Spring Break 2022 - Amazing Arizona Again!

D1: Tucson, AZ! From the parking lot of the place we stayed.

Phoneline Trail 3m in Sabino Canyon. We rode the tram to the top and hiked down. So fun!

Afterwards we went back to our Airbnb and let the kids swim. Only us and the retired folks.

In the evening we visited Sagauro National Park West.

And hiked to the Valley View Overlook.

Our ride, a Ford Expedition, the best fit for this trip with so many dirt roads to trailheads.

D2: Tucson sunrise from the balcony!

We drove 2hrs to Chiricahua National Monument and hiked to the Heart of the Rocks from the visitor center 6.5m total.

Snack break!

The trail was up all the way but had gorgeous views of these unique rock hoodoos.

Rare family photo!!

Balanced Rock with my favorite poser.

Another snack break on the top. I was dying by this point. The way back down was way better.

We didn't want to leave without seeing the Echo Canyon Grottoes. Just WOW!

This section was so cool!

There were even rocks hanging above our heads.

Blessed with a gorgeous day!

The views on the drive down the mountain, still in the park.

Back at the condo to relax. We LOVED this place! Notice the same bird pilllow as us.

The kids were amused by the see through door in the master bath. Having 2 bathrooms on vacation is a huge luxury and so nice.

Our room. Josh loved this place because they had a French press coffee maker.

Aaron and Benny shared a bed. Jackson preferred the living room couch.

And this hardly ever happens! Addy got her own office room with futon.

D3: The famous Lower Antelope Canyon! After a 6hr drive to Page, AZ.

Owned by the Navajo Nation so we had to wear masks.

You can only see this place on a tour so we had to wait for groups ahead of us.

Taken by our guide.

There is a long staircase to enter, no pics allowed. This is part of the staircase leading out.

Who knew a crack in the earth could be so amazing!

D4: EPIC Buckskin Gulch - one of the longest slot canyons in the world!

We entered the slot though Wirepass Trail.

Look at the designs on these walls.

After a short mile or so we entered the magnificant and huge Buckskin Gulch!

What!? Cows in the canyon. And unfortanately their poop too.

What a gorgeous place!!!

You don't want to be here when there's rain nearby. Here's some leftover debris from the last time the canyon flooded. This branch is 50 feet high.

There were some puddles but nothing we couldn't cross and stay dry.

This very narrow section had the most water but there were rocks to step on.

I loved how the colors of the walls changed based on lighting.

I think we went about 8 miles total. The canyon opened up at some parts like this.

I had a tough time picking which pics to post. There were too many good ones.

He likes it! I think this was Josh and Jackson's favorite hike of the entire trip.

On our way out through Wirepass.

So cool! It was really windy when we left. And on our drive to Sedona we passed through an actual sandstorm. It looked just like a whiteout snowstorm but was sand. Crazy!!

Look what greeted us on our way to the Sedona rental!!

Javalinas!! This was our 1st time ever seeing one. Pics are terrible. There were 3 or 4 of them.

D5: 7 Scared Pools via Soldiers Pass to Brins Mesa Loop 5.5m

The gigantic sinkhole. Check out Josh reading the sign for perspective.

7 sacred pools. Benny trying to figure out why muddy water is so sacred. Ha!

And the best feature of all, a cave!!

It was off the main trail but no longer a secret.

The boys watching Josh climb to the very top.

I could barely watch him cross this very steep ledge.

The way out.

I loved the views and wildflowers on the loop back. We all agree, Sedona is the best!!

Relaxing back at the rental. We lucked out as it was so spacious and comfy.

The boys room with beds for everyone, never happens. They also had their own bathroom.

D6: Breakfast in Flagstaff. What a treat! Addy is still a beauty at 6am.

After 2hrs+ of driving, we stopped by the Petrified Forest National Park visitor center to see a giant log and walked the Crystal Forest Trail but none of us were very impressed.

What I had really come to see were the blue badlands!

We unfortunately took the long way to see them. The Historic Blue Forest Trail 2.4m

I thought the views would be worth it but turns out we should've just walked the paved Blue Mesa Trail 1m and seen the best of it.

After another 3+hrs of driving we arrived at the famous Monument Valley!! Check out the moon!

Luckily just in time to drive the scenic loop.

Use the cars as scale to see the actual size of these huge rock formations.

What made this place worth a visit was staying at The View Campground in a cabin.

We were all too tired to hike the Wildcat Trail around the mitten formation.

So we hung out all evening in this adorable cabin, ate cereal for dinner and watched the sunset.

The parents room.

Bunks in the hallway. And a fold out couch in the living room.

Peaceful...

D7: Before the sunrise. Epic!!

Watching the sunrise was also amazing and probably better than sunset.

Glorious! Even when taken through a window.

Later in the day, we fit in the most famous Sedona hike called Devil's Bridge 4.2m. And WOW!!

D8: Boynton Canyon to the Subway Cave 6m

We took our time on this morning, instead of arriving early. So we were not alone. See Addy and Jackson?

This is the way into the cave. Arm strength necessary.

Josh and Jackson walked along the ledge to explore other areas.

I went too but I didn't want the rest of the people taking the risk.

A nice lady took my pic while waiting for the guys to return. They climbed to the very top.

The hike back was pleasant and easy. By this point, I was getting a pretty bad sore throat. The boys had head colds all week but weren't too bothered.

Two hours later, we arrived at our final destination, Scottsdale. And left the next morning.

I was relieved to be home just in time for a raging head cold. Benny and I had ear pressure issues on the flight. And I couldn't hear until the next day. Phew! Worth it. Fantastic trip!!!