This is why I heart AZ!!!

The Grand Canyon
The scenic roads
The Petrified Forest
Sedona!!!

I had never seen a balloon set up (not that close up anyways)... it took about an hour and was quite fascinating.

looking down


looking up


looking out... there were two balloons that went up together (this is obviously a picture of the one I wasn't in). =P
For anyone who has never done a hot air balloon tour, I would totally recommend it! It was so peaceful up there, and the view of Sedona at sunrise was simply indescribable... even the pictures cannot do it justice. Mom and I had a fabulous time - she was so not even scared!

Desert Flowers

I knew there would be flowers in the desert because different people had told me how beautiful they are in the Spring, but I never expected to see so many different kinds, or such vibrant colors! I took so many flower pictures, it is not even funny. =)

Camelback at sunrise

It just doesn't get much better than this

We had only made it about halfway up when the sun rose, but at least we got to see it!

Love my combat boots! Hahaha... I was trying to break them in.

An amazing bird's-eye view of Phoenix as a storm approached

a chance mountain-top encounter

I have plenty of crazy stories from my AZ trip, but none as synchronicious as what happened on the last day... Mom and I decided to get up early and hike up Camelback Mountain at sunrise. Anyone who likes hiking and has ever been to Phoenix has heard of and probably hiked Camelback - in fact, anyone who knows anyone who has ever hiked and KNOWS anyone who has ever been to Phoenix has probably heard of it. It seems to be a fairly popular spot in the morning before the sun gets too strong. Some of the Phoenix natives actually hike it multiple times before sunrise! I had heard about "Camelback Jack" from a friend (he's practically a legend in the area), but I saw "Camelback Jill" there yesterday. She went up and down 3 times during my single trek to the top! Anyway, all that aside, let me get back to the real story... Mom and I were going up fairly slowly, taking pictures and enjoying the scenery, so many people passed us on our way up. I didn't pay much attention (as usual). There were three guys hiking up together... I didn't actually look at them, but one said something to Mom, so I did notice them (enough to see they were not in uniform... hahaha). Well, when I got to the top, I was looking out over the city, enchanted by the breath-taking view, when I heard a voice behind me: "excuse me?" he said. I turned around and to my utter shock and amazement, I knew this particular guy! "Jeremy?!" I asked, not actually in need of an answer - I knew immediately that it was indeed Jeremy, a guy I had not only met in college, but who is also going into the same OCS class that I will be in. We chatted for a couple of minutes and parted ways with a "see ya next week." "OORAH!"
What can I say? Life is just funny like that. Oh, and for the record, I do not believe in chance... I just think that God has a great sense of humor.