There is no Arizona

As I've discussed in other posts, the main (and sometimes only) highlight of my job is the ability to fly for little or no cost. This benefit, coupled with a good hotel rate, makes leisure travel on my measly salary possible. However, before you turn green with envy and start cursing my existence, you should know that I have to be extremely flexible with any travel plans I do make, because I only get on a flight if there are empty seats left over after everyone boards. It is a regular occurrence that I get up at 4 am and head to the airport for that first flight, only to find out that I didn't make it on and have to try for the next one. It's extremely tedious and very frustrating, but wouldn't be a huge deal at all if I have extra days off, with which to be flexible. Unfortunately, I usually have only 3 days off at a time, so here we are.

Recently, my mother and I decided to take advantage of some rare extended time off that I had, and made a spur-of-the-moment trip across the country to Arizona. We did all the typical touristy things- visited the Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Sedona, Montezuma castle, etc. We also drove along historic route 66. After seeing all of these things, I've got to say, the Grand Canyon wasn't all that grand. Sure, it was pretty cool to see, but I really think people make a huge fuss over nothing. I see a lot of stuff from up in the air, and the Canyon actually wasn't all that impressive. Montezuma castle and well were much more impressive, and the red rocks of Sedona topped them all.

The natural beauty of those massive, bright-hued marvels is truly awe-inspiring. I also thoroughly enjoyed the fact that I got to enjoy them from the comfort of our air-conditioned rental car instead of walking around in the sweltering August desert heat like we had to do for all of the other sites we visited. I'll stay out in the snow all day, but nothing makes me more miserable than heat- dry or otherwise.

Above are pictures of the red rocks that I love so much!!

This is a picture of the Montezuma well, a sacred spot for the ancient natives.

The Riordan Mansion is an arts and crafts style duplex from the early 1900s, owned by two brothers and their two wives, who were sisters. Each home is its own separate residence, a mirror image of the other, connected by a common room in between the houses. As a former interior design student, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of this property. One of the things that I found the most peculiar about this residence is that several generations of the family lived there from 1904, when it was built, through the 1980s, without updating any of the furniture, appliances, or decorations! It's kind of crazy to think of people in the 80s living in a house with accommodations from 1904. I highly recommend checking out this historic gem if ever you're in Flagstaff, AZ.