This was a reunion with one of our high school friends (BRENDAN) who now living in his new home of Arizona. Coincidentally, in high school, we would get Arizona Iced Tea from the convenience store across the street all the time. That is a tenuous connection at best but I'm still gonna grasp at it.
Camelback Mountain
Arizona is hot. It’s like a desert or something. We took Brendan's advice and booked our trip for the spring but even by April, it was still really hot. We had to start our hikes early in the morning while it was somewhat cooler outside. It was scorching when we finished our hike on Camelback Mountain around noon, like dangerously hot, and evidently some people chose to start their hike then. I thought that was not the best decision but also chalked it up to my Canadian sensitivities, and then Brendan confirmed that was not the best decision. I guess we all are free to make such decisions in life.
Desert Botanical Garden
One of the most striking things about Arizona was the landscape. Logically, I knew we would be in a desert, but knowing is very different from experiencing. I've never been in such a landscape before. I'm used to green lawns and leafy trees and in Arizona it's primarily sand and upright Saguaros. When you look at the landscape far enough away, it's like a sandbox with green sticks standing up in it.
We left Phoenix halfway and did a little bit of road trippin’ to the north. First stop was the Grand Canyon. It is stunning. I can understand why it’s one of the Seven Wonders (or are there eight?). It's difficult to understand why it's so awe-inspiring until you're there, in person, and now you are to scale and feel its enormity. These pictures don't do it justice.
South Kaibab Trail
The Grand Canyon is so grand that unfortunately we didn't have time for some of the longer hikes. Maybe one day we'll be able to camp at the bottom of the canyon. For now, we did part of the South Kaibab Trail and got to see the mule procession. Poor old man Brendan couldn't keep up with his youthful companions (we are one year younger), but he did pretty well considering he doesn't actively partake in cardio.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Then we went on further north to Page. We opted to do a tour of Lower Antelope Canyon because we heard it was just as beautiful but also less crowded. I think the best part was our guide and his stories. He took some pictures on my phone, actually - the above was his work. In addition to be an engaging tour guide, he's learned how to take the best photographs with just a cellphone.
Horseshoe Bend
Lake Powell
Ran had booked kayaking on Lake Powell for us, which was simultaneously peaceful and exhausting. We went kayaking for 3 hours and this was where my own stamina failed so I generally lagged behind with Brendan.
Seven Falls Trail
Then we went south to Tucson for a hike and an arcade. Tucson, just like in that Chainsmokers song! Brendan couldn't join us for this but he warned us about the easy-to-miss turn on the trail that previously led him going off-trail and getting lost. Honestly, without his warning, we probably would have missed this turn as well. But we didn't so we saw the falls! We also saw a genuine Roadrunner on this hike, which are not nearly as large or blue as cartoons would suggest.
And yes, we also went to Tucson for an arcade. Brendan swore that this would be worth it but I remained skeptical until we started winning. Suddenly I understood the addictive rush of gambling. Just one more claw game and I know I'll win it all, I swear! Except we genuinely did win 10 giant stuffed animals. I left with a spherical Shiba (thank you Vivian) and a giant Mametchi (thank you Ran).
And no trip to America would be complete without commenting on the food. I love American snacks - they do junk food so excessively. We ran through the Target and ravaged the snack section: fluorescent blue Takis, Dunkin's Cake Batter Donut Canned Iced Coffee, and Cosmic Brownies - which apparently just pulled out of Canada, so this will probably be the last time I have them in a while. To be honest, they weren't as good as I remembered, but nostalgia can make anything taste better.
Shoutout to our host who took us to Trader Joe’s on our last day so we could stock up on exclusive goodies. We all cheered and he said, “Yeah, I know how Canadians go crazy for Trader Joe’s for some reason.”
Yes, yes we do.
