| |

Arizona Notes

ByEnya Young AAR afterhours blog, Jean AAR, Real Life
4 Comments
Written by 

DSCF4351I just came back from two very interesting weeks in Arizona, where I was a maid of honor at my best friend’s wedding, and which I followed up with some travelling around the state.  Some random notes after the trip:

  • Wedding: This was the first wedding I’ve been a part of, and it was very educational. Based on other wedding stories I’ve heard, I was extremely lucky in my friend, who was not at all a Bridezilla, and who went out of her way to accommodate people. The wedding was held at a resort in Phoenix, and the weather was perfect, and there were no real snags, and everyone had fun. Sounds blissful, to me.
  • Phoenix Area: I unfortunately didn’t get to see a lot of Phoenix, beyond Scottsdale (where the wedding was held) and where I stayed.  (And Barnes & Noble, where I got a NookColor!)  However, I did go to Half Price Books in Mesa, at the corner of Superstition Springs and SH 60, where I scored some awesome books.
  • Grand Canyon: Very lucky to go in the winter. The snow made it interesting, and there were fewer tourists. Down side, no mule ride into the canyon, and I wasn’t eager to brave the Bright Angel Trail in full winter.  I’m not sure I understand the grandeur of the Grand Canyon – or perhaps I should say, it’s overwhelming and difficult to grasp. Next time, I’m going to the North Rim and going into the canyon.
  • Sedona: Ten degrees warmer than the Grand Canyon, and absolutely lovely. The red rocks are so warm and inviting, and I got a good hike. Down side, it was too hot to hike in the afternoon (like, blazing, no shade kind of hot), and I toured Uptown Sedona, trying out a buffalo burger and cactus fries, and looking for souvenirs. I have never seen so many wooden guns in my life. Speaking of which…
  • Firearms in Arizona: Arizona just became the first state to have a state firearm, the Colt Single Action Army revolver. It is also one step closer to permitting licensed firearms on university campuses.

And one final thought: If I crashed my car into a ten-foot saguaro cactus, who would win? The Ford, or the saguaro?

Feel free to comment on any, all, or none of the above.

– Jean AAR

I live in Seattle, Washington and work as a legal assistant. I remember learning to read (comic strips) at a young age and nowadays try to read about 5-6 books a week. I love to travel, especially to Europe, and enjoy exploring smaller towns off the tourist track though London is my favorite city in the world.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

4 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Jean AAR

Dabney, Susan/DC – I really wanted to go to the Botanical Garden and the Heard Museum, because I heard those were the two must-sees of Phoenix. Unfortunately, all my Phoenix time was spent in helping my friend prepare for the wedding, and running errands. So I got to know the 101 and 60 highways really, really well, but that’s about it. Next time!

LeeB – That would have to be a no.

0
Reply
Susan/DC

I grew up in Arizona, and my favorite place to visit in Phoenix is the Heard Museum. It’s full of beautiful objects and interesting facts about the Indians in the American southwest. I like it a lot more than the Museum of the American Indian here in Washington. When my boys were little we would always go there when home for a visit, and they had engaging activities for all ages. Very highly recommended.

http://www.heard.org/

0
Reply
LeeB.

Interesting observations Jean. Guess you didn’t go to any spring training baseball games. ;)

0
Reply
AARPat

I’ve been to the Grand Canyon three times (once as a child, twice as an adult) and have yet to see it, depite spending a weekend on two of the visits. All three times it was socked in by fog that filled the canyon and from the top it looked like you could walk across from rim to rim. Interestingly, each time the people in the observation decks (one eerily jutting out over the canyon a little) said that the fog was rare. My husband refuses to take me back there.

But the best place to visit in Phoenix, I think, is the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens, which is a little different than most botanical gardens as it specializes in cacti and desert plants.

0
Reply