Final Thoughts on Our Phoenix & SoCal Vacation

We really covered a lot of ground on this trip from Phoenix to Anaheim and enjoyed every bit of it.

The Arizona Biltmore and Spa is probably the most luxurious hotel we have ever stayed at - and one of the most expensive, even with the special rate we got for the conference. It was fun to pretend to be rich and famous for a little while and mr. lo got a kick out of using the spa.

We'd stay at La Jolla Shores again if we ever find ourselves in that area. Nothing can beat the view of the beach and the climate really is heavenly. San Diego is a beautiful city with lots of diversity. We only scratched the surface of what there is to see there.

The Howard Johnson's Plaza Hotel in Anaheim actually had the nicest, most spacious, and best laid-out rooms of all three resorts and was by far the best value. Three nights there cost less than one at the Biltmore or La Jolla Shores, so with its proximity to DLR, I would be happy to stay there again and highly recommend it.

I finally had my lifelong wish of visiting Disneyland fulfilled and it was as wonderful as I had dreamed. Many people comment that its smallness and urban location is a disappointment after seeing Disney World, but I don't agree. Once inside the gates of Disneyland, I was never aware of the outside world and the compactness made it easier to get from one land to another. They certainly have packed a lot into that limited space. I liked New Orleans Square the best because it is totally different from anything at Disney World's Magic Kingdom and it also has the best restaurants.

California Adventure was a bonus, although I have to admit that if it wasn't right next to Disneyland, I don't think I'd go out of my way to go there. Not being into thrill rides, it doesn't have much to draw me. Our favorites at DLR were all in Disneyland: the Haunted Mansion Holiday, Pirates of the Caribbean, "it's a small world" holiday, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, and Indiana Jones. And - of course - my chance to sing with the Disneyland Band was an experience that will stay with me always.

This was most likely a one-time trip for us. Although we really enjoyed Disneyland, mr. lo and I agree that Walt Disney World is the place that calls us back. Because there are so many more options there, you can always escape a crowded location and find something equally enjoyable to do elsewhere. Epcot is what really draws us to WDW. We always stay in one of the Epcot resorts so that we can wander in and out whenever we want. Evenings strolling around the lagoon before Illuminations are the best part of a WDW vacation for us. We like to be able to dip in and out of the other parks, but we spend most of our time in Epcot. So if we find ourselves in the vicinity of Disneyland again, I'm sure we'll stop in, but I doubt it will be our destination for future trips.

Thanks to all for reading! Don't forget, all the photos from this trip are on Flickr! I hope you'll check in here from time to time to see what I'm up to next. I have reset my Disney countdown clock for our next trip to WDW in just 140 days - April 27-May 3, 2008

Summit Ends, Vacation Begins!

We started the last day of the Summit with breakfast and a presentation about a public library's advocacy campaign. Then we heard two more case study presentations before lunch. Afterwards Ross Todd summed up the proceedings and challenged us to do some deep thinking about all that we have learned the past two days. We finished up our Summit experience with some group brainstorming about how to implement Evidence Based Practice in school libraries and what role our state and national associations can play.

The concierge recommended Richardson's for dinner. We had some really good Southwestern food in this popular and lively local spot. Before bed, mr. lo and I strolled around the resort. The rain had ended and the stars were out. There was a lot of activity - a bat mitzvah party and many people walking around looking very elegant in their formal attire . The Christmas decorations are beautiful, with two huge live trees in the lobby and lighted garlands looped on all the railings of the mezzanine.

This morning we'll load up the humongous Pacifica we rented and take the ladies to the airport, where we'll trade down to a smaller car for the rest of our trip. We'll drive across the desert today and plan to arrive in San Diego in time to see the sunset.

See all our photos on Flickr

The Massachusetts Contingent

Here are my travel buddies from the MSLA executive board, Ann, Sandy and
Valerie, at the opening session of the Summit yesterday. Lovely ladies, aren't they? (They're fun, too!)

Phoenix Sans Sun

We're at the first stop of our trip, the School Library Journal Leadership Summit at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. Ironically in this land of almost unabated sunshine, yesterday was overcast and today it has rained cats and dogs. There is a flash flood warning in effect. The locals are thrilled, as they have been suffering a drought in these parts for the past eight years, but also apologetic to those of us who came here anticipating brighter skies. Last night, after a welcome reception at the hotel we were bused to Scottsdale for its Arts Walk, where galleries and jewelry stores hold open houses. It was pretty low-key, with very few people out and about, but our travel fatigue might have negatively influenced our impression.

This is the third SLJ Summit in as many years, the first being in NYC and last year's in Chicago, and I have been to all three. The SLJ folk have outdone themselves with this venue. The resort is lavish and we feel very privileged to have been invited to come here to learn about Evidence Based Practice and how it can be applied to school libraries. Today's speakers were a varied group of practitioners from academia, health care and architecture, as well as colleagues from our own profession. SLJ and the Summit's sponsors - Scholastic Publishing, Gale, Follett Library Resources, Capstone Press and Gareth Stevens - treated us to a delicious lunch today and abundant cocktail receptions last night and tonight.

Tomorrow we have a full day, starting with a breakfast speaker, then presentations of three case studies on EBP in school library programs, and finally a wrap-up by Dr. Ross Todd, who is always entertaining and provocative. mr. lo will investigate the spa while I attend to my professional growth. Sunday we check out and head for sunny (we hope) California and the real start of our vacation.