Spring Travel 2013

My wife has to be in Phoenix for a convention next year and since it is only three days I was thinking about taking a little photo journey on the way home if we choose to drive......  The path home will be quite out of the way from the best route home but she is up for it and I wanted to get some input from you on your thoughts on the best stops for shooting...  Here is the first revision for the return trip home.

1.  Phoenix to the Grand Canyon - Vista and short hike shooting around the perimeter of the canyon accessible by roads..  (Open to suggestions)  1 day + evening shoot

2.  Grand Canyon to Durango   - Train ride up the Durango Canyon to Silverton  1 day/trip shoot

3.  Durango to Moab - Arches, Canyon Land and Hwy 158  1.5 days or more

Return home via Tioga or Sonora pass Hwy 50 thru Utah and California...

a.  Is Monument Valley a better shoot than the Grand Canyon?  Is it more accessable to good photo ops for the short time period I will have to shoot (1 day)  If I was to spend more time at the Grand Canyon I am sure that I could find a whole lot more to shoot but I am curious about which one will present the best opportunities in the least amount of time

b.  Should I spend time in Sedona, are there a lot of photo ops there?

c.  What other areas would you suggest for the route I have suggested above?

Thanks for your input..

Phil