Grand Canyon Family Photo at Cathedral Rock

Grand Canyon Road Trip

May 7 – 13, 2018

 

Mr. Jo and I are both really close to our families and we like to take alternating family vacations every year. This year (2018) is Mrs. Jo family vacation year (my side)! Now that we have two toddlers aged 3.5 years old and 18 months, we try not to cross too many time zones when we travel with them. Mr. Jo researched several domestic locations, and we settled on a road trip through Arizona to see the Grand Canyon, Page, and Sedona.

It’s great to go west for adventure travel with kids because everyone is wired to wake up early and get on the trails! Also, the kids are zonked by the time bedtime comes around.

We traveled with my parents, my younger sister (15 weeks pregnant!), her husband, my younger brother, and our two kids Jo Jr. and Missy Jo. We always recommend traveling with extended family when you’re flying or road tripping with the kids for the simple fact that there are more child tamers and entertainers and you might get a moment or two of peace and quiet all to yourself.

Of course, if you can’t stand your extended family, that’s another story! Luckily, we get along great with both sides of our families.

 

 

Grand Canyon, Page, Sedona Travel Itinerary

 

Monday, May 7 (Home –> Grand Canyon)

  • 10:35 am Depart from DFW
  • 11:13 am Arrive at PHX
    • rented a 12 person capacity van from Avis
  • 2h 14m (149 mi) drive to Flagstaff, AZ
    • ate packed lunches on the road
    • stopped at Wal-mart in Flagstaff for bathroom break and picked up diapers, wipes, water, and snacks
  • 1h 20m (72 mi) drive to Tusayan, AZ
  • 5:00 pm Check in at Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon
    • Address: 226 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
    • Rest at the hotel
  • 6:30 pm Dinner at Plaza Bonita
  • 7:30 pm Back to Hotel

Tuesday, May 8 (Grand Canyon)

  • 6:30 am Breakfast at hotel
    • Tusayan, AZ is 2 hours behind Texas time
  • 8:30 am drove to Grand Canyon Village
  • 9:00 am to 11:15 am Hiked South Kaibab Trail
    • backpacked the kiddos
  • 11:30 ate lunch at We Cook Pizza and Pasta
    • pretty decent gourmet-ish pizza
  • 1:00 pm drove back to hotel
  • 1:00 – 4:00 pm Nap
  • 4:00 – 5:30 pm swim in hotel pool
  • 6:00 pm Pick up Wendy’s to go
  • 6:15 pm Drive to Yavapai Point to watch sunset
    • park and take bus
  • 7:22 pm Sunset
  • 7:45 pm long stroll back to car
    • can take the bus, but we decided to walk
  • 9:30 pm Bedtime for the kids and me
  • 10:00 pm The men went back to Yavapai Point to see the starry sky at night

Wednesday, May 9 (Grand Canyon –> Page)

Thursday, May 10 (Page –> Sedona)

Friday, May 11 (Sedona)

  • 7:00 am made breakfast at the house
  • 9:00 am to 11:00 am hiked Sugar Loaf Trail in the morning
    • carried the kids in our Deuters
  • 11:30 am lunch at Indian Gardens Cafe & Market
    • second best meal of the trip
  • 12:30 pm shopped next door at Garland’s Indian Jewelry
    • super expensive
  • 1:30 pm walked around Uptown Sedona
  • 3:30 pm back to Airbnb for naps and got ready for family pictures
  • 5:00 pm half the group picked up picnic food from Whole Foods
  • 5:30 pm family pictures at Red Rock Crossing (with view of Cathedral Rock)
  • 7:00 pm drove to Sedona Airport Overlook to watch the sunset
    • sunset at 7:21 pm
  • 8:00 pm went home and ate our picnic dinner

Saturday, May 12 (Sedona)

Sunday, May 13 (Sedona –> Home)

  • breakfast at Airbnb
  • 9:00 am – 11:00 pm drive to PHX
  • 12:25 pm Departure PHX to DFW

 

 

Grand Canyon Road Trip Details

 

Vacation Mode

As with most of our trips with the kids, Mr. Jo and I felt excited but a little apprehensive at the same time. I was looking forward to seeing my sister who lives in Boston and getting to hang out with my whole family together. We were hoping the DIY Toddler Travel Toys that I made, nap planning, iPad, and a multitude of snacks would keep the kids in line.

Popsicle Stick Toddler Toy
Popsicle Stick Toddler Toy

Since we never know what kind of food will be available to us at the airport or on the flight, I decided to make a travel-friendly and kid-friendly breakfast/lunch for everyone. For a great meal on the go, check out my recipe for Taiwanese Egg Crepe (aka Dan Bing). It’s perfect for travel because it’s filling, delicious, and easy to pack and eat on the run. And, I modified the recipe based on what I had on hand. So, I used premade wheat tortillas that I had in the freezer. For some protein, I used leftover turkey (also from the freezer) that I diced up and cooked with the egg. I wrapped it up in foil and stuck it in my personal item for the flight.

Taiwanese Egg Crepe
Taiwanese Egg Crepe – American Version

 

Flying with Toddlers

Our flight was on time and we got on as non-revenue passengers! The kids did well on the plane. Jo Jr. (age 3.5) had the iPad on pretty much the whole way and behaved himself. We had been using these toddler headphones, but Jo Jr.’s head was still a little too small for them. This time around, I brought his Paw Patrol Chase headband headphones that he got for Christmas. These worked beautifully and never fell off. Mr. Jo thought it might be too warm for a summer trip, but that wasn’t the case.

Missy Jo (age 1.5) was entertained by my DIY Toddler Travel Toys and snacks until the very end. I did learn that American Airlines serves Dairy Pure shelf stable 2% milk (no growth hormones!). This came in handy since I didn’t have any milk on hand and she still soothes with a bottle. I know, I know, I need to wean her but the girl is stubborn! Must be her daddy’s daughter.

In contrast, the flight back was another story. Missy Jo was sleep deprived from the trip and didn’t sleep at all on the car ride to the airport! She fussed for a while on the flight until I took her to the back and rocked her to sleep in my Ergo 360. I had the brilliant idea of putting her Paw Patrol Sky headband headphones on and playing ocean sounds for her. She is used to sleeping to ocean sounds on her sound machine at home. It worked beautifully, and I gave myself a little pat on the back.

Headband Headphones
Paw Patrol headphones for the win!

Driving During Naptime

We picked up our 12 person capacity rental van from Avis and picked up the rest of our party as they arrived right after us. We immediately got on the road. Since Arizona does not follow daylight savings time, we were two hours behind. So, it was nap time for the kids. Jo Jr. and Missy Jo both slept for most of the ride to Flagstaff. We planned most of our long drives around afternoon nap time and that helped keep the kids well rested and the rest of us sane.

 

Holiday Inn Express

All of the Holiday Inn Express’s we have ever stayed at have all been similar across the board. This was a great hotel option for us since we had a large party and the price was reasonable. Of course, we always love the free hot breakfast buffet in the morning, which also saves us money. We made sure to ask for two adjoining rooms. If this isn’t a major family vacation hack, I don’t know what is. My parents, sister, and brother were able to entertain the kids and answer Jo Jr.’s five million questions when we needed a break.

Holiday Inn Express, Grand Canyon
Suitcase ride outside our hotel. Everyone dressed in matching family vacation T-shirts that I made.

Grand Canyon

South Kaibab Trail

Hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon was a great experience, but it won’t be for everyone, especially those with kids. I carried Missy Jo on my back in my Ergo 360 and Mr. Jo carried Jo Jr. in our Deuter Kid Comfort 2 hiking carrier. The hiking backpack was a lifesaver, especially since Jo Jr. refuses to walk more than a few hundred feet. I wish we had purchased a canopy for the carrier because Jo Jr. complained about the sun being in his face.

Beware, the hike is steep with many steps and slopes with slippery gravel. We walked pretty slowly downhill since we were carrying the kids on our backs. After making it to the first major viewpoint, we decided to turn back since we would be going uphill. As a matter of fact, it took us almost an hour to get to the viewpoint and at least twice as long to get back up.

There is no water along the trail, so we made sure to take lots of water with us. Even though we started the hike around 9 am, it got hot pretty quickly since there is minimal shade along the trail. It’s a good idea to bring snacks as well. We gobbled up a bunch of Rainbow Trail Mix pouches from Trader Joe’s on this hike.

 

Yavapai Point for Sunset

On our second night, we drove to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and took the shuttle bus to Yavapai Point to watch the sunset. It was incredible. The men in our group went back later at night to see the starry sky, which they told us was definitely worth the trip.

 

Yavapai Point at Sunset
Yavapai Point at Sunset

 

Walking the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
South Rim Grand Canyon - Mr. Jo & Missy Jo
South Rim Grand Canyon – Mr. Jo & Missy Jo

The following day, we walked the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Yavapai Point. The views were so insanely beautiful; I mean, this is what we came to see. We started at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center again and took our time getting to Yavapai Point. Stunning panoramic views of Havasupai Point to the west and Desert View to the east made us really appreciate the natural beauty on this Earth. It was deep, no pun intended.

South Rim Grand Canyon - Mom & Dad
South Rim Grand Canyon – My Mom & Dad

Most of the trail is paved, so we were able to push Missy Jo in the stroller. We didn’t notice much incline/decline, so it’s an easy walk for pretty much anyone. Originally, we had planned on walking the full 2.1 miles to the Grand Canyon Village Center. However, Missy Jo, who walks too slowly still, refused to stay in the stroller. And, Jo Jr., who is more than old enough to walk, refused. #momproblems

South Rim Grand Canyon - My Sister and the Kids
South Rim Grand Canyon – My Sister and the Kids

 

South Rim Grand Canyon Stroller
South Rim Grand Canyon – My Brother and the Kids

Luckily, there is a shuttle service that runs between the overlook points. So, we took the long-ish shuttle ride to the Grand Canyon Village Center. By this time, it was about time for lunch, so we ate at the Maswik Lodge cafeteria in the Village Center. The food was very average cafeteria food, so don’t go out of your way to eat here.

 

Desert View Watchtower

Sadly, Our Grand Canyon leg of the road trip was coming to an end. After taking the shuttle back to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center where our car was, we drove the 22.2 miles to the Desert View Watchtower for one last hurrah. We climbed the 85 steps to the observation deck and caught one more incredible view. There was a gift shop there that served ice cream. There was no way to hide it from the kids and we didn’t want to deal with sticky fingers and melting ice cream in the car, so we passed. On to Page, Arizona!

 

Horseshoe Bend

With a carefully timed car ride nap for the kids, we made it through the 1.5 hour drive to Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. We parked in the gravel lot and walked to see the incredible horseshoe-shaped Canyon with the deep blue and green Colorado River running through it. The walk there is not stroller compatible and is uphill at the beginning. We also found that there is absolutely no shade, so it can get hot.

 

Mommy Fails

I had a major mommy fail on this part of the trip. Since we couldn’t use the stroller, I carried Missy Jo in the Ergo 360. After we got halfway there, she started losing her mind and had to be carried in my arms. I quickly ran to see the horseshoe, and then I walked/ran the whole way back. For a while, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. I thought maybe she was teething, or maybe she was just fed up with being outside in the heat. Then, I realized that she had rubbed the sunscreen from her face into her eyes and her eyes were burning. I felt so bad for her. Even at dinner that night, she could barely open her eyes.

But other than that, Horseshoe Bend was great! Haha. No, but actually, it’s definitely worth the stop. What was an even greater mommy fail was what happened at dinner that night. While we were waiting for the check, my dad and Mr. Jo were outside with Missy Jo. She started having a massive nosebleed, I mean, it looked like a murder scene. Blood everywhere. There was some freaking out and people yelling at each other, but we handled it. She stopped bleeding and we made a stop at a pharmacy to get some Afrin. I guess the important point is that Arizona desert air is dry! Prepare accordingly.

 

Antelope Canyon

Our second reason for stopping in Page, Arizona for one night was to see Antelope Canyon. We had debated back and forth about whether we wanted to stop in Page or go straight to Sedona. With kids and a large party, we thought it might be easier to skip Page altogether. However, we had heard from many people that Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon were amazing, so we made the effort to add it into the route.

Antelope Canyon was unlike anything we have ever seen in all of our travels and we were glad we made the stop. For a little geology lesson of how Antelope Canyon was formed, read here. We booked an upper Antelope Canyon sightseeing tour through Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours. Importantly, the tour group requires you to arrive 1 hour before your tour time. Because the pathways through the canyon are so narrow, we were not allowed to bring any bags. Pretty much, the only things allowed for us were: water in clear water bottles, camera, and front-carrying baby carriers.

What You Should Know about Antelope Canyon Tours

Ideally, the best time to go on the tour is at 11 am or 12 pm. At those times, the sun enters the narrow slits of the canyon in the perfect way, and it makes for great pictures. We went on the 10 am for scheduling reasons and we thought it was pretty amazing. By the end of the tour, it was 11 ish and we saw even more light come through. The truck ride there and back may be a little difficult for young kids unless you have some way to cover their faces up so the sand that flies by doesn’t hurt them. Hold onto your hats though, it’s an open-air truck, so it may fly away.

Our guide was excellent. We learned all about the formation of the canyon. She showed us how to take the best pictures, including which filter to use on my iPhone as well as my sister and brother’s fancy camera! I think all of the guides did this. If you’re into photography, you can choose to take the photography tour, which allows you to bring tripods, etc., and you have more time to take pictures.

 

Airbnb – Shiloh House

After the upper Antelope Canyon Tour, we ate quickly at a nearby Sonic, and made the 2 hour drive to our Airbnb in Sedona. We loved this house! It was super spacious, clean, and nicely decorated. The kids went straight for the gated play area when we walked in. Thankfully, it provided many hours of quiet-ish playtime. The owner was super responsive to all of our questions and even had snacks for us as well as a pretty well-stocked kitchen.

The Shiloh House also had lots of kid gear including: pack ‘n’ play, highchair, kid-carrying backpack, sippy cups, plates, utensils, swim floaties, and more. It was a home away from home. We bought some groceries at a nearby Safeway and made dinner at the house 2 out of 3 nights we were there.

Since we had the two littles, my family let Mr. Jo and I have the master bedroom, which included a large walk-in closet. We put Missy Jo’s pack ‘n’ play in there and used a white noise app on the iPad to play ocean sounds for her during nap time and bedtime. She adapted pretty well to it and didn’t really cry like we expected. It was great to have her in a separate room where she couldn’t hear Jo Jr. acting a fool.

 

Hiking in Sedona

Sugar Loaf Trail

On our first full day in Sedona, we made a nice breakfast at the Airbnb and set out to hike Sugar Loaf Trail. We drove to the start of the trail, but it’s about a 10-15 min walk from the house. Mr. Jo and I carried the kids in the Deuters and it was definitely doable. I had to catch my breath a couple of times, but it was nowhere near as steep or strenuous as the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon.

Airport Loop Trail

Mr. Jo, my brother, and my BIL went on a sunrise hike on the Airport Loop Trail. Since sunrise in Sedona was at 5:26 am, they had to get up around 4:00 am. The rest of us stayed back with the kids, but they told us it was very nice.

Cathedral Rock Trail

Mr. Jo, my brother, my BIL, and I went on an afternoon hike to Cathedral Rock. This was the steepest of our hikes and at certain points I was on all fours. Some of the rocks were pretty slippery too. Nevertheless, we had a nice conversation about travel blogging while we climbed to the top. It was really nice to have this bonding moment. The whole hike round trip took us about 1.5 hours.

 

Uptown Sedona

One afternoon in Sedona, we walked around the uptown Sedona area. There are a variety of standard retail center shops including clothing, jewelry stores, a kids toy store, etc. We stopped at Buck Thornton’s World of Jerky and tried some samples. My BIL who is from Minnesota said it was pretty legit. Of course, we stopped to get ice cream too. My brother’s friend had recommended Black Cow Cafe to us, so we tried it. I had the prickly pear ice cream which was delicious! It wasn’t too sweet and had a nice unique prickly pear flavor. Everything else was pretty unimpressive.

We didn’t end up spending much time uptown. Afterwards, we went home and napped. Again. Then, we got ready for our family photo shoot at Red Rock Crossing.

 

Family Pictures at Red Rock Crossing

For Christmas the last two years, we have been gifting my mom a family photo shoot, which brings her a lot of joy. She is an extreme frugalist by nature and is super picky with material things. So, this was the perfect gift for her. We thought we would change it up this year and have a photo shoot while on vacation in Sedona. We used Melissa from Tangled Lilac Photography, and she did a great job! She was super patient with us and grabbed amazing still and candid shots.

Notably, Red Rock Crossing was a great location for photos because Cathedral Rock is right there in the background. There was a also a creek nearby where other families and their kids were playing in the water. So, even if you don’t take photos there, you might think about adding Red Rock Crossing to your itinerary.

 

 

Check out our extended family vacation to Kiawah Island, South Carolina

 

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