Certainly the sunshine and great weather (in every season but summer) are some of the draws of living in Arizona. Spring is especially beautiful, with the mornings and evenings still comfortably cool and sunshine and warmth during the days. The entire month of March is focused on spring training games, with the Peoria Sports Complex (home of the Mariners and Padres) about 10 minutes from our campus and many other fields within a half hour or so drive to see your favorite team. One of my favorite activities this time of year is hiking with my two dogs.

Thunderbird Park is located on 59th Avenue, about five minutes north of our campus. The park features several hiking trails that wind up and down the foothills and offer many options depending on your time and training level. Several times a week, I load up Lucy and Jake (my golden retriever and English setter mix) into the car and head off for our favorite mile-and-a-half hike that follows up and around one of the trails. The dogs and I get in about a 45-minute hike, with two water-and-carrot rest stops. Whenever we are on the trails, we usually see at least one or two "MWU" t-shirts, as this is a popular spot for students, faculty, and staff.

Following the hike, I have two favorite refreshment stops. One is the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, which is located on 59th Avenue and the Fry's shopping area (right on your way back to campus). Their drinks are great, friendly staff, and an outdoor seating area that the dogs enjoy. My absolute top recommendation, however, goes to "Hot Bagel," which is located at 59th and the 101, in the Home Depot/PetSmart shopping area. This small storefront specializes, as its name implies, in delicious bagels of all kinds. They make wonderful bagel sandwiches (with your choice of meat, eggs, cheese) and several varieties of cream cheese. My choice is typically an everything bagel, toasted, with veggie cream cheese. They have standard coffee and soft drinks and a good selection of bottled juices and specialty waters. Again, this place is usually chock full of MWU folks. While the fare is carb-heavy and not necessarily healthy, it is delicious and I figure I've earned it after a morning hike. When I'm back in Chicago, I often crave a Hot Bagel, as I have yet to find its equivalent in the Downers Grove area.

After our morning excursion, the dogs have crashed and I'm heading out to the patio to spend the day lounging by the pool. I turned the pool heater on and am hoping the water makes it to 87 degrees so I can take a swim (the air temp is only going to be 81 today). Yes, springtime in Glendale is quite a draw!