We wanted one more hike together before Julia returned to Virginia for college. We had also just learned that we would be leaving our precious desert and returning to Texas in December and we wanted to soak up one more day filled with exploring this beautiful state as a family of seven.

On Scottsdale Moms Blog, Jennie Love is our amazing social media expert. She is always sharing the best ideas about everything Arizona on our Instagram stories. She had just traveled to this trail and I knew this was the one we just had to try!

Y’all. How is this even Arizona? It was so incredible, even just five minutes in to the hike. The Sedona / Oak Creek area of Arizona is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.  If you have a minute, click over and read the history of the trail.

There is nothing better for our family than to pile in the car and go exploring. Wandering around His creation and sharing it with one another is our recipe for an amazing day. The hike was mostly shaded and the little ones did fantastic! We headed back to the bridge that we crossed at the beginning of the trail and walked down towards the creek.

Brian found me a sitting rock in the shade. I relaxed and watched as the kids found wild blackberries to eat. We took off our shoes and let our feet be washed by cool, clean water.

For just a moment we forgot that the world around us is topsy turvy.

The children’s laughter carried me away to a place where green is a color no one debates and cool water running over your toes is the only news of the day.

For just a moment I remembered that my family is a gift to be savored, not endured.

The smiles of strangers reminded me that this will pass. Someday, the pandemic that consumes our thoughts will become a list of questions in the Trivial Pursuit game.

For just a moment the world reminded me that His creation loves life and will find a way to heal.