North Rim of the Grand Canyon

If you are like everyone else in AZ you are from somewhere else. Something like 80% of the people who live here are and I am no exception. As you know; I'm from the Bay Area and moved out here to go to ASU and stuck around once I married this nerd:

However, Max was born and raised here. That means I knew/know NOTHING about this state and Max knows EVERYTHING.

I have no places to show him, take him, surprise him with, etc. without him saying "Oh I've done/seen this before." Awesome, Fail #1,938,475,543,157. So he takes me around to all the places he loves and I get to see some amazing things like this:

Sierra Anchas

But even after 7 years I am still trying to find something that will be new to the BOTH of us. Enter the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Technically Max has been there before...shocker. But it was when he was a kid and he only remembers bits and pieces so it's basically new for the both of us. We have been checking for reservations for years. But they are always full a year in advance and booking something for a year from now just isn't our style; besides a lot can happen in a year...like having a baby per-say. But one day we were looking online and there was a CANCELLATION only 3 weeks away. Done and done; Max booked it.

LET THE NEW FAMILY MEMORIES BEGIN!

This also happens to be our first true family vacation! No parents, no dogs, no friends...no help! But I was bound and determined to make it as fun and amazing as possible.

We left Sunday morning and after a 6 hr. car ride, in which Jack decided to either be silent or scream as if his car seat was some kind of torture device, we made it up to the gates of the North Rim. I didn't know what to expect but I knew there would be trees (something you cherish when you live in a desert), amazing views, cooler temps (for those that don't know it's currently 115), and some kind of wild life. What I didn't know was that as we entered the park this would be our view:

What the What?! I had no idea buffalo were at the Grand Canyon let alone in AZ! I always figured that to be a Yellowstone thing. Even though Jack was screaming as loud as he could it was still an amazing sight.

We reached the Lodge, got checked in and put our stuff in our log cabin. Yes you read that correctly, are you jealous yet, you should be.

Don't worry that's not how Jack actually slept.

Then we headed off to grab some sandwiches at the deli for dinner and ate outside over looking the canyon. What a sight.

Since it was still too early for bed we decided to walk around the top and take in the views. Max even made a timelapse at sunset. You can check it out on his blog.

Then we headed back to our cabin to settle in for the night. I know what you're thinking, "What did baby Jack sleep in? He can't sleep in a bed yet!" Well first don't under estimate Jack he's a bad ass. Second I worried about this too. We could have brought the pack and play but let's be honest they don't pack as much as they should, they way like a 1,000 pounds, and our cabin was pretty tiny and I wasn't sure how it would fit. So like a week before the trip I bought the Brica Fold n Go Travel Bassinet. I tried it out at home first to make sure he wasn't too big or anything and it worked great so it came with us. This thing is amazing. It folds up super slim, weights roughly 3lbs, and un-folds like a dream. And the best part was Jack slept in it GREAT! He wasn't scared or confused where he was and the mesh on the sides allowed air to move so he could breathe and I could sleep :). The first night we put it on the twin bed across from our bed but there is ONE SINGLE squeaky floor board between that bed and ours so it was a bit tricky to check on him and pop the binky back in without fully waking him up; so the second night we put him on the floor next to us. Both worked great except for the stupid squeak :)

Per-usual Jack woke us up for his 6AM feeding so we decided to start our day. We headed out for a short hike along the Widfross Trail.

The really cool part about this was not only that it was along the top, thus meaning flat, it also had a pamphlet guide that told you about different things along the trail at different points. It was kinda cool to learn some new things and it gave us a chance to stop and take a breather and enjoy our family time.

Jack did great too. Max carried him in the carrier instead of the Moby wrap this time because he's getting a bit big and squiggly. And this carrier also breathes a bit better which was nice in the sun.

We went up there to escape the heat so once the sun started bearing down on us we headed back. We hung out in the cabin for awhile so Jack could eat and enjoy some play time outside of the carrier. He loved every second, that kid has the cutest smile!

After some much needed relaxing we headed out for a picnic. This was my #1 to do while we were up there. I wanted some time just sitting around on a blanket soaking in the scenery and our little baby. Max drove us out to an amazing lookout point that also had a wonderful picnic table area. The ground was too rocky and pokey for the blanket so we just put it on the table and let Jack go to town (supervised of course!). We had some PB&J's and walked along the non-railed edge (it was terrifying but worth it). It was great quality family time. And aren't we the cutest little family ever!

After our picnic we headed back to the cabin to rest some more and give Jack some more play time. He rocked the tummy time at the picnic so now it was time for sitting, rolling over and giggles. Jack really isn't into rolling over, he'll roll onto his sides but feels no desire to go all the way over. Sitting and standing however might be the coolest things he has ever done. He will sit and stand for hours if you let him. But by far the best part was when he mastered his squealing giggle. He hasn't done the belly laugh yet but his squeal giggle and huge grin is simply amazing. I may have tickled and danced with him from then until dinner ;).

 

Before we left I called and made reservations for dinner on Monday night. There are only two sit down options; one fancy white table cloth style and one buffet western cook out style. Which one do you think was better with a 4 month old. Yeah we went with the cook out. They picked all of us up outside the lodge in a train; it was so adorable. The cookout was in the adjacent camp ground under a huge tent. The food was pretty good and there was even a live western show! They sang music, told corny jokes, and even told a story. Jack did great and even danced along to some music (with mama's help :) ).

That night after dinner I knew Max was dying to hike the canyon but since I'm in NO shape to do that and Jack is well...a baby we obviously couldn't. So Max was left to hike it alone, through the dark, our last night there while Jack and I "slept". And by slept I mean Jack slept and I stayed awake hoping Max didn't fall to his death, but you know whatever :). He started around 11PM to beat the heat and got back around 7:30AM. I was a little jealous; first he got some alone time, I love Jack but some mommy time is much needed, second he got to see some super cool bats. Max hates bats so this was more annoying to him but I would have loved it.

Once he got back we packed up and got ready to go. Jack was less than enthused about leaving, and wanted to stay napping with mommy in the big bed; I think we all felt the same.

All in all it was a fantastic trip and NEW FAMILY MEMORIES MADE!

Win #1.