Grand Canyon National Park: A Winter Visit That Changed Everything

 

March 2006

After exploring the ancient pueblos of Wupatki National Monument, our journey toward Grand Canyon National Park nearly came to an unexpected end—not because of the weather, but because of a tiny stroller tire.

Kellisa's oversized jogging stroller had become an essential part of our adventures, allowing us to explore far beyond what a standard wheelchair or stroller could handle. Before leaving Wupatki, however, one of its tires went flat. In the middle of rural northern Arizona, our options were almost nonexistent. We pulled into a small gas station, hoping for anything that might help.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

 

Our 17th anniversary adventure through Arizona brought us to Montezuma Castle National Monument on a cool, crisp March afternoon. The comfortable weather made for a relaxing visit as Chris, Lisa, and Kellisa explored one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the Southwest.

Sedona, Arizona: Red Rocks, Cold Days, and Accessible Family Adventure

 

Our 17th wedding anniversary took us to one of the most beautiful landscapes in the American Southwest—Sedona, Arizona. We expected sunshine and warm desert temperatures, but instead found crisp air and surprisingly cold conditions. Even bundled up in jackets, the cool weather couldn't diminish the incredible scenery surrounding us. Every direction revealed towering crimson cliffs, sculpted buttes, and massive sandstone formations glowing against brilliant blue skies.

Lava Flow Trail: An Accessible Winter Adventure Through Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

 

There are some adventures you remember not because the weather was perfect, but because you refused to let the weather keep you from experiencing something extraordinary. Our visit to the Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in March 2006 was exactly that kind of day.

At nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, winter still had a firm grip on northern Arizona. Bitter cold winds swept across the volcanic landscape while patches of snow blanketed the lava fields and the surrounding ponderosa pine forest. The nearby San Francisco Peaks rose in the distance, their snow-covered summits creating a stunning backdrop against the dark volcanic cinders that surrounded us.

Wupatki Pueblo Trail: Going Beyond the Accessible Trail

 

Wupatki National Monument, Arizona March 2006

A cold March afternoon greeted us as we arrived at Wupatki National Monument, where the ancient red stone walls of Wupatki Pueblo rose from the high desert beneath a sky filled with passing snow showers. The weather only added to the atmosphere. The dramatic clouds, crisp air, and empty landscape made it feel as though we had stepped back nearly a thousand years to when this remarkable pueblo was home to hundreds of people.