I never thought I would find so much beauty in a hole in the ground. Then I stood at the Grand Canyon.
The Southwest has a way of surprising you. Its wide-open spaces, dramatic cliffs, and quiet beauty make you stop and stare. I expected a pleasant week driving through Arizona with my girlfriends before a convention in Las Vegas. Instead, we found adventure, discovery, and plenty of laughter.
Hot? Yes. But wow.
On an earlier trip to Las Vegas, I slipped away to visit Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon’s West Rim. That is where you will find the Skywalk, a glass walkway extending over the canyon. You step out, look down, and briefly reconsider your decisions.
Scary? A little. Spectacular? Absolutely.
I also visited the South Rim, riding between scenic stops before returning to my convention. This time, I wanted more time to explore.
My girlfriends and I flew into Phoenix, rented a van, and headed out. We spent two nights in Rimrock, our base for exploring the Sedona area.
Our first stop was Montezuma Castle National Monument, a remarkably preserved cliff dwelling with 20 rooms across five levels. The knowledgeable rangers brought its history to life. Looking up, I imagined families climbing ladders to reach home. Forget carrying groceries upstairs. This was commitment.
Nearby, Montezuma Well offered ancient dwellings and an unusual ecosystem that includes leeches. Beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and leeches. The Southwest keeps you guessing.
In Sedona, we took the Cliffhanger off-road tour. The red-rock views were spectacular, and the ride was rocky. By “rocky,” I mean you become very well acquainted with your seat belt.
Next came the Grand Canyon. Staying in a lodge gave us time to enjoy sunrise and sunset along the rim. Watching the light change across that enormous landscape was worth slowing down for.
I did not hike into the canyon. Going down sounded manageable. Coming back up concerned me. There was plenty of awe available without asking my knees to participate.
From there, we headed to Williams, full of Route 66 character. After lunch at a throwback diner, we checked into the Red Garter Inn, a restored former saloon and bordello.
We stayed in Big Bertha’s Room. Now there is a name with more personality than “Room 204.”
Despite the ghost stories, our night passed without incident. Apparently, the spirits understood this was a girls’ trip and gave us our space.
Williams was a delightful town to walk, with street performers, good food, and plenty to explore.
Later, we headed toward Flagstaff to find a waterfall.
We never found it.
We did find lovely lakes, friendly people, and roads well off the beaten path. Sometimes the unexpected stops become the stories you bring home.
That was the Southwest for me: grand views, quiet moments, fascinating history, and laughter with friends. I went expecting a pleasant drive. I came home wanting to return.
And that hole in the ground? It turned out to be quite something.
Ready to plan your own adventure? Give me a call, and we’ll put it together. I love helping others discover the wonders of the world.
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