When you hear the word "grand" what do you think of? Something that's worth a $1,000? Maybe you're hungry and think automatically about Pillsbury's big biscuits. What about a piano? Well, personally I think of the Grand Canyon.
I have a confession to make - we went to see it this weekend. Bet you didn't even know we were gone, did ya? Yes, the big guy loaded his "woof" and his "wiff" into the Jeep on Friday morning and off we went on a mini vacation/adventure. It was lovely! Lovely to have some time together away from the every day routine; lovely to see scenery other than cactus; lovely not to have to cook, worry about what to cook or clean up after. Yes, it was all just lovely!
We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Flagstaff called the Drury Inn right across from Northern Arizona University. It's a wonderful place - peaceful, quiet, great service and yes, they even welcome 4 legged guests. We walked the University grounds, soaked in the sights, smells and sounds of Flagstaff and Max even got to play in the snow (what was left of it). I think he really thought it was just another kind of beach sand. Ha. We honestly fell in love with Flagstaff - the topography was so familiar we could have been in Sisters or Bend, Oregon. I can now say I've found the first place in Arizona I could live! Only trouble is it is 200 miles north of where we do live.
The Grand Canyon is absolutely magnificent - breathtaking. The colors are incredible and the expanse of the view amazing. We drove the South Rim, stopped everywhere we could and the big guy even proved that you can have Starbucks anywhere! He made a pot of fresh coffee with our Starbucks french press and we enjoyed the view of the canyon at the same time. Now how many people can say they did that? And yes, that's my Eastern Oregon cowboy in the pic on the bottom right and behind him is the incredible vista we enjoyed over our coffee (and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies too). Honestly, it was the best cup o' joe I've had in my entire life and I didn't even have to tip the waiter (much)!
On the way back yesterday we drove through Sedona and checked out the red rocks.While the scenery is incredibly beautiful and the town itself looks very affluent, my biggest memories will be of the trillion or so traffic circles you have to navigate to get outa' this tourist mecca. Ewww!
Now I know you're dying to ask what/where we ate while we were gone. Well, I won't go into the details too much. Suffice it to say we did just fine in that department. I do need to admit we did check out Salsa Brava, a restaurant reviewed by Guy Fieri in Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. You know what? He was right! The food is incredible as you can see from the picture. This was the meal selection for dinner on our second visit. The first visit we were too busy eating to take pictures.LOL
We picked up John Conley's cookbook and I'll be cooking from it very soon. In the meantime, if you've a chance, order it on-line at his web site. It is well worth the investment.
So that's it. Our weekend adventure is over and it's Monday again. I only have one problem. The Maxer dawg's wondering where we're going next!
What a great adventure!!!! I love that part of the country!!!!! Breathtaking - truly breathtaking!!!
Posted by: Nanan | 03/22/2010 at 11:12 AM
Lea - it is beautiful isn't it! Hope you had a super duper weekend too.
Posted by: June | 03/22/2010 at 01:05 PM
Oh June.... what a wonderful trip you had! I absolutely loved all the photos of course, but the one of Max just melted my heart. Glad to hear that you had such a wonderful weekend!
And I'm so happy that you didn't fall off the edge of the Grand Canyon....lol
Posted by: Mags | 03/22/2010 at 08:24 PM
It was a great weekend Mags and Max had a blast. He made lots of new friends at the hotel, particularly little girls. What a "chick magnet". As for falling off the edge, quite honestly after my first look I didn't get close unless there was a railing. LOL The big guy took all the pics!
Posted by: June | 03/23/2010 at 07:04 AM
Wow! Diet must have worked...the great hunter is looking quite drawn up and fit. (I'm sure you look just as spectacular behind the camera). Beautiful!
Posted by: Sophia | 03/30/2010 at 06:35 PM
Sophia - not bad for a guy that eats my cookin' eh? Me...not so much, that's why I took the pic. Ha.
Posted by: June | 03/30/2010 at 07:13 PM