Phoenix may be the seventh largest city in the United States, but driving a few miles north puts you in the middle of nowhere. Of course, it was once the place to be for the Sinagua and Apache Indians--and later, for a horde of prospectors who struck it rich and turned the Arizona territory into a state. That's what my husband, Jonathan, and I, and our boys, Ben and Noah, found out when we piled into the van and moseyed through the cactus-dotted desert to the fiery, redstone buttes of Sedona, then back through the giant ponderosa pines of Prescott National Forest, during our great weekend getaway. Read on for our fun-filled itinerary.

Lisa Price and her family log miles through the Southwest as often as possible. She frequently contributes to FAMILYFUN.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.