Spring Break: the non-food part

On the way down, we thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of what our own state has to offer. We made a day trip to Bryce Canyon. Although the bad weather arrived just in time for Utah's spring break, we still enjoyed our stop. It was windy and cold and it snowed off and on the whole time we were there. We pretty much drove to each lookout, ran to edge, ohh'd and ahh'd for a minute, snapped a picture and ran back for the car. We were able to do a quick hike outside of the park that was really fun for the kids. For Jenna, it was all about being able to touch the red rocks. The kids were happy to take a dip in the indoor hot tub and pool after such a cold afternoon. We are looking forward to making another trip so we can enjoy more hiking and scenery. 

While in Phoenix, we made a return trip to the the Arizona Science Center. We went last year and loved it so much, we wanted to go back. The kids love all the interactive exhibits. This year the climate exhibit (complete with wind and rain) was a big hit as well as Chad studying the inner workings of a toilet (ahem...I wonder why). 

We stayed at the the Scottsdale Resort . We were pleasantly surprised by how nice it was for the price we paid. Of course the kids enjoyed the pool. They also enjoyed the fire pit at night, making there own hot chocolate in the morning, riding the bikes provided by the resort, a little hide and seek and attending the Easter petting zoo the hotel put on. The grounds were just beautiful and I couldn't get enough of the fragrant orange blossoms. I would highly recommend this place. I'm not sure if rates are always as cheap as what we got, but it's certainly worth checking out. My sister got even a cheaper rate than we did with her AAA card (we booked on hotels.com) While out and about, Ryan drove us by Frank Lloyd Wright's last house he designed. He died before it was completed, the home was in the family until his kids recently died. It's on the market...do you think we can afford it? I'm ashamed to admit that I've yet to visit FLW's desert compound, Taliesin West, where he finished his career. Next trip for sure.

 

To counteract a few of the calories we consumed, we planned a family hike to one of Ryan and Jodi's favorite spots. We hiked a trail in the Superstition Mountains that led to a waterfall surrounded by petroglyphs. Ryan claimed it was an easy one mile in and one mile out hike. Glad he played a trick on us cause I'm not sure the kids would have lasted had they known we did over four miles. It was so cool to get up close to these Indian petroglyphs that are hundreds of years old. More and more, I'm coming to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the desert landscape. (of course, we were there in spring) The flowers and vegetation were just beautiful (even the "female" cactus I just had to take a picture of...I know, I know I'm 12yrs old).  The weather couldn't have been more perfect (it hovered at 75-80 degrees the whole trip).

We really need to thank Ryan and Jodi for showing us such a wonderful time. We loved spending time with them and are looking forward to our next visit with them!