SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — I’ve said this before, but sometimes Spring Training feels a lot like the movie "Groundhog Day." Events, games and trips tend to run together, because with only a few variations, you’re basically doing the same thing every day (and of course, that’s a very good thing).

But yesterday, we did something that we’ve only done one other time in 18 years: we didn’t go to a Brewers game.

That’s because the Brewers had one of their only two off days during the month of March, and because of our somewhat inflexible travel schedule, we had to be here when that took place.

Turns out, it was really nice to unplug a little. Kind of like an everyday catcher getting an off day on a Sunday, it was a great chance to rest, relax and recharge.

When I signed off on Monday morning, I wasn’t sure how the day would play out, but I took advantage of the idyllic weather to go for a run around the Talking Stick Resort property. The March climate in Scottsdale feels unlike what we ever get in Milwaukee: this dry heat is a real thing. It’s been hot and cloudless, but without wind and humidity. Even though development has ruined the haven for us allergy sufferers, it still feels amazing here, and I had more energy than usual as I plodded around the desert.

I got a first-hand look at the nearby multi-level driving range, TopGolf, which looks nothing like any golfing facility I’ve ever seen. If I didn’t suck so much at the sport, I would check this place out for real, because it’s more like an entertainment destination than just some tees and a net.

Then, I parked myself at the pool. And didn’t leave for about four hours. I mentioned yesterday that the Talking Stick’s pool area is being renovated, and by summer it should have a lot more offerings. While it would be nice to see those amenities now, we had a super-relaxing few hours of poolside lunch, as well as plenty of conversations with locals enjoying staycations, and happy snowbird tourists ready to talk baseball (as you might expect, there are a ton of Giants fans in Scottsdale, because they play here, but also because San Francisco, as World Series champs, travels very well to this area).

We ended up a little bit sunburned but also refreshed from our long early travel day on Sunday, we Ubered it into Old Town for dinner around 7 p.m. Every one of our Uber drivers in Arizona has been great. This system works extremely well here, and it’s turning the very expensive taxi cab business in the Valley on its head.

For dinner, we checked out Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse, and I enjoyed one of my favorite meals ever in Arizona – and some spectacular barbecue – anywhere. Invited by the restaurant, they packed us full with all sorts of meat, beginning with small flights of moonshine, and a bacon board that must be seen to be believed.

It’s worth spending a moment here diving a little deeper in the bacon situation. Because, you know, BACON. The bacon board includes a lot of variation you’ve probably never tried but trust me you should: bacon confit, pork belly, pepper bacon, jalapeño bacon and applewood smoked. All served up with onion and red pepper jam, cheese bread and mustard. Easy to understand why this plentiful parade of pork is one of the most popular menu items. Combine that with some creatively infused moonshine — try the apple pie one, it’s incredible — and you’ve got a smile on your face like the Brewers had gone back in time and won that Game 7 in the 1982 World Series. Seriously, go to this place.

We rolled out of there on our full bellies, then hopped on one of Old Town’s free golf carts for a little low-key nightlife on St. Paddy’s Day eve. The golf cart and rickshaw system here is great. They’re plentiful with friendly drivers, and you just pay gratuity to get around.

We stopped briefly at two of our favorite old hangouts, Coach House and Hotel Valley Ho, then hailed another golf cart, who suggested we see the scene at the Bottled Blonde.

I’m telling you, Scottsdale has its entertainment district well figured out. While this bar wasn’t exactly my scene (I felt a little old at 40), this area is so well planned and laid out, especially in comparison to the weird sprawl and lack of foresight you see in the Valley. I could actually see myself living here someday, at least part of the year. It’s very easy to fall in love with Scottsdale – and yes, I’ve been here in June. The dry heat of a Phoenix summer is still better than the frigid cold of a Milwaukee winter.

Still, we tried to save some gumption for the big day today at the insistence of my traveling buddy Paul, for whom St. Patrick’s Day is the most important holiday of the year, so we were back at the hotel by midnight. The guys I traveled with stayed up and spent some money at the casino downstairs while I retired at a respectable hour, somewhat proud of my day. Today, baseball is back on.

Obviously, I’m here for that baseball, but I’m also taking the opportunity to recharge a little, and this "off day" was a like a vacation within a vacation. I really endorse it, although I’m pretty excited to see the Brewers again today at Peoria.

As I get older, I feel like I figure more stuff out, in general, and this annual trip is no exception. Really, it needs to be two weeks long, not just four days, to experience everything I want to experience. But it feels more efficient and more manageable than ever. If only I could slow down time a little and linger with baseball in its annual rebirth.