cacti, palm trees & food for sure
Hello! To 2010, to Chicago (it’s good to be back home for a change!), to the blog after a mini-break, and, of course, to you. Speaking of you? I have a favor to ask. Will you allow me a recipe-free post? Oh, don’t worry, there will be food. Of course. But no recipe. Recipe ideas, aplenty, dreamed up while on vacation, but in the craze of back-to-work and the haze of post-holiday-blues, I haven’t had time to turn those ideas into reality. Soon, though, soon. So, what do you say? Deal? Deal. You’re so kind.
Where was I? Two-sided conversations carried on by one person are exhausting (when you’re the one doing the carrying). Ah, yes, I was about to tell you about our long-weekend in Arizona, which we spent mainly in the Phoenix area, save for a quick drive to Sedona.
Sedona, I suppose, is as good a place to start as any. It’s a doable day trip from Phoenix, requiring a drive of anywhere from two to four (plus) hours, depending on your route. We took the non-scenic (two-hour) route and if this is non-scenic, well, I’ll take it:
It’s a highway that winds through hills that stretch out for miles and rise up into mountains in the distance. There are cacti, too, everywhere you look. They make me giggle, shooting ramrod straight up through the earth, their curious limbs twisting in all kinds of directions. Somehow, they all appear to be flipping me the bird. Is that just me? When you start thinking these thoughts, you’re probably pretty close to Sedona and you start to wonder, where’s the red rock? And, then, suddenly, out of nowhere, it’s there, creeping up in the hills that flank that road and off in the distance, striping the mountains that have suddenly truncated into buttes. It’s quite a sight:
We hiked in Sedona (And I use the word “hike” loosely; really, it was part-rock climb. Seriously, I haven’t desparately searched around for footholds while clinging to a all-too-vertical rock face since scaling the climing wall at REI.), of course, but we snuck in a hike in Phoenix too. Our hotel was in the shadow of Camelback Mountain, so we (along with half of the rest of Phoenix) hit the trail there. We were rewarded with sweeping urban views, the recollection of what the sun looks and feels like, and a workout to boot.
But, wait! Lest you think this trip was all earth-mama and fitness, there was luxury too (said hotel, where an afternoon was spent dozing poolside (yes! pool! side!)) and, as promised, food. There was a dinner at FnB, where I’d surely become a regular if I were a local, that was delicious from the first bursting, briny bite of fried oyster to the final spoonful of butterscotch pudding; there were English muffins, baked fresh at Le Grande Orange, a spot that seemed to pulse with energy and house the other half of Phoenix’s residents (the ones not on the Camelback trail, including Grant Hill! We saw him eating there! How cool is that?); there was sparkling wine, because it was New Year’s Eve, after all; there was a local hefeweizen; there was a cheeseburger and chocolate shake (and fries I could take or leave) from In-n-Out, my maiden to trip to the joint but not my last, if I have a say in the matter. Take a gander:
Best of all, though, there was sun. Sweet, glorious, blinding sun:
I miss it already.
Well, I lived up to my promise. No recipe, but food for sure. There’ll be a recipe next time, I swear. In the meantime, you can see more photos here.
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It looks positively lovely. We visit Palm Springs, CA every year, and I have always thought the cacti were flipping me off too. It must be a Minnesota girl thing
Welcome back to the tundra.
What kind of lens do you use to get these lovely, lovely photos? I wish I could take pictures like this on my rebel!
Lovely, lovely trip. I am still in San Diego and am soaking up every sunny, flip-flop/short wearing minute. Hitting up Temecula wineries tomorrow.
Do I really have to go back to Chicago winter on Saturday? Really?
I love it! I live in the Bay Area of California, where just this past Sunday I was taking a walk in a tank top. I know that when you’re surrounded by snow, it’s nice to know that some place out there it’s warm and sunny.
Looking forward to more food blog posts from you. I tried a new salad tonight that I’ll add to mine shortly.
THose scenes are beautiful. So much nicer than the giant snow storm I’m in now.
Your photos were so beautiful! I was born and raised in Phoenix and lived there for 25 years. Not until I was gone for a few years that I really appreciated the cactus, sunrises, mountains, and beauty of the Southwest. Thanks for reminding me!
I love AZ. Sedona is a magical place and has two wonderful resorts there- Enchantment and L’Auberge de Sedona.
Sedona also has some of the best stargazing around.
Re: Phoenix- I’ve only stayed at the Biltmore–but Sanctuary looks lovely.
Love the pictures & In-N-Out rules!
Gorgeous pix! You have made me long for the Southwest — and I LIVE in the West! But I think I’m long overdue for an AZ visit … Glad you had such a nice time and happy new year!
Sedona is so gorgeous. There’s no place else like it. I haven’t been in ages. And the resort is gorgeous!
Gorgeous photos! I enjoyed your blog so much- I’ve never been to Sedona.
Hi Kristin.. I have been a silent follower of your blog for a looong time now. I love your recipes… I tried the chocolate cheesecake and it came out wonderful
your photos are absolutely stunning. sedona is gorgeous and your photos do it justice so well. nice work! glad you are enjoying time away.
I agree, your photos are STUNNING!
Beautiful photos! My in-laws just moved to Phoenix and you have me wanting to visit immediately! I’ve never seen the desert…maybe 2010 is the year.
oh wow. feels completely like a holiday just looking at these beautiful pictures. the blue is astounding, astounding!
Happy New Year!!
I love Sedona! I visited probably about ten years ago when my grandma was still alive and living in Tucson. There is something unspeakably magic about the light–I especially remember the mornings. Welcome back! Looks like a great trip!
Kristin, I can’t tell you how much I love these pictures! It’s hard to imagine that there’s somewhere out there that’s so sunny & warm while we’re stuck in the middle of this Chicago snowstorm. Thanks for the peek into your vacation. Can’t wait to hear more!
Sedona really is beautiful, isn’t it? So happy you made it to La Grande Orange! (And not-so-secretly wondering if it was my suggestion that led you there.)
Welcome home, it must be quite a shock to go from poolside sun to Chicago snow!
What a timely non-recipe post – I leave tomorrow for my first visit to the in-laws who live outside Phoenix near some ghost town. Maybe I can convince them to visit one of your haunts. Thanks!
This is my first visit to your blog and I find it to be wonderful. Such lovely pictures. These places seem so far away…and they are!
I wish you a creative, healthy and full of fun, good food and friends New Year. I’ll be visiting you again soon.
Magda
What a lovely trip! Living in MN the last few weeks have been unbearable and my sister and I have talked about moving to the Caribbean permanently! Thanks for sharing great pictures that I can glean some warmth from.
I quite enjoyed this recipe-free post. Your vacation sentiments and photographs occupy the space splendidly.
PHX was home for 8 years and you captured it with perfection! LGO is a fave – isn’t it wonderful? Thanks so much for sharing! I crave your blog and all your yummy kitchen creations. Cheers, Laura
I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to the Valley of the Sun!. I’ve lived here my entire life and often I am reminded that I live in a beautiful place.
I love your photos and even more love your recipes!!! I’ve been “running” to your blog for help since October. One night my boyfriend requested Lasagna, I panicked because I’d never made Lasagna, needless to say he loved it. so Thank you Thank you!!!
Gook luck with project 365! (:
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