This year, several of the reps who earned the trip were unable to attend. We had a good time getting to know those who were able to make it, and see the beautiful desert sights of Sedona.
Del and I arrived a couple of days before the others, and had fun on a few hikes.
Our hotel had some pretty cool views. We stayed at the Amara Resort in Sedona.
We were in the tree tops in our hotel room. Lots of pretty, green privacy!
We met lots of friendly people on the trails, and our hikes always ended up taking longer than we expected because we did quit a bit of chatting.
One hot, gorgeous hike.
The blood moon eclipse took place while we were in Sedona. The hotel set up a telescope so we could check it out. But as everyone already knows, it was impressive to the naked eye.
We asked Del's team members if they would be interested in a going on an excursion to the Grand Canyon, which is about 2 hours away from our hotel. Everyone was game, so we rented a bus, and paid a tour guide to direct our day.
We ate at El Tovar for lunch. The restaurant right on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Most of our group at the North end of the canyon. We made lots of stops all around the rim. We were gone all day, and it wore us all out. So glad we were able to experience the Grand Canyon as much as we did without actually hiking to the bottom. We learned a lot about that adventure on our tour.
One day that would be cool.
Del and I got up early to hike to Devil's Bridge. This is the arch that you can walk out on. I have quit a fear of heights. We set up a phone to record ourselves as we walked out on the arch. Del walked ahead of me unfazed. I was feeling pretty confident at first, but I got intimidated pretty quickly and froze. Del coaxed me just far enough to get a picture, and then helped me get back to ground with no steep drops offs! The picture didn't even turn out the great, and I don't have it in my phone. I do have a better one of Del.
Every year Del's reps give him a gift they have all signed that represents the area we visited on that trip. This year they gave him local native sand art. He hangs them all in his office.
We attended church with Tyler, one of Del's Atalanta reps, and his very pretty and sweet wife, Valentina. The ward we went to reminded us so much of the ward we just moved from. Small, with every member filling many service rolls, and everyone very familiar with one another.
Our hotel was right on the river and we took a walk down the shore to see all the resorts and restaurants with pretty spots built nearby. A wedding party was being set up at the resort next door. So charming!
We had such a nice get away. I always appreciate time for Del and I to talk and get on the same page with the busy life of running this business and raising our kids. I was so ready for a trip because I had not left Lydie except for one overnight trip to this point. I even woke up in the middle of the night while we were in Sedona, and half asleep, started searching the room for my baby in a panic! When I woke up completely, and realized where I was, I was so relieved she wasn't missing!
Del's sister, Wendy, and my Mom were so amazing and took our kids for us. They showed them a great time, and the kids probably didn't care if we stayed away longer, but I was so, so ready to get home to my kids by the end of this trip! I felt rushed and unprepared going into it, so that may have had something to do with it. Knowing I would be leaving Lydie again a few weeks later for our trip to El Salvador also made me anxious to get back. I will update El Salvador soon. In many ways, I am still getting my bearings after such an emotionally overwhelming visit to a foreign country. I'll compile my pictures, and hopefully my thoughts very soon and write a post!
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