Lake Havasu City and the Grand Canyon.

With the kids attending year-round school, they have a 2-week break in October. Conveniently, my birthday also falls during this time, thus my parents took advantage and visited for 2-weeks in early Oct. During their first week here, we had a nice 4-day getaway, spending a couple of nights in Lake Havasu City (about 3 hours from here) and one night at the Grand Canyon (an additional 3 hours in another direction).  We sort of did a triangle of driving. It was lovely. We drove through the flat desert where there was nothing around and we drove through Flagstaff/Sedona, which was mountainous and more green than anything we've seen in Arizona.

We stayed at the London Bridge Resort in Lake Havasu City.

This is the London Bridge.
It was built in 1831 over the River Thames in London, England but was purchased in 1967 by Robert McCulloch. It was dismantled, moved, and rebuilt in Lake Havasu City, AZ, in 1971. 

Matt and the kids on the bridge. 

Pretty view of the lake with the mountainous backdrop. 

Us with my mom and dad.
We did a one-hour boat tour of the lake. 

View from the boat.
So different from being on Lake Michigan!

Canal where we saw people diving from some of the cliffs. 

The boat had about 15 passengers and we had the only 2 kids
so the Captain let Lincoln and Cassidy have a go at driving the boat.
That's Lincoln in the driver's seat.

Captain Cassidy.

Little sis and big bro on the shoreline.

An old London telephone booth.

After leaving Lake Havasu City, we drove to the Grand Canyon and spent the late afternoon/evening on one of the free shuttle bus tours, getting out at different scenic points to view the canyon. I can see why they call it Grand. It truly is. Our first look at it was breathtaking. I've never seen anything like it. 

The Gough's at the Canyon. 

The kids and I enjoying the views.

 

Papou and Yia Yia.

On our second day there, we hopped on another free shuttle bus route that takes you to a number of different lookout spots. This was the perfect way to see the canyon for the first time, and it was a great way to do it with "old folks and young kids". We read a lot about hiking, camping, biking, white water rafting, helicopter rides, etc.  Another time, perhaps. 

Yia and Pops with Lincoln & Cassidy.

Cassie liked "hiking" around the scenic lookout areas.

Big brother.

Little sister. 

This was the highest elevation. 

The kids and I at our final lookout point.