Good day to you…and it’s a brand new year…already!!! How many New Year resolutions have you? Opening up a new year feels like a breath of fresh air and a mental reset seasoned with a bit of newfound resolve. The only resolution I pledge to for 2025 is to work on better meal planning that focuses on healthy foods and better quality food choices. We will see…
Anyhow… this bright and beautiful photo above is one of ours, taken back in October, when we traveled to Sedona for my nieces wedding. You’ve heard someone say that a photo is worth a thousand words…well I’ll leave this one at that.
We could not have imagined how lovely this trip would be as it would be essentially a little more than four days total. Looking back we could have, should have, added a couple more days to this trip. Over the years I have heard many glowing comments from people that have visited Sedona and, now, I wish we would have taken that into consideration. It was simply beautiful and comfortably warm, giving us sunshine everyday and a lot of things to do. As you can assume in this photo above, we walked this trail pretty much by ourselves, only passing by a handful of others. It was very quiet, even tranquil and, yet, the trail gave us a feeling of adventure. To the few passersby (walking like “trail blazers” and equipped with proper hydration) we certainly passed for “tourists”. Although temps were reasonable for October, it did get hot! Dressed as we were without a water bottle or the fact we were wearing our “best and newest tennis shoes” it soon made sense that we stay on the trail. Glancing at this photo today I recall that the distance to reach the base of the mountain seemed like it would be a short jaunt. No so… We walked for a long time and then realized it was out of our reach on this day. Another time, perhaps? Still, it was invigorating and provided us with a nice healthy hike for the day. Just to note something: should you find yourself with the opportunity to kick up some Arizona dirt, make sure you wear walking shoes that you are willing to “dirt dye” as our white soles were orange upon our return to the car. And, by the way, this trail is right off the city’s main thoroughfare, offering a place to park and the trail does lead off in different directions. We decided to stay aligned with the mountain before us, so we could easily trek backwards and return to continue the day. As you might have guessed, we are used to city walks with street signs and stop lights as visual cues for our exact location.
Thinking back on our past life when, Art was in the Air Force, we lived in Alamogordo, New Mexico for three years. Alamogordo is situated at the base of the Sacramento Mountains. We were offered similar views of the southwest landscape…however, when we drove in to the city of Sedona, we were both taken back at the majestic forms of the mountains before us. We loved the mountains in New Mexico. I think the difference is that this was a new landscape that we hadn’t seen before and it simply took our breath away. Sedona is like an oasis that suddenly shows itself after a long drive from the airport in Phoenix. Arriving feels like a warm embrace after seeing pretty much nothing but blacktop and cactus along the way. And, the coffee shop right by our stay would create a perfect place for us to visit and linger, sipping coffee, eating scones and enjoying some great conversation. I wish I had a photo to show you…
With only two days to plan something for the two of us, we decided to visit the Grand Canyon as it is only about a two hour drive from Sedona. It is well worth the drive. We drove from Sedona on a very winding road, to be specific. It afforded us some stunning views along the way. We were absolutely taken back by the vastness and beauty of the canyon. Having just a few hours we walked as far and as much as we could to be able see as much as possible, leaving enough time to throw in a lunch and take a few photos. The second free day we planned a visit to Winslow, Arizona and “stand on the corner”! We give this destination marginal marks as, aside from the “corner” and a couple of photo ops, it didn’t do much for us. But, we can say we’ve been there! So, that’s bragging rights is it not?
Here are a few photos…very happy times.
Below are highlights of the wedding and this event was the number one reason for making the trip out west. L to R: Kristin and the bride, her daughter Alaina, The newly wedded couple surrounded by Alaina’s siblings (and now Vics family too), me and Kristin, Vic and Alaina, The entire family (children, significant others, grandchildren and Kristin and Brian (the couple in the middle that started this whole thing), the wedding party and both sides of the bride and groom, Alaina and Vic taking a moment!
As I look back on these photos I am reminded how far reaching our lives can be. Meshing two lives blends their families and their families and their families…We wish them all the very best and may their life be blessed and be a blessing!
Just for fun I am adding a few more photos just for posterity…These are a menagerie of moments including the inside of Kristin’s van with her family as well as her family doing life at their place for the wedding…a view from outside the house we stayed at, to the night of fun after the wedding. Several views of Art and me at the Grand Canyon as well as our stop in Winslow…
I hope you start out 2025 with your feet planted firmly where you need to be and that you are hopeful for a good year. Until next time, Jeanine
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