Day 4- There's A Big, A Big Hard Sun

"When I walk beside her, I am the better man.  

When I look to leave her, I always stagger back again.

Once I built and ivory tower so I could worship from above.  

When I climbed down to be set free she took me in again.

There's a big, a big hard sun

Beating on the big people 

In the big hard world."

-Eddie Vedder

I had breakfast this morning with a woman from Denmark, a woman from Switzerland, and a man from Sweden.  The topic of conversation: Religion and the necessity of the separation of church and state.  Everyone remarked upon the Mormon presence in Utah.  When I checked into my motel in Cortez, CO, I found a Gideon's Bible along with the Book of Mormons.  Apparently the Mormons must have gotten jealous at the Beatles' hit "Rocky Raccoon" and wanted some representation in motel rooms as well.  Anyone remember the Bill Hicks skit about the Gideons?  Who are they?!?

I struck out across Northern Arizona on my way from Flagstaff to the Four Corners to Shiprock, NM, and finally to Cortez, CO.  Lots of driving!  Here are some of the red hills outside of Tuba City, AZ.

Unbelievable!  I felt as if I were on Mars.  This part of Arizona is so desolate and red!  As I drove along the highway, I let the winds carry away my worries and my fears and my pain.  I felt stripped bare by the sandy wind of the desert.  It was an unbelievable drive!  One aspect about the desert that was both liberating and terrifying is the idea that the desert holds nothing...  There are no feelings here.  They get blown away in the wind.  Part of my job as a social worker is holding all of my clients' happy, sad, mad, angry, frustrated, scared feelings... along with holding my own.  The desert is so transient and so temporary.  I felt as if nothing was ever embedded here.  Which is strange because thousands of years of history and evolution is captured in the red rocks here.

So exciting!  Not only did I see my first tumbleweed today, but I also saw my first sandstorm!  

Near Anasazi, AZ.  Old stone structure framed by the stratified red hills.

I liked the juxtaposition of the blue motel against the red hills.

Little dwelling near Anasazi, AZ.

Miles and miles and miles of beauty!

Red Mesa, AZ 

Monument Valley, AZ

Monument Valley, AZ

Finally made it to the Four Corners!  This has been on my bucket list since I was 15 years old!  

Hello New Mexico!  Definitely a contrast between the red sands of Northern AZ- everything here is browner and tanner (are those words?).  I took a random detour today to get closer to Shiprock, NM in honor of my friend Evan and the dogs Shiprock and Anchordog.  Check out the website at:  http://shiprockandanchordog.com/.  I'm going to be playing mandolin and singing in this project.  And come to see the summer camp musical, "Shiprock and Anchordog Include Everyone" on June 30th and July 1st!

There she is!  Shiprock herself.  She stands as a beacon of strength and hope against the whipping desert winds... reminding me that there is always beauty in emptiness and strength in simplicity.  She is the lighthouse in the sea of desert sands.  I can understand why this area is sacred to the Dine.

Made it to Colorado!  Wheeeewwww!  6 hours of driving done!

Ute Mountains outside of Cortez, Colorado.

Day 2- A Horse With No Name

"On the first part of the journey 

I was looking at all the life 

There were plants and birds and rocks and things 

There was sand and hills and rings 

The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz 

And the sky with no clouds 

The heat was hot and the ground was dry 

But the air was full of sound 

I've been through the desert on a horse with no name 

It felt good to be out of the rain 

In the desert you can remember your name 

'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain ."

-America

I guess I should start this story from the beginning.  I left Phoenix bright and early this morning and headed toward Tortilla Flats and Apache Junction.  As I was driving, the Superstition Mountains started springing into view.  And as they did, the song "A Horse with No Name" by America came on the radio.  My first visceral experience of the day.  

One of the first experiences that I wanted to check off of my list was to see a real, live cactus up close and personal.  Done!  I also got my first cactus prick today as I was walking around the desert.  

These are the gorgeous Superstition Mountains.  Apparently, someone buried treasure in these hills and it is reportedly still there today.  I was really freaking hot outside, so I didn't go looking for it.  Maybe next time.  

Also, there were these warning signs all over the hiking areas... so no seeking out the lost treasure for me.  I'm simultaneously adjusting to the time change, altitude change, and critter change.  My mom would be happy to know that I'm carrying Benadryl in my backpack.  

On the Apache Trail, I stopped at this cute little rest area that was a preserved ghost town.  Pioneers had the right idea with sustainable wind energy!  But not with wiping out the American Indians.

My Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman fantasies have come true!  Now if only I could find a Sully on my trip out here.  

This evoked the memory of playing with the Wolf Jaw Gypsies in Plattsburgh, NY:

"The gallows are high and eternity near.
She stands in the crowd and sheds not a tear.
Sometimes at night when the cold winds moan
In a long black veil, she cries o'er my bones.
She walks these hills in a long black veil.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail.
Nobody knows.  Nobody sees. Nobody knows but me."

I jumped over the "Do Not Cross" cable and climbed to the top of this.  I can't believe that this was actually used to hang someone.  

No, Mom, I did not end up in jail for trespassing on the gallows.  

So after traveling 20 or so miles along the windiest road that I have ever driven on (and no shoulder for most of the time), I stumbled upon this lake.  I believe it's called Canyon Lake?  I can't believe this is how I got to spend my morning!  Totally unexpected.  Visceral experience #2 of the day.  I remember seeing this and thinking, "There's nothing that I will see today that will be prettier than this..."

Fast forward to this afternoon.  Oh. Wow.  I randomly decided to take a little detour from Rt 17 on my way from Tortilla Flats to Flagstaff in order to drive through Sedona.  I had NO CLUE that I would happen among the Red Rocks on my way.  I choked on my own breath when these came into view.  And then I cried a little.  How can anything this beautiful exist?  How does that happen?  How could I have gone 27 years of my life without seeing this?!?  How can I not travel all over the world and get to see things like this on a regular basis?!?!?  Now I know why Jer wanted to bring me out here all of these years.  I should have listened to him sooner.  This was the most astounding scenery that I have ever laid my blue eyes on.  Sedona is my new favorite place on this Earth.

One thing about traveling solo is that you get really good at taking self-portraits.  This is me, a happy little snowbird, in front of some of the Red Rocks.  

Another picture of me in front of some of the Red Rocks.

I have no words for the rest of these pictures.  Visceral experience overload.  I hope they can speak for themselves.

I'm a big fan of cacti now.  

After spending hours and hours and hours driving and stopping and driving and stopping through the Red Rocks, I happened upon this gem.  I believe it's called the Red Rock Canyon.  All I know is that it's really high (6,000 ft in elevation?) and really beautiful.  I had no clue that Arizona would be so green and have so many trees.

This is a picture of the switchbacks that I had to drive to get up to the canyon.  I'm so glad I let the Alamo Rent-a-Car dude talk me into going to the next size up in cars (I was in a dinky 2 door that was much like my Hyundai Accent... aka- no power or oomph).  I'm positive that I will continue to appreciate the upgrade when I drive through the Rockies.

So after those adventures, I continued to drive the scenic route up to Flagstaff.  I'm staying the Grand Canyon Hostel for two nights.  Everyone here is super friendly!  I've made some new friends from France and from Macedonia.  The guy at the front desk recommended a delicious place for dinner.  And I have plans to jam out with one of the accordion players that is staying here as well.  

Mostly, I am so grateful for this experience.  I'm grateful that my foot has healed so that I can walk along the edge of the Grand Canyon.  I'm grateful that I have a job that I love so I can pay for this trip.  I'm grateful to have friends who have guided me as I planned my journey.  I'm grateful for the new friends that I am making.  I'm grateful that I can look upon such beauty.  I'm grateful that I feel no shame in crying at such beauty.

I'm grateful for all of the joy and heartache and pain and loss and happiness that has brought me to such a place at such a time.  I miss all of you back home!  I'm carrying you in my heart as I go on this quest.  

Day 1- I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go,

I'm standing here outside your door,

I hate to wake you up to say goodbye.

But the dawn is breaking, It's early morn

The taxi's waiting, He's blowing his horn

Already I'm so lonesome I could die.

So kiss me and smile for me,

Tell me that you'll wait for me,

Hold me like you'll never let me go.

Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane

I don't know when I'll be back again,

Oh babe, I hate to go."

-John Denver

Even though today was primarily a travel day, it was still superb!

I made it to Bradley in plenty of time for my flight. I was amazed that I got through my check-in and security under 20 minutes! My first flight was from Hartford to Cleveland.

Traveling around with my mando definitely has perks! It’s a great conversation starter and I met a violinist who was traveling to Phoenix as well.

I also got bumped up to a first class seat for the flight from Cleveland to Phoenix. Holy moly! What a bougie (but amazingly awesome) way to travel!!! I had no idea of what to expect. I was the first on the plane. I had a ginger ale in my hand before take-off. I had a hot towel delivered to me during the beginning of the flight, along with free beer and hot salted almonds. Then they brought out a penne pasta dish with salad, fresh fruit, a roll and a choice of Cabernet or Pino Grigio. This was followed by a free hot chocolate chip cookie. And I got to watch the movie ET and Seinfeld the whole trip! Did I mention everything was free?!?!?!? First class even has its own bathroom. I did feel uncomfortable as everyone else was walking by me to load the plane. I’m still more at ease in a working class dive bar than sitting in a first class seat on a plane.

So I’ve landed in Phoenix and am spending the night in Mesa. Not sure what adventures I have in store for me tomorrow. Below are some of my favorite pictures from the flight, including the clouds that I flew through on my way to Cleveland.

One of my favorite parts of flying is looking down on the earth. On this trip, I flew over miles and miles of flat, beautiful farmland that looked like patches on a quilt. Flying always reminds me of how big this world is and how small I am. It amazes me that I willing climb into a hunk of metal that shoots me through the atmosphere at a really fast speed. I have this urge to climb out the window and bounce around all of the clouds in the sky. My favorite mind-blowing-flying-through-the-sky song to listen to during this trip has been “Global A Go-Go” by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Kx9fCxwyVws

I hope everyone had a lovely Saturday. All of the folks that I’ve met in Phoenix so far have been really tan, blond, and super friendly. I hope to meet some more characters on my trip!

 Rainy and chilly in Hartford, CT

Free beer and nuts in 1st class?  Yes please!

One of my favorite pictures.  Flying through the clouds between Hartford and Cleveland.

Free food and wine.  I feel spoiled.