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Tag: Road Trip

Journey For St Louis BBQ ~ Road Trip

Journey For St Louis BBQ ~ Road Trip

Today is our journey to St. Louis for BBQ. Waking in the morning on our road trip there is a fresh coat of spring snow and 27 degrees in Eagle River Colorado. The morning birds are still happy and enjoying a little winter fun. Cherie and I get ready for the day and make our plans for the shortage from the snow closing I-70 in the Colorado Rockies.

Journey Denver to St Louis 4Chion Lifestyle Tammy Forchion and Cherie
Road Trip Cherie and Tammy Forchion

Vail Colorado Road Trip 

This was a real eye-opener in the morning. We had planned to try to go up further north towards Yellowstone, but as the week got closer the weather indicated snow. It has been a beautiful journey so far.  We get ready for the day. Grateful for Burt’s Bees Foot Creme, Coconut this is perfect for my feet to stay soft and non-drying. We are looking forward to some Medical Ball Tea at Starbucks for our drive to Vail and Denver.

The snow is slowly melting and roads are clearing up. The traffic is heavy as drivers try to get to their destination after an overnight road closure (thank you Expedia for all your assistance with the many reservations changes) We get to Vail Colorado just in time to hear the melting snow, capture a few photos, and watch as skiers get ready for a day of skiing.

The town brings a sense of a European Mountain town. The town was explored by Irishman George Gore, known as Lord Gore, and American frontiersman Jim Bridger was among the first explorers to venture into the mountainous region. There are little shops, skiing, and wonderful architecture.  Many buildings have high A-frame roofs and beautifully set into the landscape of the Rocky Mountains.

The town is perfect for winter sports and fun, but spring and summer are wonderful for travel. Vail Colorado offers:

  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Fly fishing
  • Hiking recommended
    • Vail Recreation Path
    • Piney River Trail
    • Minute Mile Trail
  • Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Spa Services
  • River Rafting
  • Tubing

Continental Divide Journey

We head down the highway to one of the most impressive engineering creation Eisenhower Tunnel. This tunnel is 1.7 miles going under Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. This tunnel is staffed with employees monitoring carbon levels and traffic. They walk the sidewalks inside, there are fire exits in the tunnel, and old booths where employees sat to watch traffic. The tunnel has a downgrade from the 11,000′ elevation. This section of I-70 through the Rocky Mountains is a wonderful journey of beauty and engineering.

Entering Denver, you quickly realize that the Rocky Mountains are behind the city to the West. Everything to the East is flat and you can see for miles. We stop for lunch at Zeppelin Station. This is a great place with a vast variety of healthy restaurants and a local bar.  Many locals gather here on Saturday afternoon to share stories and enjoy a great meal.

Journey Denver to St Louis 4Chion Lifestyle
Road Trip Denver to St. Louis

Aloha Poké Co. provides a light refreshing meal with a wide choice of vegetables and rice. This is a perfect meal for this long day of road travel. Cherie and I sit outside enjoying lunch in the spring sun and looking back at the Rocky Mountains thinking a strong contrast from the last two days to the journey that lays in front of us.

Kansas Journey

Heading back on our journey again the landscape becomes flat and almost desolate. It seems at times there is nothing but land here. The road seems to go forever and the earth seems flat. The journey begins to become endless. We begin counting water towers for entertainment. We counted 68 total from Kansas to Champaign IL. I am sure we missed a few here and there.

Missouri Journey

Rolling into Kansas City, MO. the city is beautiful. This is not on our scheduled stops, but one to return to for visiting. We see our first baseball stadium, The Kansas City Royals.  We make our way into Independence MO. Our ancestors were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We stopped by the Independence Visitors Center.

This center represents a time in the lives of the members of loss and contention with the government. They built homes and had plans for a temple for worship. The Saints entered the area in 1831 and by 1833 twelve hundred members in the area. This was a slave state and members did not support slavery. The voting power became a concern. The members were driven out of Independence in December 1833. The area is strong in religions started in the 1800s in the USA. The Community of Christ has a temple across the street. It is a great place to explore early American religion. As we make our way towards St. Louis there is a strong religious influence seen alone the freeway.

St. Louis City is a place that Cherie is excited to stop and explore. The first place we stop of course is the baseball stadium for the St. Louis Cardinals. It is a great place to explore the team and history. There are statues outside representing the best ballplayers. Looking behind the stadium, you see the Gateway Arch. This is the gateway to the West designed by architect Eero Saarinen. The St. Louis arch is the tallest arch in the western world. There are great things to do in St. Louis including:

  • Private beer lovers tour
  • Augusta wine tour
  • Lewis and Clark historic tour
  • Get a one-day adventure pass for admission to
    • Children’s Zoo,
    • Zooline Railroad
    • 4D Theater
    • Conservation Carousel
    • Stingrays at Caribbean Cove and Sea Lion Show

St. Louis is known for its arch and barbecue. This being a late Sunday afternoon we realize that many locations are not open, but find one near the ball field, SugarFire SmokeHouse BBQ! This is an award-winning restaurant under Chef Mike Johnson has studied with Myron Mixon, cooked under Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter. It was a great experience of community, exceptional food (sweet potatoes the best) and BBQ pork and salmon. It was a great meal for the remaining day’s journey to Champaign IL.  We finally make it across the Mississippi River and enter Illinois.

To follow the road trip read here:

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

 

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

 

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

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Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

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Exceptional for your traveling beauty needs.

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

The Rocky Mountains (Rockies) was home for me for decades. Many of my ancestors crossed over these mountains to settle the Salt Lake Valley. These gorgeous mountains brought each seasons beauty with exceptional colors. Heading over the Rockies my sister, Cherie, joins for the rest of the journey.

Utah Rocky Mountains Road Travel 4Chion Lifestyle
Utah Rocky Mountains Road Travel

Utah Rocky Mountains

Growing up near the mountains, the seasons each bring a wonderful set of adventures. Mount Timpanogos, a view seen from the deck of my childhood home, is the second highest mountain the Wasatch Range. It is a great place for:

  • Summer
    • hiking including to Timpanogos Cave
    • camping
    • fishing
    • river rafting
    • boating
    • Alpine Slide in Park City 
    • Seven Peaks Water Park
  • Fall
    • Drive the Alpine Loop at the peak of the leave colors
    • Picnicking
    • Visit Bridal Veil Falls
  • Winter
  • Spring
    • Thanksgiving Point
    • Utah Film Festival
    • Crandall Historical Printing Museum (covers 400 years of printing)

The area has exceptional art and culture events as well. This is a great place for family road trips and staying for a week of fun.

Lunchtime

Leaving Utah County through Spanish Fork Canyon is a beautiful drive. Spanish Fork Canyon goes south over Soldier Summit (7,477 ft.) and then back down through Price Canyon. The drive is very scenic and great for Geology fans. It is full of wildlife. The Rocky Mountains are such a beautiful relaxing place to play and explore.

We stop in Green River just before Colorado. Lisa Sherman recommended having lunch at Ray’s Tavern. This was our first travel contest. Congrats, to Wes Hawkins at Utah Travels for knowing what city we were enjoying lunch. We ordered the chicken sandwich and a Garden Burger®. They had a Utah tradition on fry sauce, created by Don Carlos Edwards in the 1950s. It is as simple as ketchup and mayonnaise whipped together. I have seen variations with adding sour cream or buttermilk. This was a treat for sure. It was a great place. The waitress extremely friendly and the food fresh, including the fries.

Ray's Cafe Rockey Mountain Road Trip Travel 4Chion Lifestyle
Ray’s Cafe Road Trip Travel

Colorado Rocky Mountains

Full and ready to get through Colorado to Denver. We hit the road again and see the landscape change more. You lose sight of the Rocky Mountains. The Green Rivers flow into Colorado River (the mighty river that creates the Grand Canyon). The highway follows this along through Colorado Rockies.

Cherie and Tammy Road Trip 4chion lifestyle
Cherie and Tammy Road Trip

The I-70 takes on new meaning to the Rockies. You enter this large canyon and marvel at the engineering feat you are driving. Colorado River runs through the narrow canyon that has two-lane traffic in each direction through Glenwood Canyon. The rain and temperature begin falling. Soon iMaps lets us know that we are not going to make to Denver for the night. The freeway closes just up the road for snow. I need to find a hotel before they fill-up. We find the Eagle River Lodge. This was a perfect place to stay for the evening.

Colorado Rocky Mountains road trip 4chion lifestyle
Colorado Rocky Mountains Road Trip

The driving time cut short we enjoyed an evening of great local food and beauty time. Cherie went out to pick-up dinner from Luigi’s Pasta House salad and a medium vegetable pizza. After dinner, we enjoyed a night of cleansing, moisturizing, and using masks on our faces and lips with Burt’s Bees. I have been on the road for a week and traveling through various climates, different types of soap and water, and sleeping locations my skin was feeling tired and dry. Burt’s Bees is so wonderful. Cherie even enjoyed the results. When on a road trip it is important to remember to take care of your skin. Playing on the television in the room was a marathon of Tom Hank’s movies. We head off to sleep for another day of road tripping across the US.

@4ChionLifestyle

Connect with 4Chion Lifestyle for your best lifestyle here:

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Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Ray’s Cafe 

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

 

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

Planning the road trip across the US there was a detour from Yellowstone National Park due to weather. The next best stop for national parks was Zions National Park just off highway 89 in Utah. Stopping in Page to meet with high school friends and fill up for the next leg of the journey to Zions and Utah.

Ranch House Grille Road Trip 4chion lifestyle
Ranch House Grille Road Trip

Page Arizona to Kanab Utah

It was a great morning meeting with Jeff Lott and his beautiful wife at Ranch House Grille where we enjoyed reconnecting and enjoying a beautiful breakfast. Leaving Page Arizona you cross Glen Canyon Dam taking you into the beautiful1.25 million acres of the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. This area is home to Lake Powell, a place that brings fun, sun, and water sports to the southwest. The white ring you can see is known as the bathtub ring and a formed from calcium carbonate deposits.  A few of great activities in the area include:

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Rainbow bridge (only accessible by boat or 14-mile hike)
  • Escalante Arm
  • Fishing (a favorite of foodie Ellie)
Foodie Ellie Fishing Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle
Foodie Ellie Fishing Road Trip

Zions National Park is about 104 miles from Page. It is a beautiful drive as the landscape changes from the red rocks to a borderline Mediterranean climate. Kanab is the first town you come to after Page. This town is the center of all sorts of great outdoor adventures including  Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim). This is well-known for the great Hollywood film production. A few of the films produced in this region are:

  • Stagecoach (1939) 
  • The Lone Ranger
  • Death Valley Days
  • Duel at Diablo
  • Planet of the Apes (1968)
  • Buffalo Bill (1944)
Utah Boarder to Zion Road Trip 4chion lifestyle
Utah Boarder to Zions National Park Road Trip

Zions National Park

Highway 89 takes you to the stunning and resplendent Zions National Park. This park became a national park when by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. The park continues to keep the natural beauty with a project called Zions Forever. This project is in place to protect and sustain the park for all living beings and future generations. This is a leave no trace area. You need to make sure that you have trail etiquette and leave nothing behind:

  • Remove all waste (make sure you use the restroom you must take this waste of the trail)
  • Keep dogs on a leash
  • Place trash in designated receptacles
  • Be considerate of other visitors
  • Hike quietly
  • Enjoy the sound of nature
  • Hike in single file
  • Ascending hikers have the right of way
  • Have plenty of water this is a desert terrain
  • Be ready for changes in weather from rain forecasts, extreme heat or cold
  • Careful on trailheads they are slippery

You enter the park, there is a $30 fee, but well worth it. The canyon stretches 15 miles long and spans up to half a mile deep. You drive on the Zions-Mount Camel Highway that winds slowly downgrading with gorgeous views of Navajo Sandstone that is tan, cream, pink, and red color. There are locations where you can see hanging moss, trees at different angles, and   You follow the Virgin River on the path taken to carve this canyon. It is so It was fantastic seeing the snow against the colored mountains. You pass through several tunnels. There is a tunnel that is more than a mile long. This is one impressive drive even in the dark. You continue down the hill until you reach the visitors center.

Zion National Park Road Trip 4chion lifestyle
Zions National Park Road Trip

Here is your opportunity to continue to explore more of the park. The concept of keeping the pristine the rest of the park is accessible by shuttle, hiking, backpacking, and hiking. The many activities at include:

  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Ranger Tours
  • Helicopter Tours
  • Cycling
  • Angels Landing eHike (great visual online of what you experience in Zions)
  • Horse Back riding
  • Tram Rides
  • Photography

This was a wonderful journey on the road trip. Many years as a child this was one place we enjoyed as a family. It was a sunny bright day just as winter was beginning to change to spring. There is plenty of lodging in the area as well as food and restaurants.

Orem, Utah

The remainder of the drive continued on interstate 15 to Orem Utah where I grew up. It was wonderful getting to a warm home with my parents. The days filled with reconnecting with friends and family before continuing the road trip.

Orem Utah Reunion Time Road Trip 4chion lifestyle
Orem Utah Reunion Time Road Trip

Meeting up with my dear friend Lisa Sherman was like we never missed even one day, even though it had been a few decades. Lisa and I have known each other since we were three. We ran the neighborhood streets as two determined little girls could. We enjoyed breakfast at Joe’s Cafe. The food was so delish. Lisa even enjoyed the grits. A dish she was convinced she did not like. Joe said, “You will love them. Nothing comes between your lips and my grits.” It was so wonderful catching up with Lisa after all these years.

Dinner was a fabulous reunion with my bestie from high school, Brenda Anderson. She and I meet at the Spicy Thai in Orem. This was an excellent choice for the food was excellent. Their menu had a great selection of Thai food with the ability to choose your heat.  The evening ended at her home where we spent time catching-up, relationships talk, and a little (very little) drinking. Her cute little dogs entertained up throughout the evening. They are both such a ball of energy.

Dennis and Eileen Winger Orem Utah Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle
Dennis and Eileen Road Trip

The next day was spent with my parents. We enjoyed dinner at King’s Buffet. My time with my mother we went over old photos, stories, and the fun times we shared in our life. She brought me a photo of my first haircut that she taped back together after tearing. My father enjoyed being the dad he has always been, making sure the car is ready for the next part of the journey. He took to put Rain-X on the windows. This was a great addition to the journey. Stay tuned for all the details in the next part of the journey.

@4ChionLifestyle

Follow us for all thing fashion, celebrity, and beauty. 

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Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Sweet Orange Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer).

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

Connect With Zions National Park Here:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ZionNPS

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ZionNPS

Instagram https://instagram.com/zionnps

Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/zionnps/

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

The beautiful state of Arizona is the Sonoran Desert,  Sedona red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and ponderosa pine-covered mountains, that is a major gateway to the Grand Canyon.  The beauty and natural formations are a great discovering journey.

Superstition Spring  Mountains Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle a
Superstition Spring  Mountains

The journey begins on US 60 near the gorgeous Superstition Spring  Mountains. This mountain range is the most photographed and painted landmark behind the Grand Canyon in Arizona. These mountains east of Phoenix brings gorgeous sunrises and great light for sunsets. These mountains look different during the day as the lights play on the mountains. Many mountains in Arizona are volcanic. These mountains are near  Weavers Needle, a tall eroded volcanic remnant.

A large part of the superstition is from Jacob Waltz. He claimed on his deathbed to have discovered a mother lode of gold there. Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is located in the Superstition Mountains. Another superstition tied to the mountains is that the winds blowing from the hole that believe to cause of severe dust storms in the Phoenix metropolitan region. There are many stories of strange sounds and disappearance connected to the mountains. Many Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is in the Superstition Mountains.

There is so much to see and do here! You can:

  • Hike
  • Bike
  • Explore the Lost Dutchman Museum
  • Apache Trail Tours
  • Goldfield Ghost Town
  • Superstition Zipline
  • Usery Mountain Regional Park

When exploring remember that this is a congressionally designated strict “leave no trace. This wilderness zone prohibits you from disturbing, leaving, or taking anything from the preserved areas.

V-Bar-V Heritage Lakea Montezuma Well Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle a
V-Bar-V Heritage and Lake Montezuma Well

Heading north out of Phoenix you climb 3000 feet in elevation. You take exit 293 follow the signs to Lake Montezuma Well National Monument (there is also Montezuma’s castle you can visit in the nearby area). This is a free stop with an easy to follow a trail, there are 100 steps down into the well. This trail will take you through how the Southern Sinagua, cliff dwellers, figured how to use spring water to irrigate their crops. The water is about 55 feet deep and 74 degrees Fahrenheit with 1.5 million gallons daily. The rim leads to large pueblo ruins and an ancient pit house.

Leaving the national monument use forest road via Forest Service Rd 618. This will take you to V-Bar-V Heritage Site. Here you will see life by the stream over thousands of years. There is a $5 parking fee, no pets, and no public water at this place. You will follow a trail walking past a chimney in remnants and fences from old homesteads along the creek. The walk is easy and beautiful.  This trail will take you to the best-preserved and largest petroglyph site in the Verde Valley.  This rock art is beautiful and tells a different story each day. You can follow the planting of the crops by Southern Sinagua to the harvest by the way the light hits the wall at a specific time each day. There is a carved rock in the wall that follows the mountain range of San Francisco Peaks.  Save your pass for your ventures in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. You can see where the pass is good click here.

Sedona AZ family 4chion Lifestyle
Sedona AZ

Head east on N Forest Ranger Rd toward Forest Service Rd 618 to get to Sedona. The famous area rises above the desert land and brings beautiful hues of red color against the brown desert and green ponderosa pines. This prime community brings art, beautiful nature, vortex, and exceptional food and wine. The vortex is a swirling center of energy believed to help with healing and meditation.  The best art shop in the southwest (we believe) is Tlaquepaque (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh). This place of great art from the southwest and modern artists. There are beautiful places to catch a bit to eat or drink. There are often great gallery showings.

Sedona does host a yearly film festival and wine festival (featuring Arizona wines our favorite is Alcantara Vineyards close to Sedona). There is a wide diversity of food and fantastic. A great restaurant is the Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport. The view on top of the hill is fantastic. Watching planes come and go is an added bonus. Enjoyed the shrimp ceviche as it was midday.

There is so much to do in Sedona:

  • Jeep tours
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Swimming
  • Touring
  • Exploring
  • Golfing

Leaving Sedona you take  89A through Oak Creek Canyon.  Highway 89 is the top tourist road trip. This road takes you from Mexico to Canada while passing through some of the most scenic areas of the west. You can visit National Parks, fourteen National Monuments and three Heritage Areas. 

Oak Creek Canyon provides a great stop if you have time to take a dip in slide rock. This gorge provides beautiful views of sheer rock, changes in the landscape from the beauty of the red rocks to the Ponderosa pines. This journey will have you climb the final 2500 feet into Flagstaff AZ.

Flagstaff AZ family 4chion Lifestyle Arizona
Flagstaff Arizona

Flagstaff the last big city in Northern Arizona. This town is home to Northern Arizona University, connection to the Grand Canyon, and the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona’s tallest mountain Humphreys Peak. This town is where we stayed the night. A visit with my grandchild, Ellie, she provided an exception breakfast of pancakes and eggs. She is a foodie at 2. Cooking and washing dishes she loves to be in the kitchen.

We enjoyed visiting with family and exploring this beautiful town. The downtown area includes some great food and shops with exquisite Native American art and jewelry. It is a gathering place for tourist and locals alike. There is a monthly art walk with the many galleries and movie night in the Square.  Dogs are welcomed in most areas of the town.

Our final evening we enjoyed a wonderful meal and drinks at Dara Thai with family and dear friends. The food was exceptional. The menu provided a vast variety for everyone including a nephew who is particular. The spring rolls are fresh and have a great dip with some heat. The seafood with fresh ginger was warm and light. The cocktails were unique. They do have a full-service bar. It was a perfect evening together hearing about plans for traveling and journeys.

San Francisco Peaks and Sunset Crater Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle Arizona
The San Francisco Peaks and Sunset Crater

We hit 89 early in the morning and stopped by Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. This is a loop you can take off highway 89. There is a $20 fee to complete the loop. You can stop and see the Sunset Crater area just off the road. This volcano erupted over 1000 years. This eruption created the crater and volcanic fields you can see today but destroyed homes, families, and farms of the native people who lived in there. They relocated to Wupatki, a national monument on the full loop.

The drive from the national monument is one that journeys through Native American land.  It is one of change and beauty. You can see the San Francisco Peaks disappear and the land become a painted desert. We can recommend Cameron Trading Post. This is a great place to get Navajo rugs, Hopi pottery, Hopi kachinas and silver and turquoise jewelry, Apache baskets and Plains beadwork to our Native American Art.  The meal was fantastically cooked from scratch meal. Enjoyed a homemade garden burger on Indian Fry Bread with fabulous fries.

The journey through Arizona ends in the beautiful town of Page AZ. Page is a great area to stage your next journey. It is connected to the following areas:

  • Lake Powell
  • The Wave
  • Antelope Canyon
  • North Rim of the Grand Canyon
  • Horseshoe Bend
  • Road stands with handcrafted Native American art
89 highway Page AZ 4chion Lifestyle Arizona
89 Highway and Page AZ

This was a great place to meet with a high school friend and his beautiful wife. We enjoyed breakfast at Ranch House Grille. It was a very local place. Many entering the grill knew other patrons and shared stories of their families and community. It was a wonderful meal. Large portions, good café coffee, and great hash browns.

This journey on the 89 through Arizona was a great journey of beauty, nature, family, and friends. The road trip was one of reflection and dedication to understanding the diversity in Arizona. What is your favorite Arizona site to see? Post your photos here #4ChionStyle

@4ChionLifestyle

Follow the entire road trip here:

Chicago Food, Fun, and Relaxation ~ Road Trip

The Middle of the Midwest Champaign ~ Road Trip

Motor Raceway to USA Gymnastics ~ Midwest Road Trip

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

Follow us for all thing fashion, celebrity, and beauty. 

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Pinterest

Flickr

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

Pricing https://www.esdiacapp.com/credits

Connect with Daniel Chimowitz (designer for the gown at V-Bar-V Heritage Site)  here:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/daniel.chimowitz

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/daniel_chimowitz_fashion_art/

The Key To Modern Travel ~ The Moxy

The Key To Modern Travel ~ The Moxy

My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful evening at The Moxy in Tempe Arizona. A great anniversary “staycation”. The first night we were at the hotel we enjoyed an evening of exceptional Italian food, drinks, company, and beautiful fashion. This night was ours to savor and enjoy. This boutique hotel brings a place for the modern travel that is relaxing, peaceful, and fun.

Grand Opening

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel Grand Opening

The Moxy owned by Marriott managed by 24/7  opened the first Moxy in Milan Italy. The Tempe place opened with a traditional Italian dinner and fashion show.  They now have 7 opened throughout the United States and Europe. The hotel concept is about an independent that wants to make the rules.

Moxy Hotel

When we arrived check-in takes place at the bar. The lobby looks a lot different from the first night. There is no runway, but a look and feel of entering your home. The check-in takes place at the bar. The staff is young and casually dressed. The room comes with a complimentary cocktail called “The Moxy.” This is a light refreshing lime-aide with a little kick.

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel
Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel
Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel
Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lobby fills with travelers listening to records, playing pool, enjoying books, computer, 1980 video games, board games, and more. There is a nice pool that is heated for cooler winters. It is like being at home. A long table to sit and enjoy your meal with new friends. Commissioned artwork fills the lobby. This selection took place through an online process.

We enter a room with casual styling. The decor is from Ikea and a LoveSack for relaxing. It is a decent sized room with an old-fashioned phone with a number of bedtime stories. The bathroom is close quarters, but a great shower with dual nozzles. You need extra towel or ironing they have an “ironing room” on each floor. Here you can get clean towels, linens, and iron a shirt. There was a very small patio and small is the keyword. You can stand on the patio, but that is all it is super small. There was a great place to hang my hat and scarf. The hotel room is exceptionally clean.

The decor was fun and spirited. All doors have “disturb” painted on them. The Do Not Disturb sign has a nice looking half-dressed man laying on a bed. The wall decor is thematic with great sayings on some pictures. The floors are wood with throw rugs. Loved this idea. Living in Phoenix there is very little need for the warmth of carpeting. The one downside in the room was the pillows.

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel
Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel
Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a long mirror perfect for getting ready for the evening. I did make the evening fun by dressing as a 1950 wife. Styling for the evening included: a dress purchased through Amazon. This was a first for me purchasing clothing online. The dress was a knit black dress with a doll collar, hung just below the knee, and fit the theme for the evening very well, short black gloves with a pearl ring over the top, hair L’Oréal Techni Art Dual Styler, Jazzy eyeshadow, YBF lipstick, and Revlon powder. Completing the styling was my wedding veil and a set of pearls from my husband.

The ride down the elevator to the lobby included the ride a moment for a selfie. The elevator is equipped with selfie props and a couple of backdrops. Attach your photos with #AtTheMoxy and they show up on Instagram. This made for a wonderful memory and some fun photos.

 

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel
Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anniversary Dinner

The hotel restaurant is a self-service collection. You help yourself to a wide choice of beverages, snacks, and quick meals. The kick is you “do it yourself.” There are many great local restaurants in the are to enjoy. We enjoyed sushi at  Kobe. This was the place our first date. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine. We sat in the bar area just like our first date.

 

Kobe 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Kobe

Moxy Bar

The evening closed out at the bar enjoying “The Moxy”Bacardi Cherry Rum infused cocktail with our traditional anniversary cake from Variations Bakery. It is a white cake (best sponge cake, banana filling, and whipped cream icing). The staff very helpful and they enjoyed our cake with us. The bar has a floating ceiling that comes from a reclaimed Kentucky horse barn/fence. It was great enjoying the bar after hearing the story from the architect who designed the hotel at the opening night party.

 

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moxy Amenities

As we checked out of the hotel we left our names on the large chalkboard wall in the back of the lobby. Each section of the lobby is themed for the entertainment surrounding the area. There is a large working area with MAC computers. Towards the front of the lobby a large choice of records and a record player. The best of the lobby for me was the bikes you can take out for biking. This is a great place for bike riding with Tempe Town Lake and the college campus nearby. My husband was thrilled about the pool table in the lobby.

 

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hotel that brings a new wave of travel experiences. It was a great accommodating hotel with a ton of independence to experience our adventures. This hotel has been called a hostel type with an upgrade. This hotel is not a hostel with an upgrade, but a nice affordable boutique providing the independent traveler with a beautiful stay.

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

Moxy Hotel Grand Opening 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Moxy Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harlow’s Cafe

We stopped on the way home to Harlow’s Cafe for breakfast. This local restaurant is near the hotel. They offer a very straightforward traditional breakfast. The service was spot on, food that is tradition American Cafe menu. Conversations carried through the air with the smells of eggs, syrup, and coffee.

 

Harlow's Cafe 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Harlow’s Cafe
Harlow's Cafe 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Harlow’s Cafe
Harlow's Cafe 4chion lifestyle Photo Raymond L Forchion
Harlow’s Cafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weekend was such a great time away.

@4ChionLifestyle