04.15.08
Water Slides and Sand Storms, we’re on Vacation!
Flew into Phoenix Saturday afternoon since our first flight earlier that morning was canceled. Went to REI for the first of many little trips to that wonderful outdoorsy haven. Heidi and I picked up some necessities and made our way to the Superstition Mountains. We found a cute little campground at the base of the mountains and spent a lovely first evening in Arizona, however, we realized that a choice not to bring pillows was perhaps not so wise. Damn our hindsight!
By mid-afternoon, we were both hurting from the sun exposure and over exertion. My head pounded so hard that I spent the afternoon trying to avoid tossing my lunch in the rental car on the way to Sedona. Heidi quotes me as saying, “Uh grog em mutter grgkl.” That was about all I was good for. We grabbed a room at a beautiful little cottage motel, and after some sleep, I was feeling better. That was convenient because it was Heidi’s turn to teeter of the brink of sir-upchuck.
The next day we hiked around Red Rocks State Park (Arizona, not Vegas) early in the morning before turning our attention to some much needed relief from the heat. We ventured to Slide Rock State Park, a well spent $8 for the afternoon. A short hike in brings you to a small water hole where you can soak in the sun, laying out across the picturesque red bedrock or have a go slip sliding through a flowing rock bobsled. Even though the sun rained down, the water’s temp was only like 4 degrees warmer than suck ass cold. However, as we convinced a little girl to go first and be the guinea pig, we told her it was more fun than cold. Paving the way, I felt I should show a little manliness and give it a go myself. Heidi one up’d me by taking the waterproof camera for the full ride, capturing a hysterical 43 second first person video. Make sure you bug her to see it (low quality video). We killed the evening under a nice campfire and hearty meal deep in the Coconino National Forest.
Tuesday we drove north to Page, AZ (about 3 hours from where we were camping) and took a tour of the Upper Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is renowned for its slot canyons and photographic opportunities. At the right times of the day, light shines down through small openings in the canyons canopy and the rock is illuminated with shades of color from purple to yellow, pink to rust orange. It was quite breath taking regardless of your interest in photography. After the tour we made one side trek, visiting Horseshoe Bend. As it was earlier in the day, the wind was the only thing about which we could possibly complain. Mother Nature decided today to be the day to cast upon us winds which held steady at 20-30 miles per hour with gusts well over 40. Couple this with open land and desert sand and we had some serious conditions with which to play. I believe much of the evening will be spent cleaning the sand from our ears, eyes, nose, clothes, etc. You name it, we got sand in it. Heidi’s cameras and equipment also need some tending to. As of now we are joyriding back to Flagstaff, jamming to whatever station comes in on the radio, and downing some Dr. Pepper to relieve the crunch of sand still covering our palette.
