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Exquisite Day Trips in Arizona

1/2/2017

14 Comments

 
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     One of the great things about living in Arizona is that in the winter is that we can take day trips to see the beautiful landscape of our state without being hindered by extreme weather or excessive cold.  Sure, you have to be a little cautious about what the weather will be like in the high country. (We once had a slippery ride getting away from a snow trip to Flagstaff!)  But, for the most part, the weather in Arizona during the winter  makes being outdoors and sight-seeing fabulous! 
      While my daughter and her family were here for the holidays, we realized that her husband, Adrian, hadn't really seen much of the sights of Arizona.  He was interested in seeing the red rocks he had heard about.  So, we planned a day trip to Sedona.  


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Look at our blue skies!
        Sedona is an easy trip from Phoenix.  It only takes about 
1 and 1/2 hours to get there.  We didn't even get away from the house until around 10:30, because who wants to get up early during the holidays? You take the I-17 up to the turn off to Sedona which is exit 298 onto highway 179.  You follow a beautiful scenic drive that leads to the city that many find mystical and inspiring because of the gorgeous red rock formations.  My daughter, the geology fanatic, loves the striations of layers in the rocks and the formations from erosion.  It is all fascinating.
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     We went up to The Chapel of the Holy Cross, which has the most beautiful vistas of the red rock formations the and valley below.  It is a historic site in Sedona and always very busy.  It is worth the trouble of finding a place to park because of the gorgeous views.  Here is a slideshow of our visit.
    From here, you can take the road into Sedona and then continue on 89A through Oak Creek Canyon all of the way to Flagstaff.  That is a beautiful trip.  In the Summer, Oak Creek Canyon is a great place to go because of Slide Rock!  Slide Rock is a State Park with a  natural waterslide/swimming area among the red rocks that is so much fun! In the Fall, the colors of the changing leaves in Oak Creek are magical.  
       In our case, we decided to go back the way we came to one of our favorite spots for a picnic.  If you turn right instead of left off of the I17 at the Sedona exit, you follow a road to Wet Beaver Creek.  This is one of the rare creeks in Arizona that flows all year.  It is a little oasis in the middle of the high desert.  There is a great swimming hole that is deep enough to jump into from the red rock ledge.  It can be very crowded on summer weekends.  We like to plan to go on a weekday. It is worth it to take a vacation day from work. The water is always cold and it always takes me forever to get used to it, but it is a nice relief from our summer heat.  Of course, we weren't going swimming on this trip. We were just using the day use picnic site to eat sandwiches, to stretch our legs and to give our grandson some time out of the carseat.  Here is another slideshow.
        While we were out, we decided to go to another great destination that is only around 1 and 1/2 from Phoenix as well, and that is Prescott, AZ.  Heading south on  the I17 from Wet Beaver Creek, you exit onto the 169 W. and then take the 69 to drive through Prescott Valley and into Prescott. Prescott is known as Arizona's Christmas Town.  The best place to start your visit in Prescott is at the Courthouse in the center of town.  There is almost always something going on there.  We have found craft shows and art shows there at various times and during the holidays there are beautiful decorations all around it.  
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The Court House
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Adrian, Alicia and Little Adrian by the decorated gazebo on the courthouse grounds.
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We window shopped down historic Whiskey Row where there are lots of unique shops. In the ice cream parlor, I couldn't resist taking a picture of this giant snowman made out of popcorn.
        It did rain on us a little in Prescott, but it just added to the holiday feel. When you leave the city, to return to Phoenix, you stay on the 69 and join the I17 at Cordes Junction.
​          We didn't spend a lot of money on this trip either.  Just gas money and for a few drinks and snacks.  We packed our picnic lunch from holiday leftovers. After seeing all three places, we were back home by 8:00 pm. It is great to take these frugal, memory making trips!  If you live in Phoenix, or come for a visit, give these places a try.  You won't regret it!   
14 Comments
April J Harris link
1/9/2017 11:31:59 am

Isn't it funny how we sometimes don't visit places that are near to us - and it often takes someone visiting to remind us. That happens to me all the time! You have some gorgeous scenery in your home state, and I do thank you for sharing it with us at Hearth and Soul. I've featured your post at this week's party - hope to see you there!

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Helen Reynolds
1/9/2017 12:03:18 pm

That is so true April! In AZ this is one of the best times of the year to visit those places.

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Ruth link
1/20/2017 10:06:44 am

No long ago we roadtripped around Sedona, Cottonwoord, Jerome and Prescott. It has been one of the best trips ever! I really love Arizona. I wasn't able to visit last year, so,I have to start making plans for this year. #PhotoFriday

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Helen Reynolds link
1/20/2017 12:29:04 pm

Where are you from Ruth? Arizona does have some scenery that you don't see anywhere else. Our sunsets are the best around!

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Brooke of Passport Couture link
1/20/2017 10:22:58 pm

I hear many wonderful things about Sedona. It's wonderful it's so close to where you live! This is definitely a beautiful area and I enjoyed watching your slideshow--wish I could be there now.

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Helen Reynolds
1/20/2017 10:25:07 pm

The red rocks are so majestic. It is even better seeing it through other people's eyes.

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Jane @ Raincity Librarian link
5/8/2017 09:13:51 am

Those brilliant blue skies are just calling my name! While it's lovely to travel the world and visit exotic places, it's easy to forget all the amazing sights that are in our own backyards. :)

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Photogeographer link
5/8/2017 09:52:58 am

You visit beautiful places. Great photos as well

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Lisa (Travel Loving Family) link
5/8/2017 02:59:30 pm

This sounds like a great and very cheap family day out! Your photos are super and I love the way they show up like a slide show. Very clever;) Thanks for linking to #MondayEscapes

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Helen link
5/8/2017 10:09:11 pm

You are so welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

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chickenruby link
5/9/2017 08:32:11 am

i loved our visit to Phoenix and visiting the crater, wish we'd had more time there
#mondayescapes

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Lisa Blair link
7/28/2021 08:42:41 am

Thanks for sharing about your trips! I'm really interested in seeing the rock formations in Sedona, AZ.

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Dee | Grammy's Grid link
8/3/2022 10:49:37 am

Looks like a great place to visit. Enjoyed seeing your pics! Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 111 for Day Trips. Pinned.

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Dee | Grammy's Grid link
8/10/2022 09:54:14 am

CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at A Themed Linkup 112 for Weekend Trips from the previous linkup for Day Trips.

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