Day 5: We hit some higher elevations (in the 7 thousands) on our way to Petrified Forest National Park, AZ. We saw beautiful views of lakes, flowers, and trees. The trees! We pulled off because I was pretty sure that I was seeing ponderosa pines and I had been told before that their bark smells of vanilla so we sniffed a tree and it totally did! Then we got stuck in a back up due to police escorted, oversized loads. It was a cool wait though because we were up high. Everyone had to pull off the road a bit to make way and we had our windows down and Rhys had the sliding door of the minivan open and gave the driver of the huge load an arm pump. The driver obliged and gave us a couple of loud honks. We replied with cheers and waves. Then off we went to lower, flatter land.
Day 6: The next day we were up early to take in Grand Canyon National Park. As a kid I remember it as a painted backdrop, but as an adult it was very impressive. We started the day hiking a portion of the Rim Trail and being in awe of the hikers below. Cliff Rose was blooming like mad and smelled great. We listened to juniper titmouse chicks peep while their parent brought food to them, and we spotted elk. We hit a few gift shops in the park and Neal and I bought an ass. Okay, burro or donkey to some but certainly ass to us. I jokingly said, "We can buy an ass and whenever we think the other is being one we can place it on their pillow as a hit we need to talk!" Neal's reply? "Sold!"
Day 7: We got in a lot more miles traveling through Navajo Nation, stopping at Moenave Dinosaur Tracks to get a tour of the different tracks. We could spot some but would have missed many if we did not have the guide. Though not all the information shared is considered to be scientific fact, paleontologists have verified the presence of trace fossils attributing them to a certain family of dinosaurs rather than a specific genus or species. Continuing our travels, we stopped at a few different stands to look at and purchase jewelry.
We then made our way to Horseshoe Bend, a National Recreation Area in Page, AZ. We hiked down to the viewing area and saw how pretty it was. Neal had to use the wide angle to get it all in! It was very hot so we only stayed as long as we needed and though it was a short hike the return was up hill in full sun so we took in a shade structure and drank plenty.
After we were back on the road, we took in many more miles and stopped to do two hikes--the first in Grand Staircase National Monument, called the Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. It was not a hard trail being just under 2 miles but it was the temperature of Hell (98 degrees F) and in full sun. The trail was a gradual uphill until the midpoint where we climbed and then, as one would expect on an out and back trail, downhill back to the car. Much of it was in and along a sandy riverbed until the steeper climb. I'm not going to lie. I was not overly impressed with the "toadstools" but it is fun to say we've done hard things as a family so we put on our happy faces and hiking shoes and do things as a family.
It was on our way up the Toadstool Hoodoos Trail that we met an older couple, perhaps in their 60s, returning. They asked how much longer back to the cars. They looked sweaty and hot. We asked if they had water and told them they had gone about half way of the return. They had water and thanked us and moved on as we did. We took a moment at the top of the trail to take pictures, drink Body Armor sport drinks (way better than Gatorade!) and water before heading back. Not much further down the trail from the point we had met the couple, we found them again. This time, we knew things were serious. She had tried to wedge herself under a small overhang of earth that had been created by erosion from the river, now dry, to get some shade. She was sweating profusely and very red. He stood in the sun near her, sweating and concerned.
Neal had a "feeling" when he had first past them. He did not drink his sports drink at the top of the trail. He went into CERT mode when we found them again. Though they initially refused, he made sure she drank his drink. He told the man to finish the very little water they still had because we were still carrying water and were hydrated. We told them we were staying with them until she felt she could try getting up and would exit to the parking lot with them. The relief on the man's face said it all. Her coloring evened out some and within 10 minutes, she felt we could assist her to stand. She took her husband's and my arm on each side and we talked about easy stuff until we made it out, and learned their names were Rick and Linda. Neal and Sophie had gone ahead to get more drinks and water. Once they were at their car, Rick turned on the the air conditioning, pulled a small bag of ice from their ice box and Linda put one on her neck and I told her as soon as we leave to put the other down her bra (learned this when I was running a 17 miler on trail a few years back--very helpful!). With a supply of water and drinks, they felt they were going to be fine and we felt comfortable leaving. I am so glad that Neal listened to the Spirit's promptings and we were able to assist this sweet couple.
Next up was Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, just a hop and a skip across the highway, for the Nautilus Trail which was about 1 mile total. Sophie and I were to hot too join Neal and Rhys on this one so we stayed in the air conditioned van, ate salty snacks, and played Uno, while the well hydrated men took on the challenge. They felt pretty accomplished on their return, saying that the "nautilus" was not that climatic but that they got to trespass on private property, as was hinted at in some hiking apps, crossing a wire fence. Devious! With a mix of sweat, sunscreen, and grit on our skin, it was great to be back on the road and feeling the air conditioning going full force.
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