After leaving Arizona for 10 years, we brought the kids and grandparents to revisit. It brought back lots of beautiful memories.
Thanksgiving 2007 visit to Arizona.
Our family trip to Arizona this 2007 Thanksgiving was a very meaningful trip. This place is not only a birthplace for Lawrence and Natalie, but it was a place where the beginning of plenty of beautiful things for all of us. Our present is such a gift, and our rich history started at this memorable place -Arizona. This is the place where David and I first met, my family-James and my parents once lived-for less than 2 years, David and my first jobs, our first house since we got married, then, our first self-designed-custom-built home and of course, the beginning of our 2 kids.
After leaving Arizona for 10 years, we were due to revisit. We first visited Sedona and then Phoenix. My impression of Arizona now is that it's more than just sunshine and desert land. In Sedona, the towering red rocks is most astounding! Although, I had remembered the red rocks being more red - did the global warming had something to do with it? Sedona was mesmerizing, because of it's natural surrounding, the mini canyons allowed one to let go of oneself and just imagine... the formation of the canyons makes one think of "snoopy, Indian council meeting, palms, coffee pot,court house, bell...and many more." The Sedona's awesome inspiring landscape helps one connect with nature in a deeply personal way - relaxation is what you would gain at this breathtaking place. In the morning, we took the Sedona Jeep Tour, this scenic and historic tour was very educational for all of us. The rugged 4x4 jeep took us on an adventure to the rim of the canyon and from there we learned so much more of this natural ground from our tour guide. In the afternoon, we visited the old town where we experienced the rich Southwestern art and culture. I think if we had another day, Sedona is a really ideal place to go for a hike too. We had a very pleasant stay at the Sedona Rouge Resort and Spa.
After a one night stay and a full day tour in Sedona, we headed to Phoenix. We visited our Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale home. Stayed at Biltmore Resort, it was a pampering place to stay, Hyatt at Gainey Ranch still had the most beautiful cactus garden ever and Phoenician had the best Sunday Brunch ever!!! We met up with some old friends and visited our relatives in Chandler too, needless to say, we felt so blessed to have good friends and family.
Overall, my impression of Phoenix is that it is a hip and stylish city. The architecture can really speak for itself. The city is of full of spirit and energy. The people are kind and relaxed. Tempe - the college town - feels young and vibrant. You can obviously see why this city won its title as the best run city in the country, the streets and airports are well-organized and spacious. There are beautiful green lawns and lush landscapes planted in this well-planned community city. I was surprised with how lush it can be, seeing the full bloom surrounding, it was colorful. Everything in AZ was in a grander scale, the street signs are bigger and clearer, the hotel resort pools come in multiples, the buildings are not tall but big and wide, the shopping malls are spacious and the ceilings are high. I would describe Scottsdale Tempe, & Phoenix - the "New Age" city -youthful, energetic, innovative and modern.
It's a short 4 day trip, but a real sentimental one, we reminisced the old and discovered some new. The kids echoed how much they would like to go back again. WE are so blessed to have this chance to bring grandparents and the children to visit Arizona. It was certainly a very meaningful trip!
J
