On my three-week road trip to WrestleMania 39 last year, I stopped in Scottsdale, Arizona for two nights. I had a day off from traveling so I made plans to meet a friend of mine for lunch before my son and I flew to California. So I had a few hours to spend in Old Scottsdale, Arizona. I forgot to post about this and wanted to share what a cute and lovely place Old Scottsdale is to visit no matter how much time you have.

A writer friend lives in the area and we met for lunch at the Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant in Old Scottsdale. I was so excited to learn that the Sugar Bowl was the restaurant featured in the Family Circus comic strip I read as a kid.

The cartoonist, Bil Keane, lived in Arizona later in his life. The restaurant is also a designated Founding Business of Scottsdale and is on Scottsdale’s Historic Preservation Register.

The restaurant is famous for its shakes and ice cream but I ordered a BLT, my friend had a sandwich (I can’t remember what kind) and Ej had an omelet. The food was good. Honestly, this place was really busy. If you’re going there, you might have to wait a bit for a table.

While we waited for our food, my friend and I chatted about writing and watercolor painting. She is a painter too and I sketch, but I’ve wanted to do more painting. My friend brought a watercolor painting kit and while we waited for our lunch she walked me through how to paint and I created my first (be nice now) watercolor painting EVER. I had so much fun doing this! (Here’s a pic of it. Remember it was my first try ever! Be nice!)

After we ate and said goodbye to my friend, we walked around for a little while and popped into a few shops. Along the way, I saw this Cat in the Hat statue (I don’t know if the statues get moved around from time to time, but these were the ones in the area during my visit.).

I LOVE Dr. Seuss, not only as someone who read his books but also as a mom who taught her kids how to read before they went to school by using those same books. My son especially was enthralled by Dr. Seuss’s books when he was a kid, so The Cat in the Hat holds a special place in my heart and I had to snap a photo. (Coming up in a later post, I will be going to the Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts. Why, as an adult, would I go to that museum? Reread this paragraph. LOL)

Walking around more, I saw this motorcycle that was based on this art.

I also came across this painted horse in honor of the Super Bowl. I love the colors!

I wish I had more time to explore because there is so much more to this cute town. After I was done, I popped over to The Poisoned Pen independent bookstore. It’s not in Old Scottsdale, but it is nearby. I did an Instagram post on the store last year when it was Independent Bookstore Day, so check that out here.

I’ve noticed that these are my habits wherever I visit someplace new:

Find a bakery. I love cupcakes and compare them to others I’ve visited. So far, The Queens Cups has held the title since my trip to Massachusetts to see the Garth Brooks concert. I’ve had other good cupcakes, but none have beaten them yet (that reminds me that it’s time to plan another trip to get more!).

• Visit/support an independent bookstore. My daughter is a bookseller and always encouraged me to do this, but it wasn’t until recently that I started. Support indy bookstores! Look around, buy something even if it’s small to help their business, and then tell people where you went! Word-of-mouth is vital to their business.
• Buy a postcard and/or magnet. They are my souvenirs of choice. What are yours?

Hopefully, I’ll see you again soon Old Scottsdale!