Galina YoungWe are up before 6 am and on the road. I am putting early hours in as for the late afternoon we have grand plans for the Grand Canyon. We pull into the parking lot of Petrified Forest but we are almost 2 hours early and the park is closed. We decide to continue our Rt. 66 trip
Around breakfast time we are driving through Winslow, AZ and Sol starts Eagles’ song in the car. We take a quick detour to see the corner immortalized in the song. We take pictures with the metal figures positioned on the corner of the street and Darwin Barks at them.
Being in the moment we spot a little all-american diner offering crepes, sandwiches, and coffee. We were hungry and it looks quaint, in style, and with an outside sitting. I take the table with the pup and Sol dones the mask on to go place an order. A moment later he walks out looking miffed. He says that absolutely no one inside there was wearing masks. We walk back to the rig and have some cereal.
In a couple of hours we roll into Walnut Canyon for some exploration. I take the girls on a hike inside the canyon and Sol stays at the top rim because pup can’t come.
The hike is only 1 mile long but it is down and, consequently, up 237 steps. In the beginning of the hike the girls are given activity books to fill out on the way to earn their junior park ranger badges. They subscribe fully to the task.
We stop every few steps to draw a new plant, theorize about where the native dwellers used to live or how they grew crops. They offer up a whirl of ideas and theories about local botanics and native Indian living. I just listen and enjoy the moment.
Canyon is the site of an ancient volcano with petrified lava still present. It was later inhabited by a few Indian tribes that inhabited the canyon for over 150 years. We are treated with sights of ruins of old dwellings we can explore. The hike is fun and very informative. It compels the girls to explore, do a few writing exercises and learn history . In the end, they get their junior ranger badges and are very proud. Time well spent and, as always, gorgeous views.
During today’s drive at some point we cross a continental divide. While the Mississippi river we crossed three days earlier delineates the country into east and west, continental divide, Sol explains, delineates which way the water flows. Every drop of water on the east side of it will end up in the Atlantic ocean and every drop of water on the west side will end up in pacific ocean. A neat fact.
Before noon we arrive at the campsite near the canyon. I attempt at work call as Sol and girls have lunch in the rig. The cell coverage is nonexistent and advertised free WiFi signal at the site is intermittent at best. I struggle through my call and finish off my work day while Sol is driving us to the Grand Canyon.
As well pull into one of the park’s many vista points I see the Canyon peeking through the trees. It’s red rim is impressive. When we park and walk over to the overlook it is breathtaking. It is hard to comprehend just how vast it is.
Another thing that is breathtaking is the complete lack of railing at the edge of the canyon aside from a few spots. While I like that you are responsible for your own survival approach it is an absolutely terrifying proplect when your six year old is involved.
We walk along the rim for a few miles taking in the view. Pup is also impressed.
He is also impressed with a large female elk that accompanies us on our walk. She is majestic and does not seem to mind humans staring at her from all directions.
We decide to stay a while longer to see the sunset over the canyon. We drive around in search of dinner and then eat it on the bench at the rim while looking at sunset. It is gorgeous and gives you the feeling as if though is somehow does not belong on this planet….. Mars may be?
While searching for dinner, Sol takes girls to a gift shop where he buys the entire park ranger updo for girls: vests with a million pockets, hats and special ranger water canteens. They proudly wear the outfits all day every day.
It has been scorching hot during the day but the moment the sun sets it gets chilly.
Girls are spent and fall asleep in the car on the ride back to camp but we still wake them up for showers because when you are at the site with water hookup, you don’t miss a chance to shower. When girls are in bed me and Sol have a celebratory beer while watching stars outside. We left the canyon with the same number of children we entered with. Parental win. We spot a few shooting stars while watching a sky … truly remarkable day.
It is actually chilly at night near the canyon. Me and Sol are kind of cold at night and pup periodically tries to climb into the bed with us. Only we sleep on the dinette set that converts into a full size bed and there really is no room for him.
