Doc Hop

I don’t even know if I have the words for this post after the incredible evening I’ve had, but I’m going to do my best! Beware — cliches are sure to abound.

As I mentioned in my last post, at 10 hours, today was the longest leg of my trip, so I made sure to wake up bright and early so I would make it to the Grand Canyon with plenty of time to see the sunset. Despite my best intensions, I managed to hit snooze about two too many times and ended up waking up about 20 minutes later than intended. I left The Big Texan around 6:30 a.m., which was actually a blessing because I forgot to account for the time change when planning my day. I was also up early enough to see the horses that are stabled at the “horse hotel” next door, which was very exciting for both me and Lemon. (Lemon has never seen such a big dog with such a long face before and didn’t quite know how to respond. Luckily, she didn’t need to, because we were quickly on our way.)

Despite being the longest drive, this was far and away my favorite leg of my trip yet. Outside of my trips to California over the past few years, I’ve mainly stuck to the East Coast or mid-west. Driving through New Mexico and Arizona was my first time traveling through an arid environment with high uplifts and deep basins. And I LOVED it. The U.S. is so large and up until now I had only seen such a tiny part of it. I can’t imagine waking up and looking out my window every morning to see jagged cliffs and wide skies.

I made it to the Yavapai Lodge around 2:40 p.m., but I wasn’t able to check in until three, which was absolutely no big deal, because it gave me time to walk Lemon and it was not too hot outside for the cats to hang in the car with the windows down. And girl — Lemon fucking LOVES it here!! She literally let out a bark of pure joy when I let her off leash behind our cabin. I know this trip isn’t super easy on her or the boys, so it made my heart full to watch her zoom around the park. We’re almost home, baby girl!

Once Lemon had her energy out, I headed to the main lodge to grab a coffee before heading out to Yavapai Point, where I planned to hang out with a book while waiting for the sun to set. My Aunt Sherry will be very happy to know that while making conversation the barista discovered that it was my birthday and gifted me a pastry of my choice. (I went with the banana nut muffin.) It’s not quite cake, but it was sure sweet enough to make my day! It was a great birthday, but it’s always weird to spend it completely alone. The little act of kindness meant a whole lot.

I made it to the Canyon around 5 p.m. and I don’t think I was properly prepared for the literal grandness of it all. Any words I try to put to it sounds trite, because it’s all been said before and nothing I can write will ever translate into what it feels like to bear witness. I sat at the overlook for hours through the sunset and didn’t think to pick up my book even once. The best I can say is that sitting at the edge of the world, I’ve never felt more a part of the universe. I felt godlike. Or like someone falling madly in love. I watched and listened to the crows caw and saw tiny birds dive from high above me and zip effortlessly into the endless crags, fearless in their instinct. For a moment I felt the same way. Fearless in my instinct; at my best when embracing my nature. In nature. Not falling, but gliding, soaring. In control. Going where I please. Going where it pleases me.

I pulled myself away from Yavapai Point before I could see the stars with promises to return for the sunrise.

Back at the lodge I grabbed dinner — green chili and cheddar tamales, before heading back to my room for a quick shower. I’ve been writing this post from the main lodge, slowly sipping on a double shot of Jameson because it is, after all, my birthday. I’d say it was the best I’ve had in 38 years, but that cannot be true, because my best birthdays were spent with my mom. This was a very close second, and I felt her with me the entire time I sat. I still do.

I’m hoping to make it up in time for the sunrise tomorrow morning, so I suppose I should head back to my room. Is it weird that I’m a little sad for this trip to be over? On day one I said that this trip was more about the destination than the journey, but the journey has been pretty incredible as well. Made even better because I know where it leads.

Until tomorrow. ❤️