6.17.22
Even though she's a mama's girl, I have a unique relationship with my 10 year old daughter. Because she's my youngest (and only one that really likes to hug me anymore), there's a different dynamic between her and I than my older two. She loves holding hands, tickling, joking around, and being sarcastic. Most importantly, she still has that youthful innocence, that utter dependence on me that fleets once they become teens and all of a sudden "know better" than their parents.
It was with this 10 year old milestone in mind that I began a tradition. I would take each of my kids on a trip with just me, a time to see the country, spend time together, and savor the memories that I now know are a reflection of a simpler time. When I began this tradition, 10 years old seemed like only a milestone in years, but experience has made it clear that, sadly, the relational dynamic with my kids changes as they hit double digits. Not better or worse, just different. As they crave independence and respect, my role as a parent morphs from caregiver and teacher to mentor and friend. So these trips are now among my fondest memories, because they etch into my brain the distinct, individual personalities that make up each of my children, as best experienced in one-on-one time exploring a new place.
What we Did
My daughter chose Arizona for her 10 year trip. We left the day after school got out to avoid the oppressive Arizona summer heat (not exactly) and we spent our time split in Sedona and Phoenix.
Sedona
Pink Jeep Tour- Sedona, known for its beautiful red rock formations, can best be experienced by off-road vehicle, and Pink Adventures, who run tours throughout the Southwest, is perhaps the most well known purveyor of jeep tours in Sedona. We did the 3 hour Broken Arrow/Scenic Rim combo tour. The Scenic Rim bounces your way up a "trail" into a valley surrounded my majestic rocks, and the Broken Arrow trail takes the adrenaline up a notch, climbing up rocks for incredible, expansive views. This was the first thing we did in Sedona and probably the highlight of our trip. Note this tour may not be for those with motion issues.
Take your own 4x4 vehicle off-roading at your own risk.
Slide Rock State Park- This recreational natural water hole in the Oak Creek Canyon, is about 15 minutes North of Sedona. The rock formations make natural "slides" that you can careen down. The water in June was frigid and it was busy on the weekend we went, requiring about a 25 minute wait to get an open parking spot ($30/car entrance fee). This should definitely be on your Sedona to-do list, as there aren't many experiences like it.
Hiking- This is why you come to Sedona, exploring the backcountry. There are tons of hikes you can do in the area, from easy to difficult. We targeted the Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock Loop trail for our hike in Sedona. This is a 4 mile loop trail with views of the the aforementioned Butte and Rock. It is an easy hike with the opportunity to then take the 1 mile roundtrip hike with 400 feet elevation gain up Bell Rock to see the valley from above. The heat, even around 9 am, got to on us this hike, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Horseback riding- We stopped at Wild Western Horseback Adventures, in Camp Verde, about 30 minutes South of Sedona, on our way back to Phoenix. We did an hour ride and were the only ones on the tour. We had a blast riding and exploring this working cattle ranch, which acquires most of their horses as rescues from Mexico and then trains them.
Mesa Airport view point- This lookout, at the top of Airport road just outside Sedona, offers spectacular views of the valley and surrounding rocks.
Chapel of the Holy Cross- This Church, built among the rocks, is just off Route 179 South of Sedona, and worth a visit. It is open 9-5 every day.
Montezuma Castle- This monument, built about 900 years ago by natives looking for housing that protected them from the heat and adversaries, is worth a stop on the way to or from Phoenix. You can use the American the Beautiful or 4th Grade National Park Pass to cover your entry fee here.
This only scratches the surface of what you can explore in Sedona. Note there is a shuttle service that leads to the popular trailheads from Thursday-Sunday, as parking at the places such as Cathedral Rock and Soldiers Pass can be hard to come by.
Phoenix
We were welcomed back to Phoenix by this.
Luckily, we spent lots of time at the pool, enjoying our hotel (see below) and had fun exploring Phoenix while staying out of the heat.
Arizona Boardwalk- This interactive area in Scottsdale has tons for kids to see and do. We spent our time exploring the Butterfly Wonderland, Laser and Mirror Maze, VR Extreme, and the Odysea Aquarium. The aquarium has hands on exhibits, and two floors of sea creature habitats, including the world's only rotating aquarium experience. You can but tickets cheaper online than at the ticket office and there are discounts for multiple experiences. This is the perfect way to beat the heat with your family.
TopGolf- Right down the road from the Boardwalk is TopGolf, who doesn't love that, especially on half-price Tuesdays.
How Points made this trip possible
Airfare
We flew roundtrip on Southwest from Cleveland- Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. I actually didn't use points for my flight this time, instead paying cash because I had some Southwest travel funds (from previous flights rebooked at lower rates) and Luv vouchers (a gift from Southwest for a lengthy delay on a previous flight) to use. I ended up paying $106 cash and using $205 in Travel funds/vouchers for my airfare. I earned 1530 Rapid Rewards points on this airfare (5x points earned on Wanna Get Away fare). My daughter flew for only $11.20 in taxes as my companion. So between the two of us I spent only $117 on the flights.
Hotels
This category 4 hotel is a Residence Club property, so much like timeshares, the units are individually owned, but there are some used as hotel rooms. The property is spread out, with individual out buildings and then a central area with the lobby, pools, and activities center.
We had a second floor studio room that had a queen bed, small pullout couch, and small dinette area with a fridge, coffee maker, microwave and dishes/utensils. The views of the rocky landscapes from the balcony were breathtaking.
There is a small pool, 2 hot tubs, tennis courts, and an activities center with board games, ping pong, billiards, and sports equipment you can rent.
This is a very family friendly resort, although the studio rooms are tight for 4 people and not more than that. Where this resort excels is its location, within short walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the Pink Adventures tour office. Views like this are just a couple minute walk.
This hotels was 12K World of Hyatt points/night on the off-peak rate, and will run anywhere from 12k-18K points, which can be earned through Hyatt or transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards.
This category 5 resort, with 492 guestrooms, suites and casitas, is tucked into the quaint Gainey Ranch area of Scottsdale, and a great family-friendly option if using points in Phoenix. The grounds have an expansive 1.5 acre pool area with several pools, an adult only pool, a large hot tub, sandy beach entry area and water slides.
There are many kids activities including a rock wall, putting green, and playground area as well as daily offerings such as face painting, balloon tosses, and games.
There are tennis courts, the Gainey Ranch Golf Club right next door, a full service Spa and daily fitness classes, bicycles for use, as well as nightly live entertainment. There is enough to keep you busy here without having to leave the hotel.
The hotel, built in 1986 and remodeled in 2012, does show its age in places, but what it may lack in modernity, it makes up for in service. The food in its 7 bars and restaurants was excellent, especially breakfast at SWB Bistro. The staff was very attentive, including those in charge of kid's activities, and the acknowledgment and perks of Globalist status here are top notch. As well as having resort fees and parking waived, as a Globalist I received an upgrade to a high floor mountain view room, free breakfast, free snacks/drinks from the front desk market throughout my stay, and a welcome gift with snacks and 2 free cocktails from the bar. The staff went out of their way to make our stay here special.
This hotels was 17K World of Hyatt points/night on the off-peak rate, and will run anywhere from 17k-23K points, which can be earned through Hyatt or transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards.
What I remember
While I can't surmise the memories my daughter will have of this trip, I know for me, it was unforgettable, because as much as my wife insists we keep her "in a box" so she won't get any older, I know that's just a dream.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." - Dr. Seuss
Here is just a sampling of what I'll remember.
- Hiking in Sedona, talking about how, as she moves to a new school building, circumstances and expectations will be different. That she shouldn't do anything that seems wrong if pressured to do so.
- Hours in the pool, building sand castles, throwing her in, and diving for rings on the bottom.
- Watching her face light up playing arcade games or laser tag.
- Her silently looking out the window as we drove through the rugged wasteland, soaking in somewhere new.
- Her leading me around the hotel grounds, map in hand, always the leader in control. Maybe she'll be a tour guide one day.
- The screams she (and I) made jumping into the freezing creek water.
- Her giddy demeanor as we bounced around in the jeep, which turned stoic as we prepared for this descent.
- Taking my golf swing tips as we hit balls, trying to implement them because she trusted my opinion.
- Her pointing out the different planes in the sky, telling me which airline it was.
- Her sandy blonde hair bouncing in the sun, up and down with the rhythm of the horse's gait.
- Her insistence I stay "right here" as she ventured into the airport bathroom, a foreign place fraught with uncertainty, and the assurance and safety she found in me when she returned.
- Holding hands. Yeah, mostly the holding hands
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