My Babies' Blog: Final Leg: Grand Canyon, Sedona and Home

Monday, April 14, we got up early, grabbed oatmeal for breakfast, packed up the van and headed to the Grand Canyon. Stopped in Seligman, AZ off of the old Route 66 at the Road Kill Cafe for lunch.

In the paddy wagon.

Then the slammer.

We got to the Grand Canyon National Park about mid afternoon, parked at the visitor's center, and walked the trail to a couple of lookout points. I carried Ava while Fiona walked for most of the trail, but let Ava (slowly) walk the end. The park requires visitors to use the shuttle to visit most of the lookouts, but there are some on East Rim that are accessible by car. We went to 3 more lookouts and then drove to Williams for dinner at Pancho McGillicuddys, a Mexican pub with really good food. Our drive to Sedona was in the dark so we missed the views, but Fiona got her first experience with switchbacks.

The deer could care less about all the people around.

Ava was enthralled with the curb for the parking lot, and both girls loved the doggy we saw.

Some of my favorite Grand Canyon shots. I was able to take a short hike (alone) while Sean stayed with the girls by the lookout area.

Tuesday, our first day in Sedona, we got up early (thanks to the time difference still) and headed out to run a few errands. The first stop was one of the visitor's centers (sponsored by a resort, which we figured out after the guy was talking with us) where we got some tips on easy hiking trails and set up a Jeep tour. We got a good deal by agreeing to listening to a timeshare spiel. Next stop was the grocery store, then we dropped off the groceries and had a snack. Sean wasn't feeling that great so he rested a bit and then we headed to Cathedral Rock (a vortex site) to hike. They also have a bunch of little Buddhas set up along the creek. Ava fell asleep as we were driving there, but I was able to get her out and into the carrier without waking her, so I could carry her while hiking until she woke her; Fiona walked until she got tired towards the end and then I carried too (by the way, did I mention that I love my Catbird Baby carrier). Sean really wasn't feeling good after that (dehydrated) so he laid down again and the girls and I first went to get snow cones by the pool, came back so I could lay Ava down for a nap, and then Fiona and I went to the pool to swim. There were a bunch of kids splashing and jumping so she didn't really like that, but we found a quieter corner. At first she just wanted to sit on the step or have me hold her, but I got her to try to float on the noodle. I held her hands most of the time, but she was able to float by herself (with the noddle) a little also. She was kicking her legs and moving around. Then she convinced me to let her go in the hot tub a little so we did that a bit until it was time to head back to the room for a bath and dinner. We made dinner in the room (chicken, rice and veggies) and then checked out some shops downtown, although many were closing already, and had some ice cream.

Towards the beginning of the trail, by Oak Creek

Lots of rock pile Buddhas. We were told that local college (engineering) students make them.

Cathedral Rock is behind us.

Here it is again.

Further down the trail there was a nice open flat rock where we ate our lunch.

Fiona had fun drawing maps in the sand for us.

The trail went along the creek. We probably went about half to three quarters of a mile into the trail and then turned around.

Ava woke up happy.

Back towards the beginning of the trail. There was a little shed and waterfall.

She still fits comfortably.

The view from the patio of the ice cream shop.

Wednesday we were up early once again. After breakfast we had time for a drive towards Boynton Canyon and a quick stop to take in the beauty, and then headed to the timeshare tour. Fiona stayed in the kids area during the tour, but it was time for an Ava nap so I convinced them to let me wear her while we toured. The guy giving the tour was really passive aggressive and tried to guilt us into buying something, but in the end we got done in about 1.5 hours total. After a quick stop at the room, we headed out for lunch at Pisa Lisa, which was not that great, did a little more shopping downtown, and then went on our Jeep tour. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable, but it wasn't like going with Dan in Moab...no obstacles, but great scenery. Ava got to sit front-facing for the ride, but slept through most of it. Fiona fell asleep right near the end also. Since we were covered in dust, we got cleaned up, then had steak and veggies in our room for dinner.

A couple of scenic shots at Deadman's Pass trailhead.

Fiona wanted to take some pictures too...of her sparkly shoes.

We also did some dancing to celebrate the beautiful morning. Fiona took this picture of me also.

Looking towards Boynton Canyon (I think).

Ava once again was happy just to play in the sand.

Fiona enjoyed climbing on the rocks.

Playing a tune while we were walking and shopping.

At the beginning of the Jeep tour.

Still towards the beginning...it didn't take long for her eyelids to get heavy.

Lots of pretty scenery.

The Jeep for our tour, and our guide (Greg, I think) talking with Sean.

More beautiful scenery.

Ha ha...yep!

I let Fiona take a few more pictures, mostly of her shoes, dress or snack cup.

Thursday was our last day of getting up early. We got packed up and then headed out to drive to Amarillo, stopping on the way out of Sedona for a couple last pictures. Then, it was lots of driving for the next 3 days. We stopped in New Mexico for lunch at a Mexican place (El Sombrero) and had What a Burger for a very late, yet tasty, dinner in Amarillo. On Friday, with the 2 hour time change (Pacific to Central), we didn't get up quite so early. After breakfast at the hotel we hit the road again. Stopped at Wendy's on Garth Brooks Blvd in Yukon, OK (his hometown) for lunch and then got a Domino's Pizza on the base at Scott before going to our suite on base. Saturday was our last day of driving...with only minor snips and squabbles despite so much time in a vehicle together. We had brunch at a Denny's in IL and then called ahead to Dewey's in Dayton to get a (good) pizza for dinner. And decided to stop by Coldstone for ice cream while we waited for the pizza to get done so Sean could get his birthday ice cream.