If you haven't yet been to Arizona then it's time to start planning.
The state gets a pretty bad rep from its hot summers and history of crazy governors, but all in all it's a pretty rad state. If you've ever seen Disney Pixar's "Cars", then you've probably seen scenes like this:
Or like this:
If you're anything like me then you've probably been dying to get out west while jamming along to "Life Is A Highway" by Rascal Flatts since the movie came out in '06. Now, correct me if i'm wrong on this one... But the locations look almost similar to a few places Arizona (and some other states that share the infamous Route 66). The movie-makers took inspirations from a few different places/states, one of them being Arizona. Yes I am totally aware the movie is a cartoon but like, you can't tell me that you watched the movie and still didn't want to get out to the desert, but if it didn't ignite that desire then I have a few other reasons that just might do the trick.
1. It's the "Grand Canyon State"...
Just one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, NBD... I really wanted to get out and see the Grand Canyon but I'M NOT EVEN GONNA LIE... I didn't make it. We were absolutely tired from all of the hiking we did in Utah and just wanted to relax by a waterfall. But next time I will totally see the Grand Canyon and tell everyone about it.
2. Home to Havasupai Falls (Havasu Falls)
Yes the water is ACTUALLY this beautiful turquoise color... It's absolutely marvelous and time consuming. Havasupai Falls is located in the Grand Canyon and was absolutely all over my Facebook feed this past spring break. Havasupai Falls is a beautiful location but it definitely takes an effort to get there. It takes about 10 miles one way to get to the falls and if you want to complete this hike then you have to make reservations- which ended up being the reason we didn't go... we had no idea we had to make reservations and when we found out and tried to call no one would answer us SOOO... Didn't do Havasupai Falls or the Grand Canyon.. I know, I know. Sorry, next time I promise.
3. When you don't want to do the 10-mile hike or pay for reservations, you can go to a lesser known waterfall
I have no idea what the name of this waterfall was, but it was beautiful. Not as big and miraculous as Havasupai Falls BUT getting there was pretty awesome and then getting to enjoy the clear waters. The road to get to this waterfall is not too great, it's a gravel road with tons of sharp rocks. After some time you get higher up and then you're driving near the edge of a steep cliff so definitely take your time while driving and be SUPER careful on the way back up. I say this because we left the waterfall while the sun was making it's way down, and driving up a gravel road, well, dust tends to fly up and mixing sun and dust isn't too great if you're trying to see the road. So you really have to take your time back up so you don't accidentally drive off the side of the road.
4. Dry heat and sun for days
I love warm weather, but not humidity so Arizona was just perfect. AZ gets, like, 200-plus days of sun per year... That sounds good to me anyway.
5. Sedona, Arizona... 'nough said.
The natural beauty that is Sedona. My boyfriend and I could not get enough of this town! It's located just south of Flagstaff and the town is nestled around all of these big red rocks! It's absolutely gorgeous and I wish I had personally captured more of the town's beauty. If you're not into an all-natural, psychics everywhere, kind of a feel then I still recommend you go because you will fall in love with the scenery.
Arizona is 100 percent Instagram approved. You won't be disappointed by all the shots you'll get there. Of course, the beautiful state offers A TON of different attractions like the Hoover Dam, Meteor Crater (if you're into those sort of things..), Native American Cliff Dwellings, Glen Canyon, and just about a ton of other places to go explore. I definitely will be making a trip back there at some point.
