What did you do over spring break? I road tripped to New Mexico and Arizona with my sister and friends. Our adventure was full of many laughs and cries.
Of course, it included a rocky start. As we waited to pick up our rental car at the airport, I found out that I couldn’t even drive the car because I forgot my driver’s license. Turns out, for the last 6 months, I’ve been carrying my “Identification Card” – not my driver’s license in my pocket.
“You had one job, Tori!” Alina grumbled.
I was mortified. I mean, secretly, I was happy because I’m not the best driver out there…But man, I felt I let down my spring breakers. They reassured me it was no big deal and I was left with the second biggest responsibility: the playlist. So, off we were on our merry way singing along to Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, & Bad Bunny.
1st Stop: New Mexico
We left Sacramento around 5 pm and drove 17 hours into the night towards New Mexico.
About a couple of hours from Albuquerque, snow fell on the rocky hilltops of New Mexico. Luckily, we prepared for the 50 degree weather and bundled up in puffy jackets and coats. Mesmerized by the views, we couldn’t help but take a quick pit stop on the side of the highway per Alina’s request to take photographs of horses frolicking nearby.
Somewhere in New Mexico 
Spring breakers facing the cold 
Alina in action
In Albuquerque, we stopped at Zendo for a quick bite. New Mexico is known for their green chile, so any dish with it is guaranteed to satisfy you. This coffee shop didn’t have outdoor dining, so we ate our burritos along the curb, chugged our coffee, and hit the road towards Santa Fe.
Welcome to ABQ 
Zendo
During our stop in Albuquerque, we stopped at the Los Pablanos Historic Inn and Farm. This is a fun place to explore because the inn’s grounds are so quaint and pretty. I bet during the summer, it would be even more beautiful because everything would bloom. There we went to the Farm Shop, which featured organic and handmade goods ranging from food to beauty products. This is a great spot to pick up gifts for loved ones, such as this Apothecary Collection bath set, or a chile gift set for those that love to cook.
Los Pablanos Inn 
More coffee, please!
We then headed to Santa Fe. There, we stayed at the El Rey Court, a historical boutique hotel. This place gives you the ultimate Santa Fe vibes because the landscape is filled with adobe structures, making the atmosphere relaxing and comfortable.
Cheers w/ Jess 
Photos 1 and 2 belong to @alinatyulyu
The great thing about Santa Fe is that wherever you are, major spots are only 10 minutes away from you (besides Georgia O’Keeffe’s house, which is about an hour away *and* temporarily closed).
We drove into the Old Town each day to explore, shop, and eat. For dining, it’s important to show up early or make a reservation ahead of time, since restrictions make it harder for restaurants to accommodate all. For dinner, I recommend The Shed that has some of the best green chile I’ve ever had. Everything from the appetizers to the main courses, like enchiladas and pozole were overwhelmingly delicious. My chicken enchiladas drowned in green chile, but I wasn’t mad about it because the sauce was so tasty. I’d only recommend having a glass of water on hand because you might cry from the spiciness of the dish.
Outside The Shed 
Enchiladas drowning in green chile
Another place to dine is Izanami—a Japanese restaurant hidden away in the hills of Santa Fe. We dined outside, where the ambience was impeccable. Extra blankets and heat lamps were provided, but because the food was so warm and delicious, you’d forget you were cold! We ordered lots of plates and I’d highly recommend the lobster ramen, pork belly tacos, and gyoza.
Besides its food scene, Santa Fe is also known for its incredible art scene. Whether you’re an art collector, or a lover of art, Santa Fe has something for everyone. Take a stroll along the legendary Canyon Road and take a look at art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants! Canyon Road is a fantastic place to relax and take photos of iconic adobe structures. In addition, if you’re into jewelry, I suggest browsing classic turquoise pieces in this area, since the price points are more reasonable compared to what’s in the Old Town.
Photos 1, 2, and 3 belong to @alinatyulyu
Outfit details: Topshop coat (similar), Carhartt jeans (similar), Uniqlo x JW Anderson sweater (similar), Rebecca Minkoff purse (similar), Dr. Marten boots
Shops, restaurants, and bars close around 10 pm in Santa Fe, but if you need a quick pick-me-up, I recommend Desert Dogs Brewery and Cidery. A nice, cold pint is a solid way to end the night and this place is located in the heart of the Santa Fe plaza.
As for more touristy activities, we unfortunately couldn’t go to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum because we needed reservations in advance. However, we did make it to Meow Wolf, a cool art museum for people of all ages. This awesome museum features interactive art installations that transport audiences to worlds they could never imagine. Who needs a sci-fi novel when you could just go to this museum and explore for hours on end?
My favorite part of the exhibition was walking into a refrigerator. I mean, how fun is that?
Outfit details: Patagonia fleece (similar), Carhartt jeans (similar), Outdoor voices hat, Brooks running shoes (similar), Rebecca Minkoff purse (similar)
2nd Stop: Sedona
After Santa Fe, we drove to Sedona, Arizona. There, we immersed ourselves in nature, feeling the powerful force of vortexes surrounding the region.
Because everyone and their mothers decided to spend spring break in Sedona, we booked an Airbnb in Dewey- Humboldt—a city about 50 miles from the infamous red rocks. I recommend staying outside of Sedona because staying in the heart of the city makes it difficult to stay safe during the pandemic. Plus, all restaurants were booked for dinner or had a long wait, so it was nice to drive home after a long day of hiking and cook at home.
We had 3 days in Sedona and planned our excursions accordingly.
For our first day, we went on easy adventures. We checked out the Montezuma Well and Castle, which are easy walks filled with history. We explored these areas for about an hour total and learned about the history of the Sinagua Indians that lived in the region and farmed there.
Montezuma Castle 
Montezuma Well
Then we hiked to the Devils Bridge, which is a 3.9 mile out and back hike. This easy hike will keep you ahh-ing and ooh-ing at the surrounding iconic red rocks and scenery. The hike leads to a rocky bridge, so expect a line of people waiting to take a photo. It’s the centerpiece of the hike and once you’re there, you will be blown away from this natural sandstone landmark. The line for photos moves quickly, so don’t get discouraged!
If you’re brave enough, do a handstand on this bridge and shock those around you!
Hiking gal 
James Bond style at the Devils Bridge
Outfit details: Outdoor Voices hat, Outdoor Voices crop top, Lululemon leggings, Merrell Moab 2 hiking boots, Ray- Ban sunglasses (similar)
We split up our hikes based on difficulty and the next day, we hiked the Wilson Mountain Trail.
This hike is rated “hard” due to its length and elevation. This trail is 11.5 miles out and back, but we hiked close to 14 miles because we checked out 2 viewpoints at the end of the trail. When you get to the end of the trail, you’ll have the option to head towards the Sedona Overlook or the N. Canyon Overlook. Although both views are incredible, I highly recommend the Sedona Overlook. It’s more impressive and it’s the perfect place to relax after pushing yourself for hours.
Doing things! 
FaceTiming Alina at the top 
There was snow at the top!
Outfit details: Outdoor Voices hat, Pangaia shirt, Lululemon leggings (similar), Merrell Moab 2 hiking boots, Ray- Ban sunglasses (similar)
Sedona is known for vortexes, which are powerful energy centers that many travel to for meditation and healing. There are many vortexes to choose from and because of our short stay, we decided to hike the Cathedral Rock Trail on our last day.
This hike is rated moderate, but we found it difficult because you have to strategically climb the rocks to get to the top. Plus, one portion features a narrow path that everyone lines up to climb.
We carefully made our way to the top and we were so relieved to get to make it that we didn’t even take many photos. The view was breathtaking, which was no surprise. I saw a few people practicing yoga and meditation among the rocks, which I recommend for the adventurous souls.
The most challenging & narrow part!
3rd Stop: Grand Canyon
We had one day in the Grand Canyon and spent time taking a shuttle to different viewpoints. The views were stunning and jaw-dropping. The Northern Rim was closed, so we spent time sightseeing the Southern Rim. I’d recommend traveling there early, since we sat in traffic for a few hours as everyone was making their way to the park late in the afternoon.
Although we only experienced the sunset at the Grand Canyon, we still enjoyed it. Because we were short on time, we decided to take the shuttle around the park, but it’d be much more adventurous to walk or hike through the park to take all the views in.
After the park, we made our way to Las Vegas where we got some rest and then headed to Death Valley!
Final Stop: Death Valley
It was tricky to find an Airbnb near Death Valley, so we stayed outside of the park in Pahrump, Nevada.
Because we saw so many spots, here’s a list of the spots I’d recommend:
Sand Dunes
First we explored the Sand Dunes, which made me feel like I was in a Mission Impossible film. I was only missing Tom Cruise.
There, you can walk around, climb different points, or simply sit and soak up the scenery. Some people even brought cardboard pieces and slid down the dunes! The options are endless.
Artist’s Drive and Artist’s Palette
This drive is through the hills and as you drive along, the sun’s rays change nature’s colors! This made me feel like I was in a painting.
Dante’s View
This view shows the vastness of Death Valley.
Badwater Basin
The gals!
Badwater Basin is the lowest point of land in North America—282 feet below sea level. It’s a shallow place rimmed with salt, which is a fun place to explore.
Ubehebe Crater
When we saw the crater, it was very windy, so we didn’t walk down. But it was still stunning!
Zabriskie Point
The colors of Zabriskie Point are out of this world. The rocky ridges change colors right in front of your eyes!
Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Although we didn’t drive through this one-way road through the hills, we explored this road on foot. If you have a four wheel drive, this is an awesome scenic road to drive through. We chatted to some people about it and they said it took them a few hours to do, but it was worth it—make sure to pack a lunch though because there’s no place to eat on this one-way road.
When our break came to an end, I was sad. I came back to reality, but tried to focus on the positives. After our trip I felt so rejuvenated and full of zest, thanks to my beautiful friends!
Now, I’m inspired to visit all national parks and hike wherever I can.
Until next time!
xo
torimuser 