Beautiful Arizona

Tad late but as they say better late than never. We have been sooo busy since returning home from vacation that I never had the chance to write about how much we loved our Arizona trip! We were in the Flagstaff area for one week. It took all day to drive there but it was well worth it. We used some of our points and stayed at Wyndham Flagstaff timeshare.

Saturday night was spent getting unpack and settled in. We were within walking distance of the activity center. That was great for the kiddos as they had activities, mini golf, swimming pool, basketball court, etc.

Sunday we had to do a presentation. Youngest won a prize resulting in dessert for both kiddos later in the week. Afterwards, we drove about 20 minutes away to Walnut Canyon where we saw old Indian cliff dwellings. It was 250 steps down and off course, we had to come back up. There's a sign on the way up that says "185 feet-Easy Does It." It was a nice start for our week. We also went to the local farmer's market and found a new place to get organic pasta from that the kiddos even loved. In the evening we played mini golf and went swimming.

Monday we drove to Meteor Crater. I had been there before but the rest of the family had not. The kiddos loved the simulation game of blowing up Earth, Venus or the Moon using a asteroid, comet, etc. Monday night was really fun with the whole family playing Bingo in the activities center. I was laughing so hard as all four of us were waiting for B1 to be called and it was resulting in prizes for the whole family. Ice cream, snacks and coffee later in the week-free, Yes!

Tuesday we drove the Grand Canyon North Rim. On the way we stopped at Navajo Bridge. The only bridge that crosses the Grand Canyon so we walked across the Grand Canyon. It is really too bad that only 5% of all people who visit the Grand Canyon see the North Rim. It was absolutely a beauty and all agreed that we must go back again. We saw the trees in their fall colors. We didn't have time to see everything but did enjoy Angel's Window and again want to see more.

Wednesday we stayed local and went to Elgin Indian Ruins. They are still excavating the area so that was neat to see how it is done. We did some swimming and more mini golf. Also went out to eat this day.

Thursday we drove to Montezuma's Castle which is really not a castle and not found by Montezuma. It is again Indian Ruins. Afterwards we stopped and got Navajo Indian Fry Bread. Always a must to get when in the Southwest in my humble opinion! Next we drove to Oak Creek Park close to Sedona and went swimming. It was neat seeing the red rock and being out in nature. There was a rope to swing into the water and lots of swimming places. The kiddos didn't want to leave. Since we left soooo late, we didn't get to see much of Sedona and all agreed that we need to return to this area again for more swimming and more red rock seeing. Besides we missed Sliding Rock which has one sliding into water. Think that we may need a week at Wyndham Sedona and another week at Wyndham Flagstaff.

Friday we went to Sunset Crater Volcano and more Indian ruins. We had been here on our last trip to this area but still love it. The kiddos found Ice Cave which is lava tubes resulting in very cold air coming out of the earth and forming ice. The kids also like that Mom and Dad can't fit in some of the Indian Ruins but they can. It is nice that they can go into most of the Indian ruins here and see up close.

Saturday was the drive back home. The kids were very, very disappointed due the rain on our return drive home. We had planned to stop and swim in the Colorado River but not safe with lightening and thunder. Instead after much searching as there is absolutely nothing to see or do between Flagstaff and home, we found a Wally World. Youngest got her Halloween costume there and Oldest got a book that she is still looking at.

Vacation was a huge success. Hubby and I really, really did not want to return home but work and committments to activities were made so back home we are. Plans are to do some scrapbooking with the kiddos of our trip with some Christmas presents from some of our memories.

Flagstaff, We Will Be Back!!!