THE BUCKET LIST VACATION YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW YOUR FAMILY NEEDED.
10 DAYS IN ARIZONA, AND YOU’LL STILL LEAVE WANTING MORE! / IT DOESN’T EVEN BEGIN TO BE ENOUGH!
Sedona has been calling my name for a while. After planning so many trips there for my clients, my turn to visit finally came.
If you follow me, you know that long distances don’t scare me– “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” So, the 2 hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona, and the almost 3 hour drives to some of our day trips did not faze me—nor anyone in my family. Trust me, it was totally worth it!
It is said that there are vortexes in Sedona where energy takes on a special kind of force. It’s not scientific but more of a feeling people get when they’re here, and let me tell you, all 7 of us (aged 2-41) felt it at one point during this trip.
The drive to Sedona is amazing- I was told by a woman at the airport that the terrain would change 3 times before reaching Sedona and she was so right.
It starts off green with huge saguaro cacti sticking out (40 feet) high above the ground- just WOW (remember, I’m from Miami)! It is super impressive- cactus after cactus after cactus. Then, it changes to an expanse of white grass fields with smaller cacti and short twisted trees, followed by the sudden glory of the Red Rocks into Sedona.
Sedona does not disappoint- the number of hikes, bike rides, and drives that can be done are endless. Just being outdoors surrounded by the vibrant colors of this place is deeply satisfying.
We then drove to the Grand Canyon, which was just spectacular: curving roads, winding through cliffs and mountains, up and down, with the beautiful Coconino National Forest (which I highly recommend stopping off to see) along the way.
“Are we there yet?” You know the dreaded question…But when you’re riding with 5 girls who are used to the journey, you also get used to the buzz of conversation. This was different! Upon arrival, the Grand Canyon’s vastness did something to each of my girls that I have never experienced before–complete silence! The glory, beauty, and sheer expanse of it left all my kids speechless! Plus, the extra bonus- many areas are covered in snow (in January), so after a quick rebound, we actually had a snowball fight!
Taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon has always been a bucket list item and being able to check that off for my kids felt like a huge accomplishment. Sharing beauty, landmarks, history, nature, and things bigger than ourselves with my kids always gives me pause, and gives me a great sense of accomplishment as a mom trying to raise good humans. The Grand Canyon is so much of that wrapped up into one.
There truly is no age too young to enjoy the grandeur of this place- even my 2-year-old could not stop pointing and admiring. The awe in my girls' eyes, their wonder, and amazement staring out were palpable. What an incredibly beautiful country we live in!
The jeep tours in Sedona are thrilling- the viewpoints are unbelievable as you literally climb through the stunning red rock formations (pigments are thanks to an abundance of iron in the sediment). You have to experience these views to truly believe that they are real. If you use your imagination you can see formations resembling everything from Snoopy, to an Indian chief, to a coffee pot and more!
Another day trip we took was to Antelope Canyon. Peter Lik’s photography of this area has become iconic and put it on many of our bucket lists. This area gives the illusion of walking between walls. Some places are extremely narrow where your feet don't even fit. It’s like a natural playground. Standing at the base and gazing up at the canyons that are about 40-70 feet high or more above you is such a unique feeling–like being on another planet.
When the view from the ground is stunning, imagine what it must be like from above. Floating serenely in a hot air balloon overlooking Sedona is otherworldly. Trust me when I tell you, it’s not scary! We saw wildlife from up above (deer, javelinas, and coyotes), and amazing views of Sedona and its outskirts. If this isn’t already on your bucket list yet, it’s time to edit your list!
This trip was full of views, awe, glory, nature, and memories that will forever be ingrained in our minds and lives. Being there is a reminder of how small we are, how much has happened before our existence, and that there must be something out there much greater than us that created all of these incredible places.
Believe me when I say this is the bucket list vacation your family needs NOW, and it’s always a good time to go! So…. hike it, bike it, jeep it, ATV it, take a train, or drive through it- just make it happen!!!
