More fantastic travel diaries keep flying in from KDHamptons readers who are escaping the cold winter temps of the Hamptons and jetting off for some fun in the sun! This week I heard from my friend Samantha Yanks [above], Editor in Chief of Hamptons magazine [and Bridgehampton resident], who just returned from hiking the Red Rocks of Sedona in Arizona with her family. Enjoy her KDHamptons Travel Diary below…

Every year my husband David and I, along with our daughter Sadie head to Scottsdale, Arizona for a week during the winter season. It became a tradition a few years back that we meet several of David’s college friends, along with their wives and children. A few grew into a gang, and we now are like a sleepaway camp! We have four couples and eight children in total. We hike, have fabulous meals, swim up a storm and go on a ton of excursions, a favorite being the Phoenix Zoo. I look forward to this trip all year because it is 100% about family and a 1000% fun.

Before a trip I always take time to organize my travel essentials, including: A new book [I packed Grace Coddington’s amazing new memoir], Shiseido skin care products, sun block from Hamptons Sun, and my gold aviator sunnies.

Here are our two favorite hikes:

Camelback and Sedona Cathedral Rock. We climb both with our kids and they are challenging in different ways. Be sure to bring plenty of water [always] and snacks [especially if you’re with kids]. You need to stay hydrated and energized for these two hikes.

The Cathedral Rock hike is a short, steep climb into the saddle points or “gaps” of Cathedral Rock. The towering side rocks keep the saddle points shaded and breezy; but the lower portion of the trail is bare red rock with total sun exposure – so be careful if you’re doing this in the summer.

Camelback Mountain offers four different trails with varying degrees of difficulty. The Echo Canyon Trail is the most popular hiking trail with a summit of 2,400 feet, and an elevation climb of 1,200 feet. Definitely not for beginner hikers! Reach the top and see the most amazing views across the Valley of the Sun…

On this trip we chose to stay at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix [above]. In the past, my husband David and I stayed at the super chic Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa or The Royal Palms Hotel. Now, traveling with our daughter Sadie we found a more child friendly hotel. But, both of those are beyond worth booking a stay at if you are in the area without children.

We’re with the kids all day, so in the evenings the adults head out to the most noteworthy restaurants. We are definitely a food driven group; my husband David makes all of the dinner recommendations during the trip. Here are a few of our favorite spots:

1. Elements at the Sanctuary on Camelback [above] – an Asian inspired gourmet delight. You have to order the shishito peppers and the escargot in puffed pastry!

2. Mastro’s [pictured below] – The shrimp cocktail on dry ice is a must but they are really known as a steakhouse. Inside fact: their steaks are cooked at 1800 degrees which makes for a mean sizzle.

3. We also love to have dinner at T Cook’s at the Royal Palms [above]. It has a rustic vibe, great wine list, and remains untouched by what has become the hot spot for new restaurants opening in the area. I love the Strawberry and Mixed Green Salad with Pear Vinaigrette [below]. Here’s the recipe:

***To learn more about Samantha Yanks follow her: on Twitter @SamanthaYanks, Instagram @SamanthaYanks, and Pinterest and Facebook Samantha Yanks.