The Best Travel Souvenirs (are free)
How a family vacation to Sedona reminded me what really matters.
A few years ago I found myself in a bit of a dilemma.
Birthdays would roll around. Christmas would come and go. And I would do what moms everywhere do… ask my husband and kids for their wish lists so I could find the perfect gifts.
Every single time I asked, the response was the same:
“We don’t really need anything.”
Now, on one hand… that’s wonderful. It means your kids grow up to be responsible adults who aren’t constantly chasing stuff.
On the other hand… it’s incredibly frustrating when you love giving gifts and suddenly no one wants anything.
But the truth was, they were right.
None of us needed more stuff.
All three of my children are grown adults now and have gone their own ways. Different homes. Different careers. Different states even.
What I really wanted wasn’t something I could wrap and put under a tree.
What I wanted was time with them.
So our family made an agreement:
Instead of exchanging gifts every year, we would take one family vacation together.
My husband and I would pay for the accommodations, everyone would cover their own travel, and we’d split expenses while we were there.
Simple idea.
Slight logistical nightmare.
Coordinating eight adults’ schedules is no small feat.
Someone had relocated to another state. Another had just bought a house and was planning a wedding. A few were starting new careers.
Calendars were compared. Dates were negotiated. Flights were discussed.
But eventually… we made it happen.
And last week, we took that trip.
Eight People, One Van, and a Grocery Store Adventure
My husband and I rented an Airbnb just outside Sedona. A little tip if you want to save money and avoid some of the crowds.
It was big enough for all eight of us to spread out comfortably. We also rented a 15-passenger van, which immediately made me feel like we were either starting a church youth group or a minor league baseball team.
We all met at the airport in Phoenix, piled into the van, and hit the road for the hour-and-a-half drive to our home away from home.
Thankfully, the Airbnb was exactly as described online, which is always a small miracle in the world of internet bookings.
After choosing rooms and checking out the amenities, we headed to the grocery store.
All eight of us.
If you’ve never grocery shopped with eight adults who all have opinions, I can assure you it’s a bit chaotic. We had discussed the shopping list in the car, but somehow once we got there everyone developed very strong feelings about snacks.
The good news?
When eight people unload groceries, it takes approximately two minutes.
The Morning That Started With Donuts
The next morning there was a birthday in our group, so my husband, my daughter, and I snuck out early to surprise everyone with donuts.
Our destination: Sedonuts.
Let me just say… the donuts were incredible.
The problem wasn’t finding something good.
The problem was choosing.
There were so many options that I’m pretty sure we stood there staring at the display case like tourists in a museum.
In the end, I don’t think we could have gone wrong with anything we picked.
But honestly, the best part wasn’t the donuts.
It was watching our three kids and their significant others sitting around the table together again, laughing and joking like old times.
That right there?
That melted my heart.
Wine, Gelato, and a Perfect Patio
Later that afternoon we headed to Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria for lunch.
Bread. Wine. Cocktails. Good food.
All enjoyed on a patio with gorgeous weather and views that remind you exactly why people fall in love with this part of Arizona.
Afterward we wandered through the shops nearby with those famous Sedona red rocks in the distance.
And of course we couldn’t walk past Love Gelato without stopping for a cool treat.
Because vacation calories don’t count.
Everyone knows that.
The Dinner I Hoped Would Live Up to the Hype
My husband and I have been to Sedona three times now, and every single trip we make reservations at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill.
It’s a bit of a splurge.
But the ambience, the incredible food, and the sunset views over the red rocks are absolutely worth it.
I’ll admit something though.
I was a little nervous bringing our kids there for the first time.
I had talked it up so much that I was worried they might be disappointed.
Luckily, they loved it just as much as we do.
We took photos on the lawn, watched the sunset from the patio, had wonderful conversations, and enjoyed some truly amazing food.
Gregory, our waiter, was fantastic.
And the chocolate martinis?
Dangerously delicious.
We finished the night with some “high stakes” drinking games.
Or maybe I should say…
They finished us.
Hiking, Sweat, and One Very Close Call
Day three we hiked Devil’s Bridge.
The weather was perfect, and thankfully the line to take photos on the bridge wasn’t nearly as long as our previous visit.
Later in the week we tackled Cathedral Rock. A hike we had never done before.
It’s short.
But steep.
And slightly nerve-wracking when you have the balance and coordination of someone who has tripped over perfectly flat sidewalks before.
Eventually I made it to the top and it was absolutely worth it.
But here’s a little tip for women of middle age:
Either go to the bathroom before you start climbing… or don’t drink too much water on the way up.
Because trying to carefully climb rocks, maintain balance, and hold your bladder at the same time is not a skill I have mastered.
Let’s just say…
It was a close call.
Very close.
Chasing Sunsets and Exploring the Southwest
We caught sunset at Airport Mesa that evening before heading home for burgers, hot tub time, and a well-earned night of sleep.
Later in the week we took a road trip north to Page to visit Antelope Canyon X.
Our guide, Ethel, did an incredible job explaining how the canyons were formed and pointing out hidden shapes in the rock formations.
From there we stopped at the breathtaking overlook of Horseshoe Bend.
This was actually my third time seeing it.
And it still amazes me.
Nature never gets old.
We grabbed food at Bird House (they specialize in chicken, and they do it well) before continuing on to the iconic Grand Canyon.
It was colder there, just like the last time I visited.
Nothing a little coffee couldn’t fix.
And yes…
We were chasing another sunset.
Because apparently that’s what we do now.
The Moment That Meant the Most
Later in the week we hiked to the Subway Cave.
The last time I did that hike I wore tennis shoes with zero traction and managed to fall on a cactus.
Which, honestly, was still better than falling the other direction off the cliff.
This time I came prepared with better shoes and a little more confidence in my balance.
The hike was easier than before, and when we reached the cave I looked over and saw all of my kids, including the bonus kids who have joined our family, sitting in a row at the edge of the cave.
Smiling.
Laughing.
Taking in the view together.
And that moment right there is one I will never forget.
The Souvenirs That Matter Most
Our final night we grilled dinner, built a campfire, played a very intense game of Uno No Mercy, and enjoyed a few (okay… maybe a lot of) beverages.
There was laughter.
There were deep conversations.
And there were plans already starting for the next trip.
The next morning we cleaned up the house, loaded the van, did one last sweep to make sure nothing was left behind, and headed back to the airport.
I had just spent a full week with my family. Something that rarely happens now that everyone has their own lives.
We laughed.
We hiked.
We talked about the future.
We made memories I know I’ll carry forever.
And while the week was incredible, there’s always a bittersweet moment when it ends.
Because part of my heart leaves with them as they all go back to their own lives again.
But that’s the thing about the best souvenirs.
They’re not the ones you buy in a gift shop.
I don’t need a t-shirt, a magnet, or a tote bag that says where I’ve been.
The memories.
The photos.
The laughter.
Those are the only souvenirs I need.
And the best part?
They are free.
