Yes — we really did see a bear in Arizona! Before you scroll through the photos, a quick heads-up: there aren’t any clear bear shots because it all happened in a flash. Still, spotting a wild bear (even if it was only the rear end as it bolted into the trees) was a lifelong goal come true. We were driving on a remote forest road when a brown bear was casually foraging near the road. As soon as it noticed us, it ran off into the woods. From my seat in the back I only caught its fuzzy butt and tiny tail — but that absolutely counts. Even Paul, who’s seen two bears before (one of which raided a camp and stole a flask), was excited to see one again — albeit briefly.

That glimpse of a bear was a highlight, but there was plenty more on this trip. We visited Flagstaff, where a friend is doing a PhD, and happily accepted his generous offer of a place to stay and a car. I had been to Arizona once before as a kid; returning as an adult with Paul — who had never experienced desert country — made the trip feel fresh and adventurous.

We flew into Phoenix and drove north. The classic desert scene of cacti and wide open sky gave way to the cooler, greener surroundings of Flagstaff, which sits among ponderosa pines and mountains. Flagstaff’s environment is noticeably different from the hotter Sonoran Desert near Phoenix; within an hour’s drive you can experience distinct ecosystems — from dense pine forests to drier, more arid stretches.

I won’t waste time with an overlong blow-by-blow of our itinerary — you’re probably here for the pictures anyway. Here are the essentials and some practical tips: visiting Arizona in May doesn’t guarantee constant heat. Phoenix can be hot, but Flagstaff often enjoys pleasant, sunny 70s. Nights can drop into the 40s, and on our final day we even experienced rain and an unusual May snowfall. Layers are essential, especially for evenings out.

We made sure to see classic attractions like the Grand Canyon and the Meteor Crater; both are impressive whether it’s your first time or a repeat visit. My two favorite experiences were 1) camping at a remote spot called “Edge of the World” — that’s where we encountered the bear — and 2) hiking in Sedona among the red rock formations. Sedona’s landscape is striking and I enjoyed watching Paul react to it. Even though I felt under the weather on the Sedona day, he convinced me to hike anyway, and I’m glad I did. Paul pushed past his fear of heights and walked out onto Devil’s Bridge — a proud moment we captured on camera.

Food-wise we indulged in plenty of Mexican cuisine and margaritas. There was even a salsa bar — a buffet of salsas to try, which was delightful. I didn’t take pictures of our meals; sometimes it’s nice to simply enjoy the food without photographing it. So most of the images you’ll see here are landscapes, a few couple selfies, and several playful shots of Paul. Sadly, no usable bear photos — only the memory of that fuzzy bear butt!