Where In the World Are James, Maija, Elin and Anikka?: "A Giant Hole Deep In the Ground"

Spring Break

Arizona

March 17-26, 2022

We had many discussions about where to go for spring break this year. Due to the ongoing pandemic, flight prices are still high so we chose somewhere that we could drive to from Colorado. We settled on Arizona. We have wanted to visit since we were married (nearly 15 years ago) and thought this would be the right time. We could drive there, James has friends there, it is warm there....but not too warm in March. Perfect.

Thursday - March 17, 2022

We headed out early on St. Patricks day...

...and because we live in CO, the weather is super unpredictable. We left during a snowstorm expecting that once we got south of the Springs the snow would clear. Within the first hour of our drive the freeway was closed due to an accident. Luckily.....(or not) Apple maps rerouted us on a road that was just off the freeway but would get us around the closed portion. BUT...it didn't account for the very small, unplowed road that was soon an hour + of our time and a bit on the scary side. We made it back to the freeway luckily... This is the "road" we went on.

We FINALLY made it out of CO into NM but we were HOURS behind our scheduled driving time of 12 (ish) hours to Lake Roosevelt in AZ. But, we made the most of it. We stopped at the first of 4 National Parks we visited on this trip. This one is a lava rock field...we didn't even know it existed or that there are lava fields in New Mexico....but it was a nice break from the car.

We also made sure to swing though the main strip in Grants NM because it is on Historic Route 66...and yes, I did make them listen to THE song.

After a 15 hour (gulp) drive we made it to Lake Roosevelt were we stayed overnight with Scott Winkler in his RV for the night.

Friday - March 18, 2022

Our "deluxe accommodations" - as Scott called them

We came to Lake Roosevelt mostly so that James could sail with Scott. The girls were excited to try it and had a fabulous time.

In the afternoon, we headed to Phoenix for four nights. We checked into our Wyndham condo...

Then off to dinner at Los Dos Molinas, grocery shopping and a quick swim in the pool.

This is the before/after of what a pre dinner, grumpy, hangry pre teen looks like.

Saturday - March 19, 2022

We started our day at the pool. We even ate lunch there. A habit that our kids learned (and loved) in St. Thomas).

Then we headed to Gilbert to spend the rest of the day with James' cousin Marta and her kids. Her daughter, Tia has two girls that are close in age to our girls. They spent the day in the "fruit pool" and played in the backyard. We ordered in dinner and played games. The girls said it was the "best day" of our vacation. We enjoyed it too.

Taft, Hazel, Anikka, Elin, Avery

Tia, James, Marta, David

Sunday - March 20, 2022

On Sunday I was able to meet up with my friend, Britt (Davis) Anthony for lunch at a place near our condo. Britt and I were roommates in college at BYU for 4 years but hadn't seen each other in 28 years! We talked and talked and it was like no time had passed at all.

We also went to the Mesa Temple and walked around the grounds.

Then went to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens that evening. There were so many varieties of cactus and we got to see the Chihuly exhibit.

Monday, March 21, 2022

After a delicious lunch at Duck & Decanter (James' favorite ever sandwich shop - it was good) we had a quick meeting with our financial advisor in Scottsdale, swam in the pool then drove to Gilbert for dinner with James' long time friends Jeff, Colleen and Sheila.

Tuesday - March 22, 2022

We had a transition day where we had to check out of the condo in Phoenix and then drive to Sedona to check into our next condo. It's only a 2 hour drive...so we stopped by to see James' friend Carole on our way out of town

Then drove to National Park #2 (for this trip) -- Montezuma Castle. Another National Park that we had not heard of, but was very interesting. The girls started their Junior Ranger program here. They were super excited to earn a Junior Ranger badge.

We were also able to find some Indian Fry Bread as we exited the park.

When we arrived in Sedona it was late afternoon so we checked into our condo (which had amazing views from the balcony)

And had dinner in town (more beautiful views), then the grocery store, pool and bed.

Wednesday - March 23, 2022

We wanted to go on a hike to see the beautiful landscapes of Sedona. But....SO MUCH traffic and nowhere to park. We were eventually able to find a spot at Bell Rock with a path that was good for kids.

We also stopped by the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

And went for sunset at the airport.

Thursday - March 24, 2022

Grand Canyon Day. But first, a little explanation about the title of my blog....When the girls were young we had a subscription to ABC Mouse, an online learning program. One of the lessons was on the Grand Canyon and it had a song that the girls sang ALL THE TIME that went "A giant hole deep in the ground, I want to go and look around, from everything they're telling me, Grand Canyon's wonderful to see". We sang it all day long.

This was our 3rd National Park for this trip. It is a 2.5 hour drive from Sedona. We left early and were gone all day. But it was well worth it. I have been to the North rim in Utah but this side was so much more impressive. The girls were even in awe.

We spent all day in the park going to different view points. We saw elk while we were having our picnic lunch, and a baby Big Horn Sheep. The girls earned another Junior Ranger badge here and their Dad bought them a pink Junior ranger hat. It was a great day.

Friday - March 25, 2022

This was our last day of vacation before the 12+ hour drive home to Colorado. We chose to spend it relaxing. We had breakfast out, did some vacation shopping in town and spent the afternoon at the pool. We even had ice cream sundaes (provided by Wyndham) by the pool. It was a perfect vacation day.

Saturday - March 26, 2022

We were up early and out the door by 8 so that we could do the long drive home with a quick stop at one more National Park. A few hours into our trip we stopped at Petrified Forest National Park (still in AZ but near the NM border). The girls were about "national parked" out by this time so they briefly got out of the car and hurried to finish one last Junior Ranger badge. This time when they were done with their book, the Ranger made them recite the Junior Ranger pledge which basically says they will work with Rangers to keep all National Parks clean so that other people can enjoy them. James has promised them a pink Junior Rangers vest when they complete 10 badges....so, 3 down and 7 to go.