Watch this video for more in depth details of our itinerary. https://youtu.be/rLAAtiCCQWc?si=rWl299i0RYYsOOj5

Arizona is often painted in the broad strokes of desert heat and cacti silhouettes. This is my second visit to this fascinating state. Previously, I had stayed with my parents in their snow bird rental in Casa Grande. We visited places like Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Kartchner Caverns State Park, Tombstone, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, a big flea market and Boyce Thompson Arboretum. The state cast its spell on me and I knew I had to return.

Many years later, I had the opportunity to experience Arizona in completely different way. With a home base of Scottsdale, we explored 2 iconic hikes of Phoenix in the evenings and then branched off to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon by way of Montezuma’s Castle and the mysterious red rocks of Sedona. The drive is unbelievable. We camped in Grand Canyon’s Mather Campsite and rose to meet the first light on Bright Angel Trail. We were back up on the Rim by noon and stayed to explore the park a bit longer before returning to Phoenix.

On our weekend, we headed south to Tuscan where we hiked King’s Canyon in Saguaro National Park, and then crossed the city to ascend to Mount Lemmon. Never had I felt like I had passed through so many environments in a single mountain drive. Mount Lemmon stole my heart and I would most certainly return.

Arizona deserves a spot on your travel map.