We've been in Mesa for about a month now and have settled into a routine at Valle del Oro. We work on Mondays and Wednesdays and have the rest of the week to do as we like. We've been slowly getting to know Mesa and the surrounding areas.
It's been an interesting experience working for a large resort. Not sure it's our thing, but we'll stick it out as long as we can...or until they can us. :-)
Scottsdale Wine Trail
Wineries in AZ? Yes. The Arizona wine industry is relatively young, so we were surprised to learn that that state has approximately 120 wineries and three American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
One day, we drove the 25 miles to Scottsdale to check out its wine trail, which consists of seven wine tasting rooms all within walking distance of one another. We began our tasting with perhaps not the highest of hopes but certainly with open minds. What we found is that you definitely need to manage your expectations when wine tasting here. Arizona wines are more comparable to Texas wines versus California wines.
At the first winery we visited, we tasted four reds, both blends and varietals. The first one tasted like tart cherries. Very acidic with not a lot of body. The second one tasted like tart cherries. Very acidic with not a lot of body. The third and fourth wines tasted like...you guessed it, tart cherries, very acidic, with not a lot of body.
We moved on to a second winery. To our disappointment, our tasting experience was identical to the first winery. We didn't make it through the entire tasting menu before giving up. The wines were not at all pleasing to our palates and had a relatively high price point at an average of $45-50 a bottle. In reading about AZ wines later, we learned that yields are small compared to other regions leading to higher break even prices.
So, we bagged the wine tasting and found a great place for lunch, Craft 64. We ordered a pizza topped with white sauce, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, fennel sausage, smoked onions, roasted Cremini mushrooms, and rosemary. It was fabulous. Interestingly, there were no Arizona wines on their libations list. Anne Marie ordered a glass of one her favorites, a Daou Pessimist Red Blend from Paso Robles, California. Cliff had a beer.
Wi-Fi Superheroes
The job we were hired to do, Wi-Fi support, is actually fun in a very nerd-like way. The troubleshooting keeps our minds challenged and active. We are based out of a small office in the park's administrative building. When we arrive in the morning, we check the call list and make service appointments with park residents. Over time, we've become pretty adept at solving issues. Residents have been pleasant and always happy to see us. We are the superheroes swooping in on our bicycles, with our trusty laptop, ready to restore their internet connection.
We've encountered only one crabby customer so far: "I wasted my whole F&*^%$#* day waiting for you to get here." Okaaay.
Yesterday, we arrived at a resident's 700 square foot park model thinking it would be a quick job just restoring her internet connection. We ended up being there for three hours connecting all of the very nice woman's devices: Alexa speaker, Nest thermostat, three outdoor security cameras, an indoor doggie cam, Firestick, PC, printer, iPad, iPhone. All the while she's telling us how little she understands technology.
Just Say No
In our last blog, we described our surprise and dismay at the lunch and dinner events we are expected to help with during our tenure here at the park. Anne Marie is still suffering PTSD from the Purple Onion Calamity by the way. ;-)
So here's the thing. We were first told that we'd only have to help with three or four events over the season. Then were were told we'd have to help with all events until more workampers arrived after the holidays. Then were told that we'd have to help with most events. And there are a lot of them
Shortly after the Thanksgiving lunch, we received another e-mail assigning us, in two days, to serve hot chocolate and cookies after a Strolling Carolers Christmas Concert. The carolers in this case were students from a local high school. We can think of no greater hell.
We were to arrive at 7:15 p.m. through the back door so as not to disturb the concert and stay several hours until every last attendee left and every last plate and napkin were picked up. Not gonna happen. This is when we decided on our coping strategy: Passive Resistance. As in the former First Lady Nancy Reagan's famous quote about drugs: Just Say No.
So, Anne Marie replied to the Activities Director very politely: "Cliff and I have a prior commitment so are unable to help with the event." We were a bit surprised that we never heard back from the director telling us we are required to be there.
Then last week we received another e-mail assigning us, in two days, to serve hot chocolate and cookies during an all Cal-Am Resorts employee Christmas party. Cliff very cordially replied: "Anne Marie and I are unavailable to work at this event."
Now, at this point, we were sure we'd be called into the principal's office for a good talking to. Nope. Nada. And we are wondering why. We think, perhaps, it's because they would have a tough time finding other workampers with our skill sets to replace us, but that's just a guess.
So, we haven't been fired...yet. Stay tuned for the next harrowing installment of "When Superheroes Go Bad."
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As always, I enjoyed reading your blog! I laughed out loud at the wine tasting descriptions 😂
I hope you don’t get thrown out - but what’s the worst that could happen?
We came to the exact same conclusion. 😆
https://caduceus.org/
If you get a chance, check this out. Owned by one of my favorite band's lead singer.
Yes. I heard about him and the winery. There is a documentary called Blood into Wine about him and the AZ wine industry.
Love it!
Growing grapes in a desert... what could go wrong?
Apparently. Guess we should be searching out microbreweries and distilleries, instead.
Oh my! Out of California experiences are interesting. We are so spoiled here for food and wine. In Virginia the wines were terrible, however, found a couple nice distilleries that did just fine in their whiskey production….
We’re definitely spoiled. But moonshine and southern BBQ sound like an interesting combo.
Could serve hot chocolate and Brownies.
Michael, I think we could get in a lot of trouble if we served up those kind of brownies, 😆
Loving it. Miss you much. Have a VERY Merry Christmas.
Thanks Michelle! We hope Rob has recovered from his injuries and you both get a chance to enjoy the season!
Are the vineyards down stream/wind from an Intel facility? lol Perhaps topping the wine with some whipped cream could smooth it out.
Enjoying the ongoing saga. Keep up the “Just say NO” campaign
Hmm… I didn’t think of that. Hydroflouric acid could do quire a job on grapes. 😉
Have you considered a new career as a comedy writer? Some laugh-out-loud moments, OMG🤣🤣😜
Sounds as if you found the correct way to back out. Wonder if the other hosts figured it out but didn’t pass it along. On the bright side you have some extra new shirts. On the dark side “Onions”
Back out? Not moi. We’re just holding them to the original agreement. We had to do it again today when we got an urgent call due to other “volunteers” not being available for an event this evening. So, yes, I think the revolution may have begun! 😆
Alas, some other poor souls get the shirts next year.
Happy Holidays Nomads
"The carolers in this case were students from a local high school. We can think of no greater hell." This line made me burst out laughing.