Day Fifteen

When we started making a list of places we wanted to see while we traveled, The Grand Canyon was a place we both agreed was a definite location to stop, neither of us had been and always wanted to. We left Flagstaff, Arizona and drove about 80 miles (roughly 1.5 hours) to the Grand Canyon. Everything I read online prior had said that by 11am most of the parking lots are full and waits to get in can be over an hour, so we got out the door early and we got there at 9am and had no issues parking. I didn't allow the boys to bring their Kindles in the car for the drive since I wanted their eyes to be up and able to take in some of the beautiful sights, instead of staring at a screen. I immediately regretted this. Henry repeatedly made up stories about animals he saw in the woods and would say they ran away "just before I told you I saw them". (Included on this list was a family of cheetahs, which is one of many reasons I knew he was messing with us). We did ACTUALLY see however, 2 little baby deer and presumably their mama on the side of the road and they were so stinkin' cute. I had read a little online about what the park was like, but it was really much more impressive than I had expected. We went through the southern entrance, it was $35 for the car to enter the park and no other admission fees, and we parked at some village parking area. On the way up the mountain I was googling facts about The Grand Canyon such as how many people go each year, when was it discovered, how big is it, how many people die there every year, etc. you know, normal questions, right? (answers: approx. 5 million, somewhere around 10 million years ago, huge, and 12) Anyway, I had no idea what to expect and it was really a pretty extensive operation, not even having seen the actual views. You park and take one of a whole bunch of shuttles to one of dozens of viewing stations, no personal vehicles are allowed. I will say, this place is not even close to being child-friendly. MANY areas had no railings and if you stepped off you'd for sure die. That being said, I have one child who is scared of pretty much everything and another who is scared of NOTHING. Ex: Henry on the way up the mountain asked me how many steps away from the ledge would he need to stand to be safe, we agreed on 3, and he responded "I'll stand 4 steps away just to be extra safe." Teddy, moments after we walked to see the rim for the first time, looked at the canyon straight, up, down, and both sides and looked back at me and with wide eyes asked "I jump in, Mama?" To say I was anxious while we were there was an understatement. One wrong move and forget it. My kids are clumsy as anything, they trip walking normally, which is my heart was likely beating several dozen times faster than my baseline anxiety rate.  Using the stroller would have been a nightmare with all the shuttles so outside of having a leash for him (I realize some people use these, no judgment, I get it) we were left with hand holding or the dreaded request to be carried in 100 degree heat. Henry I honestly think would climb back inside of my womb if it were possible. If I have to let go of his hand even for a split second to grab my keys he acts like he saw a ghost. Teddy typically will hold hands briefly and then say a line similar to "I walk all by myself, Mama" and insist on no hand holding. Today was not a place where I supported his autonomy in independent walking, and forced both boys to be holding my hands really at all times unless we were far away from the ledges or on the shuttles. In all seriousness though, the distance so many of the places we've traveled through from hospitals would be so scary. Minor accidents, whatever, but if you required acute medical care you don't stand a damn chance! Not necessarily by The Grand Canyon (I saw a sign for medical building) but some of the places in Oklahoma or New Mexico where it's endless land and no exits. Damn that'd be scary. I want to know if my heart stops beating that someone could be where I am in a reasonable amount of time to try and start it again. For that and about 95 other reasons I don't want to live in the boonies.

 I could go on and on and on about how beautiful the views at The Grand Canyon were, anyone who has been there knows, they are unspeakably beautiful. I really felt like I wasn't looking at something real and that I was in a dream. Josh took a lot of photos (my hands were occupied with clenching grasps on my dirty children's hands) and we spent a few hours taking shuttles, seeing views, managing hot whiny children, and endlessly shoveling snacks and water into the boys faces. I'm happy that we visited one of the seven natural wonders, crossed something off of our bucket lists, and were able to get at least one reasonable family photo that we don't all look like we hate our lives in.

Now if you'll excuse me, it's time to start my wild and crazy Thursday night. Following this blog post I will be taking an antacid and falling asleep before my head hits the pillow. I know what you're all thinking..."She's a wild woman! When is she going to slow down" Amiright?

Tomorrow we will cross into California!!!!!!!! Big day!