Onward to Sedona: Getting Closer To The End Of Our Pause
Here we are, just moments after getting back into Spud after a one month break in Ohio to see family.
We were reunited in Phoenix with Spud after five incredible weeks gallivanting around Ohio to see family (not to mention a side trip to Ireland to fulfill my mom's and my mother-daughter bucket list). The feeling of jumping back into Spud after an extended lapse of time is a feeling we can never quite describe. We are always extra elated when we first turn the key and the engine fires up. The moments after pulling out onto the open road, unaware of what exactly we will experience next, is especially satisfying for us. We can’t help ourselves…we are addicted to new places, new people, new sights, and new places to camp! So upward and onward…we were off to Sedona!
But first, Lots of Fun Ohio Happenings…
Jibs hanging with their best pal (and cousin), Penelope!
Can you spot the Keller crew?! Just hanging out on top of Chip’s parents’ house.
Date night at Jenny and Dorsey’s wedding, Toledo, Ohio
Date day with Goppee and Grandpa (Chip and I were attending a wedding in Toledo, OH).
Reunited with Chip’s med school friends (they hadn’t all been together in 10 years!)
Another year, another Keller cousin (& cousin twin) picture!
All The Pretty Things - Sedona, Arizona
We were reunited with Spud now after our cheap Frontier Airlines flight from Cleveland to Phoenix. We had stored Spud at our favorite Drury Inn Airport Hotel for the past month. Upon our return it was over 100 degrees in the Phoenix area (it was early MAY!) so we stayed a day at the hotel to shift things around, rearrange Spud’s contents, and to cool off in the hotel’s refreshing pool. The following morning we said adios to the hot temps and were ready to begin exploring new sights - so to the north we drove. To Sedona, Arizona to be exact. Behold our highlight reel from a place that is just a tiny bit pretty…
The hiking trails came first. With views for days.
Taking advantage of the many trails Sedona has to offer - the views are in every direction here
Chapel of The Holy Cross - Sedona, AZ
We were drawn to the beautiful Chapel of the Holy Cross which sits gracefully upon the red rocks just south of town. We had noticed the Chapel a couple years ago while driving through Sedona but didn’t have time to stop. I’m so glad we did this time - what a lovely place with even lovelier views!
Cave Springs Campground
On that first night in Sedona, we rolled into the area around dinner time not knowing where we would camp. This didn’t usually make me nervous, but with it being Sedona I’ll admit I was. Thankfully we came during midweek to snag a spot for the 4 days because apparently the weekend was going to be banging. Although a bit out of town, we ended up LOVING the Cave Springs Campground which was situated next to a river with high rock walls hugging us on either side. We loved this home base but without showers we were starting to look a little grungy…
Our faces may be dirty but our teeth are clean!
Packed up and ready to roll.
We stumbled upon an incredible shower, I mean splash pad, that we took advantage of on two different occasions. One day, Chip and I even donned our swimsuits and ran around, quickly swiping our armpits and bodies with water. Please tell me no one was watching us. On this particular day we had to though because we were about to hit up a fancy art gallery opening to surprise one of Chip’s friends…
Surprise!
Greg Gummersall’s art exhibit at Lanning Gallery, Sedona
Sedona wasn’t on our original plan but once we heard Greg’s art was going to be displayed at one of the local galleries in Sedona, we decided we had to make a surprise visit to his event! We rolled in all fresh and so clean clean (thank you, splash pad!) and I can tell these three were all excited to see each other. Thanks to Jenny and Greg for letting us crash your fancy art show! The art, the food & wine, the company - all of it made us feel like we were not currently living out of a van. This last night in Sedona was the icing on the cake and with it being fairly close to Durango, there’s no doubt we will continue coming back to this beautiful place.
The End Is Near…Our Year of Pause is Almost Up
Next up, we continue north to an area we have been aching to explore: Page, Arizona for beach camping, Lower Antelope Canyon hiking, and to witness Horseshoe Bend (at sunrise and sunset, thank you very much!). This is our final stop on our year of hitting pause so I will be honest in saying that all the feelings are starting to come out (and all the tears). I think we all are not quite ready to say goodbye to this lifestyle, but the end is coming whether we like it or not…