If you’ve been reading a while, you know that we’ve been on several vacations in the two-and-a-half years we’ve been married. (And we are tremendously thankful to have been able to take these trips.)
It started with our honeymoon to Hawaii. It was during that trip that we realized that we really enjoyed traveling together and that we could be smart with our money and travel, all at the same time. It’s all about priorities, and travel has become a priority for us.
After Hawaii, we went to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Then we went to Las Vegas, Nevada.
And Seattle, Washington.
And Victoria, British Columbia.
And San Francisco, California.
Then Chicago, Illinois.
And San Antonio, Texas.
Also Austin, Texas.
Then Key West, Florida.
And Miami, Florida.
And who could forget the mess of a trip that was Montreal, Quebec?
(Oh, and we have our annual trips to the Pocono Mountains, but those cost us nothing and therefore don’t really count.)
It is at this point that I need to point out that Montreal was in JUNE. We haven’t been anywhere since June, and as a result, we are dying to go somewhere. We can’t wait to turn Nora into a little traveler.
We’ve been debating where to go on our first family vacation, and we just could not commit. But–I’m happy to say–we finally did it. We booked flights and we are going. All THREE of us.
In May, we are heading to Las Vegas! Yes, with a baby. No, we’re not crazy. We’re not actually staying in Las Vegas, you see.
We’re flying into Las Vegas, but then we are hitting the road. Our real destinations involve nature. Lots and lots of nature. Beautiful nature.
Over the course of a week, we will explore…
Zion National Park in Utah
(Photo Credit: www.zionponderosa.com)
Bryce Canyon in Utah
(Photo Credit: www.leavinglasvegascampervans.com)
…and, of course, the Grand Canyon.
(Photo Credit: www.nps.gov)We.can’t.wait.
One of our issues is that we really, really wanted to make it over to Arches National Park, too, but couldn’t swing it given our limited time for this trip. Some day!
We haven’t booked much yet in terms of accommodations, and haven’t made any concrete plans about what to do/what to see in each park, so if any of you happen to have suggestions, feel free to throw them our way.
In the meantime, we are counting down the days!
12 Responses to Scratching an Itch
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About
I'm Heather. I'm 33 and have been married to Michael for seven years. Together, we have two beautiful little girls we love more than anything, and a miniature dachshund who drives us crazy. I'm a full-time working mom who has very little time for my own "stuff" these days, like home improvement, cooking/baking, cake decorating, and photography. Despite the team not making the playoffs since 1999, I'm STILL a Buffalo Bills fan, which I think speaks to my loyalty AND sense of humor. I can't wait to pick up the pace with travel again some day... you know, when we're done being ruled by tiny fists. Welcome to my blog.
Sounds like so much fun! It’s beautiful out there, not that I have been there but my parents have and they loved it.
Ooh, have fun! We need to go up to Bryce Canyon and Zion while we still live relatively close to them, they both look gorgeous. I’m sure Nora will love travel – she gets to spend all day with Mom & Dad, who cares where she is?
The Grand Canyon is amazing. We went a few years ago in August. The day started out sunny, then quickly turned cloudy which turned into a torential down pour. It was awesome. :) The thunder was louder than I have ever heard in my life and the electricity in the air made our hair literally stand up on our heads. Also, the actual Grand Canyon was cool to look at. :)
Oh I wish you guys could swing arches–we could meet you there and the girls could “play”
Dude, that trip is going to rock (haha, get it?) No, in all seriousness, that’s going to be amazing. I’m with Amy, the Arches are WOW, just wow! HAVE FUN!
My husband and I were engaged on a similar trip in the summer of 2009 (we even named our dog Zion after our engagement site!) For Zion I definitely recommend Flanigan’s to stay – loved it there and it’s a short walk to the park entrance. Also there is a great sandwich shop in between Flanigan’s and entrance. Bryce has little in the way of food so beware, and also only really one cheap place to stay – best western – it’s fine but nothing special but Bryce itself is gorgeous. The north rim of GC is amazing – breathtaking – awesome. I have many more tips if you want any! Oh, if you have time, Best Friends Animal sanctuary is right outside Kanabe
i’m soooooo jealous! me and hubby love travelling too but our baby hates the car and i dont know when that will end. our trips involve flying somewhere, renting a car, driving insane ammounts and hiking insane ammounts. i’m not sure how old baby will have to be to be able to actually sit in the carseat for more than 10 minutes without a complete and utter meltdown! i had to listen to 2 and a half hours of hysterical crying just trying to go see my sister last month. :(
hubby hiked down into and camped in grand canyon last month (when i was at home boo). you guys enjoy!!!!! cant wait to see your pics!!!
Be sure to plan a Grand Canyon sunset into your trip! Arizona sunsets are like nothing else! I am originally from there so a little biased, but they are amazing!
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/grca_sunrise-sunset.pdf.pdf
http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
My husband and I went to Arizona for our honeymoon in 2009. We actually stayed in Sedona, which is a few hours south of the Grand Canyon, but awesome. The Red Rocks are amazing. The Grand Canyon was breathtaking. Enjoy the trip!
We are dying too! We haven’t been away since January 2010! Jim would be so jealous of your chosen trip I can’t even tell you!
Sounds like a great trip! Our travel life has been on hold since baby came and we’re venturing out in March for the first time. I agree, it’s good to get baby used to travel early!
(P.S. I found your blog awhile back via the bump and have been enjoying all of your posts. We have the same taste in baby names, that’s for sure, though my Nora arrived a few weeks after yours!)
For the Grand Canyon, if you’re going to the South Rim, consider splurging and staying right at the at the Grand Canyon so you can see the canyon at all different times of day. We stayed at El Tovar last summer and it was fabulous. Rooms are small (built in 1905) so you might want to pick one of the newer nearby properties to have more room for Nora. And instead of dinner at El Tovar, show up early for breakfast. You get an amazing view, a delicious breakfast and none of the hassle of the dinner crowd. Have fun!