Arizona Road Trip Plan

 I haven't booked it yet but it's a definite for the dates of April 24-28.  Nothing is planned for March.  I'm a little sorry that I didn't make it to the slopes this winter but my energy has been too iffy to know if I could enjoy it.  

As for Arizona, I was there in 2020 just before the lockdown but only saw Monument Valley and Horseshoe Bend.  In 2022, I did a southern Arizona trip that included a border crossing into Nogales, Mexico.  In 2015, I did visit the Grand Canyon and Sedona but couldn't do it justice because of bad weather.  

In late April, it almost never rains.  Phoenix can be hot but even if it's 90 degrees, it won't be too uncomfortable with the low humidity.  Northern Arizona should be perfect.  

Southwest Airlines has a direct flight from Birmingham to Phoenix that lands in 4:05 PM local time.  Unlike most other cities, the Phoenix airport is located right in the heart of town.  The Diamondbacks are home and the game starts at 6:45.  Even if there is a short delay, I figure that leaves me enough time to get the rental car and  check into the hotel.  From there, I can walk to the stadium.  Since it's a night game, there is a chance that the roof will be open.  Ballpark number 19.

If I am delayed, the D'Backs wrap up their homestand on the 27th.  I'd have to cut some stops short but I can make it back to Phoenix for an afternoon game.  If I miss the night game, I'll go out for drinks instead. Obviously, I prefer to make it to the game.  

Either way, I will leave Phoenix first thing next morning and head north. It's about 3.5 hours to the Grand Canyon.  It will be a Friday with school still in session so crowds should not be too bad.  Plans are flexible from there.  I don't plan to do any serious hiking.  Just a couple short ones.  I've heard conflicting reports on the amount of time needed.  Some say that you only need 3-4 hours if you stick to the upper rim.  Others say you need all day.  I'll play it by ear.  

Option 1 is to stay in the Grand Canyon until golden hour and drive 2 hours in the dark up to Page, on the Utah border.  Option 2 is to leave the Grand Canyon in late afternoon and catch a sunset over Lake Powell.  I'd probably lean towards #2.  

I will spent Saturday morning in the Page area and cross into Utah to add to my yearly tally.  Scenic spots include Vermillion Cliffs, Lone Rock Beach, Marble Canyon, Waterholes Canyon.  That's a lot.  Because of this, I will most probably not spend the whole day at the Grand Canyon.  I may have to skimp a bit here if I want to do justice to Sedona.

From Page, it's slightly less than 3 hours to Sedona.  Hopefully, I make it by mid-afternoon.  I will only spend one night in Sedona and hotels are very expensive.  My preference would be to spend most of the day on Sunday in Sedona and drive back to Phoenix in the evening.  If I miss the Thursday evening baseball game, I'll have to leave Sedona mid- morning.  It's 2 hours back to Phoenix.

Edit: I heard of a beach called Revel  Surf Park near Phoenix.  If I run out of hikes in Sedona, this is an option.  Oceanfront Property in Arizona?  

Again, I can get a direct flight back and get home at a decent hour.  Trip looks good.