Sedona Vacation – Day 1 – Dec 28, 2024

Travel Day – Getting to Sedona from Falls Church, VA via plane and car.

The Brown and Tress clan are heading to Sedona, AZ for a family vacation. Our trip will be for seven days with Lauri and Mark Brown, Brad and Brittany Tress, with their two children, Isaiah (age 5 1/2) and Thea (age 3), and Brandon Brown & Sara Cuevas.

Sedona is known for its red rocks, its cool pines, and fantastic hiking trails. We rented what we hope will be an awesome home with fantastic views of the red rocks.

Itinerary

Depart Dulles Airport at 12:50 PM and arrive five hours later in Phoenix AZ
Rent two cars
Get a quick bite to eat since it will be dinner time
Drive about two hours from Phoenix to Sedona
Check into our rental home
Get some groceries and maybe drive around to check out the town of Sedona

From left to right: Brandon Brown, Sara Cuevas, Brittany Tress, Mark Brown (Black hat), Brad Tress (white hat), Isaiah Tress (red hat), Lauri Brown and Thea Tress.

We flew United airlines direct from Dulles Airport to Phoenix Skyharbor Airport. I was impressed how well the little ones (Isaiah and Thea) did on the plane. Between Lauri and Brittany packing lots of snacks and toys as well as they each had their own “behind the seat” movie screen to watch, they did great for five hours.

Lauri Brown, Thea, Brittany and Isaiah waiting at Dulles Airport for Brad who was parking our car in Long Term Parking

Brad, Thea and Lauri on the tram between the airport and our rental cars in Phoenix.

Our first day was successful getting to Sedona. Everyone made it to the airport. No flight delays. No one got hurt or lost. Weather was good. Everyone’s luggage made it. The rental car process went fairly smooth.

Dinner was a fun surprise. Brandon found us a little taco place on the way out of town with a 4.7 out of 5.0 rating on Google Maps. We were not disappointed and found the food to be excellent. Food was served fast, super hot, & the staff was friendly. Initially we all thought it was funny you didn’t pay for your food until it was time to leave. But after an initial order of a couple tacos each, most of us ordered one or two more & we understand the system.

Finished off our tacos with a plate of nachos

We got to our rental house late in the evening after a two hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona so we didn’t get to see a lot of scenery but the inside of the house is well appointed and spacious.

Lauri and I ran out to a local grocery store called Bashas and picked up snacks and breakfast essentials for the morning.

Looking forward to seeing the red rocks of Sedona in the morning and going for a hike.

Everybody’s final thoughts on the first day of Sedona vacation:

Brittany: While loaded down with coloring books, markers, puzzles, snacks, toddler trinkets, and sweating, “Yes, the travel was a breeze!”

Lauri: Because we were all together, I don’t think I ever enjoyed a day of travel more.

Brad: The travel went smoother than expected. I was prepared for the worst but the kids did great.

Mark: We got through a travel day without any hiccups and everyone seems to be having a good time. Our first day was successful getting to Sedona.

Sara: Traveling with everyone was great. Unfortunately, Brandon’s plane TV screen did not work. However, he pushed through SO well. His resilience is amazing.

Brandon: The travel went smoother than expected. I was prepared for the worst, but Sara did great.

Isaiah: Pops — These steak tacos are amazing (after eating three).

Thea: The airplane had Paw Patrol!