Road trip time! Matt and I were pretty excited to get out of Utah for a little fun and some exploring of new places. Major League Baseball is back in business for a full season this year! So Matt and I decided to head to Arizona for a spring training game. It was a first for Matt, and obviously if he hasn't ever been, then I for sure haven't been. We got tickets for a Padres vs Indians game played in Peoria, Arizona. We didn't fly to Phoenix, which would have been much quicker and probably cheaper than driving, because we really wanted to see and experience the Grand Canyon. This also would be a first for both of us. So we hit the road in my blue Subaru Outback and began a mini adventure for two empty-nesters.
On our way south, we drove Highway 89 through Kanab and onto Page, AZ to see the Glen Canyon Dam. Impressive.
HW 89 continues south through Hopi Reservation land. It was beautiful in its own way, although the poverty and isolation of the small communities along the road were depressing. Flagstaff was a pretty town. It began snowing there, but thankfully, it wasn't sticking to the pavement. Nature began changing as we descended out of the Arizona mountains and forests. Seguaro cactus appeared which was exciting for us since we had never seen them in person. As the sun set, they were silhouetted against a beautiful purple sky.
Our hotel was in Surprise. We got a late, yummy dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. After a good night's rest, we made our way to the game and got some subpar ballpark food for lunch. But we were happy anyway because it was a part of the baseball experience that we were robbed of last year. Spectators were spread out and were supposed to wear masks unless actively eating. I'd say that half weren't wearing their masks when they should have been. But I didn't really care because we were outside. The weather was pleasant with a nice breeze and beautiful clouds. A little taste of summer... or at least spring.
After the game, we drove into Phoenix and went to the Desert Botanical Garden. It was so interesting for us to see so many types of cactus and other desert plants. Plus, it was just really nice to be outside moving...not sitting in a car or in a stadium chair. In one area, there were giant cactus and the sign said that they were some of the original plantings in the garden during the 1930s.
The next morning, we drove north to make our way to the Grand Canyon. We left 64 degrees and went back to cold, snowy winter in the 20s. But the scenery made it all worth it! Before entering the park, we had a quick sit-down lunch in Tusayan and watched the IMAX movie about some of the history of the canyon. We got free entrance because of the new veteran's card Matt has. Here's our first view of this grand national park at Pipe Creek Vista.
We were lucky to be here on this partly cloudy and cold late afternoon because the next day was much worse. We got to enjoy the setting sun and ever-changing shadows on different parts of the canyon as we walked along. Absolutely breath taking and inspiring! We checked into our hotel on the south rim called Thunderbird Lodge. It's between El Tovar and Bright Angel Lodge. We were on the second floor and had a nice view of the canyon out our window. We got a take-out dinner of a yummy salad and chili from the El Tovar restaurant and ate it in our cozy, warm room.
Saturday morning at 8:00, we bundled up and jumped on the red bus line. We hopped on and off at several viewpoints including Powell Point, Hopi Point, The Abyss and Hermits Rest. Again, it was beautiful despite the weather. The evening before, Matt's dad had told him that he and his family had lived and worked at the Grand Canyon just before Eric had gone on his mission. Eric's father worked for the uranium mine that used to be here on the south rim. Well, that morning, we happened to stop at Powell Point and discovered that it was right there that the mine was located. Matt felt a neat connection with his dad and grandfather.
The thick clouds were low and growing more thick with each passing hour. So was the wind and light snow. When we got back to check out of our hotel at 11:00, it was coming down pretty good and you could barely see into the canyon. We bought a postcard and sent it to Piper at the local post office and grabbed a hot turkey sandwich and chips to share. We made our way to the visitor's center which proved to be disappointing and lacking in cool souvenirs. But we found a nice Christmas ornament to take home. Crowds were pouring into the park on our way out which was crazy. The canyon was hardly visible by then, and so many people didn't have on proper warm clothing for the storm that had blown in. Bad day to come for sure.
The weather on HW 40 between Williams and just passed Ash Fork was scary. Visibility got to be really poor and the roads were covered in snow. It was white knuckle driving for quite some time. But we were okay in the end, and it just made for a more adventurous road trip. As we came down in elevation, the temperature went back up to 65 degrees. We stopped at the Hoover Dam near Las Vegas and again marveled at the engineering that holds back so much water. Amazing.
