Flagstaff is Cool

So we went to Flagstaff this weekend.  It was my first A/B Volleyball tournament which was pretty exciting.  No, we did not win the gold, but we didn't get killed either :) From starting to play 6 months ago I will say I've come a long way. I'm sure alot of my Phoenix friends will attest to that haha. It was a great day, we had a minor interruption with some rain, but it quickly cleared up and we got to finish the tourney.  Great play by all, I love volleyball and our community! 

You know what else is cool? Flagstaff, land of pine trees, snowboarding in the winter, and hippies is just 2ish hours away.  AZ is so diverse that way. So many cool places to visit within driving distance or at least a quick flight away.  On our way up there, my Michigan friend Ashley asked me (who had been there before), Theresa, does Flagstaff remind you of Michigan at all? My response was, hmm, I guess, it is alot greener up here isn't it...  

As the weekend went on, the vibe I was getting from Flagstaff did start to remind me of Michigan. Some friends were discussing Flagstaff and another girlfriend Serina said, yeah, Flagstaff is alright, as long as you like snow and drinking, otherwise there isn't much else to do. And then I thought to myself, ah yes, that's why it reminds me of Michigan, ha. 

All jokes aside, it's a cool little town, lots of hole in the wall places to eat, and older buildings which are a love of mine. For example I adore houses with built ins like bookshelves, drawers, heck, I even love the wall paper. (Don't judge me!)  The house where alot of the players stayed was a 6 bedroom house rental. I loved it! I'm a total house explorer.  The bathroom even had a laundry chute.  If I stay in Phoenix through the years, I would love to buy a house like that, although I'm not sure they exist here, seems most homes are pretty new in Phoenix. Maybe I will just have to have one custom built with my built in bookshelves :)

Here is my advice to those who have not been - (Or am I the last to have finally made it up there lol) Flagstaff is cold! Even in the summer. It actually seems to go back and forth. On the tourney day it started out warm, low 80s, but then it rained and the temperature got down to the 50s.  My Costa Ricafied turned Phoenician self was freeeezing. Next time I shall bring multiple layers, a blanket (Yes a blanket. I was sooo jealous of those who had come prepared) and some corduroy Rocket Dog boots that I recently purchased on sale even though it's 110 degrees right now in Phoenix :D

Oh Did You Know?

That my car now has sweat and sand stain on the driver's seat? ick lol. I can't decide if I should be divulging this somewhat self compromising fact, but I guess it's too late now isn't it :) Which brings me to my real plight. I need a new car!! 

Besides the fact that my volleyball antics seem to be ruining my driver's seat fabric interior, I have been driving a 2000 Toyota Echo since my college days, and unfortunately it has taken a beating over the years. That, and let's be real, I'm 26, (lol I almost wrote I have 26 years, yay, still thinking a bit in Spanish) and I think it's about time for an upgrade. I finally feel somewhat adultish, and in about 6-8 months, I expect to be in a (much awaited) position to be able to make that purchase. 

Now, on to what to buy. I seem to gravitate towards yellow (ish) colors for the past couple years, although reason tells me I might want to avoid bright colors since they probably get more attention from those people we call cops? Or is that just red? How does the color thing work. Or maybe it's just an old wives tale and I can just pick whatever color I want.  The funny thing is, for the longest time, my favorite color was purple.  Now all I want to buy is yellow. Yellow shoes, yellow clothes, I want a yellow kitchen someday, etc.  Do favorite colors change normally? 

Next requirement. I want it to have good gas economy or to use the trending buzz word, for it to be 'green.'  While of course I enjoy the savings that my little Toyota offers, I also just feel compelled to take responsibility for my footprint on the environment. I have always been a big recycler, ask my mom, when I was a kid, I wouldn't say I was obsessed, but I was definitely more concerned/aware than my peers. I just feel if we have the ability to take control and do better, we should. 

The last thing is not so much a need, but more of a want. I like the idea of having a vehicle that has four wheel drive/more space for going on outdoor adventures. Maybe something like the Toyota Fortuner? Don't call me out on this in case it's like the worse gas economy ever or something. I have really not done any homework, just briefly done a google image search. What do I mean by outdoor adventures you ask? Oh you know, hiking, camping,  maybe fishing/hunting? I'm not really a huge fisher, but I'm OK as long as I have a beer in my hand :) Hunting - don't know a thing about it. I just like the idea of living off the land. Pretty sure I could handle it though. Other activities would be mountain biking and off-roading. We used to go off-roading in the rainforest in Costa Rica and picnicking. I would love to do that sort of thing maybe up north in Fossil Creek/Strawberry.  (Joiners?) The thing is, I never drove during those off-roading adventures, although perhaps it's time I learn.  

Oh oh, one more thing. To lease or to buy. Which is better these days? Anyone care to offer insight and your experiences?