ROAD TRIP! A Grand Adventure

The SouthWestern States

The Adventure: Driving through 3 states in 3 days with 3 friends

Where To? Arizona (Grand Canyon/Antelope Canyon)

& (impromptu drive home through Utah, Nevada)

When?  Winter Months

What to Pack:

Umbrella, Snow/Rain Boots, Scarf, Warm Socks

Heavy Jacket, Gloves, Beanies, Walking Shoes

Polaroid Camera, Plenty O' Snacks

shot with my Canon 60D 

     

     I'm coming to terms with always expecting the unexpected when it comes to travels...that's actually a little bit how life goes as well.  You have this idea of exactly how the trip will be and you can envision what the road that gets you there will look like...then everything happens completely the opposite.  I'd have it no other way because we couldn't write the stories of our lives this interesting and funny if we tried.  Leaving it up to the divine Author of our lives is the most fun way to live.  Roll with the punches, and learn to take the good with the...well you'll see.

"Roll With the Punch" Scenario #1:

Don't be alarmed when the 9 hour drive delirium sinks in, and the last stretch of 50 miles through pitch black wilderness derives the creation of a tribe name (we're the Road Warriors), and assigning each other spirit animal personas and Indian names (guys, it's Navajo Nation...this is a must pre or post delirium), when all of a sudden, nervous "turn your hazards on!" and sudden brake lights cause you to hastily come to a halt.  Tuffs of fur strewn about the road, and that "Watch For Elk" sign becomes really real.  Prayers said for the family that hit the big guy laying in the road.

"Roll With the Punch" Scenario #2:

You're already shook up from the elk sighting (rest in peace), so much so that when you pull into the hotel parking lot and all the lights are out, you may think this is not out of the normal, "maybe they're just super eco-friendly here".  Continue on into the lobby, careful while parking, literally no lights on to help guide the way.  Sighs of relief that you're not in the real boonies and there is a sign informing of the town's "Power Outage".  Thankfully, the power decides to turn immediately on once room keys are in hand.  The one benefit to this no electricity upon arrival, the night sky is amplified and there's nothing like the vastness of stars twinkling in the wilderness against that solid black backdrop.

"Roll With the Punch" Scenario #3:

February/March is the off season for a reason.  Excitement was quickly extinguished when we finally made it into the National Park.  Walking to the outlook points, you hop, you skip, you jump.  Until you come to the edge, and you can't see further than 5 feet in front of you.  The thickness of clouds that covered the canyon were thicker than thick.  Eerily cool for a minute, until it sinks in that the Canyon road trip may need a round 2, having to come back when it isn't fog season.  Don't give up that easy, all it takes is faith and trust.  Keep on the trail, and watch the clouds disperse.  Actually a more gratifying experience watching as the grandeur of the Grandest Canyon reveals itself. 

Shot with Canon 60D

       

     "Roll With the Punch" Scenario #4:

Antelope Canyon is located in Page, AZ.  There may or may not be a hand-written sign marking a detour for Page that you may disregard because you've seen one too many horror movies to feel comfortable following a pink highlighter banner saying, "Page --->".  You will have to turn back around, the make shift sign was accurate.  Going 25 miles on the seemingly correct route ends you at a closure on the highway you think you're meant to be taking per directions on the map (thank the landslide that blocked the path and didn't tell Siri about it).  However, this minor hiccup is not in vain.  The culture of these people really showcased itself through this part of Navajo Nation, one image I tucked away; a little Native American girl in a pink windbreaker running toward her home with the tremendous desert rocks behind her.  A life lived in simplicity, with no cares in the world, it was a sight to be seen.  This alone was worth the added mileage on the car, Antelope Canyon being the bonus.

     There you have it, the first Baggage trip of 2014.
A common theme throughout this trip?
God's hand of protection on us the entire way.
Thankful for His never ending grace!

Thanks for reading, 

Alysha M.