Tag: arizona

When the Canyon Whispers: A Lesson in Presence from the North Rim

We had planned to go to LA for the 4th of July this year. However, wildfires along the route forced us to change our plans. We decided to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead. I had never visited, and the chance to explore other gems along the way made the long road trip worthwhile.

It was a quiet escape to the North Rim. Nature felt untouched. The views stretched endlessly. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge hugged the rim like a secret waiting to be discovered. Nestled in pine forests, with cool breezes and golden sunsets, the resort promised a peaceful stay, and it delivered. The rustic cabins and the stillness of the nights felt timeless. The moment you walk out and see that canyon drop away is unforgettable.


And yet, just days later, we heard the heartbreaking news: the lodge had been destroyed by wildfires.

It is difficult to put into words the emotion. Shock. Grief. Gratitude. We had just been there, sipping coffee in the sun room while the baby tried out her new binoculars, watching light dance on ancient rocks. We had walked those beautiful wooden floors, attended the Junior Ranger Program (and even answered questions like a front bencher), waved to strangers as if we were all part of some secret club that got to witness something sacred.

And now it’s gone.

This experience hit me in a way I didn’t expect. It was a loud reminder of how unpredictable life is. Places, people, moments—they don’t last forever. Nature is powerful, beautiful, and, at times, unforgiving. But in that unpredictability lies the message: be present. Be present wherever you are, with whoever you are. The present never comes back.

I’m so thankful we didn’t rush through that trip, that we stayed for a day longer than we should have, appreciated beautiful sunsets, stayed up late looking at the stars, enjoyed beverages at the saloon, relished delicious dinners at the restaurant, stared at the canyons, and sat still in silence just to soak it all in. If I had known it would be the last time that lodge stood there, I wouldn’t have done anything differently, because we truly lived in the moment. I am glad we did.

Let this be a reminder: don’t wait for “someday.” Take the trip. Check things off your bucket list. Watch the sunset. Sit by the fire (not in a forest, though). Life is fleeting—make the most of it.

Underrated Arizona: A Road Trip to Hidden Gems

This past weekend, we ditched the usual tourist spots to go on a road trip through some of Arizona’s most underrated (and jaw-dropping) places. If you are looking to explore new and culturally rich sites, this itinerary could be the one for you. This trip promises you genuine Martian vibes and unforgettable colors.

Start from Phoenix, AZ, in the morning.

Stop 1: Montezuma Castle National Monument – It’s basically a five-story high-rise… built into a cliff… 900 years ago. The ancient Sinagua people knew what they were doing. The trail is short and easy (kid-friendly), so you have time to marvel at this real-life time capsule before heading back on the road.

Stop 2: Walnut Canyon – One of the trails is a stair-filled trail that leads you into a canyon sprinkled with cliff dwellings. You can also take an alternate, easier route – the Walnut Canyon Rim and Ruins Trail, which is more kid-friendly.

Stop 3: Wupatki National Monument – Here, you can see the red-rock ruins rise out of the desert like something out of a movie. You can explore ancient pueblos, learn about the Hopi and Ancestral Puebloans, and soak in the surreal Martian landscape.

Stop 4: Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center and Marble Canyon – Cross the Navajo Bridge, stare down at the mighty Colorado River, and enjoy the serenity.

Stop 5: Vermilion Cliffs – Driving alongside the Vermilion Cliffs was unreal. It is like an abstract painting. Pro tip: Do not skip the Cliff Dwellers Stone House. You may drive past by and miss the Martian experience.

We stopped for lunch at the Himalayan Grill in Flagstaff and for coffee at the Jacob Lake Inn. Jacob Lake could also be an optional stop.

We wrapped it all up at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Unlike the South Rim, the North Rim is not crowded and less commercialized. It is at a higher elevation and is much cooler than the South Rim. There are no public restrooms (not even at the visitor center or restaurant), and one must rely on porta potties for answering nature’s calls. For that alone, I am glad that we booked a cabin at the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge.

You can do mule rides, camp, and hike at the North Rim. Key spots at the North Rim are Point Imperial (the highest point), Cape Royal, Cape Final, and Bright Angel Point. The sunset at Bright Angel Point was absolutely stunning. Fewer people, cooler temperatures, and the magnificent view will leave you speechless.

The trip made me realize that Arizona is a sneaky beauty. Arizona boasts a rich culture, ancient ruins, Martian-like features, stunning canyons, and colors that one will never forget. Over the last five years, I have learned to love the desert. Can’t wait to explore more hidden gems soon.

#wontEatWillTravel Arizona Road Trip – Thanksgiving week

Picture courtesy: Ninad Paranjape/Me.

This was the first trip N and I took as a couple. The states neighboring Arizona are closed for business so we decided to go local. Owing to the pandemic, we researched and made a list of 34 lesser-visited destination in Arizona. We mapped a few destinations out and left the next morning.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Morristown, AZ: It is one/one and a half hour away from Chandler. We reached around noon. The drive to the park was amazing – loved it! I recommend you to check the working hours and routes before you travel. The last leg to the lake was shut so we viewed the lake from the Pleasant Harbor Marina. You can rent boats and kayaks here. The lake is as blue as it can be.

Watson Lake, Prescott, AZ: Watson lake is one and a half-hour away from Lake Pleasant. The route from Lake Pleasant to Watson Lake is amazing. Arizona suddenly turns into scenic Montana and ends as Colorado with all the granite at Watson Lake. This charming lake is surrounded by granite rocks.
You can hike the Watson lake loop trail. We chose to maintain distance and climbed down to the lake by taking the rocky path to the left. It’s nothing that you cannot do in slippers (though I recommend you wear shoes). We did not see anyone kayaking/boating here.

Sycamore falls, Williams, AZ: This was going to be our sunset point. The last 10-15 miles of the road to the Sycamore falls is a dirt road lined with private properties. We re-checked the map several times en route to this one. The road ends at a place with a signboard and restroom. There were no markings for the trail. After guesswork, we decided to take the route that started from behind the signboard. We climbed down for 30 seconds (no markings. only logs.) and took a right. Unexpectedly, the falls were frozen. Yes, you read it right. It was not snowing but the falls were frozen. There was no sign of life (at all!). Pretty spooky.

On our way back we saw the best sunset ever.

Sunset in Arizona

Williams, AZ: We were not sure if we could visit Sycamore on Day 1. So, we had booked a room for the night at Williams. Good life choice. We stayed at the Holiday Inn – a comfortable stay. Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery is right next door. It has great ambiance (Christmas lights made it look even better), and good food. The portions are substantial. You will enjoy the adult beverages here.

Bearizona, Williams AZ: LOVED this place! If you are accompanied by kids, this place is a must-visit. As adults, we could have spent a few more hours for sure. This is a drive-thru zoo attached to a walk-thru zoo! It is recommended that you shut down all doors and windows while driving. A few pictures below to get you excited!

Sedona, AZ: The route from Williams to Sedona is beautiful. You can still see fall colors! The red rocks are mesmerizing. The next destination was the Devil’s bridge. We did not find a parking spot and looking at the crowd we decided to pass. We walked the lonely Two Fence Trail for a little bit instead. It has good views and is not a tough walk at all. Later, we went to Tlaquepaque for lunch and shopping. It is very picturesque. I recommend that you visit The Chai Spot here. A few pictures from Sedona.

Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, AZ: We stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross after lunch. The views from here are fantastic! It was on the way to our next destination. It was very crowded though. FYI, public restrooms are not available.

We were going to end the trip at Montezuma Castle National Monument but we could not get there in time. It shuts down at 4:45 PM and we reached at 4:55 PM.

Since we could not find a spot for sunset, we stopped at a random place to see the magic. Photos from the valley. We left for home soon after.

Of sunsets and frozen rivers

Arizona is enthralling. Overall, it was a very good road trip. Hopefully, we will take more trips in the future. Keep reading this space for more. Stay Safe.