The long-haul flight is wearing me down. I never expected to be the one saying this. The cramped seats, questionable food, and—worst of all—constant temperature swings that make me feel like I’ve hit menopause at the ripe age of 30? No thank you. My own backyard is more appealing to me these days. I love living on the waterfront West Coast, and there are still so many hidden pockets I’ve yet to discover—that’s what brought me to Arizona.
Grand Canyon Village to be precise. I and my best friend of over 28 years planned an adventure together. Memorial Day weekend The getaway was centered around slow mornings spent in an ’80s style kitchen, cooking breakfast at 11 am, wine tastings and relaxing evenings on the deck, watching the sunset. We rented a tiny home located just 40 minutes north from Williams, Arizona. This area is known as the Gateway of the Southwest. Grand Canyon National Park.
On arrival, a bottle and bag of cookies with chocolate chips and macadamia nuts were given to us. Although it was called a “tiny house,” the space with two bedrooms felt surprising open. The interior design was boho meets desert: whitewashed, with plant prints and accent chairs in bright yellow, leather barstools on a blue tiled shower wall. Also included were pillows inspired by the desert. The living room featured a two-seater sofa, but the real jewel was the spiral staircase.
At the top was a loft bedroom with a private balcony overlooking 12 acres of piñons, junipers, and prickly pear cacti. Due to the A-frame shape, I had a view of both the back and front of the house—all from the comfort of my queen-size bed. The morning sun flooded the room with an amber glow, which didn’t disturb my sleep. It was the nighttime, however, that made this Airbnb so memorable. As soon as it was truly dark outside, I stepped onto the balcony to be greeted by a sky full of stars. The Grand Canyon is an International Dark Sky Park. I have never seen so many stars in my entire life. The sky was filled with galaxies. Being in that moment and fully present was more important than being able to capture the image.
One of our favorite day trips was a 2-hour drive to the south. Sedona. We spent most of the time in this area, which is known for its wineries and wellness retreats. D.A. Ranch Estate VineyardsThe nine-acre ranch was originally built as a cattle farm in the 1870s. We sipped on their Ranch wine flight—rosé, Seyval Blanc, and Tannat—while enjoying tempura shrimp and burgers from the on-site food truck. The tree swing near the entrance was a great photo opportunity, and the outdoor eating area with its long wooden table covered by a canopy reminded me of summer camps dining halls. Even a little pond is available for you to wander with your glass of wine.
There’s nothing like the feeling of having your windows down. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Repeat this mantra and you’ll be on the road. The string-lit deck was the perfect way to end each day, with an orange Adirondack and a glass wine.
