Tuba City-Navajo Nation

Loading up the car this morning before dawn I noticed the entrance to the Quality Inn that was home last night.

Welcome, the words greet as I passed back through the doors.

Navajo Nation--they have their own time zone, and government.  Everyone here has been nice--in a connecting way.  Not the tourist connection of the National Parks--not that that was bad, just less authentic.

It is nice to have company with my friend but good god stay off your phone.  I had a conversation with her about this months ago that drive time and hiking time on this trip needed to be solitude but I guess that wasn't understood as clearly as 'no phones' would suggest.  Ugh.  Liking about five people anymore and glad I am on my list.

North Rim, Grand Canyon

Up at 5:00 AM to see the sunrise at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon--a 45 minute drive from the motel we were at for the night.  Arizona is all fucked up with its time change so we missed it but the good thing was to be in the park early.

I realized when we arrived that I had left my National Parks Passport book somewhere in Zion.  I called all the restaurants, the hotel, anywhere I might have left it but no luck.  I was really upset because this book had been my dream book.  The parks I had gone to this year, the things that I had seen--it was physical evidence that I had been there and really done that adventure.  I had to walk off the horrible emotional sinking that ensued, along with about six tears.  My brain went into the survivor mode of not letting that ruin the magnificence of where I was and what I was seeing.  So, I distracted myself by taking about 300 photos on manual, walking and then -- bucket list time--going for a mule ride.

I didn't even know that a mule ride was on the bucket list but there it was without a doubt.  My mule was a nice girl and we were riding drag so I could look at everything.  Riding is something I did a ton of as a kid so all that muscle memory came back, even when she stumbled hard and we went in a couple of different directions.  Loved it and stayed right with her.

Through the ride I was able to sort my sorrow over the lost book, decided to buy a new one and get the North Rim stamp because dreams are yet to be dreamed.  Onward.

Angel's Landing-Zion

1500' ascent up to where the angels land.  This is a kick ass hike, takes at least four hours and it has some awesome views.  Love this picture--it is essentially me.  This was shot with my iPhone and the depth of field is what I was hoping for when I shot it.

It was a different hike than 30 years ago when I first did it, with my dog (stupid) and altered state.  It is like a highway up there now.  I did notice that the average age was gray haired, and they were doing it. A thought occurred to me to do this again in ten years--I would have to stay in shape, both physically and mentally.  Maybe a plan.

Foundation Room-Las Vegas

My favorite view in Las Vegas--it is all the dazzle and brilliance of the town.  Foundation Room is members only and the snoot to go with it.  One of the perks of having my own business is that I have memberships that allow this kind of privilege.  I don't think they were too happy to let me in with my jeans and white t-shirt -- and my friend Angela, who I met here, was in shorts and hiking sandals but let us in they did.  We ended up talking to an actor who was up there and they would not allow him in in flip flops so he had to buy shoes.  Made me laugh because his ego was bruised.  Two Corona lights later we were out of there and back to donate to the blackjack table.  

I am very conservative with the money that I will spend on gambling.  The goal gets set and when I am up by 20% I leave and when it is gone, I leave.  This time it took about 20 minutes to pass over my budget to the dealer as did Angela and then we were gone.  I was still fairly tired from the 40 mile walk so bed sounded good.  And, then through Facebook I found out that a really good friend of mine that I worked with at USC and her daughter is going to go through Vegas in time for breakfast in the morning.  Bed was a good thing so I could get up early.

Done

The Avon Walk of 40 miles is done for the third time.  I am sore today--just my calves but wearing high heels to dinner last night may have something to do with it.  This year I had my friend Kathleen (on left) and her friend Toni (middle) joined in to walk.  We all did great.

Again, another amazing event.  The people, the stories, the effort.  Stunning.

I raised $4107.60 to add to the 4.7 million raised in Santa Barbara.  My highest total and I thank all my friends who helped.

There is a cure coming.  I have to believe that with all my being.

Now, off to the National Parks in lower Utah and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  

Life is good.

California

Long day from Arizona to Capistrano Beach.  

I was going to camp at Doheny State Beach until I found out the only campsites available were on the beach = good, only RV sites left = bad and $65 a night = stupid.  So I went across the street to a hotel and got a room with a beach view, internet, breakfast and my own bathroom for $100.  Deal.

Lots of time to think on this trip.  And listen to books--I have already gone through Girl Gone, Charlotte's Web and made good progress on My Life by Bill Clinton.  I like how mind numbing it all is.

Tomorrow is with my friend that I am going to Morocco with in November and Friday up to Santa Barbara.  I like this.

Tucson Sunset

Another lovely day.  I left Las Cruces about an hour late due to client calls and drove straight to Arizona and took a left at Bowie.  Part paved road, part dirt and I was at Fort Bowie National Historical  Site.  It was a three mile hike, the ranger at the fort was wonderful and just a beautiful day of history.

On to Chiricahua National Monument and an 'oh my' moment.  I didn't expect to see such beauty and would like to go back to camp and hike.  

I was hoping to make Blythe tonight and realized that was not going to happen.  By the time I got back up to I-10, it was starting to settle into evening.  The sun was setting just east of Tucson and the sunset was truly wonderful tonight.  It lasted, in all its passion, just as long as it could.  I keep looking at it to my left as I drove, hoping it would would continue but like all of everything it ended.  It was wonderful while it lasted and I know I will remember it.  Gone so that tomorrow can move me forward.

Tonight is in Casa Grande.  Next goal is  California with hopefully two parks in the drive.

Sunset, White Sands Style

What an amazing day.  

I awoke to sunrise in Guadalupe National Park camp ground and hiked a 4.5 mile torturous trek up to Devil's Hall.  I thought it was going to be easy.  Nope.

Then drove to Carlsbad Caverns National Park--it is right next door so a quick 45 minute drive and I was there.  This was simply amazing and on the highly recommend list -- what an experience to see a cave this large and well decorated with stalagmites and stalactites, draperies, beautiful pools.  I would go again in a heart beat.

Then, drove to White Sands National Monument -- which is a three hour trek, I went up to Artesia and then west through the unpopulated area of New Mexico, which is pretty much 90 % of the state.  I arrived just in time for the ranger sunset hike.  Lovely beyond description.  After the tour, sitting on top of a dune and being amazed by nature, I remembered a line from Desert Solitaire 'in the loneliness there was loveliness' --I an paraphrasing with the words, not the emotion.

Tonight I am in a hotel in Las Cruces--I need the internet and a desk to make client calls in the morning, and ok, a shower.  

Tomorrow is through Arizona to at least one park, and waving as I zoom by cities and populated areas.

Camping, Texas Style

Juxtaposition

Maxie, My Love

Where else should a 16.5 year old cat sleep?  And, he is so sweet and now such an old man he can bed down wherever he wants. 

And, I would not know how to knit unless the blend was part cat hair. 

Love.

Delayed flight and early to the airport. 

This seems the right thing to do.

I Am Thinking 40

On September 22-23 I am walking again in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer--this is my 4th walk and probably not the last one.  It is a 40 mile stroll in two days and I have been training for months.  I am so friggin' sick of doing this walk but until a cure gets closer, I will keep doing it.  It surprises me that year after year people support me...no one complains, some donate more, some less but I always make my goal--only have a bit to go this year.  I am grateful for the support.

I am driving out again--I did this two years ago and loved it.  Road trips are special and one of my fav's--just the time and the adventure of seeing life a bit more slowly than in a plane.  I am also on a mission to see as many national parks this year as I can.  I have been to DC, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Utah since February.

Last time my friend Karen drove out with me and I solo'd it back.  I did love that solo time.  This year I am doing the reverse--driving out by myself, and back with my friend Ang.  We are going to do the lower Utah parks and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  I am so looking forward to it.

Doing the Mapquest, the trip out can be two routes--about the same time and distance.  Since Ang and I are going to be coming through Albuquerque on the way back, I am thinking that the southern route along Interstate 10 will be the way to go.  I may visit Carlsbad Caverns  depending on time.

What do you think?