woman walking down blossom-strewn sidewalk with two other women carrying umbrellas beside

Out and About in Buenos Aires

Our travel schedule allowed just a a few half days and one full day in Buenos Aires. We spent most of that time out and about in the Recoletta neighbourhood. But we did explore a few other central areas, thanks to a rooftop photography tour. We came away convinced we should include a return visit to BA if/when we finally decide to plan a trip to the Patagonia region and/or Atacama Desert.

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Las Vegas to Phoenix Vacation

In January 2020, when we planned a 10-day trip to California, Nevada and Phoenix, we were aware of COVID-19: a new and highly-infectious virus centered in Wuhan, China. And we took what we thought were appropriate precautions, such as wearing a cloth mask during flights; disinfecting door handles, light switches and remotes in our hotel rooms; and hanging the "no service please" sign so that housekeeping stayed out for the duration of our stay. But we enjoyed eating out three times/day, joined throngs of people exploring Las Vegas at night and didn't hesitate to get up close to the eyepiece of the Clark Telescope at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. We certainly didn't imagine our 10-day getaway would be our only vacation in 2020 and into the foreseeable future. And now I sit, more than 4 months after our return to Calgary, writing the wrap-up post for a holiday that seems like it took place a lifetime ago...

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Hiking Arizona – Brins Mesa and Soldier Pass

So many great hiking trails, so little time...It's challenging to choose just one hike, but we eventually opted for the 8 km (5 mile) loop comprised of a long section of the Brins Mesa, Soldier Pass, Jordan Road and Cibola Pass trails. Highlights included fantastic views, the Seven Sacred Pools, Devil’s Kitchen and The Mitten. We completely missed the Hole in the Sky and Soldier’s Arch in our trip planning, so that means we have a ready-made reason to return some day.

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Day Trip: Wupatki National Monument

Connected by a lovely scenic drive, Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments make for a great half-day trip out of Flagstaff, AZ. Wupatki appeals to those with an interest in anthropology, archaeology and nature, while Sunset Crater Volcano has a couple of short hiking options and appeals to those with an interest in geology and nature.