Hello! It’s Gab here checking in. So I just came back from a – much needed – mini vacation (seriously, I need mini breaks so I don’t go cray cray). I didn’t take as many photos as I should’ve, and for a good reason: I basically wanted to enjoy the vacation without ANY kind of interference, including taking photos of every single thing. In a way it felt so awesome to be so free of technology (except for a couple updates on IG and twitta).
For this mini vaca I went down to visit a dear friend of mine in Arizona, a state that has become one of my favourites! Probably because it’s WAY different than Canada. All of those desert-y landscapes are out of a movie.
Here are a few tips in case you want to visit the Grand Canyon state (which you totally should):
Bike around the Grand Canyon: yes, you can bike around the rim. SO COOL. We rented our bikes at this spot, and it was about $30 each for half a day. The staff was lovely and gave us a couple easy routes to explore. Dudes, I’m telling ya, biking around the canyon and in and out of the forest is the bees knees. Be ready to make sudden stops to snap the perfect photo and bring some snacks to have an impromptu little picnic.
Oh and there are actual bike paths along the canyon with map stations so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.
Visit Meteor Crater: if you want to feel like you’re in an X-Files episode – and you are a total geek like us – then you should definitely pop by Meteor Crater. It’s crazy to be able to see an actual – and the best preserved in the world – crater created by the impact of a meteor. Again, this attraction is only for those who love geeking out on earth/space stuff. The little museum by the crater is kinda cheesy but has neat stats and info about the site and you can buy some fossils and alien IDs HA!
On your way back from the crater you’ll get to enjoy the stunning desert landscapes, and if you’re lucky enough, you might catch an electrical storm!
Pop by Flagstaff: Flagstaff is a charming little town (well I think it’s a city?) that’s on the way to the Grand Canyon. During winter is buzzing with skiers, but on spring and summer it becomes a super chill town with cute little shops and greasy-spoon yummy eateries. A couple to try: Macy’s (good chai lattes and delicious breakfast croissant sandwiches), and Brandy’s Bakery (get the swedish oat pancakes!).
If you need to crash for the night, the beds at the Little America are pure heaven! (Don’t you love sleeping in comfy hotel beds?). Also, the graden in front of the hotel is home to a family of incredibly adorable prairie dogs.
Oh, and did I mention it was 30 degrees and sunny (almost) the whole time? Yah. Such a treat! Unlike here up north where we are still wearing boots and scarves. Oi.
Hope you get to visit these copper-hued natural beauties soon! It’s so worth it!