The Grand Canyon State | Arizona

This post is a bit belated, but describes a wonderful trip nonetheless!

Two springs ago (which seems like foreeeeever) when I moved all the way to Italy for four months, my amazing sister decided to move to Tempe, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. As excited as I was for her to start a new job, explore a new city, and hike almost everywhere, I was heartbroken that she'd be moving away from me here in East Lansing. Last fall with her in Haslett (about 10 minutes away from my dorm), we had weekly dinner dates and many impromptu adventures. It was the absolute best. I never had thought that my sister, six years my senior, would still be around when I went to college. I was one lucky girl. (Though I'd be luckier if Laura was here, too, since our trio was usually one short!)

So naturally, her new residence gave me a glorious excuse to go visit The Grand Canyon State! In all honesty, I had no idea The Grand Canyon was in Arizona until we planned the trip... I flew to Phoenix to stay with Erin, and my mom and dad met us after their week in Las Vegas. Retirement is treating them pretty well, I must say! It was such a lovely week of spring break - no class, family close by. great food & drinks, lots of sunshine, fresh air, daily hikes, and plenty to explore. Phoenix is such a cool area. I'd never really lumped it into the "big city" category, but it definitely has that vibe. It's look is very modern while also southwestern. Very unique.

A long day of class, bus ride, and airplane ride later, I was sitting in Frieda (her Jeep Liberty) with my sister! For our first night, we tried to be classy and drink wine in the hot tub. It didn't last long - we got kicked out because it was after hours, we brought her roommate's dog, and we had a glass bottle. Oops.

The next morning started early (or somewhat early as it was vacation) with Starbucks and some grocery shopping because we were headed to the desolate town of Tusayan, just outside of The Grand Canyon. It consists of a few cheap souvenir shops, basic hotels, and some touristy restaurants, but a place to crash was all we needed as we explored the geologic wonder.

We hiked part of the South Kaibob trail, which was actually super treacherous from the snow that had covered it weeks before. The sunny parts were fine, but we found ourselves clutching the walls on the shady declines. At first we laughed at the idea of "crampons" for your shoes, but we soon realized whey they'd be ideal. Thankfully we all made it (though dad had a minor mishap involving a slip, a rock, and a bloody thumb) to "Ooh Ahh Point", a gorgeous lookout down into the canyon. It was so worth all the nerve-wracking moments, and definitely left us with a triumphant memory. Wine (along with dinner) was much deserved that night!

[the treacherous, snow covered zig-zagged path we conquered]

The other highlights included a Pink Jeep Tour detailing some history, watching the sunset and getting up for sunrise (which was even better), and getting up close and personal with the elk wandering about the trails. I got a little too trusting with my photo op. Just after this picture was taken, the elk proceeded to hop over the rock wall and walk straight to me. My heart has rarely beat so fast, but we got the picture...

Hermit's Rest was the starting/ending point of a hiking trail at the very end of the park. It was a lot more rustic than the built up areas in the center and probably my favorite little stop along the rim!

On our way back to Phoenix after a wonderful weekend, we stopped in Sedona, another one of Arizona's natural wonders. As we drove the winding highway to get into the tiny town, we stopped at this adorable state park -  you can literally camp on the river bank! It was a beautiful day to wander on a whim.

When we finally got into Sedona, known for the red rocks, we hiked around a bit. They're also known for having "vortexes" of good energy, so a little bit of yoga was essential. People actually make the trek there just for that purpose!

Our days in Phoenix flew by... The first was spent lazing by the pool and exploring Old Town Scottsdale's touristy western shops. We grabbed lunch at cute fifties diner and Erin met us for margaritas & tacos at the Salty Seniorita. After a bit of a mix up involving the parking garage Erin couldn't exactly remember that she'd parked in, we made it home!

Wednesday we spent hiking McDowell Mountain in the HOT sun, exploring the petroglyphs (after yet another detour through Phoenix - oops!), and a birthday dinner for Erin grilled out on her patio. It was a perfect night until we got a "noise complaint" - Strange since even the security guard seemed confused when he walked up to our candlelit table and small family gathering...

[this type of cactus is spelled "saguaro"]

Making it to the zoo was a highlight of the trip! I'm forever a child at heart and absolutely love them, especially the monkeys. It didn't hurt that Phoenix is known for their ape exhibit and walk through monkey habitat :)

We picked up Charlie, a camp friend, for dinner & drinks up in Goodyear that night and caught up with what he's been up to. Strange that he lives so close here in Michigan and we have to make it all the way to Arizona to see him! Erin took the day off on Friday so we could go to the Cubs Spring Training game in Mesa, right next to Tempe. Refreshing beer & food trucks made it a perfect atmosphere. Afterwards we were able to meet up with the Shulls, our neighbors, for drinks! Catherine, my best friend since forever, and I go to school so far apart so it was super lucky timing to be in Arizona together. It seemed crazy that Charlie, the Shulls, and us were all in the same place the same week, and definitely lots of fun!

[food truck heaven]

Saturday was my last full day of break, but it seemed like the week flew by. We went to the most glorious place for brunch called Snooze: An AM Eatery. They had free coffee & baggo while we waited for a table, and my eggs benedict were sooooo worth all the time spent in line! I had two kinds - Bella Bella with arugula & balsamic drizzle and a sweet potato cake with leeks topped with Hollandaise. They were divine.

Our last adventure was to Taliesen West, the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright. It was really interesting because Alden B. Dow, a famous architect in Midland, MI, my hometown, studied under him. The property and pictures of Wright's work were eerily similar to so many of the buildings I grew up around.

[Wright refused to move anything when he had windows installed at his wife's request so they had to carve a hole in the glass for the pot to fit on the edge. Weird dude.]

And that was the end! Erin and my mom and dad dropped me off at the airport late that night for a long trip home. I think it's safe to say that I needed more than one day to recover my sleep before classes started again, but c'e la vita :)