Thursday, April 2, 2015

10 Days in Arizona: Scottsdale, the Grand Canyon, + Beyond


10 Days in Arizona: Scottsdale, the Grand Canyon, + Beyond // Bubby and Bean

Tomorrow night will officially mark one week since we returned from our annual Arizona trip, but truthfully, my mind is still there. There is something so magical about the southwest - it has an energy that really resonates with me. I feel completely invigorated when I'm there. Maybe this is because it's so different from the midwest. Or maybe it's because it's the one area of the country where I've never lived - I've lived in the Pacific northwest, the west coast, the Rockies region, the midwest, the south, and the east/northeast, but never the southwest - so there's something mysterious about it. Whatever the reason, just give me abundant sunshine, desert flowers, mountains, red rocks, cacti, endless blue skies, and some authentic southwestern food, and my heart is instantly happy.


This was the fourth year in a row that I've gone to Arizona in March, and I think it was my favorite so far. We did so much, especially outside, and I loved every minute of it. (I tend to thrive on lots of activity; although I have absolutely no problem lounging by a swimming pool either.) Essley and I spent Wednesday evening through Friday evening hanging with Robbie's parents, brother, sister-in-law, their four kids, and their dog. It was a full, wonderfully chaotic house with lots of noise and energy. On Saturday morning, the extended family went back to Austin, and on Sunday morning, after the band's winter tour came to an end, Robbie joined us at his parents' house. We then spent Monday and Tuesday up at the Grand Canyon, then visited Sedona (our favorite) for an afternoon, then spent the last couple of days back in Scottsdale. Highlights of the trip included celebrating Robbie's birthday with cakes from this amazing bakery, visiting the coolest butterfly house, hiking and watching the sun set over the majestic South Rim, devouring the most delicious pizza in Sedona, watching Essley fall in love with the outdoor fountain at my favorite mall, photo shoots among the towering saguaros and vividly blooming springtime flowers in the desert with Robbie, family dinners and ice-cold margaritas and sun-kissed poolside hangs in my in-laws' backyard, and a phenomenal musical number put on by the nieces/nephew that included a special Essley cameo.


After over a week of great times and positive experiences, the trip ended with a visit to the doctor for Essley (quite the ordeal when you're an out of state walk-in, let me tell you), who was given a clean bill of health then proceeded to spend about ten hours vomiting. Thankfully, she recovered quickly (and had an amazingly cheerful attitude the entire time she was sick), and we were able to fly home as planned the next day. (Not so thankfully, Robbie and I both spent an entire day in bed/by the toilet when we got home, but we won't get into that here.) It was an absolutely wonderful trip, and a much-appreciated getaway from the midwest's dreary weather - stomach flu and all.

As you can see, I took a lot of pictures this time, especially on our Grand Canyon trip. In fact, for the first time ever, I actually wiped out my memory card on my camera and the majority of pictures on my phone in advance so I had plenty of space to snap away. There are even more photos over here, if you're interested.


It's always good to come back home after a trip, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't already looking forward to next year. You rule, AZ.

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11 comments:

  1. What beautiful photos! I visited AZ quite a few times while I was growing up. My grandparents winter in Mesa and I have a friend who lives in Phoenix. And we got to visit Sedona one year as well. I'm sure I would appreciate it's beauty much more now as an adult. Those mountains are just so stunning!

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  2. Gorgeous! I can feel the sun and warmth just by looking at your photos! I've desperately needed a vacation away from Baltimore. Something about this winter has been particularly rough. Maybe we should head that way for our next vacation.

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  3. I admit that Arizona has never ranked high on my list of places to visit - I'm a city girl born and bred, and outdoor activities don't always appeal to me unless they're buffered by museum visits and shopping trips. But your photos always capture Arizona so beautifully, I'm starting to see that I might be missing out :)
    xox,
    Cee

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  4. This place is STUNNING! It's amazing that you go every year. I just got back from Southern Utah, seeing Arches and Canyonlands, and these vistas just stole my heart. I love your photos!!

    <3 Daisy
    Simplicity Relished

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  5. Gorgeous photographs! Makes me want to take a trip there asap. I hope you're all feeling better.

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  6. I haven't spent a ton of time in the Southwest either, but I loved it when I was there. Your pictures are stunning! It took me forever to read this post because I kept staring at the Grand Canyon and wishing Illinois had more interesting topography.

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  7. That picture of Essley by the fountain, swoon!! You make Arizona look so dreamy. I'm glad you had a great vacation and that you were able to recover from the stomach flu, sounds awful. I selfishly hope you go on another trip soon because I live vicariously through your gorgeous photos, lol =)

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  8. I've never been to Arizona, but after seeing these pictures, it's next on my list. Not even kidding.

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  9. BEAUTIFUL photos! What a fun family vacation. We will be flying to Phoenix in late May to visit my 3 grandsons and their parents who live in Queen Creek. I have never really spent time in the Southwest (except to change planes in Albuquerque), so I am looking forward to it.

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  10. The scenery is breathtaking! I think I would enjoy the climate :) Essley looks especially adorable in the fountain photo! I'm glad you had a splendid time with your husband's family. And happy belated birthday to Robbie and hope all three of you are well again!

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  11. Wow, what an amazing trip... the scenery is out of this world! Incredibly beautiful. I hope I'll get to travel there someday. :)

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