“People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States.”

— CDC

Woohoo, I have my COVID vaccine and the CDC says I can safely travel on a plane with a mask.

Arizona here I come!

Upfront, this is not a full view of Arizona, It’s actually just a snippet of this state. I have family that live in Phoenix and I haven't seen them in quite some time. So I let them lead the way as far as itineraries, though most days it was a lot of hanging around close to their home. However, the few places we did travel together were overly touristy and busy, it's always sweeter when you’re with family.

Now, all that being said, I was able to sneak away to see a few less populated areas of Arizona, like the Sonoran Desert. I’m only sharing this trivial information because for most of my trips I’m looking for a unique experience with less people around me. This trip however, has reminded me that the busiest places are busy because there is something there worth seeing.

Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert covers large parts of the Southwestern United States in Arizona and California as well as Northwestern Mexico. The Phoenix metro area is the largest city in this desert with a population of more than 4.9 million.

My absolute favorite thing about this desert is the iconic Saguaro Cactus. The Sonoran Desert is the only place on this planet that these humongous prickly cacti grow. The tree-like cactus can grow to an average of 40 feet but some are as tall as 60 feet. Like with most succulents, water impacts their growth.

The white waxy blossoms of the Saguaro are the state wildflower of Arizona. Only after reaching the age of 35 will the Saguaro blossom each year in May. I was lucky enough to see the blossoms for myself.

Side Note- It was an early morning and I was heading out for a hike amongst the cactus when I spotted hot air balloons in the sky. So I did what most people do and I chased the balloons down, duh. I wanted to take a ride in a hot air balloon.

However, as you are probably aware, these things must be scheduled and paid for in advance. No balloon ride this time but it was a fun morning driving on dirt roads bouncing around trying to get a close up view of these delicate beauties. One day, I’m taking a sunrise hot air balloon ride.

Taco Guild

I am not a food critic. Now that that’s out of the way…...

I like food and I like unique places that have food. So the Taco Guild is my kind of place. The Taco Guild is in Phoenix and its setting is uncommon, because this is a church that was established in 1893. It no longer functions as a church but rather a kick-ass place to have some great food and drinks.

Here they don't have happy-hour but what they do have is “Confession Hour” daily from 2-6. How stinkin awesome is that!? I went for confession hour and had Angel Wings with a Holy Grail Margarita. As I type this I can still taste the strawberry hot sauce that covered my Angel Wings and the Holy Grail Margarita I used to squash the heat. I like spicy things.

Montezuma’s Castle National Monument

Montezuma’s Castle National Monument is a well preserved cliff dwelling that dates back to 1100-1425 AD. It is found in Camp Verde, AZ and it is one of the first four National Monuments ever designated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. It has been named after the famous Aztec emperor of Mexico, Montezuma. The early explorers of the west thought that this was a hideout for Montezuma but they were wrong and the name has not changed. Montezuma never made it this far North and this dwelling was abandoned approximately 50 years before Montezuma’s birth.

350,000 visitors a year come to this National Monument just to see this castle that the indigenous Sinagua people built and lived in. Although this is not a castle, it’s built more like a large apartment building with multiple living quarters for families to reside in.

I learned so much on the easy .4 mile loop trail. The informational signs along the way were typical but it was the small plant information signage that was my top pick. They not only listed the names of the plants but also what the indigenous people of this area may have used them for. Nerd Alert, I always enjoy learning incidental facts, I think it’s so cool.

Jerome/ Hwy 89A

Confession, I never got out of the car in Jerome, but I fell in love with this town in spite of that. Jerome sits about 100 miles north of Phoenix somewhere between Prescott and Sedona on the breathtaking Highway 89A. There is a section of this highway that boasts a 12 mile section with 127 curves and some of the most beautiful landscape with red rock formations. Jerome is an old copper mining town that was known to be a ruff and tumble place back in the day. Today it’s a very popular destination with many restaurants and wine bars. As we drove through I noticed that even if we were to stop, I'm not sure there was an available parking spot.

Jerome sits over 5,000 feet above sea level on Cleopatra Hill. This rock formation of a hill is said to be over 1.75 millions years old, now that’s old!

Sedona

Oh Sedona, you are such a tourist trap. Why are you a tourist trap? I know why, because you are astonishing, hair-raising, magnificent, & overwhelming. Your beauty took my breath away. As the car moved down the canyon and your red rocks appeared before me I screeched out loud, “I want to live here!” I had not yet taken in even a tenth of your landscape but I was smitten. I was ready to pack up all my belongings in Oregon and move here.

There is so much to this area and I’m sad to say I had not planned this trip. Family had only allotted one day here, and folks, one day is not enough. We almost skipped Sedona entirely. I’ve heard about all the traffic and all the people. I’ve even read that the hikes are extremely busy and parking at trail heads is a nightmare, even in the early mornings. These are all true statements, it’s rather a cluster. Still, you need to go. Make plans and get to Sedona as soon as you can. My photos do not convey the beauty of this place, you must set your own eyes on this land for yourself.

Side Note-After one week with family in AZ we took the next week to trip around Utah on our own, see my previous blog, Southern Utah, Top 8 Things To See . Butttt……. before going to Utah I had to stop in Sedona one more time and take a short hike. I simply could not live with myself if I didn’t walk among the beautiful red rocks. Sedona has won me over. I need more of Sedona.

On this trip I didn’t see the Arizona I would have planned for myself but I had a fantastic time none the less. I was able to visit with the family I had been missing. I was shown what they enjoy about their lovely state. I liked not having to plan an itinerary as well, it was relaxing and enjoyable. I liked it all, thanks Fam.

I have to share The Painted Desert Project with you, I was moved while driving on the Navajo Reservation.

PAINTED DESERT PROJECT

“Mission Statement: The Painted Desert Project connects public artists with communities through mural opportunities on the Navajo Nation.”

“In June of 2009 I started a self-funded, public art project on the Navajo Nation, Western Agency, I called “Big.” I went back through 22 years of negatives and started blowing photographs up larger than life and wheat pasting them onto roadside stands and abandoned buildings. I’m still amazed at the resonance this project has with people on the reservation and amongst travelers passing through. I’m thankful for having found this form of self expression as a means of relating to the community where I’ve lived and worked for almost half of my life.”

— jetsonorama

5 Things To See In Arizona