Made it to Flagstaff!

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Hey Mike,

I didn't realize you were a timeshare virgin...welcome...you will never go back.

Sounds great in AZ for Christmas. When we were in Flagstaff at the same time of year many moons ago a storm had just blown through and it was beautiful but very cold. Wait until you see Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon in the snow. What a wonderful place.

Sounds like you are having a great time. Thanks for keeping us updated. We would love to go back there again during winter.

Merry Christmas.

John

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Yes, as John stated here, the updates are wonderful as we all can experience it with you too in our mind.

Seeing the Grand Canyon for the very first time makes you absolutely speechless. Only a few places will do that for me. I am sure Sedona is another place like that too as were Yosemite and the California Redwoods.

Keep us posted and I hope that your weather will stay nice and clear so you can take many pictures too.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Made it to Sedona

Hi everyone.

We left Flagstaff this morning and headed down Hwy 89A per katiemack's recommendation. WOWWW! Oak Creek Canyon was gorgeous. There was a lot of snow on the canyon walls throughout the drive to Sedona. We made 2 scenic view stops on the way.

Got to Fairfield Sedona around 4pm and checked in quickly. I have to admit I lied to the conceirge who tried to sign me up for an owners update . Told her I just went to one in Flagstaff.

We have a 2BR deluxe unit. It is even better than the Flagstaff unit. This 2BR has 2 queen beds in the 2nd BR so my kids are very happy. Very spacious and everything is there that's supposed to be there.

We were killing time on 89A this afternoon and saw the Hyatt Pinion resort. It is right at the end of the tourist t-shirt shopping area. It was built as adobe buildings and is very convenient to this area.

Fairfield is out with the new developments. It is a huge complex and has great views of the red mountains/rocks.

I will try to update later. I hope that katiemack or Jaybee calls me for a meet!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Mike....I'm glad that you guys are having such a greeat vacation. The Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, and Sedona, are all beautiful. We loved it, and can't wait to go back. Keep us posted.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Sedona will bite you with the magic bug. It did me, and also my next door neighbor. I had talked about Sedona so much she finally went and it got her. Take tons of pics. Can't wait to see them!! shaggy

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Well, to finish this tale.

On Wednesday, our day started off with our unit's phone ringing about 9 am. As my son was about to answer it I said that it was probably FF wanting to have us do an owners' update. Of course, he answered it and it was for me. Happily, it was katiemack calling to say hello and to figure a time for a meet!!

The rest of the day we spent the day exploring Sedona and area. We went out to Red Rock State Park and hiked some trails. While at the state park, we took lots of pictures and even spotted a mule deer doe and her fawn. We drove out to the Village of Oak Creek (I think) to go to a restaurant that was closed. We did see some of the lights at Los Abrigados.

On Thursday, my DS and I met katiemack and her husband, Mr. katiemack, at the Coffee Pot restaurant for breakfast. We had a wonderful time. Both are just super people and we had a great time meeting one another.

Later on Thursday, the weather changed quite a bit, first with rain, then with snow. The snow flakes were the big soft kind. To me it was quite magical coming from a tropical climate in Houston. Because of the weather we weren't able to go into the red rock areas. So we just hung around, went to a movie, and basically relaxed for the day. My DS and I went to a nice Japanese restaurant, Takashi, and had some sushi rolls. Very fresh and tasty food!

On Friday, we checked out and left Sedona to drive back to Phoenix for our trip home. Instead of taking Hwy 179, we drove to Cottonwood and then took Hwy 260 to I-17. We did this based on katiemack's reports about the highway construction on Hwy 179. When we got to Phoenix, my DS wanted to find an In and Out Burger place to try. Somehow we ended up in some very upscale east Phoenix suburb shopping area that had one. The In and Out Burger was pretty good. I really liked their French fries.

From the In and Out we headed to the airport for our flight back to Houston. Our flight left on time but when we got to Houston, there was a huge thunderstorm. So we circled around Houston for about an hour. As we did, you could see all of the lighting strikes through the clouds. It was somewhat spooky but also quite beautiful. I felt like I was watching an old WW II movie with the bombs and explosions going off. Fortunately, the pilots did a great job and made an excellent landing.

Temperature in Houston was 74 degrees at 9 pm. Welcome home!

As soon as I get a chance I will get some pictures of Flagstaff and Sedona posted. Happy New Year to everyone!

[urple2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close urple2]

Mike:
Glad to here you had a great time and thanks for sharing.

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Mike,
Sounds like a successful trip. Glad you had a good time. Flagstaff and Sedona are great places, real fun to visit.
Welcome back.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Mike, what a wonderful report and how nice you had a great trip. This was your first timeshare vacation and are you hooked now? Will you take many more? I hope you have enough vacation weeks to do so.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Mike, what a wonderful report and how nice you had a great trip. This was your first timeshare vacation and are you hooked now? Will you take many more? I hope you have enough vacation weeks to do so.

Hooked: Yes!
Take more: You bet! Have Colorado lined up for spring break and am being flexible for rest of year.
Enough weeks: Probably more than I can use personally. Enough FF points to take 2 to 6 weeks, South Shore Lake Resort wk 27, Hot Springs (cheap ebay purchase!)

Emmy, I have become an addict like John (4aRedOctober) and others.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Mike, it's OK and I love reading about it. I also read the thread about everyone's plans for 2007. Very exciting. Everyone should do it while they can and especially when the children are still home. One day you get too old and don't want to go anymore.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Hi, Mike...glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to AZ and the special weather we ordered for you! It was certainly a pleasure to meet you and we also enjoyed talking with your son...terrific guy! You take care now, don't get too addicted...there are only 52 weeks in a year....and you still have to work, at least until those kids get thru college! Again, thanks for the meet, it was great fun....but don't go spreading any rumors that we are super people....BruceCz tried doing that a while back, and we have to work extra hard then to prove you wrong....

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

....but don't go spreading any rumors that we are super people....

Pshaw! < as my Papa would say >