All the Canyons

After leaving Albuquerque, we headed to Phoenix. Hearing great things about Arizona in general, I was happily suprised by the dry heat, clean city, and peaceful atmosphere. We headed into the city during the day on Tuesday. I kind of expected more from the city but after all it was a Tuesday...so we headed to Scottsdale to spend some more time walking around, window shopping, in the nice weather. Scottsdale was a little ladi-da (spelling?) but very nice. We had a late lunch at Dos Gringros for once again another form of mexican food. Overall my impression of Phoenix was very nice, wish there was a little more going on, but I can't complain.

Our next stop: Grand Canyon. We arrived in time to set up our tent at Mather Campground and cook up some food. Knowing it gets very cold in the Southwest in the winter I was prepared to be cold, but was still shocked. It's great to go in the off season, no reservations for camping, no lines, less crowded, etc, but brrrrrr!!! I think each night (we were there for a total of three nights) was max 20 degrees. The second day we were there we walked to the rim trail and along it for about 2 miles, so neat, just like a postcard as Timmy described. Sunset over the canyon was incredible, to rub it in I send pictures of my mom and Robbie (HA!) Day three there I took some time to do some walking around the campground and back to the rim, but we mostly just hung around and caught up on reading. Next stop....Zion Canyon

We originally were going to camp at Zion as well, but as Timmy and I agreed, another freezing cold night was not in the running, especially with Vegas coming up. So we booked a hotel between Zion and Bryce Canyon. We headed to Zion on our way from Grand Canyon, getting there in the late afternoon with just enough time to do a scenic drive and the Riverwalk. Let's just say the Zion Riverwalk was A LOT different than the San Antonio Riverwalk! Both neat in their own ways obviously, but it was incredible to be in the canyon walking along a riverbed, looking up at these massive rock formations. After ooeing and aweing over Zion we headed to the hotel for long hot showers, comfy beds, and most importantly WARMTH.

We headed to Bryce Canyon on Sunday, about 1.5 hours from the hotel. Much more snow than I expected but once again quite the scene. Timmy and Andy hiked down Navajo trail into the canyon, but due to ice and mud I skipped out on it and instead walked along the rim to Sunset Point. Once again I was very impressed but Zion is still my favorite.

Sidenote......we started watching Dexter in Houston (Timmy's first time)....and just finished season four last night. Not to mention we've been watching it while camping, really roughing it! :)

Onward to Vegas today.........yikes.

Posted in: Emma