Our family recently returned home from a road trip that took us from Dallas, Texas to Riverside, California across ten days and 1,500 miles. We had the best time!
My oldest daughter will be attending San Diego State University in the fall. Our trip objective was to drive her 15 year old Expedition across the country and leave it in California, so that it will be there for her when she arrives at school. I decided that we’d take our time and stop at bucket-list destinations along the way.
After two 7+ hour days of driving, we arrived at the Grand Canyon. I’d seen it once when I was child. My hazy memories (and even these photos I took) don’t do it justice. The size, depth, age, and vastness of it were jaw-dropping.
We ventured below the canyon rim on a hike. It was less than two miles long, but challenging because of the steepness and the spine-tingling heights. The view from ‘ooh aah point’, however, was worth the effort.
I was completely wowed.
Next, we journeyed to Sedona. The colors were SO vibrant! The red rock formations, the greens, the deep blue sky.
Again, we attempted some hikes. On the one pictured above, we took a wrong turn and our intended 0.7 mile hike turned into a 2.7 mile hike. My kids did not find this humorous.
At Grasshopper Point Swimming Hole. My daughter is the sensible person in the foreground. The kids in the background jumped off the cliffs continuously the whole time we were there.
My little one, shooting down a natural water slide at Slide Rock.
Sedona is one of the most naturally gorgeous places I’ve ever visited.
We ended our trip with time in California visiting my family and spending a day at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The entire park is entertaining, but for us, the main attraction was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
They’ve brought so many intricate details of JK Rowling’s books to life! That whole area is incredibly charming. Loved it!
That’s my family’s summer vacation story! Before I go, I wanted to let you know that my publisher, Bethany House, would love to hear your story about how a Bethany House book has impacted, encouraged, blessed, or ministered to you. If you have a tale to tell, click here to reach the survey.
Have you been to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, or Universal Studios?
Becky makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children. She absolutely loves writing funny, heartwarming, and inspirational contemporary Christian romance.
9 Comments
You are making great memories with your family.
Randy and I visited Sedona and the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago. He is a really good photographer, and his photos are fabulous, but still they don’t do it justice.
It’s so true! A camera just can’t accurately capture all that majesty. 🙂
My daughter and I took our exchange student to the Grand Canyon a year and a half ago. It literally took my breath away when I first glimpsed it. You’re right, no picture does it justice. We also visited Arches National Park in Utah. Another fantastic place! I’ve never been to Universal Studios, but if I were to go, I’d head straight for the Harry Potter attraction. Glad you had such a marvelous time and made so many memories.
Thanks, Rebecca! I’ve heard that the Moab area of Utah is amazing. There are so many beautiful things to see in this country! I’m hoping to drive the California coastline next summer and have my eye on places like Maine, Vermont, Boston, and Cape Cod in the future….
What a great trip and magnificent Photos! I had a similar experience as you – visited the Grand Canyon when I was 10, since my father took vacation to drive us from Virginia to California for a business trip in LA. I always wanted to repeat that trip, and we did in 2009 when our grandson was born in Long Beach. I was in complete awe at my first glimpse. Pictures will never do it justice. We were fortunate to stay in a cabin on the rim at Bright Angel Lodge.
Went to Universal Studios several times some years ago. One of the highlights then was a Blues Brothers performance; also an amazing studio set for the movie Backdraft. Our daughter has lived in southern California for 25 years, and I visit every summer. She has treated us to many amazing trips between Mexico and Sonoma.
Your family looks so joyful. So glad you got to do this.
“I always wanted to repeat that trip, and we did in 2009 when our grandson was born in Long Beach.” I think it’s fabulous that you repeated the trip you remember taking with your father when you were 10. How fascinating to experience all of those places again with adult eyes!
“I was in complete awe at my first glimpse. Pictures will never do it justice. We were fortunate to stay in a cabin on the rim at Bright Angel Lodge.” I was in awe at my first glimpse, too. Awe! I know exactly which cabins you’re referring to. They’re darling, and right in the heart of Grand Canyon Village. Such a memorable place to stay! We rented an AirBnB, which was great, but about an hour’s drive from the canyon.
This is amazing! My husband and I have decided to explore every national park. Two years ago, we had the opportunity to see Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, and Sequoia. This year we did Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Arches, and Canyonlands. My favorites (if I had to choose, which is extremely difficult) have to be Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Arches. All amazingly breathtaking! Pictures don’t do it justice for sure. We love to travel and camp. We’re trying to decide where to go on our next trip! We live in Texas, so Big Bend is a definite must. Have you ever been there?
I haven’t been to Big Bend yet, but I’d love to get there soon!
We’ve visited the Grand Canyon and Sedona! And we gone down Slide Rock! Such a great vacation!
You are making great memories with your family.
Randy and I visited Sedona and the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago. He is a really good photographer, and his photos are fabulous, but still they don’t do it justice.
It’s so true! A camera just can’t accurately capture all that majesty. 🙂
My daughter and I took our exchange student to the Grand Canyon a year and a half ago. It literally took my breath away when I first glimpsed it. You’re right, no picture does it justice. We also visited Arches National Park in Utah. Another fantastic place! I’ve never been to Universal Studios, but if I were to go, I’d head straight for the Harry Potter attraction. Glad you had such a marvelous time and made so many memories.
Thanks, Rebecca! I’ve heard that the Moab area of Utah is amazing. There are so many beautiful things to see in this country! I’m hoping to drive the California coastline next summer and have my eye on places like Maine, Vermont, Boston, and Cape Cod in the future….
What a great trip and magnificent Photos! I had a similar experience as you – visited the Grand Canyon when I was 10, since my father took vacation to drive us from Virginia to California for a business trip in LA. I always wanted to repeat that trip, and we did in 2009 when our grandson was born in Long Beach. I was in complete awe at my first glimpse. Pictures will never do it justice. We were fortunate to stay in a cabin on the rim at Bright Angel Lodge.
Went to Universal Studios several times some years ago. One of the highlights then was a Blues Brothers performance; also an amazing studio set for the movie Backdraft. Our daughter has lived in southern California for 25 years, and I visit every summer. She has treated us to many amazing trips between Mexico and Sonoma.
Your family looks so joyful. So glad you got to do this.
“I always wanted to repeat that trip, and we did in 2009 when our grandson was born in Long Beach.” I think it’s fabulous that you repeated the trip you remember taking with your father when you were 10. How fascinating to experience all of those places again with adult eyes!
“I was in complete awe at my first glimpse. Pictures will never do it justice. We were fortunate to stay in a cabin on the rim at Bright Angel Lodge.” I was in awe at my first glimpse, too. Awe! I know exactly which cabins you’re referring to. They’re darling, and right in the heart of Grand Canyon Village. Such a memorable place to stay! We rented an AirBnB, which was great, but about an hour’s drive from the canyon.
This is amazing! My husband and I have decided to explore every national park. Two years ago, we had the opportunity to see Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, and Sequoia. This year we did Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Arches, and Canyonlands. My favorites (if I had to choose, which is extremely difficult) have to be Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Arches. All amazingly breathtaking! Pictures don’t do it justice for sure. We love to travel and camp. We’re trying to decide where to go on our next trip! We live in Texas, so Big Bend is a definite must. Have you ever been there?
I haven’t been to Big Bend yet, but I’d love to get there soon!
We’ve visited the Grand Canyon and Sedona! And we gone down Slide Rock! Such a great vacation!