a weekend in Phoenix!

On an early Saturday morning, I woke to a very excited husband with lots of ideas for a road trip we could take that very day! This has happened before, on his birthday to be exact! No planning ahead..just wake up, pack up and drive away. Now, I've always considered myself to be an adventurous person, but until I married G I realized there's a whole other level of adventurousness out there and he is the king of it! lol I was excited to visit somewhere we've never been, but super nervous about the drive there. Since our accident, road trips just seem to scare me, but we over come our fears by facing them right?  So I wasn't going to let that hold us back! As we were getting our things ready we decided on going to Phoenix, Arizona and stopping at the Colorado River on the way! Here's some memories from our weekend away...

About 2 hours into the drive we arrived at the border of California and Arizona, and the beautiful Colorado River flowed in between. 

G was SO excited to see this in person because he's been wanting to swim in it for years. it was 112 degrees (no exaggeration) when we stood in this very spot, and he was ready to jump in, but totally forgot his swimming shorts at home! 

^ "Babe how can I not swim in this right now!?" Then runs to car to put on random shorts...! ^

I was laughing so much seeing how happy he was. It was the cutest moment ever, except for the fact that I couldn't go in since I did not bring anything appropriate for going in the water (last minute trip problems!!)

About an hour later we were getting thirsty, so we stopped at a burger king to refill our water bottles and get a couple shakes. It was so hot that it was hard to breath, hence the face! AZ is no joke in the summer!!

Finally, we arrived!

^ our cute dessert airbnb we booked on the drive ^

...and tired eyes from the extreme heat! but we hit the town running!

THIS PLACE!! I was researching the best restaurants for dinner in PHX when this cute little restaurant came up. Pizza Bianco, one of the best (and some say the best) pizzeria in the country! From Jimmy Falon to Oprah..this place was so hyped up we had to experience it. The restaurant was so cozy and intimate, we loved that! We ordered the "Wiseguy" which had wood-roasted onion, house smoked mozzarella, and fennel sausage. It was delicious!I'd definity eat here again and try more pies next time around. Best in the country...I don't know about all that. lol My frango e catupiri pizza from Newark and deep dish in Chicago are still the best to me ;)

*Update: since a friend asked for more outfit pics, I thought I'd give outfit details for the first time here! wide brim hat: Target (last year) / black tank: Zara / high wait gaucho denim: anthropologie (freaking amazing sale rack find!) / pointy toe loafer: old navy (last year) / clutch: aldo (also worn on my bridal shower 6 years ago!)

Cats everywhere we went. A Phoenix thing I guess?

The next morning was off to a rocky start. As we were leaving our airbnb (in a residential area) this car almost hit us speeding down the road at 9 a.m. We were in shock, and super thankful nothing happened! So we went on our way and drove to what we thought was the AME church G found online, but when we walked up to the church building it looked abandoned. The church had actually relocated due to a fire that took place a few months before. So 30 minutes late, after frustrations flared and I honestly did not want to go anymore, we walk into the church, and it was the most welcoming congregation we've encountered in a long time. The people were so sweet and kind, they made us feel like they genuinely cared for us even though it was our first time meeting them. It was an experience we'll never forget. After the long 2.5 hour service we went to brunch at a local favorite I also discovered on the way, drove around the city one last time, and started on our way home...

There were tons of new modern builds happening all over downtown! We did not expect it to be so artsy, quirky or eclectic but it definitely was all of those things.  Sadly, it was also very segregated. You could tell where the streets of the "poor" people ended and "rich" began, and clearly saw who lived where. This country still has a long way to go, and we pray we can have some role in making it a more inviting, loving place for all.

The changing scenery driving back to San Diego was incredible.

So thankful for this season of our lives. It is hard and beautiful and full of adventure as we trust God in every step we take. And thank you G, for being the best partner in life I could've asked for.