ARIZONA: Grand Canyon/Sedona/Home

    So Friday night we celebrated the wedding at the reception in Mesa. As the bride and groom ran under our intertwined hands raised in the air, we immediately began to pack everything up to head north. Months prior to this trip, we had decided that we were so close to the Grand Canyon, 4 hours away, and it would be a shame to miss out. Since we had the only rental car, Graham's brother and his wife traveled up with us to see it. We drove for almost three hours into a town called Flagstaff. I hear it's gorgeous, but by one AM after that exhausting day I jumped out of the car destined for the bed, I wouldn't of cared if it was Atlantis at that point.

     But mysterious things were going on. We noticed huge chunks of ice, the remnants of snow, as we walked inside. Wistfully, the four of us concluded how fun snow would be, particularly since my sister in law hadn't ever experienced it, and Graham even mentioned it in our nightly prayers.

    Five in the morning we jumped up, or kind of lumbered out like knots on a log, to see the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. It was our last day on the trip and we were determined to make the most of it. We drove the remaining hour, unhappily realizing we would miss the sunrise- seriously, we only got four hours of sleep only to miss it? But away we trudged, deciding that we would do other things after we left the Grand Canyon. 

    Funny thing, so right before you hit the National Park, there is a small town- more of a tourist trap really- with a special IMAX Theatre and a single McDonald's. We were starving, so we had to get breakfast and...... Then it was like the heavens opened. Eyes turned into the size of saucers. Our prayers were heard, and even answered. Right there, next to McDonald's, was a vast open space covered in inches of snow.  

    We threw snowballs (I even managed to get hit right square in the face with one), made snow angels, captured the memories with photos. Four college educated adults played like mere children. I'm sure those driving by thought we were nuts but hey- this is a rare event for Georgians/Floridians!!  

I know I have that crazed look going on, but it was our first time together in the snow :)

    

    From this point on, we entered into the National Park to see the Grand Canyon. 

    After we made a pit stop for hot chocolate, toboggans and warmth, we left the local shops to finally witness the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. And as we finally got uphill enough, and looked over the banisters, we could see......

    Fog. Yes, that's right. We drove 4 hours with 4 hours of sleep to see fog.  With a hint of the canyon, too. We piddled around with the snow, including a looong snowball fight between Graham and Jared. (After the snowball to the eye and frostbitten fingers, I preferred to watch.)

    After our wait, this is what we came to see. So magnificent. Of course, you can't go to the Grand Canyon without matching your beloved so, please, enjoy ;)

    After staring for a substantial amount of time, the rest of the gang showed up! Las Brisas (Billy, Sunny, and Josh) pulled up, and more snowball wars induced. Sunny hadn't even played in the snow either, so he was making it a memorable occasion. The Grand Canyon was spectacular, but the snow was truly the cherry on top. 

    I just feel the need to reiterate, one more time, how fun this way. So, so, so much fun! I actually did manage to throw a snowball. :)

    We spent several hours playing and enjoying the Grand Canyon, including an old watchtower. But as someone said, you can only spend so much time looking at one thing! So we left again for Flagstaff to try a restaurant that Guy Fieri encountered. Afterwards we drove back through a town called Sedona, a really gorgeous city nestled amidst mountains. I didn't take any photos of my own, so I am shamelessly borrowing my sister-in-law's!

    Sedona was the last of our sight-seeing for the trip. We drove back to Mesa, deposited J&K to the place they were staying and made it to our Phoenix hotel by 10. We were asleep by 10:30, exhausted by such a great trip that kept us moving! At 8AM we were on a plane, rising above all of the mountainous terrain, and my mind wondered to the past few days. In that short time I had:
-had my first plane trip
-rented my first car
-finally traveled out West
-entered a new state
-been in the desert
-saw mountains
-entered two more temples
-eaten at 3 new restaurants (Jack in the Box, Cafe Rio, In and Out)
-had my first true snowball fight
-made my first snowman (albeit tiny)
-saw the Grand Canyon
-drove through mountains
-realized how much fun exploring the world could be

    Arizona easily exceeded the expectations I had for it. It was such a wonderful trip. But how ready I was to come home to my little apartment. :)