#5 Watch the Sun Rise and Set in One Day

I've had quite a few people point this one out...

"That's so easy!"

"You've never seen a sunset?"

Yes, I've seen a sunset.  I've also watched the sun rise.  Have I done them both in one day?  No.  Part of the point of this goal was to make a point to set aside time to watch something that occurs every single day that I pretty much take for granted.  How often do you think about the sun rising and setting?  Probably not often.  Especially after just going through Winter; there have been many times where I've walked into work in the dark and left work only to walk outside...  greeted by nighttime.  I wanted to make a point to set apart time actually watch a full sunrise and set.  

Attempt #1

Dad woke me up (Actually he startled me because I'm rarely awake before 8:00AM) on our first day in Arizona so we could go watch the sun come up over the mountains.  It was a good start...  until that evening when we were all helping to make mango pineapple grilled chicken and pretty much forgot to go watch the sun set.  

Dad: "Want me to take your photo?"
Me: "Hmm...  I'll basically have to admit I own a Hello Kitty shirt..."

*Sees something under a bush*
Dad: "Is that an egg?"
Me: "Um, if so, then a you know what is probably close by."
It was a golf ball.

That little speck is the moon, FYI

Pretty cheery for getting up before the sun.

Attempt #2

We woke up before the crack of dawn again.  Luckily, because of the time difference, this was only like waking up at 9am in Indiana.  

No Hello Kitty this morning.

I wouldn't mind looking at the mountains every day.

Dad and I were discussing how long saguaro cacti live.  I believe, as far as saguaro go, this on is in
it's awkward teen years.

One of my favorite photos from the entire trip!

That evening, on our way back from Sedona and having just finished our hell ride through the mountains we were able to pull off the side of the road and watch the sun set.  

We stayed out till the stars started popping up one by one.

Check out the (slightly off) panoramic I tried to make:

I would definitely recommend trying this goal out sometime.  Grab a chair and a cup of coffee as you watch the sun come up over the horizon.  Then take a seat and watch as the moon and stars start appearing as the sun gets lower and lower.

#27 Visit A New State

I knocked one thing off my list pretty quickly - Visit A New State.

ARIZONA

I made plans about two weeks before my birthday to go out to Arizona and spend some time with my dad and his fiance.  I only had 5 days off from work but I think I put it to some good use.  It was great to get away and be in a new environment.  I had been feeling burned out and I was so sick of the dark, cold weather.  I was craving sunlight and warmth.

I have not been on a plane since I was 14.  I remember being nervous back then but I was more excited this time around.  I was fortunate to snag a window seat each way so I could watch us take off.  I was so fascinated by the changing landscapes, flying above the clouds and, on the way back home, all the city lights popping out of the pitch black night.  Have you ever looked to your side, not up, and seen stars?  Awesome!  

"I'm leeeeeavin' on a jet plane..."

The first and last day were spent travelling.  On the 2nd and 4th days of my vacation we did some walking around and exploring in the Fountain Hills/Phoenix area.  More importantly, I was able to get some much needed sun.  The warmth on my skin felt amazing!

I DIDN'T burst into flames upon seeing the sun!

There happened to be a small art festival going on while I was there.  There are also sculptures just everywhere in general.

Horse sculpture made from different objects.

Can one live on horchata alone?  

On the 3rd day we drove out to Sedona.  It was a gorgeous day!

View on the way to Sedona.

I see red rocks and less cacti.

FYI - I don't like being up high.  

Dad and I

We stopped to see Montezuma's Castle on our way to Sedona.

"How did they get up there?" - Everyone that walked by

Dad and Lori

I will say this:  Going to Sedona made me change two things on my 30 Before 30 list.  I did have on there to 'See the Grand Canyon' and 'Ride in a Hot Air Balloon'.  Driving through the mountains made me change these.  I'm not saying that these things will absolutely never happen in my lifetime but it was not easy for me to drive through the mountains.  I was so stressed out the entire time with driving near edges and climbing higher and higher knowing we had to come all the way back down.  I had some nasty stress sweat going on!  Eww!  I felt better when Lori and I traded places and I sat in the back.  I was not in my happy place to say the least!  Flying - fine.  No problem.  Driving through mountains - Anxiety fueled hell ride.

These aren't postcards.  It's just that beautiful!

Lori held my hand and pulled me to the edge.  

Look at me standing (several feet) near the edge all by myself.  Ha!

One of our stops in Sedona was the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

There are 275 candles lit on each side of the room.

Just a tiny trickle of water was helping to create this. 

We also stopped in this fun little shop with tons of knickknacks, pottery, rugs...  everything.  It was right next to a physic reading shop, which I noticed there were quite a few of in Sedona.  Apparently there is a lot of spiritual energy in the area.  

A huge Saguaro skeleton.  I'm 6'ft, for reference.

Tough guys

Another horse sculpture.

It was a nice little trip where I got to spend some good, quality time with my dad.  Actually, the whole thing was on him so I'm very thankful for basically a free vacation!  I'll definitely go back to Arizona to soak up some more sun!  I want to see some wildlife next time.  That's something my trip was lacking.  I mean, what does a girl have to do to see a coyote fighting a rattlesnake?