Beautiful Sedona

On Sunday, Jonathan and I explored the unique city of Sedona, Arizona. The first thing we saw the the Church of the Holy Cross, which is built into the beautiful Red Rock. This is an active church which holds catholic masses every day.


We tried off-roading it to various trails with the mini-van, but we didn't think that was such a good idea (since the shocks and struts); definitely need 4-wheel drive vehicle. Finally, we found a trail that was off a paved road, called Doe Mountain. This rugged trail led us to the top of a butte, where we were able to see a phenomal view of Sedona and the surrounding red rock formations.











Before we left Sedona to head back to Phoenix, we went to see the famous Cathedral Rock everyone told us we had to see. We decided not to hike it (6 miles), but we were able to see it from a distance. Absolutely beautiful and very unique!


Beautiful part of Arizona, definitely a must see if you ever get the chance.

Grand Canyon with Jonathan

Jonathan made it down to visit, and since he was visiting the Grand Canyon State, we needed to make the trip to the must-see Grand Canyon. Going to the Grand Canyon the weekend before with the girls, I felt like a tour guide! We got to the Grand Canyon on Friday night just in time for sunset, so we decided it would be worth seeing; it most certainly was. The Grand Canyon at sunset is a beautiful site. That night it was an Arizona blizzard (nothing what you are experiencing in the midwest), but for me who hasn't seen snow for quite some time, I was pretty excited (Jonathan was just glad he wasn't in MN).










Saturday morning we woke up early and made our way to the Grand Canyon for a day hike. We were planning on doing the Bright Angel Trail, but when we spoke to one of the workers, he said we would be lucky if we saw any sun on the Bright Angel Trail. Since it was only 23 degrees outside, we decided the more sun the better. So, we did South Kaibab Trail. I know I just did it the weekend before, but I didn't want to be miserable and cold the whole day; besides, the Grand Canyon at one angle is pretty similar at a different angle.






Since it snowed the night before, the trail was snowy and slippery; making it a little more interesting. The hike and views were phenomenal, and while in the sun, it was very comfortable (to the point we could take off hats and gloves). We made it past skeleton point an additional 1/2 mile where we sat to have lunch. We hiked about 7 miles in about 4.5 hours with an elevation change of 2300 ft.



Great day at the Grand Canyon; even the 2nd time; even the same trail. It was phenomenal the second time, and I am sure it would be breath-taking the 3rd time.

Grand Canyon

We finally made it to the beautiful site of the Grand Canyon! Friday night, Katie and Kat (2 girls from my work) and Krisanne and I left to take on the 3.5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. Saturday morning, we were up and at 'em by 7am to prepare for our big adventure. By the time we actually found the visitor's center, we decided to take on the South Kaibab trail off the South Rim of the Canyon. (This trail was in the sun, and with the temps in the low 40's, if we had an option, we wouldn't choose the shade).



We had a lot of fun hiking down the canyon wall on the slipperly, snow covered trail.









Throughout the 6 mile hike, we saw Ooh-ahh point,


Cedar Ridge, and Skeleton Point.

While we were at Cedar Ridge, we saw a California Condor (10 ft wingspan, and very rare, nearly extinct). Then, on the way back up the canyon, we saw the same Condor perched on a rock.











Krisanne indicates the Grand Canyon is a "big whole".

We were pretty proud of ourselves to say that we hiked 6 miles of the Grand Canyon in 4.5 hours. Parts were strenuous, but the views were certainly worth it.

Vegas, baby!!

Las Vegas...what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? That may be the case most of the time, but I am willing to tell you whatever you want to know. Kera and Katherine drove up to Phoenix on Friday night, and we left by 6:30 on Saturday morning to begin our journey. First stop...Starbuck's! We arrived in Vegas by late morning, and didn't waste much time before we began our 7 hours of walking south on the strip from our hotel (Harrah's). Lots of people watching, window shopping, with the occasional slip of the dollar into the penny slots. Jackpot Party became our favorite slot machine; nobody won, but it had fun music and you got to pick presents:))






We ate dinner on the rooftop of Margaritaville, then it was off to watch the water fountain show at the Bellagio (which is spectacular).











Sunday morning (while most were still in bed), we walked north on the strip to enjoy the Venetian and the Wynn...which are beautiful.


On the drive back, we took over an hour to go 3 miles to cross Hoover Dam. When we got to the dam, we thought it would be worth it for Krisanne to jump out (while we are crawling in traffic) to take a few pictures then jump back in. Well, she jumped out and as she did, the traffic began moving, so I had to keep moving, and we ended up leaving her on the dam. (But she got some amazing pictures; and she says one of her favorite parts was running across the dam).



We found a spot to wait for her, but it was half way up the mountain leaving the dam. She literally ran up to us, laughing and yelling "I ran across the dam".





Fun time spent in Vegas, and I only lost $16 in the slot machines!!!

TiJuAnA, MeXiCo

Oh, Mexico! What would a trip to San Diego be if you don't swing down to our friendly neighbors to the South. Tijuana. Where to start!! We parked in CA and walked across the border...smart thinking!








We heard a lot of espanol we have never heard...not necessarily knowing what it meant, which may not be a bad thing. After about 2 hours of walking around and trying to avoid those selling things, we felt we had the Tijuana experience.










The walk back to USA was more difficult than crossing into Mexico. Apparently more people want to go to America than Mexico...hmmm.

San Diego fun

Sunny San Diego...ahh the memories! (Sorry this is late) 2 weekends ago, we ventured to San Diego to visit one of Krisanne's Luther friends, Sara...it turned into a Luther weekend! We got there later on Friday night and Saturday morning, we walked 5 blocks to the Pacific Beach! It was beautiful! The tide was high at 9.5 feet...the surfers were loving it! And we loved watching them while we had breakfast on the beach. We drove to La Jolla to Seal Beach; there were seals everywhere!










That evening, we spent the evening at Sara's apartment where we celebrated Sara passing her Board Exam as an RN! The weekend in San Diego was too short, but definitely fun! Did you know that San Diego is green? That is something we have been missing out on in the Sonora Desert. Great time in San Diego!!!


Hangin' out on our way to the Beach.









Jenny on Mother Pelican.











San Diego and the Pacific Ocean at sunset.