PHOENIX -- I know it may sound like it, but I'm really not trying to gloat about my annual Brewers Spring Training trip to Phoenix. It's just one of my favorite trips I take every year, and I hope that these annual blogs spark an interest in some of our readers to give this ultimate Brewers experience a try.

And, if you can't make it happen, maybe you can join me vicariously. It's a topic on which I'm passionate (as you probably know by know), and this year is no exception.

The first day in Arizona is always a bit of culture shock. Never mind the transition to temperatures in the low 80s with baking sun; just the time change alone can throw you for a loop. None of us slept very well last night in anticipation, and a 7 a.m. flight to Phoenix meant a long day on Thursday. Not that I'm complaining, of course.

We're staying at the official OnMilwaukee.com Spring Training hotel, the Sheraton Crescent, for the second year, and this property takes too good of care of us. We like it because it's as close you'd like to be to the Brewers facility at Maryvale Baseball Park, but also because it's just a nice, inviting place. And that was before we saw the suites that the hotel set us up with. Between the two bedrooms rooms and giant rooftop patio, these two suites are way more luxurious than four guys need. Again, I'm not complaining.

In fact, how could I complain about any of this? I got in a 30-minute run in the sunny, dry heat and made it to Maryvale just before the national anthem. Brewers fans were out in force, as the Crew took the field in green St. Patrick's Day caps.

A perfect morning melded into a perfect afternoon. We saw the Brewers and their pitching staff blank the White Sox this afternoon. The Crew looked sharp, but honestly, I was spending more time just taking in the sights and reacquainting myself of my surroundings. Afterward, we got in some quality pool time and hung out at the hotel for its "Third Thursday" event.

Third Thursday is cool; the hotel brings in a band and a special menu, with proceeds benefiting Ear Candy, a non-profit group that helps get music education in schools. They're based in Phoenix, but are apparently considering expanding to locations including Milwaukee. Last night, Blaine Long, a really solid local musician, played and set our night off on the right foot.

Then, because it was St. Patrick's Day, and because we needed to meet our contact at Dos Gringos to discuss our upcoming tweet up on Saturday (more on that soon), we headed over to Old Town Scottsdale to a block party.

Not surprisingly, the block party was packed with revelers, who filled the streets and areas bars to check out bands on two stages and tip a few beers. It actually felt a lot like a Milwaukee summer event, but after an hour, we had seen enough, and left to meet up with an old friend over bocce at a classic Phoenix bar called The Vig.

By the end of the night, I realized I had been up for almost 24 hours straight, and five hours of sleep last night didn't quite refresh me. But that's why they make coffee and Spring Training baseball. Both have magical rejuvenating qualities.

This morning, we're meeting our friends from the Tempe and Phoenix visitors bureaus for breakfast at Over Easy Café. Then, more baseball, this time at the new facility at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. I'm excited to see the Rockies' and Diamondbacks' new facility.

It's a perfect start to a perfect trip, and even though this is technically work, I feel the stress melting away. Every year feels different but the same. I hope that after five days of my chronicling the trip, you, too, will agree: this a vacation you simply must take.