| July 5 2005
We just got back -- geeeezzz 830 emails to sift through (and that doesn't count the 760 I checked while at a hotel that offered free internet. We visited the MEsa Verde Dwellings. Of course, I loved it there. I've gotten even more native spritied than before. I think the boys got bored there. Austins' only favorite memory of this stop is the twins from Texas he met in the hotel hot tub-- of which - the next day Vic found him having breakfast- with of of them, and his arm around her. The funny thing is he got a cold for the next 4 days of the trip-- we all teased that he shouldn't go kissing strange girls. There goes the phone bills--- he's already been phoning Texas. But - the indoor sky diving in the wind tunnel in Vegas- the night before we left- lit up their eyes and made up for the boring parts that Mom made them endure. Zion NP was nice - a strenuous hike to hidden canyon and to the emerald pools- was all we had time for. The next day we planned to go ATVing-- this was definately everyone's highlight. We went up into the plateaus and cruised around the sand dunes. But when the guide says "Stay in my tracks" he means it... Andrew turned a few feet sooner, and ended up buried in soft sand- under his 600 + lb. Polaris - 15 feet below the ridge he misjudged. It all looks the same inside the dunes. We crept up and down steep rocks, and had lunch beneath the shade of a big sandstone formation with Peyote plants growing in the cracks. We needed a break from the desert heat- so after white water rafting in Moab- where the dry 105 temps impaired my ability to breathe- it felt like inhaling dirt-- we had a couple of loosely unplanned days and decided to camp near Telluride (missed the Bluegrass festival by one day). We added a mountain biking experience for the boys who came racing down Purgatory Ski area's mountain on bikes. At least we were able to turn in one bike unscathed. Boys are rough on equipment -- I'll tell you. We saw a TON of motorbikes traveling out there-- all types. Particularly the packed up BMW tourist. Camped next to several bikers-- from Washington State, N. California, Montana... etc. But BOY is that HOT ! Seeing all the groups in full leather, and helmet in 105 degrees- glad I was in the air cond. van. We rented a power boat on Lake powell-- I think I started getting nervous when Vic ungracefully smashed into the gas up dock... but then the engine fried at mile buoy 13... and we helplessly bounced in the narrows between 2 sheer canyon walls- which were increasingly getting closer - I was really starting to lose it-- arms wrapped completely around the seat in front of me. Cell phones did work down there (believe me I tried 5 times). I was finally able to flag down a couple of boater (with my distress arm signals) passing through. One of the guys was mechanical-- he said the engine seemed to be misfiring. However, we was able to forciby start the motor and shove it into gear... We limped -- never going too slow (even through the no wake zone in one of the marinas) because the thing would choke like it wanted to die. We made it back to the main marina, but our overnight plans to campout along the shore were ruined... suited me fine - I hated being out on the water, more and more by the second. The marina manager said we must have been leaking oil all the way back- we blew a line... the engine was completely seized up. They upgraded us to a fancy fast sporty brand new boat. We cancelled the camping plans, and took all the gear back to the car. I was brow-beat into getting back into the new boat, and hated it even more at higher speeds. The rough pounding against other peoples wake.... cruising -- with an amatuer driver (Vic) - at high speeds along enormous houseboats, and chaotic other zig zagging speed boats. I was a nervous wreck - clings with claws to the seat's vinyl. We found a semi-calm bay for the boys to use the tow behind raft on. Here I settled down a bit, but had to keep an eye out for the jutting rocks. The clouds started to roll in-- flash flood storms were becoming daily this week. What does the sign "in case of severe storm- take cover in a leeward cove" mean anyways? Everyone on the water was frantically racing back to ports. All decorum of traffic rules seemed moot. The waves were increasingly getting rougher, the pounding from other boater's wake rattled the boat, as the needles of rain pierced our view. I just kept trying not to lose it.. breathing deeply - trying not to hyperventilate.. Austin offered his arm around me for solice. I was literally filled with tears of terror. This was only suppose to be a three hour tour !! NEVER AGAIN... I'll stick to canoes, kayaks, sail boats -- and anything that moves SLOWLY through the water. The flash floods voided the hiking and camping in Paria canyon. The slot canyons are not advised, so we again headed for the cooler hills-- Flagstaff- where we caught a Ska-music public music festival of various local bands. Josh loves this kind of music. There's a college in this town so alot of hippies- young with dreadlocks and old types too - everyone enjoyed the music. We also went to the Rennesaise Fair in the woods the next morning. Austin bought a gothic sword with dragons... probably worth 200-300 - for only $60. Andrew- Josh's friend came along on the trip. -- It was great having Andrew-- he was the "comic relief" -- plus he linked Austin & Josh to interact in such a way - that since the trip Josh & Austin seem to have entered a better rapport or stage in their relationship-- of mutual respect. They're more 'friendly' toward each other. Josh & Andrew had planned to conquer the north Rim to south Rim hike across the Grand Canyon.- and did it. They looked it too - SPENT!!! This is equal to 10 Sears Towers--- the bottom Canyon temps were 115. Austin says he'll wait until they install a high speed inter mountain elevator. LOL How different they are ! Meantime-- while they were in the canyon, I fell in love with Sedona, Arizona- so much so that we bought Timeshare in the center of town. Vic & Austin rented a Jeep to follow a map on a self-guided off road tour... The 4 hour rental at least got them out of my hair long enough to enjoy browsing through the shops on the main strip... and it wasn't long enough ! However, I found a really cool authentic indian shop where I was able to buy a huge wad of ceremonial sage (for spirit cleansing & burning) for only $3. Most Metaphysical shops wrap a few buds and try to charge $10. Although I got the big guys a 2 day backcountry permit into the grand canyon....the guys came up a day early to escape the heat.Except they did not pack sleeping bags into the canyon, and we weren't returning until the next day. There's NO cell phone reception there--- so they had to be homeless for a night. Over night temps drop to 36 degrees on the rim. Eating their dehydrated food rations over the backpackers stove, and sleeping behind a rock, along a parking lot-- huddled under a mylar emergency blanket. Of course the dummy had a credit card and could have checked into the lodge early, but didn't think of it-- amidst enjoying the notoriety gained from passerbys asking 20 questions about their obvious looking hints (exhaustion, smell, dirt, etc) of having just hiked out of the canyon One guy apologized saying that he wanted to invite to crash in their room, but his wife thought it'd be weird. What a wild trip. But the concensus is no more trips over a week -- too much togetherness !! I'm voting for separate vacations. RoZ |