Arizona Road Trip

A couple of weeks ago we were LUCKY enough to head to Arizona for a week-long road trip with Ben's Mom and Dad to stay at Ben's sister's house in Phoenix. It was SO fun and relaxing! You have to know when you are caravaning with my father-in-law Steve that you are not going to be taking a direct route to get to your final destination. Steve LOVES to drive and see the country, and we were happy to travel along with him and have him show us some neat places he has discovered between Lehi and Phoenix. The first night we drove to Green River. On the way there, Mitt was AMAZING and Mariah was in heaven riding with Grandma and Grandpa in their new SUV (with DVD player.) She watched Snow White and Pippy Longstocking over and over. Mitt FINALLY napped, which meant I got a bit of shut eye myself. The next morning, Green River was a FREEZING 5 degrees when I headed out for a run. BUURRRR! (They didn't have an indoor exercise facility, so I had no other option.) Luckily I brought warm running clothes. After leaving the hotel, Steve took us to an old Indian town, I can't think of the name right now, but it was a stop for the pioneers long ago. Ben and I walked around with Steve while Grandma stayed with the sleeping kids in the car.
Steve then took us to a lookout spot where we could see where Butch Cassidy used to hide out. Too steep for terrified-of-heights-Marilyn, she actually got out of the car and walked about 1 mile AWAY from the cliff.

We kept driving toward the Grand Canyon and went to a hotel/tourist store and spent some time browsing before we ate some yummy soup and salad for dinner.
We then continued on to the Grand Canyon. The next morning the Grand Canyon was a balmy 18 degrees for my morning run. MUCH better than the day before, but still not what I had in mind for my Arizona trip running weather! Running into the Grand Canyon was beautiful, but not what I expected at all. The road was lined with pine trees the whole way! After my run, we all packed into Steve and Marilyn's car to head into the Grand Canyon. OH MY GOSH. I can't believe how AMAZING it is there. Marilyn was too nervous to get out of the car and walk to the viewing areas, so she stayed with Mitt Man while he slept. Mariah was tired and didn't want to smile for the camera.

Steve is definitely one of my very favorite men in the whole world. To answer my sister's question, Yes Katie he really is that nice!


We then made our way into Phoenix. We stayed with Ben's sis Camille and her husband Rich (before they headed off for a cruise the next morning) and kids Allie, Johnathan, and Grace. I went on amazing trail runs, we relaxed with Ben's family, played basketball, tag, tennis, swing sets etc. outside in sunny and warm weather, went on walks, shopped, watched the Superbowl, and just had a wonderful time. (Course I didn't take any pics of this...Kim we needed you there!) The last picture we took was just as we were leaving to make our way all the way home to Lehi in 1 day.
Mitt and Mariah did even better for that 10 hour block in the car! Thanks Rich and Camille for letting us stay at your house and Steve and Marilyn for letting us tag along! THANKS THANKS THANKS Kim, Elle, Hannie, and Maddie for letting our Max dog come stay with you! We know he is safe and in good hands at your house:) We love you all so much, and I am so thankful to have you Harris' as my in-laws!