Work Trip

Back in September (about 6 weeks into my new job), my principal asked me if I wanted to go to a conference in March. Being the overachieving rookie at the site, I said, "Sure--I always welcome the opportunity to learn new and exciting approaches to implement in my work." When he informed me that he had been scheduled to go but was unable to leave the school for a week, I immediately thought, "Great--he's passing the buck to the little guy--who knows what I'm getting into...." Shortly thereafter, he gave me the information and that's when I realized the conference was in PHOENIX, ARIZONA!

I just returned (after a 10 hour unexpected layover in Atlanta--one that is due to weather so of course you just have to sit and suffer/pay for your own meals/possibly spend the night on the airport floor) from my week in Phoenix, and I've already gotten online to check out when Scott and I can go back to the beautiful surrounding deserts. I just loved the landscape--and the weather was amazing! I've attached a few photos for you to enjoy. I had to use our terribly cheap and terribly moody camera which Scott and I bought at Target en route to our Honeymoon because we had forgotten our camera, so please understand that the photographs do not do justice to the scenery. The first day a colleague and I rented a car and hit the road to explore. I do not recommend staying in Phoenix, however, I do highly suggest choosing an outlying town to visit and day trip around the area.

Oh, and the conference--it was AMAZING. I really learned a lot of incredibly valuable information that I have already shared with my principal. In fact, we're implementing our first baby step after Spring Break and it is my personal goal that in 2 academic years, the culture of my school will be changed for the better forever. I cannot wait to get our staff on board!

What an adventure for this first-year counselor with lofty goals!

Afternoon 1: Lost Dutchman State Park--Apache Junction

I love it--a cool cactus! I have never in my life seen a real cactus (I mean besides the ones you can buy at Kroger and keep in your kitchen window), so to see huge beautiful crazy cacti was awesome!

I noticed that most of them in this area had really ugly spots on the "trunk." It almost looked like a tree would when it's trunk was rotting....odd.

They were everywhere--thousands of them along the drive.

So pretty.

Canyon Lake--about a long 20 minute drive up and around and around the mountain.

The next few pictures do not even come close to portraying the size and beauty of the lake. The mountains literally dropped off into the lake and you could see the reflection in the water. Also, notice the cacti!

If you look closely, there is a massive yacht coming into the scene on the left. I wish I could have taken a panoramic picture because the lake went as far as I could see--it's 950 acres and is 1600 feet deep!

Morning 2: Sedona

We got up early and drove almost 2 hours to see the sites of Sedona. The drive to and from was beautiful as the road weaved in and out of the mountains and climbed to the tops of mesas. The landscape was truly beautiful. Each time I spoke to Scott I told him that we needed to come back...he needed to see this! He humored me the first dozen times, but then finally asked if I had forgotten that I already told him this!? I think he honestly thought I was going crazy, but I simply wanted to express to him how amazing this area of our country really is and what a gift from God! Sedona itself was magical--the colors of the mountains were brilliant oranges and reds. As impressed as I had been with the desert the day before, I now lost my breath as I admired the beauty before me this day.

First, look at this cactus! Yikes!

What a trip! I hope you enjoyed my pictures--and if you can, go see if for yourself!