Unpacking Arizona
We made it to our hotel in Tempe, AZ and worked on preparing my mom for an early departure Friday morning to head on a little road trip to see the Grand Canyon!
To say Nana has a hard time making decisions is an under statement so just picking an outfit can be an event. I ran out to grab coffee and received this message from Jordan! We were already 30 minutes past our planned departure.
Thankfully that was just a little hiccup and we hit the road soon after. We traveled up I-17 and then shot over to Sedona on a more scenic route. Sedona was a precious little town and I wish we would have had a little time to explore a little more. These red rocks were so beautiful.
So glad my mom got to take this all in!
From Sedona we took route 89A which is a scenic route through Oak Creek Canyon and climbs from about 4500 feet to 6000 feet on a beautiful winding road. You can find more information about this scenic route here. I’m loving this picture with Jordan’s reflection in the mirror.
There were seriously some moments that literally took our breaths away as we came around a bend in the road.
We stopped at a scenic rest stop to soak in a little more beauty at the top and were able to talk another visitor into taking a picture for us!
We then headed to Flagstaff and on to the Grand Canyon.
Jordan is seriously afraid of heights….and umm..dying….and she was really freaking out at the people across the way who had walked out onto the rock. I’m sure it was probably much wider than it appears from where we are standing but she seriously could not take watching them walk around out there.
I stepped over some rocks to take an outfit of the day pic and I promise I’m like 5 feet from the edge of the canyon and I thought we were going to have to get the girl a chill pill in a hurry.
We drove back into town and stopped at a little mexican restaurant, Playa Bonita, and Jordan immediately insisted on a margarita to calm her nerves!
The food was delish and hit the spot and we hit the road back to Phoenix. We traveled straight interstate on the way back to make it in time for the first game!
These signs along the interstate are a little unnerving! Sure am glad I didn’t see any runaway trucks. It was definitely a little different coming down from 6000 ft than it was going up.
We made it back in time to watch a great game. TCU took game one 3-0 and everyone was happy! It was pretty late and we had a long day so we grabbed a quick bite to eat with Riley at the Mellow Mushroom on Mill Avenue and headed to bed.
Saturday morning we slept a little later and headed to Mill Avenue to find a patio for lunch and enjoyed the beautiful Arizona weather. We settled on the Gordon Biersch Brewery which had an upstairs patio.
Our waiter was super friendly and helped us choose a beer. I love trying out beers at local breweries and this one did not disappoint. I didn’t realize this restaurant is actually a chain and has lots of locations until returning home but that didn’t change my mind it was still a great choice. To see if there is a location in your area visit the website here.
This girl doesn’t even realize her true beauty. My first baby that stole my heart.
We decided to share a few small plate items. Our first choice were these little lobster & blue crab melts. Here is how they were described on the menu: our signature mix of lobster and jumbo blue crab topped with havarti cheese and bacon on butter-toasted sourdough bread. served with cajun remoulade and a fresh chive garnish. Holy moly these suckers were delicious!
We couldn’t pass on the “legendary” garlic fries which were also delish and we tacked on these little grass fed beef sliders complete with arugula, tomato and brie.
A beautiful, perfect start to our day!
Back to the ballpark and it was another really close game but unfortunately the Frogs didn’t come out on top this time. ASU won 7-6.
Back to Mill Avenue for dinner and drinks on the patio at Z’Tejas. It was so nice to be able to enjoy so much outdoor dining. I’m so ready for spring here in Texas! They serve melt in your mouth cast iron skillet cornbread that was just too good to pass up and no time for a picture because we ate it so quickly!! The Chambord margaritas were perfect and Mom & I shared these yummy fish tacos.
These two make me so proud! I don’t even think they realize how much they helped shape me into the person I am today.
We enjoyed a few shops along Mill Avenue before heading back to our hotel.
Last morning in Tempe and we headed for a quick brunch at Postinos. Some of our Tempe friends joined us and we enjoyed mimosas and some great breakfast food. I failed to take my big camera in so unfortunately my pictures stink.
Jordan had the farm scramble: Roasted Yukon Gold potatoes scrambled with fresh eggs, herbs, onions, gruyere and white cheddar served with mixed greens and tomato salad. I tasted a bite and was so having food envy!
Mom and I chose the Morning Scramble: Two eggs your style, bacon, walnut toast and roasted potatoes. It was tasty but nothing mind blowing. The walnut toast and jam, however, was a little different and I could have eaten more!
Back to the ballpark for a 12:30 game and another day of gorgeous weather.
The hardest thing about Riley being a closer is we just never know when he might be called into the game. I’ve seen him come in all three games in a weekend once but typically he will only come in once or twice max. I knew when I booked this trip we were taking a chance that we might not even get to see him come in and I knew after he didn’t pitch on Friday or Saturday that we would more than likely miss him unless the game moved super quick. Of course we tied the game and he was beginning to get loose and we had to head to the airport. Here are the pictures I took of my handsome boy.
TCU scored a run in the top of the 9th to gain the lead 3-2 and Riley came in to pitch the bottom 9 and earned a save! So we missed the ending of the game and because I delayed leaving until the last possible second…..we also missed our flight! Thankfully we made it onto the next flight standby and arrived back home about 2am Texas time.
It was a quick trip but we saw some beautiful sites and I enjoyed the time I spent with my Bigs and my mom.
Arizona was beautiful! Definitely hoping to go back for a longer stay with the rest of the family.
And if you missed my Tips for Traveling With You Mom post on Friday you can still check that out here
Oh my goodness those pictures are beautiful!!! Looks like yall had a great trip!
Thanks Megan…it was beautiful! Hope you guys are thawing out!
Your pictures are gorgeous!!! I had a hard time picking my favorite but the one of Jordan and her reflection is definitely at the top of my list! Beautiful, beautiful girl! Outside of Flagstaff is where Mike and I got stranded in the snow that year on the Interstate! Fun times! Sedona is on my bucket list! It looks amazing and the perfect place to just relax and take it all in. So glad you guys had such a good time! Looking forward to hearing more tomorrow night!
You packed a lot into that weekend…looks like you had lots of fun and great weather! The Grand Canyon might be on our vacation plans for later this year.
It would be a super trip for your family! Secretly hoping Riley might be drafted by a team that has spring training in Arizona so next year I can take a longer vacation with the entire family. 🙂
Fashion comes to Flagstaff! Jordan's Bailey's comment and the pic of you wearing boots with everyone else wearing tennis shoes totally cracked me up! So me!! You gotta look good for the freakin' Grand Canyon!
Hahaha….I suck at dressing down…I really need to try and master that!
I just found your blog yesterday and I am loving it. What I love most is your positive attitude and the obvious love you have for all your children (and the humor about your Mom). Jordan is most definitely a beauty. I like her approach to saying that Nana was requiring some patience. She's also quite right to have a fear about going so close to the edge at the Grand Canyon. It's not safe at all, something my family unfortunately knows all too well. Good luck to your son in getting picked up by the pros. I lived in Tucson for 5 years. The weather is incredible and the desert has its own kind of beauty.
Hi Wendy and welcome! Thanks so much for your comments. If we get to go back next spring I hope to make it over to Tucson too. I absolutely loved the weather and would love to see more of the dessert landscape. We really wanted to go up in a hot air balloon but just couldn't make it fit.
OH wow! Those pics are breathtaking and the food…oh my! Also, LOVE that blue wrap cardi! it's one of my fav closet pieces (although mine is pink). Have a great day!
Thanks! And I have the pink one too….eek…I have 3 now and really want one more but had to stop myself. Have a great day!
GORGEOUS pictures! looks like you had a blast!
Thanks! It was quick but fun!
Amazing trip!! And how special to spend that time with your girls 🙂 I LOVE that outfit of the day picture you got – even if you are pretty close to the edge, whew!
Haha….thanks girl
First off your pictures are incredibly gorgeous! I've always wanted to go there. Secondly, I love Gordon Biersch— I've been to the one in DC, Maryland and their Myrtle Beach location many times and I highly recommend it as well. Loved your travel recap!
Thanks so much Jenny! I was excited to see they actually have locations in the Dallas area too. It was so darn good!
So fun! I loved visiting the Grand Canyon last year! It is such a wonderful place!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
It was amazing….I can't wait to go back and spend more time there. I will for sure have to look up your blog post about it!!
What an awesome trip!!! I live in Phoenix so I know all of these places you visited and enjoyed seeing them in pictures again 🙂 Your children are gorgeous! Your daughter could be a model. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay, you came at perfect timing weather-wise!
Thank you so much Jessica….I will definitely pass that along to my daughter…she has no clue she's beautiful! We absolutely loved your city and hope to come back!
Loved reading this!!! We LOVED Sedona…so beautiful…what a great trip😍!!
I really, really think Sedona is someplace I'd love to visit again. Perfect little couple getaway!
Looks and sounds like a pretty great trip! I am terrified of heights as well, and those people would seriously freak me out! All that food looks yummy! Mellow Mushroom is one of my favorites when I am around one 🙂
Seriously…..if I look at the picture for too long I still get a little nervous! Have a great day!
I just love visiting AZ! Such gorgeous backdrops! Thanks for linking up with Tuesday Talk!
The scenery is amazing! Thanks for hosting Becky!
Arizona is gorgeous! And I love your wrap cardi 🙂
Looks like a great trip! I've never visited the Grand Canyon, but it's on my list! Thanks so much for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday! I hope you stop by to link up with us again this week. Remember the party starts tonight at 10pm!
Christie ~ Sparkles of Sunshine
Thank you Christie! You definitely need to make it to Arizona….the Grand Canyon is amazing but the scenery all around is just beautiful. Thanks for hosting the link up!
I've always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon. This has made me want to go even more. The pictures are great. All three of you look lovely and like you are having a great time! 🙂
Thank you April! It was a quick trip but words cannot describe the beauty. You definitely need to see it to soak it in.