Trip Index
- Knott's Berry Farm, Hyatt Pinon Pointe, hiking in Sedona and Flagstaff
- Las Vegas with kids: Ethel M Chocolate Factory, Jabbawockeez, High Roller, Mac King, Valley of Fire
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What prompted this road trip? It all started with a timeshare exchange to the Hyatt Pinon Pointe in Sedona, Arizona. Due to its location and rave reviews, it was a popular exchange to get and availability was limited, especially during mild weather months. But one day while casually browsing the exchange website, I couldn't believe my luck that an early June week popped up - I grabbed it straight away. The weather would be in the upper 80's to low 90's, but that was better than 100's. Cash rates at the Hyatt for the week would have been around $3000. Exchanging my timeshare cut this cost down to a third, a great value considering this property is right in downtown Sedona. Since I got a two-bedroom unit, we invited Frank and Tanya (who live near Phoenix) to join us for the second half of the week.
Sedona was about two hours' drive from the Phoenix airport. The choice was either fly down and rent a car or do a road trip. Kaleb happened to receive an invitation from Mlife Rewards to stay four complimentary nights at the Park MGM in Las Vegas. We had been to that hotel in September of last year, when it was still under construction. By now, everything was complete, including the Eataly food court, which I was eager to check out. So we took advantage of the offer - a road trip was blossoming. We also invited my brother Allen and his family to join us in Vegas. Frank found out about our visit to Sin City and decided to join us, along with another friend Quinn - the more the merrier!
To get to Sedona, we'd be passing by southern California, where Allen and my other brother Edmund and their families live. Thus, a stop was added there to break up the drive, spending a day at Knott's Berry Farm with everyone. We redeemed Ultimate Rewards points for one-day tickets through the online Chase Travel Portal.
On with the trip...
The drive to Edmund's house was non-eventful, making it there in time for dinner. We went to Cravings, a food court in the 99 Ranch supermarket. There were many tasty selections available.
The next day, everyone met up at Knott's Berry Farm. The weather was excellent and all seemed to have a great time. Though there was no "FastPass" mechanism like in Disney theme parks, the lines weren't terribly long (except for the most popular thrill rides).
Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant was quite busy. Reservations can be made online through OpenTable.
On Sunday, Kaleb and I made the long drive to Sedona, arriving at Hyatt Pinon Pointe around 9:30 at night. The two bedroom unit was very spacious and comfortable. The next day, we explored the resort, walked around downtown, and drove to a supermarket a few miles away to stock up on groceries.
On Tuesday, Kaleb and I went hiking in the morning. The Javelina Trail was walking distance from the resort, connecting to Jordan and Soldier Pass trails. Views galore! It got toasty as the day unfolded, but we brought enough water and sunscreen, returning to the resort by early afternoon.
On Wednesday, we drove 45 minutes to Flagstaff to hike the Elden Lookout Trail. The weather was slightly cooler. This was a tough 2.5 miles - pretty much all uphill!
360 spherical photo of the top of Elden Lookout (taken with the Ricoh Theta S):
Returning to the Hyatt, we had barbecue for dinner. We called the front desk for a 6pm reservation; the agent said that someone would come by to light the grill. By 6:10pm, no one had showed up and I went back to the condo to call again. Eventually a staff member came by in a golf cart. He apologized for the delay, lit the barbecue, then provided grilling utensils and an oven mitt. It seemed guests only had an hour's use; no one told us this, only finding out when the 7pm party showed up. Fortunately we were done by then, despite the late start.
Kaleb and I took it easy the next day, relaxing and (me) recuperating from hiking. Our friends Frank and Tanya arrived that night.
On Friday, as the weather was getting pretty hot in Sedona, we decided to spend the day in Flagstaff. First on the agenda was a hike along Fatmans Loop, part of the Elden Lookout Trail. There were huge boulders with eroded niches large enough for people to climb in.
After the hike, we made our way to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. It was fascinating to see remnants of a volcanic eruption surrounded by forest.
16-second drone clip with the beautiful San Francisco Peaks in the background: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
Afterwards, we went to Beaver Street Brewery in downtown Flagstaff for dinner, then explored the area before heading back to Sedona.
On Saturday, we spent the day shopping for souvenirs, checking out the beautiful grounds of L'Auberge de Sedona hotel and Oak Creek, then having dinner at Open Range Grill and Tavern.
Our week in Sedona had quickly come to a close. The location of Hyatt Pinon Pointe made it easy to ditch the car and walk to shops, restaurants and hiking. Flagstaff was a reasonable drive away with many activities to enjoy and slightly cooler weather. I highly recommend a visit to Sedona if you appreciate nature, enjoy the outdoors, or looking for a relaxing getaway.
Tomorrow, Kaleb and I drive on to Las Vegas - stay tuned!
(Read my last entry about a girls' trip to watch Hamilton the musical and frolicking at the Museum of Ice Cream in San Francisco? If not, click here! Don't miss a single update - click here to have the latest delivered straight into your inbox...opt out anytime.)
If you came here from a Facebook or Twitter link, thanks for clicking the "Facebook Like" button at the top of the page or retweeting!
Don't miss a blog entry! Sign up for updates direct to your inbox here or add the blog to your RSS feed.
Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at yellowdogtravel at gmail d0t com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy returning clients - references always available.
Come check out my other blog "What in the world is Kat Kong doing now?", documenting things other than traveling...sign up for blog updates direct to your inbox here!
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
Sedona was about two hours' drive from the Phoenix airport. The choice was either fly down and rent a car or do a road trip. Kaleb happened to receive an invitation from Mlife Rewards to stay four complimentary nights at the Park MGM in Las Vegas. We had been to that hotel in September of last year, when it was still under construction. By now, everything was complete, including the Eataly food court, which I was eager to check out. So we took advantage of the offer - a road trip was blossoming. We also invited my brother Allen and his family to join us in Vegas. Frank found out about our visit to Sin City and decided to join us, along with another friend Quinn - the more the merrier!
To get to Sedona, we'd be passing by southern California, where Allen and my other brother Edmund and their families live. Thus, a stop was added there to break up the drive, spending a day at Knott's Berry Farm with everyone. We redeemed Ultimate Rewards points for one-day tickets through the online Chase Travel Portal.
On with the trip...
The drive to Edmund's house was non-eventful, making it there in time for dinner. We went to Cravings, a food court in the 99 Ranch supermarket. There were many tasty selections available.
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The next day, everyone met up at Knott's Berry Farm. The weather was excellent and all seemed to have a great time. Though there was no "FastPass" mechanism like in Disney theme parks, the lines weren't terribly long (except for the most popular thrill rides).
 |  |
 |  |
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Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant was quite busy. Reservations can be made online through OpenTable.
 |  |
On Sunday, Kaleb and I made the long drive to Sedona, arriving at Hyatt Pinon Pointe around 9:30 at night. The two bedroom unit was very spacious and comfortable. The next day, we explored the resort, walked around downtown, and drove to a supermarket a few miles away to stock up on groceries.
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On Tuesday, Kaleb and I went hiking in the morning. The Javelina Trail was walking distance from the resort, connecting to Jordan and Soldier Pass trails. Views galore! It got toasty as the day unfolded, but we brought enough water and sunscreen, returning to the resort by early afternoon.
 |  |
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 |  |
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On Wednesday, we drove 45 minutes to Flagstaff to hike the Elden Lookout Trail. The weather was slightly cooler. This was a tough 2.5 miles - pretty much all uphill!
 |
|
|
|
360 spherical photo of the top of Elden Lookout (taken with the Ricoh Theta S):
Post from RICOH THETA. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Returning to the Hyatt, we had barbecue for dinner. We called the front desk for a 6pm reservation; the agent said that someone would come by to light the grill. By 6:10pm, no one had showed up and I went back to the condo to call again. Eventually a staff member came by in a golf cart. He apologized for the delay, lit the barbecue, then provided grilling utensils and an oven mitt. It seemed guests only had an hour's use; no one told us this, only finding out when the 7pm party showed up. Fortunately we were done by then, despite the late start.
Kaleb and I took it easy the next day, relaxing and (me) recuperating from hiking. Our friends Frank and Tanya arrived that night.
On Friday, as the weather was getting pretty hot in Sedona, we decided to spend the day in Flagstaff. First on the agenda was a hike along Fatmans Loop, part of the Elden Lookout Trail. There were huge boulders with eroded niches large enough for people to climb in.
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 |  |
 |  |
After the hike, we made our way to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. It was fascinating to see remnants of a volcanic eruption surrounded by forest.
 |  |
 |  |
 |
|
16-second drone clip with the beautiful San Francisco Peaks in the background: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
Afterwards, we went to Beaver Street Brewery in downtown Flagstaff for dinner, then explored the area before heading back to Sedona.
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|
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On Saturday, we spent the day shopping for souvenirs, checking out the beautiful grounds of L'Auberge de Sedona hotel and Oak Creek, then having dinner at Open Range Grill and Tavern.
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 |  |
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Our week in Sedona had quickly come to a close. The location of Hyatt Pinon Pointe made it easy to ditch the car and walk to shops, restaurants and hiking. Flagstaff was a reasonable drive away with many activities to enjoy and slightly cooler weather. I highly recommend a visit to Sedona if you appreciate nature, enjoy the outdoors, or looking for a relaxing getaway.
Tomorrow, Kaleb and I drive on to Las Vegas - stay tuned!
(Read my last entry about a girls' trip to watch Hamilton the musical and frolicking at the Museum of Ice Cream in San Francisco? If not, click here! Don't miss a single update - click here to have the latest delivered straight into your inbox...opt out anytime.)
***
If you came here from a Facebook or Twitter link, thanks for clicking the "Facebook Like" button at the top of the page or retweeting!
Don't miss a blog entry! Sign up for updates direct to your inbox here or add the blog to your RSS feed.
Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at yellowdogtravel at gmail d0t com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy returning clients - references always available.
Come check out my other blog "What in the world is Kat Kong doing now?", documenting things other than traveling...sign up for blog updates direct to your inbox here!
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
