Friday, March 1, 2013

Winter Getaway

Our getaways usually consist of going to visit family in Nevada, which is nice, but we wanted to get away to a new place.  We considered going to Spokane (since that is where we are considering settling after school) but I was nervous to drive north in the middle of February.  So we decided on the Phoenix area.  It was wonderful to get away and enjoy some family time and some WARMTH.  (This winter has been brutal!)  It was a lot of driving but we enjoyed ourselves.  We saw a lot of new things, made a lot of wildlife sightings, and had a lot of fun!  Are you ready for picture overload?  Ready or not, here it comes.
Day one we drove to Las Vegas, stopping in St. George for a short break. 

The next day we drove to Mesa, making a few stops.  Hoover Dam.  We were here 6 years ago, on our honeymoon :)

Some Big Horn sheep we spotted near the Dam.

We stopped by Bearizona in Williams, AZ.  It is a drive thru animal experience.  The animals can walk right up to your car.  Tom got this sweet shot of one of the bears there.

Day 3 was pretty chill.  We went to an aquarium and then an indoor amusement park.

We made a short stop at the Mesa temple.

Day 4 was spent at the Phoenix Zoo.  This place is HUGE! 

Day 5.... 12 1/2 hours of driving to get home.  Exhausting!  We saw this pretty sunset.... too bad the sign was in the way.