This review took place in October 2016.

I woke up to a big breakfast thanks to my father! Can't go wrong with Eggs, toast, bacon, and fruit especially when you don't have to make it! We all hopped in the car and made our way to Dead Horse State Park. We stopped at the visitor center first for a chat with the park guides and some souvenirs. Last year Greg, Fred and I hiked one of the trails but this year Fred got to relax in comfort with my parents. While they drove to the viewpoints Greg and I hiked our way up to Dead Horse Point. 

We met Fred and my parents at Dead Horse Point where we walked around together for photographs. The area is great for families. There are restaurants, seating area, and beautiful views.

Before heading back to our AirBnb we drove up and down and back up the main road in Moab trying to decide on lunch!! 4 people with varying tastes and allergies can't always decide easily apparently. We finally opted for food from Fiesta Mexicana. The food was hot, fresh, and pretty tasty.

That night we hung in and had the insane task of organizing all of our stuff and all of our new purchases and pack up the car for the ride home. Luckily we had a very big Chevy Suburban!!!

This review is from October 2016.

Breakfast time so let's try a new place.....or not. We ventured into Sweet Cravings Restaurant. Unfortunately there is not one thing on their menu that was or could be dairy free. I wish I was kidding but I'm not. Two people in the restaurant confirmed this. Greg and I opted for some black coffee's and sat outside in the gorgeous sunshine with Fred while my parents dined inside. Their experience wasn't much better. They both ordered biscuits and gravy and the biscuits were hard as rocks and the gravy tasted like uncooked flour. 

Once they were done we drove up the way to Peace Tree Cafe where I enjoyed breakfast last year. I ordered my warm quinoa bowl with coconut milk, maple syrup, and blueberries. Greg also ordered their green monster juice. Both were perfect to go items and a delicious and not overly filling breakfast.

Today we were exploring Arches National Park which was a little for my parents and a little for us. My parents got to experience the park at the viewpoints and we got to have them watch Fred as we went off on short hikes. We got to drive through the entire park together and then my parents dropped us off to hike at a few areas. We hiked Park Ave, Double Arch, Sand Arch, and Broken Arch. Unfortunately a few roads weren't passable due to flooding and other hikes would have taken us a longer time than we wanted to make them wait. This park is truly one of my happy places. 

Leaving the park we drove back into Moab for a late lunch at Eddie McStiffs. Greg and I dined here last year too and so we knew what we could expect. We were greeted and given a table right away on their pet friendly patio. Our waiter was very friendly, funny, and took great care of us. We ordered the Miso Shrimp, Fish & Chips (which were gluten and dairy free), and the cowboy reuben burger. Our order consisted of large portions, fresh ingredients, and perfect seasoning. 

To end the day we went back to our AirBnb for a bottle of wine, snacks  and some star gazing!

This review is from October 2016.

Early this morning we stripped the beds, wiped down the kitchen, and loaded up the car. We made our way out of town (with one last stop at Jackey Leighs for a bagel) then on to Bryce Canyon National Park. First up was a stop at the Visitors Center for some shopping and restrooms. We decided to drive all the way to Rainbow Point before stopping. Sadly almost all of our stops were fogged in but it was really unique to see the sights at the different elevations, in the fog, and to see the fog clearing. Bryce is definitely another park we would love to come back to and do some hiking.

Heading out of Bryce we drove the short distance to Mossy Cave trail. The waterfall was turned off for the season but it was a pretty and quick hike. Of course we had to take some silly photos of the men holding up the cave before heading back to the car. 

Back onto Highway 12 all the way to Moab UT. Highway 12 is one of the most beautiful roads I have ever been on. The road scared me with it's heights and sharp edges, amazed me with it's towering rock formations, and calmed me with it's serene beauty. 

We were all pretty hungry when we entered into Moab so before heading to our home away from home we stopped at The Blu Pig. Last year we dined here twice and enjoyed their pet friendly patios, the friendly service, and the delicious food. Since it was a long day we all opted for take out this time. The Hostess took our order and was conscious of my allergies. We ordered wings, brisket, pulled pork, tri-tip, and a variety of sides. The food was just as good as we remembered!

Our AirBnB was very easy to find thanks to the directions and maps we were given. We booked Red Rock Getaway for our stay. The unit is a 3 bedroom 2 bath property with a living room, kitchen, dining area, laundry area, garage, gated back yard, and all the amenities you would need. The property was kept up well, and was very clean. The only things we noticed is that the walls were a bit damaged probably from moving the furniture around. We also noticed that one of the chairs in the living room tips over very easily. 

When I received our information about entering the property we were told that there would be 2 keys and a garage door opener on the counter. Unfortunately when we got there only 1 key was on the counter. I messaged them on AirBnb and didn't receive a response. The next morning I called the number we had for the housekeepers and was told that a previous renter accidentally drove away with them. This would have been good to know before we arrived so that we knew the garage wouldn't be an option but also so we didn't panic about the owners thinking we lost them and charging us for the loss. 

Here we are at Coral Pink Sand National Park. The color of the sand is phenomenal and this was my first time visiting Sand Dunes. We frolicked around a bit climbing up and down the dunes until the skies opened up and decided to soak us! Running back up the dunes to our car wasn't what we were hoping for but it made for an adventure!

Back in Kanab we went for a late lunch at Big Al's Burgers. It's a pleasant surprise when a local restaurant is willing to accommodate my dairy free and gluten free needs! We all ordered burgers, french fries, onion rings, and lots of their delicious fry sauce!!! Our food came up quickly and we were able to eat at their outside picnic tables. 

To end the night we stayed in at our AirBnb and just had some light snacks and then packed up to head to Moab the next morning!

This review took place in October 2016.

Early in the morning we left Sedona and made our way to our first stop of the day. We had previously been to the Grand Canyon South Rim but this would be the first for my parents. We found a parking spot easily and made our way to the visitor center area. My mother was unfortunately having a bad day with her knees but luckily there are several shaded areas for resting on the way up to the south rim. The 5 of us finally made our way to the Rim and we spent a couple of hours at different view points. Pets area allowed on trails above the Rim but I would love to go back and be able to go hiking in the canyon sometime. 

When you are heading into the Grand Canyon South Rim and traffic starts to build up at the gates make sure you look around and see which gates are open. Apparently no one noticed the gate on the right hand side was open. We were able to by pass all of the traffic and sail right on through. Instead of heading back into the parking area we turned onto Desert View Rd to continue on to Kanab UT. Desert View Rd also offers multiple pull offs for beautiful and different views of the canyon. 

Heading further north we were able to drive through Page AZ. In Page we got to take some peeks at Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam. ​​

We have stayed in an Airbnb once before and we thought we'd give it a try on this trip. We booked a house in Kanab UT for 3 nights.  Stewart's Point offered 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a great location, all the amenities you would need, and was very clean. Some areas of the house are a bit dated and there were some cracks in the wall but the home is very comfortable. I don't know if it's an Airbnb issue or an owner issue but I really wish all of the rules of the house were posted online. When we got to the house there was a booklet of rules. The rules weren't outrageous however it was a little shocking to arrive to that. 

For lunch we stopped at Pisa Lisa in Sedona. The patio at Pisa Lisa is pet friendly and our waitress brought over a bowl of water for Fred without us asking. We started the meal with the Caesar Brutus Salad (expect for me because it contains dairy). We then ordered Deluxe Semplice which is a vegan pizza. I was also able to order it on their gluten free crust. Everyone else ordered the Melanzane Parmigiana. Everything was delicious but I must go a step further and praise the restaurant for their gluten free crust. My vegan and gluten free pizza was a wonderful texture, salty from the tapenade, savory from the grilled eggplant, a touch of bitterness from arugula, and utterly satisfying! Oh how I wish I could get one of these in Boston!!! 

On the way out of the restaurant my parents stopped to by a few items from their store. I noticed some gelato and sorbet and just had to try the coconut lemongrass. It was delicious! Bold in flavor and yet refreshing. ​I keep saying I would go all the way to Santa Fe for Taco's from El Chile Toreado and I would for sure go to Sedona just for this pizza!!

After lunch we headed up to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Last year Greg and I only took pictures from the lower parking area. The Chapel was extremely busy and congested with cars but we were able to find a parking spot. My parents were able to catch a ride with one of the golf carts to the top. Greg, myself, and Fred walked the short distance. Not only is this Chapel unique and beautiful but the views are stunning. 

We had dinner reservations for Creekside American Bistro so we headed back to our hotel to freshen up. We arrived at Creekside American Bistro on time and were shown to our table on the pet friendly back patio. The hostess gave each of us our menus....including Fred. Yes Creekside American Bistro offers a dog menu.

We started our meal with drinks, the charred calamari salad and the hummus sampler plate. For entrees we ordered the country style chicken breast, the duck confit, curried lamb adobo, and the seared scallops and pork belly. Fred thoroughly enjoyed his huge portion of steak tartar! The staff at the restaurant are always smiling, knowledgeable about the menu, and understanding when it comes to allergies. The food is beautifully presented, seasoned perfectly, and consistently delicious.

This review took place in October 2016.

We left Santa Fe early in the morning and took a scenic route while heading to Sedona AZ. The Turquoise trail is only a little longer than heading out on the highway and it provides beautiful views and goes right through Madrid NM. Our next stop was for pictures and shopping at The Continental Divide. 

Next up we had an unplanned but amazing excursion! We decided to visit Petrified Forest National Park. We stopped at the visitors center for restrooms, souvenirs, and the post office first. We made our way through the park and saw amazing scenery, petrified wood, beautiful colors, and cool petroglyphs! This was truly a first for me! The couple of hours we spent here were well worth it!!

The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona on Route 89A is just beautiful. When you start to enter Sedona it's like a hidden gem among the forest. 

We greeted right away at the Sedona Real Inn. We were given our two rooms, a pet bowl, leash, and treats. The new manager was very friendly and very honest about the new changes. I had previously inquired about my allergies and breakfast at the hotel (included in room rate) and received a not so nice response. That individual is no longer with the property and the manager was willing to work with the staff for my allergies. 

Our rooms were on the first floor and were spacious, very clean, and nicely decorated. The gated picnic, fire pit, and pet area are really nice and was perfect for our stay. We never had breakfast at the hotel. We went one morning and unfortunately the breakfast area is small and was beyond crowded with people (looked like part of a bus tour) and the room was stuffy. Otherwise we enjoyed our stay.

This review is from October 2016.

Greg and I invited my parents on a 2 week road trip back to the Southwest US. Luckily my father has an over-sized SUV for the 4 of us plus Fred! Our road trip is a mix of silly road side attractions, awe inspiring national and state parks, various lodging types, and always delicious food! I'll write about our whole trip (the bad, the good, and the amazing) by writing a day by day diary! 

This is roughly the route we took showing the main locations we stayed in. The miles we drove to different sights isn't included nor is Omaha NE our stay on the ride home. 

Here are just a few pics from the upcoming posts!! 

To finish day 7 we brought in our luggage, marveled at our view and then headed back into Moab for some dinner. We decided to try some BBQ at the Blu Pig. The Blu Pig has 2 pet friendly patios, amazing staff, and delicious food. For my full dinner review visit here.

Later that night Greg and Fred cuddled inside while I opted for some star gazing and photographs. My stubborn husband lol didn't want to believe that we would get cold at night so he didn't light the stove. Needless to say we were freezing! Poor little Fred was under the covers and curled up against us. If you are camping at Moab Under Canvas and it's going to be 50 degrees at night go ahead and light the fire. 

This morning we definitely had a cold start and breakfast being a little late actually was a good thing. We got to let the sun warm us up a bit before heading out. For breakfast we enjoyed a burrito for Greg and Quinoa with coconut milk and brown sugar for me. Quinoa has become one of my favorite breakfast items thanks to this trip!

We packed up our day stuff and headed towards Moab to Arches National Park. Arches is is just a short drive back towards Moab and it is absolutely amazing! You can't believe your eyes and the pictures truly don't do it justice. Unfortunately only the parking areas are pet friendly. We would take as many photos we could within the pet friendly areas. At several stops especially at the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint and the Sand Dunes Arch Greg and I would split up. I would hike one area while he watched Fred and then vice versus. ​

After a few hours of driving around and hiking we were getting pretty hungry. We decided to try Eddie McStiff's for lunch on their pet friendly patio. For my lunch review visit here. After lunch we opted for some more sightseeing so we drove to Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands is about a 40 minute drive from Moab and it's also well worth it. The drive to Canyonlands and Canyonlands itself is beautiful,  vast and memorable. Unfortunately it has the same pet policy allowing dogs only in the parking areas. Since we were limited again we didn't spend as much time here as we would have liked. ​

As we made it back to our car both of our stomachs were grumbling with hunger. For lunch we headed for BBQ at the Blu Pig for the 2nd time (the first night we arrived in Moab we went for dinner). We had another delicious lunch on their pet friendly patio and thoroughly enjoyed chatting with our waiter Joe. 

On the way back to our camp we stopped at City Market for some snacks for dinner (you will definitely be full after eating a meal at the Blu Pig). I also find that grocery stores can be great for finding local foods as souvenirs for foodies in your life. 

Sitting on the deck of our tent at Moab Under Canvas is one of the most relaxing moments of our trip. You are surrounded by beautiful scenery, the comforts of your tent, and wonderful staff. That evening I trekked outside in the dark and cold again for some night time photography. The next morning also provided me with some amazingly cool shots of the sun slightly on the horizon while the stars were still out. ​

A short while later and we arrived at the Grand Canyon South Rim. We parked the car and followed along the paved pet friendly path. The views are indescribably beautiful and unimaginably vast! You realize how little we are in comparison and how there is so much more to be seen in the world. 

After a few hours wandering around the South Rim we stopped into the gift shop. I don't think I've mentioned this yet but on Fred's carrier he has patches from his travels. In every city and/or state park we visited during this road trip we would pick up a new patch for him. 

Next we drove the Desert View Drive and headed north to Moab UT. Once we were away from the Grand Canyon the scenery was a little on the boring side and we knew we had about an 8 hour drive to Moab so we just focused and kept stops to a minimum.

We finally arrived in Moab and drove past the city to our residence for the next couple of days Moab Under Canvas. I had heard finding the campsite was a little difficult but we found it easily. Once you get out of town you first pass a gas station on the right, then a drive way. At 12:33 in the video below you will see a Tee Pee on the right hand sign for Moab Under Canvas. The next paved right is the entrance!