In March, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting Sarah for a long weekend getaway—and what better way to reintroduce her to Arizona (she hadn’t been here since childhood) than with a whirlwind tour of some of the state’s most iconic sights and flavors?
Canyon Lake & Prickly Pear Surprises
We kicked things off with a short scenic drive out to Canyon Lake, just 30 minutes from home but a world away in terms of landscape. The skies were crystal clear, the views stunning—and yes, there’s water in Arizona! I think Sarah was genuinely shocked to see a real, full lake surrounded by rugged desert cliffs.
Of course, we couldn’t resist stopping at one of those delightfully kitschy tourist traps nearby. Sarah embraced the full experience, indulging in a prickly pear ice cream cone and bravely hugging a cactus. (Not to worry—she was thorn-free when done!)
Montezuma’s Castle & a Dog-Friendly Detour
On our way north, we made a quick but meaningful stop at Montezuma’s Castle, one of the few truly dog-friendly national monuments—so naturally, Jax joined the fun. Staring up at the ancient cliff dwellings nestled in the rock was as awe-inspiring as ever, and it made for a perfect stop on our road to the big finale.
Yabba-Dabba-Do: Bedrock City & The Grand Canyon
Next came a detour into nostalgic weirdness: Bedrock City, a Flintstones-themed roadside attraction that’s part vintage kitsch, part photo-op goldmine. Watching Jeff and Sarah pose inside a full-sized Flintmobile was the kind of moment that just begs for a caption—and a fridge magnet.
We rolled into the Grand Canyon just in time for sunset, and the view did not disappoint. It was just as breathtaking as I remembered, and Sarah was completely wowed. But the surprise of the evening? A rare sighting of a pay phone. Naturally, we recorded the moment like it was a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.
Then the temperatures dropped to 21 degrees, and things got very real. Let’s just say, tent camping in March at the Canyon may not have been our best idea. Sarah and I layered up with hand warmers in every available crevice—socks, mittens, leggings, you name it. Lesson learned.
Bucket List Bites: In-N-Out & Mexican Food
Back in Phoenix, we checked two more items off Sarah’s Arizona bucket list: her first-ever In-N-Out burger (yes, it lived up to the hype) and some authentic Mexican food. One restaurant was so generous with the water refills, we were pretty sure they mistook us for dehydrated hikers straight off the trail.
A Perfect Ending: D-Backs Spring Training
To wrap up the trip, we took Sarah to a Diamondbacks Spring Training game—a quintessential Valley experience. Sunshine, hot dogs, and baseball? Yes, please. There’s just something about sitting in a stadium surrounded by palm trees that makes the game feel extra special.
We packed a lot into one long weekend—cactus cuddles, canyon chills, and plenty of laughs. It was the perfect blend of adventure, nostalgia, and Arizona flavor. Until next time, Sarah… dad, the desert, and Jax will be waiting!
