Most days, Tony, the Hub, does his work from home. It’s just one reason we have such a happy dog, I suppose. But sometimes, the company he works for has to gather their team in person, to connect, reignite their purpose for working, and get everyone on the same page. Fortunately, these meetings tend to happen in interesting places. Last year it was Las Vegas. This year Scottsdale, AZ. Last year, I was promised I wouldn‘t have to step into a casino if I came out to LV for some hiking under the big skies. It was fun! And I did some posting here about that trip (though I dare not navigate off of here to find that link, lest I have to begin again on this here post. ).
This year, on top of our mad dash to Michigan for Tony’s birthday in a #vanlife situation, as well as the Thanksgiving Day holiday and all the familial hoopla entailed therein, the great temptation on offer was an opportunity to join him out in Arizona, after his work trip, to see the Grand Canyon for the very first time. Tony’s been there himself, but I have not. I’m not one for heights (actually, depths really) and so I have never felt called to the canyon. With some encouragement and a stronger spirit, I decided to come along for a few days and now find myself dazzled once more by the big skies, wild colors, and unbelievable beauty of the American Southwest.
I arrived yesterday, broke Tony out of his day job responsibilities and we were off north toward the Canyon. We spent last night in Sedona, New Age Capital of the world it would seem. We supped at Saltrock Southwest Kitchen and they were so accommodating, that I felt truly cared for. I have some food intolerances that make going out not much fun these days with all the hidden ingredients in things. But all went well. We took no pictures and merely enjoyed the meal. I was dog tired by end of day but it was worth the journey.
Our one night in Sedona was spent at a hotel called Sky Rock Hotel. Lovely and well appointed, we had everything we needed and awoke to moody skies. We were headed into the desert to see ancient ruins.
To say it all was unbelievably mind blowing is an understatement. The first site was the Palatki Ruins. Fortunately it’s guarded/stewarded by the NPS and fervently protected. There are ancient buildings, pictographs and petroglyphs to take in. The lives of the ancient ones is so close at hand here. Their knowledge of the seasons and stars, glimpses of their daily existence at every turn. Art was made, food was gathered, Nature and Time honored. And it was quiet and serene.
In the above image is a flute player being carried by someone. Apparently flute players were revered for their music, as well as known for being travelers and trading. This seems about right.
Here’s what the drawing looks like in a couple of other places where it is found.
There were calendars of the circular variety, and endless things to spark our imaginations.
Caretakers stay on site to open and close access to visitors. They seem to be living a dream like existence hopping from park to park and helping out in exchange for a beautiful place to stay. We met some lovely and dedicated folks.
Eventually we made our way to the second site of the day, the Honanki Cliff Dwellings which were also spectacular in their own way.
One can literally see the hand and finger prints of the people who built these structures so long ago. I found it all captivating. Of all the grand history our country affords us, the history of its Native people is the one by which I am most compelled.
Thankfully, the weather held for our visits to the ancient dwellings, but we hit a good bit of snow on route from Sedona to the outskirts of the Grand Canyon. Alas, we didn’t make it to sunset and so have our sites on sunrise.
If the skies along our drive were any indication, we are in for a treat.
I’ve heard it’s a wild experience to see the GC for the first time. I am excited and a little daunted by the scope and scale of it all. Thankfully we will be in this particular hotel for a couple of nights for a bit of catching up with ourselves. Of course being so on the go, I’ve not made a single piece of art. Art making in the car is generally not an option as I am prone to motion sickness in the car. so I just take it all in, snapping the odd snapshot.
Tomorrow we go to the canyon and see what there is to see. I’ll keep you posted…….
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