Arizona trip

A few weeks ago Mommy, Daddy, Wesley, Mark, Hillary and I flew out to Scottsdale, Arizona. It was the longest flight (three hours) that Wesley had ever been on, but he did very well. The reason we went to Arizona is because Mommy, Daddy and Hillary have a business conference there. 

Most of the time when people who have never been to Arizona try to imagine what the scenery is like, they think sand, sand, cacti and more sand. Before I went there, that was how I thought too. At first, when our plane landed, I still thought I was right. However, as soon as all of us and our luggage (of which there was a lot) arrived at the hotel, I knew instantly how wrong I was. The Phoenix area is surrounded by mountains. Although far from being snowcapped, they all shout the glory of our Maker. There were two mountains visible from our hotel named the Camelback mountains. If you looked at them just right, it appeared that a giant camel had decided to lie down and take a nap.

Saturday we went out to supper with Mammaw and Pappaw, who have a winter home in Scottsdale. Sunday morning everyone piled into the car to go hike the South Mountain. Daddy, Mark, Hillary and I climbed it. Until then, I had never climbed a mountain before. There wasn't a particular 'path' to go along, and you had to kind of make up your own trail as you went. Although challenging for my first time, it was extremely rewarding to look down and tell yourself 'I just climbed that.'  

For lunch we ate at a seafood restaurant with Pappaw, Mammaw, Mammaw's brother Uncle Denny, and his wife Aunt Diane. The restaurant had a little courtyard with a fountain and some flowers. On the way in, Wesley saw the water. Needless to say, all he was talking about at lunch was "see the water!" "see the water!" After everyone was finished eating we caravanned to the courtyard where within two minutes he had succeeded in completely soaking his hat by way of submersion, and looking as if a hurricane had come through. 

Tuesday was the last day of Mommy and Daddy's meetings, so the next morning the car trip up to Williams, AZ started. (I know, awesome name.) The trip would take roughly three hours. If Phoenix was pretty, northern Arizona was indescribable. Passing through large rock formations, then lush green mountains, and towards the end of our drive, an area called Camp Verde or Verde Valley. Since "verde" is the Spanish word for "green", I came to the conclusion that there would be plenty of trees. I was not disappointed. There are so many trees that there is a national park there! Half an hour later, we arrived in Williams. Williams is a small town on the historical Route 66. There is an old restored train that runs every couple of days from Williams to the Grand Canyon. We got to spend the night in Williams, then early the next morning we headed out on the train. When you stepped onto the train you felt as if you had stepped back in time. Everything from the exterior paint to the green plush seats that face each other, makes you feel like Roy Rogers should be riding up any minute. The ride up to the canyon was peaceful, scenic and uneventful.

Anyway, we had finally arrived at the Grand Canyon! First we took a tour bus to a couple of  different viewing points. There is a river that runs through the bottom of the canyon. The river is called the Colorado River. It is so blue! While on the tour, our guide was talking about how much the Colorado River carves away each year. 5/8 of an inch, he declared. If so, I thought, how much more would the Great Flood would have carved away in a little over a year! 

After the bus dropped everyone off at the Maswick Lodge, it was time for a late lunch. Most of the afternoon was spent gazing at the beauty and majesty of The Lord's wonderful creation. Thursday afternoon Mommy was tired because Wesley had been up for the rest of the night. While she rested, Daddy and I grabbed thestroller and Wesley, and took a walk along the rim of the Grand Canyon.  As we rounded the bend, Daddy discovered a cave. The cave was about two feet from the edge, and you had to hop down two feet to get to the mouth, but it was on a very solid six foot by ten foot ledge. The actual cave itself was supported by three stone pillars, and open on two sides.

That evening, in the woods behind the hotel, Wesley and I discovered a dried up creek bed. Wesley loved hopping around in that, while I tried jumping from one side to the other side. When I eventually landed one of my attempts on the opposite side, Mommy and Daddy had a very exciting surprise for me!

Mommy and I would be going on a helicopter ride into the canyon! That was very exciting! Our adventure would begin Friday morning at 8:00. After a quick cab ride to the helicopter place, and a instructional video about the "various safety features of your aircraft", Mommy, four other passengers and myself clambered onto the bright red helicopter. Mommy and I sat in the front seats, and could see out of three sides! Words and pictures fail to do it justice. Seeing as it's impossible to convey that message in words, there is a slide show at the end of this post. 


All in all, our Grand Canyon adventure was very fun and awe-inspiring, and I enjoyed the time spent with my family.