January 2014 – Page 2 – Crawford Family Sabbatical

This picture does not do justice of how slick the roads were. It was getting scary!

Well, we had a plan(I like plans), but we had to throw them out the window when we hit snow and slick roads heading north toward Flagstaff, AZ. We were heading north then east to Petrified National Forest and over to New Mexico. Then we planned on going to Chaco Cultural National Historical Park the following day then down to Albuquerque to see Aunt Joyce. Well, the roads started getting slick heading north on I-17 and we did not think it was safe to keep going, so we turned around and decided we would head south to Tucson. I was disappointed that we would miss both parks, but the good news was we got to go to Saguaro National Park. Kane was begging to see a saguaro. He had only seen them in pictures. Well, his dreams came true right north of Phoenix. We started spotting our first saguaros. Our kids were SO Excited! We made it to Tucson mid afternoon, so the kids and I headed out to Saguaro National Park(west side). It was amazing to see saguaros as far as the eye could see!

Kids loved the different types of cactus. — Kids were amazed that more than 50 types of cacti grow there.

We ended the day at In and Out for burgers and fries! Scott couldn't wait to stop at one since we saw them in CA. — We ended the day at In and Out for burgers and fries! Scott couldn’t wait to stop at one since we saw them in CA.

We stayed at LazyDays Campground in Tuscon. Guess what the kids could do there? Pick oranges, grapefruit and lemons from the trees! They had a blast picking fruit!!

Scott took the kids swimming in the pool while I did some Christmas shopping, then the kids and I headed to Saguaro National Park(east side).

Pool time! Kids didn't mind the cool water. — Pool time! Kids didn’t mind the cool water.

Kane was excited that the State Park had 3 lakes. — Kane was excited that the State Park had 3 lakes

We love State Park Campgrounds! Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located in Cottonwood, Arizona(about 7 miles from Sedona). We arrived at our campsite late afternoon, so the kids and I went for a bike ride to scout out the park.

The next day we went to Montezuma Castle National Monument. Montezuma Castle is a well preserved cliff dwelling of the Sinagua people. It is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the USA. It was built somewhere between 1100 AD to 1400AD. We attended a Ranger program that told us more about the history of the Sinagua and our kids completed their Jr. Ranger books about Montezuma.

Kim helping Kat with her Jr. Ranger book.

Then we headed to Sedona, AZ to see the red rocks and visit Red Rock State Park. We attended another Ranger Progam and learned alot about the plants, trees, rocks in the area and did a short hike.

Our last day, kids and I headed to Tuzigoot National Monument. Tuzigoot preserves a 2-3 story pueblo ruin built on a summit above the Verde River floodplain. This was also built by the Sinagua people sometime between 1100AD to 1400AD.

Kids checking out the remains of the pueblo.

In the afternoon, Scott took the kids fishing at the lake in our campground while I went grocery shopping and used book shopping at Goodwill. I cannot believe the great books I can find there for hardly anything! Unfortunately, no luck catching fish that day, but it was a beautiful day to be outside.

Kane's Jr. Ranger Badges — Kane’s Jr. Ranger Badges

Month: January 2014

Oh NO, Snow! Turnaround and Go South!! 12-4-13

Dead Horse Ranch State Park -Cottonwood, Arizona 12-3-13