Thursday -
Phoenix
We flew into Phoenix Sky Harbor International because we found super cheap flights, but don't overlook the Phoenix-Mesa airport, because it has some sweet deals, too. For instance, Allegiant flies into there. Last year I went from Grand Rapids to Phoenix-Mesa with a $200 ticket, and the fact that the girl next to me had a cat in her lap the entire time, and at one point the cat clawed my dress ... still totally worth the money. And that's saying a lot.
We took an Uber to Phoenix to check out Lustre, a rooftop bar and restaurant. It was a little hard to get into and looked closed, but when we found our way up there, it was lovely! Pretty pool, comfy furniture, and a great view. Kate ordered a drink that came in a little honey bear on ice. We were taken.
Kate is a total foodie so she always orders interesting items. She loved her seafood dish and dips, and I loved my pretzel sticks. Salt and bread - that's my jam.
The Diamondbacks were playing, plus Disney on Ice was about to start, so we walked around and checked out the people coming into downtown. We went for a drink at Copper Blues - Rock Pub & Kitchen, which was an artsy outdoor place with a lot of taps - and another open, warm outdoor area! (Sitting outdoors and eating AND being warm is right up there for a lot of people from Michigan. I have, in some cases, done this in a winter coat.)
DAY 1 - Friday
Lake Pleasant Regional Park to Yavapai Peak
Hiking! We went to Lake Pleasant Regional Park to hike to Yavapai Peak. After paying the entrance fee of $7.00, we parked at the wrong trailhead, then found the right one due to the map. If you tell them at the gate where you want to go they can direct you.
The whole desert was in bloom, and the entire landscape is full of saguaro cactus! Please note - it is imperative that you imitate their branches with your arm motion and take a picture.
The trail is well-maintained and an easy three-mile out and back. Last year my dad and son went off track and got into some teddy bear cactus. Cole got it in his elbow, head, arm ... my dad had it all over his backside ... but the park service has now thoughtfully put up a sign indicating that this trail - that USED to look like a trail - is NOT the trail.
The view from the bench at the top is so beautiful, and the sweeping vistas are just as nice on the way down.
I don't normally carry water around, but in Arizona it is dry. You know, with it being the desert and all. I like to take water on hikes and I always drink it.
Next up -
White Tank Mountain Regional Park and Petroglyphs
We drove about 30 minutes to the White Tank Mountains and on the way got to see a field of roses! Not wild roses - like a crop of roses. (We didn't have to pay again - the park receipt is good for the day.)
The White Tank Mountain Regional Park features petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are unlike hieroglyphics, because they look like a lot of graffiti, but really old graffiti. They have signs talking about what the doodlings might mean, so you can make fun of their interpretations. "This swirl may indicate the eternity of life and the uncertainty we all face ... or the artist might have really liked a curvy line."
This trail is touted as family friendly, and for a long way it is a cement sidewalk. After you get off the sidewalk, it takes you to a fun canyon. You can take off your shoes, wade through the water, and climb up the canyon to where there is sometimes a trickle of a waterfall (a very small trickle). I did that with my mountain goat-children, but Kate and I opted to lie on a very large, very warm rock and take in the gorgeous view.
Scottsdale
We got dressed up and headed to Scottsdale for dinner. We ate at Hot Noodles, Cold Saki because Kate thought that the ramen looked amazing. Don't be put off by the fact that it is really hard to find in a strip mall. (We had some difficulty finding it - but there was a rainbow that led us right to it! Don't expect this when you go. Especially if you go after dark.)
Kate loved her food so much that she couldn't talk to me while she ate it. It was that good! I also liked mine - an egg on top of noodles and lots of vegetables.
Old Town Scottsdale was immediately attractive to me, because anytime you hang lights criss cross across a downtown I'm IN. We went to the most happening place on the block, The Rusty Spur Saloon. A band of old guys played and the people were friendly. We ventured outside because I wanted to try ... the e-scooters! We downloaded the app and I rode the Bird for the first time! There were lots of art galleries around us and Kate and I - sometimes riding double and sometimes single - checked them out. They were surprisingly easy to ride, because I'm not that great at a regular scooter, but these were fun!
DAY 2 - Saturday
Cathedral Rock Trail
We headed to Sedona to hike the Cathedral Rock trail. This is easily one of my favorite hikes. You have to actually climb - on all fours - and find footholds, but if you fell you wouldn't get hurt. It's the perfect angle!
You have to pay at the machine in the parking lot, then put the receipt in your car. The earlier you get there, the better, because it fills up on nice days. People just start parking along the street, which is fine, too, but pretty narrow.
Have you already heard about the vortex in Sedona? Some people claim to feel some force when in Sedona. Before I went there I thought it was kind of silly, but 2/3 times I've been to Sedona I've definitely felt something, which feels a lot like an abrupt change in altitude. I like it.
Have you already heard about the vortex in Sedona? Some people claim to feel some force when in Sedona. Before I went there I thought it was kind of silly, but 2/3 times I've been to Sedona I've definitely felt something, which feels a lot like an abrupt change in altitude. I like it.
It's just a two-mile round trip. You can enjoy the views all the way up, and once you're up there, the red of the rock and the blue of the sky is absolutely beautiful. Lots of people were just hanging out on top, taking pictures, eating, drinking water, and even meditating. We did too. Lovely hike and view!
We ate great Mexican food at Miley's Cafe and wonderful ice cream at Rocky Road Ice Cream Company, but there are a million choices of places to eat.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
We went to Chapel of the Holy Cross, which is a beautiful church built into a rock, up really high, surrounded by red rocks.
The builder seemingly didn't anticipate that masses of people would want to come and see the church, because the parking situation is awful.
Everyone wants to see it, and there's no entry fee - other than voluntarily paying for candles to light and a gift shop. There's angled parking on the street up, and the parking attendant motioned for me to go forward, but there was no parking any closer. You just have to go to the top and do a three point turn in a parking lot and head back down. My advice - go when it's not busy, or just park below in the street on the way there. We got lucky and got a spot on the way down, but I wouldn't count on it.
But it's worth it! The church is so pretty, the art is lovely, and the view from the church is gorgeous.
Grand Canyon
Kate and I parked at the Grand Canyon National Park Visitors Center ($35 per car for 1-7 day pass) and hit Mather Point for the sunset. It was the first time Kate had been, and the fourth time I've been ... but it does NOT get old. It is so gorgeous that it brought tears to my eyes. (So dramatic...) We moved off to the west to see more and to get away from the crowds. We toasted the sunset. By the time we left, we were both shivering. When the sun's gone it immediately gets cold. Take warm clothes!
DAY 3 - Sunday
Grand Canyon South Kaibab Trail
After spending the night in Tusayan at the Canyon Plaza Premier Studio and Apartments (only a few miles from the entrance to the Grand Canyon), we went back to the visitor center to catch the 8:00 a.m. shuttle bus to the South Kaibab Trail, my favorite trail into the canyon. I have also hiked halfway down into the canyon on the Bright Angel trail, but I prefer the views and less traffic of this one.
There are signs upon signs that instruct you to not to go down into the canyon and back up in one day, and I haven't...but WOW is it tempting. Seems fine, really. But you didn't hear it from me.
We had a gorgeous day, sunny and perfect weather for hiking. We hiked past Ooh Ahh Point to Cedar Ridge, where there are bathrooms. We went on a huge rock outcropping here to stop and eat and drink and once again, look at the gorgeous view and talk about how great it was.
This is my top thing to do in Arizona - hiking down this trail. I really love it, everyone there is happy, (there are some nervous parents clutching their children, but they all seemed excited, too) and the views are one of the best things I've seen. I just love going so far down into it that you're surrounded. This time, we didn't even have to share the trail with mules, which made me feel much more confident that nothing was going to accidentally knock me to my death. My mom sent me three articles about people who fell into the canyon and died in the weeks leading up to our trip, but there were no mules involved in any of the accidents.
Flagstaff
After the trail, we drove to Flagstaff to eat. There was snow on the mountains! Flagstaff was a hip, cool college town, full of students, hipsters, and murals. We ate great food at the Lumberyard Brewing Co, but there are a ton of choices. People were eating outside, enjoying the sunshine, looking at the snow capped mountains.
Sun City West
My parents live in Sun City West in the winter, which is where Kate and I stayed. It's a 17,000 house retirement neighborhood with three rec centers, clubs for every activity imaginable, and opportunities to play, play, play. You have to be 55 to own a home there, but there is no age limit for visitors! We stayed here Sunday night and flew home Monday.
So that's Arizona in three days. It's warm, it's fun, and there is so much to do within a few hours.
Thanks to Kate for suggesting the trip and my parents for living there! I'll go cry at a beautiful sight anytime. Mule attendance optional.
If you have any questions about your upcoming trip, please feel free to email me at carla.wardin@gmail.com.
But it's worth it! The church is so pretty, the art is lovely, and the view from the church is gorgeous.
Grand Canyon
Kate and I parked at the Grand Canyon National Park Visitors Center ($35 per car for 1-7 day pass) and hit Mather Point for the sunset. It was the first time Kate had been, and the fourth time I've been ... but it does NOT get old. It is so gorgeous that it brought tears to my eyes. (So dramatic...) We moved off to the west to see more and to get away from the crowds. We toasted the sunset. By the time we left, we were both shivering. When the sun's gone it immediately gets cold. Take warm clothes!
DAY 3 - Sunday
Grand Canyon South Kaibab Trail
After spending the night in Tusayan at the Canyon Plaza Premier Studio and Apartments (only a few miles from the entrance to the Grand Canyon), we went back to the visitor center to catch the 8:00 a.m. shuttle bus to the South Kaibab Trail, my favorite trail into the canyon. I have also hiked halfway down into the canyon on the Bright Angel trail, but I prefer the views and less traffic of this one.
There are signs upon signs that instruct you to not to go down into the canyon and back up in one day, and I haven't...but WOW is it tempting. Seems fine, really. But you didn't hear it from me.
We had a gorgeous day, sunny and perfect weather for hiking. We hiked past Ooh Ahh Point to Cedar Ridge, where there are bathrooms. We went on a huge rock outcropping here to stop and eat and drink and once again, look at the gorgeous view and talk about how great it was.
This is my top thing to do in Arizona - hiking down this trail. I really love it, everyone there is happy, (there are some nervous parents clutching their children, but they all seemed excited, too) and the views are one of the best things I've seen. I just love going so far down into it that you're surrounded. This time, we didn't even have to share the trail with mules, which made me feel much more confident that nothing was going to accidentally knock me to my death. My mom sent me three articles about people who fell into the canyon and died in the weeks leading up to our trip, but there were no mules involved in any of the accidents.
Flagstaff
After the trail, we drove to Flagstaff to eat. There was snow on the mountains! Flagstaff was a hip, cool college town, full of students, hipsters, and murals. We ate great food at the Lumberyard Brewing Co, but there are a ton of choices. People were eating outside, enjoying the sunshine, looking at the snow capped mountains.
Sun City West
My parents live in Sun City West in the winter, which is where Kate and I stayed. It's a 17,000 house retirement neighborhood with three rec centers, clubs for every activity imaginable, and opportunities to play, play, play. You have to be 55 to own a home there, but there is no age limit for visitors! We stayed here Sunday night and flew home Monday.
So that's Arizona in three days. It's warm, it's fun, and there is so much to do within a few hours.
If you have any questions about your upcoming trip, please feel free to email me at carla.wardin@gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment