Day 1 - Flight to Phoenix, Cosanti, Arizona Science Center, Taliesin West
This year's trip took us out West. We flew into Phoenix late Thursday night. You can see how I rocked baggage claim in the middle of the night when we arrived early Friday morning! We spent our first day exploring Scottsdale, AZ, with a stop at Cosanti to see the wind chimes by designer Paolo Soleri and a visit to the Arizona Science Center. We concluded our day with a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, which was just as I remembered it from when my parents took me in 1995!
Day 2 - Sedona
Day 2 was spent exploring Sedona. We started off the day at the Chamber of Commerce to get some information about hiking. We wanted a hike with rocks and water, so after a mile or so in the incredible heat of the Baldwin Trail, we were rewarded with the cool waters of Oak Creek and the vortex near Cathedral Rock. I have to say, I'm definitely a believer in and senser of the Earth's energy, and my family definitely got back in the car happier. We finished our day with an off road jeep ride, where we were blessed with a driver who also knew how to handle my camera, and was able to get some lovely sunset family photos of us!
Day 3 - Grand Canyon
On Sunday, we explored the Grand Canyon. First we biked around on the South Kaibab Trailhead. We were so busy stopping to enjoy the sights along the way, we didn't even make it out to Yaki Point! After we returned the bikes, we stopped in the General Store within the park for some snacks and drinks. We finished up the evening taking the shuttle bus out to Maricopa Point, walked to Powell Point, and finished enjoying the sunset at Hopi Point.
Day 4 - Antelope Canyon, Kayak Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend
Lower Antelope Canyon was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. It was a good almost hour (with stopping to take many photos along the way, of course) of walking through seemingly endless twists and turns of incredible colors and rock formations in this incredible slot canyon. We spent the afternoon kayaking on Lake Powell, and the evening enjoying the sunset at Horseshoe Bend.
Part 2 of this blog post, highlights our adventures in Southern Utah and our road trip conclusion in Las Vegas!! Click here.