A few weeks ago we kicked off my Mom’s 70th birthday with a girls weekend in beautiful Sedona.  It was just what we wanted and need:  relaxation mixed with some fun outdoor outings, delicious food and drink, and lots of time to catch up and unwind.  The perfect weather – clear skies and temps in the high 60s – meant lots of time outdoors to appreciate the striking red cliffs and mountains.  If you haven’t been to Sedona, you need to go!  Check out some highlights from our trip below.

Per so many people’s recommendations, we took the Broken Arrow Pink Jeep tour.  It was a bumpy, wild ride – but worth every exciting minute.  The jeep took us up and down backroads and hiking trails to amazing vistas.  It was a fun way to begin our trip and check out the Sedona backcountry.  Kerry’s childhood friend, Jillian, joined us for the first few days and it was wonderful to have her experience all the fun with us.

What better way to wind down after the jeep tour than with a prickly pear margarita and a game of giant Scrabble (my Mom’s fave game)!

The next day we started with a hearty breakfast at Red Rock Cafe, complete with a 3 lb cinnamon roll (and no, we didn’t come close to finishing it :P).  The sustenance fueled our hike on Little Horse Trail, winding through canyons and dry creek beds with a final climb up to a 360 degree vista.

After the hike, it was wine time!  We drove 25 mins to Cottonwood, AZ to check out the Merkin Vineyard Osteria.  After a wine flight and appetizer, we drove to Page Springs Cellars to enjoy the patio, lovely weather, and sample their wine and epic cheese board.

On our final day in Sedona – and my Mom’s actual birthday – we enjoyed relaxing treatments at the New Day Spa, followed by more breathtaking vistas of the red rocks from Airport Mesa (we couldn’t get enough!)

The evening was capped off with a birthday dinner at Mariposa, a highly rated restaurant in Sedona.  The Latin-infused selections were unique and scrumptious.

I’m so thankful we could be together to celebrate my Momma.  It was the perfect way to set a positive tone for the new year and her milestone birthday.