We just got back from vacation. It was my first real vacation since my wedding. We've gone away for a weekend here and there but not a real vacation for years! My best friend got married at the Grand Canyon. Now let me preface this with while the Grand Canyon is supposed to be amazing and all it wasn't at the top of my list of places to see. I would rather go some where tropical, with a beach or very cool mountains (maybe east or west coast)
So because I love my best friend so much I decided to go where ever she wanted to get married. And she chose the Grand Canyon. So we rented a house in Flagstaff. The house was amazing, while the decor needed a bit of updating the layout was great! There were 8 of us staying there. We all got our own rooms and gave us a break from each of us if we needed it. Everyone knew the bride and groom but didn't know hardly anyone else. Overall I think there were 18 of us out there.
I got to meet and hang out with some of the most amazing people. We had an absolute blast. We spent the day in Sedona, just walking around and exploring. It was great! Jason and I went on a jeep 4x4 tour and learned a ton about the area. It was a lot of fun.
The day of the wedding was great. The girls got their hair and makeup done, let me tell you we were gorgeous! After we got ready and left for the 2 hour drive to the Grand Canyon we had some time to kill and enjoyed the trip up there.
Of course there was some drama before the ceremony. I told the bride that there is going to be something that happens that will make a great story for the future generations. Well, sure enough, there is now a story to be told. At the time I reminded the bride that this was her story and she informed me that "I don't like stories." with a very somber face. I told her she would like it tomorrow.
Well, now the bride and groom are husband and wife and the pictures are taken and we are all having dinner. We hung out and talked and drank the night away. Over all the day was amazing and I would love to do it again!
The newlywed couple left the next morning for their honeymoon cruise and left the rest of us to our own devices. Jason and I went to Out of Africa animal park. We had a blast there too. There was a great white Bengal tiger that puts on a show with her 'friends' (humans who are willing to get into a cage with her). She splashed and hunted the blow up toys. It was a blast to watch her.
After we got back, Jason, Ariel, Mike and I went to dinner at Salsa Brava in Flagstaff. It was featured on Diner's Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network. It was amazing! Best Margarita I've ever had, best food and the company was amazing! We later went to the Lowell Observatory and looked at the moon and Saturn. Kind of neat. However the most entertaining part of the night was after I downloaded the Fat Booth application for my phone. It was a blast. You take a picture of someones face, then let it do it's magic and behold, you are fat! It may not sound so interesting when you are sober but let me tell you that after a few drinks it is hilarious!
After a late evening with a ton of laughter it was time for us to go home. I was incredibly happy to see my girls. I missed them a ton! It was great to cuddle with them!
Now it's back to regular old life with all that it offers. Changing diapers, feeding, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and all that goes along with it.
I guess the point of all this rambling is that even if it takes you another 5 years before your next vacation. Make sure that you do everything you to have the best time of your life. That is what vacation is for. Go see something that you've never seen before and make it memorable!
