to beat the game all 3 days.  They were long, tough, sessions however.  I had to get stuck pretty good before I could make a comeback and book relatively small wins.

After my first day of poker playing....and winning the $1000+, just for the fun of it, I decided to see if I could get by just using only that money and see if I could turn it into something.  So far, I've been able to do that.

I'm happy with small wins....even if they come after long, hard, sessions.  It seems to me as long as you can stay away from the big losses, the big wins just seem to take care of themselves.  I'm looking forward to hopefully having a couple of those big wins this coming week.

I'm pretty much settled in here now....with some water, soda, beer, and fruit in the refrigerator.  I have some of my basic snacks in the cupboard.  (cheese & crackers, a few candy bars, a bag of chips, etc...) 

I did have a pizza the night I arrived in town, (and leftovers on the day I didn't play cards) but other than that, I've been eating casino food.  (which is free for me)    Even though it's free, I think it's pretty good.  They have everything from beef commercials to shrimp, blackened salmon, prime rib, T-bones, and a really good oriental menu....for those who like that.  They also have a wide array of breakfasts on the menu.... and they'll even do specialty orders, (of any kind) which I give them every once in awhile.  I especially like their asparagus and brussel sprouts...which I never get when I'm at home.

I am feeling exceptionally good....since I still haven't had a headache or signs of one....  I'm starting to be feel very optimistic about my chances for getting through this summer without any at all.

I left on this trip feeling really good about the poker opportunities as well....and I still feel that way.  I just feel like it's going to be an all-around great trip....

I know this probably has been kind of a boring update....but at least for those of you who are interested... it gives you the chance to read about what I've been up to...