The Grand Canyon has been on my list for a long time now. When I originally moved to California I passed signs along the way pointing in it’s direction and thought “someday I’ll stop there and see it” The same went the other 3 times I traveled across the country between Wisconsin and California, but it always seemed so far out of the way and I never made the time. Van life is about making the time. Stopping, even if out of the way, to see the things “on my list” that I haven’t taken the time to see over the years as well as merely stumbling upon places I didn’t even know I wanted to see.
The universe made it really easy thanks to my friend Mindi, for me to finally see the Grand Canyon. I’d just left Joshua Tree National Park, stopping at the visitor center to use the restroom along with looking at my phone to decipher where to next. Death Valley and Sequoia National Parks weren’t too far. Doing some GPS calculating, thanks to the Waze app, as well as looking at pictures of both parks I decided Death Valley would be my next destination. After driving for about 15-20 minutes I got a message from my friend Mindi saying she and her friend were in the Grand Canyon and they’d love for me to join. After thinking about it for about 30 seconds I turned the van around and headed in that direction. “This is what van life is all about” I thought to myself, “Why wouldn’t I go?”
Abandoning ship on death valley wasn’t hard as it’d only been a plan for about a half hour. Always having wanted to see the grand canyon and also have the opportunity to share the experience with a close friend seemed like something I just couldn’t pass on. It’d be about an 8 hour drive to get to where Mindi and her friend were staying so I turned up the tunes and headed in that direction. Stopping at a truck stop about 4 hours into driving knowing I could be there before noon the next day.
Mindi was my roommate in Bali on the Soulrocker retreat and someone I’ve looked up to in many ways since meeting her. Her and her friend Leslie welcomed me with open arms when I got there. We headed out and walked the south rim of the Grand Canyon and talked. Mindi and I catching up as well as Leslie and I getting to know one another. It’d only been a week since Jordy died so he was heavy on my mind. The Grand Canyon is a geological masterpiece! Jordy had gone to school for geology, almost finishing up his masters, and I couldn’t help but think he was with me in some way. Mindi, Leslie, and I walked and talked, took pictures and made a plan for the day.
We took the shuttle bus back to the hotel after walking a few miles. It was sunny and beautiful, but cold after being outside for a few hours. We warmed up, then layered our clothes back up to make it out for sunset before heading to dinner.
Sunset was pure magic. The light over the canyon, the layers and layers of multicolored rock, the snow dusted on the surfaces, the wind speaking to you through the rustle of the trees and the breeze upon your face. If I wasn’t freezing, I could’ve stayed out there all night and listened and looked at mother nature at her finest.
Upon heading into dinner we came upon a deer feeding on the walking path, not fazed at all by our presence. This is one of my favorite parts about national parks, the comfort level of the animals to humans. We both know the other is there, but it doesn’t matter. If anything, the animals have the right of way and I simply watch from a distance in awe of their habitat and their beauty.
We walked into the lodge where a flautist was playing “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” up the stairs from a giant Christmas tree decorated beautifully with gold and red balls and streams of ribbon wrapped it. We were sat in a large dining hall with chandeliers and white table cloths where we recapped what a wonderful day we’d had so far while enjoying our drinks and dinner.
After dinner, we ventured back to our hotel in the dark. Our hotel was about a half mile trek at most, but not a straight shot and it was also minimal lighting to avoid light pollution so people can enjoy the stars. Our trek back was one I won’t forget, and neither will Mindi or Leslie. Besides being mindful of every step trying our best to avoid falling or slipping on the ice, we couldn’t have gotten more lost. We all had a different idea of where we thought we should be going and what should’ve taken us 15-20 minutes took us upwards of an hour or more. We laughed and laughed, second guessed ourselves, tried desperately to remember anything that looked familiar and made the most of getting home safe and sound. It just goes to show life is a journey and sometimes a walk can resemble it in many ways. The twists and turns, trying to avoid falling or slipping, getting turned around and taking the wrong route only to be led back to the right one. Be mindful of each step you take and it’ll eventually lead you to where you are supposed to be.
After making it back we thawed out, warmed up and hung out. We eventually ventured back outside to admire the sky full of twinkling stars and subtle milky way. The sky at night in national parks is still unbelievable to me. There’s such minimal lighting allowing the stars to pop out more than they do anyplace else. There is something so magical about those galaxies far far away. The twinkles, constellations, and magical moon are some of my favorite things to admire as well as inspire my imagination to run wild. Bearing the cold as long as I could, as it was in the teens, I didn’t last as long as I’d have liked because I was just too cold. We also wanted to make sure we were up for sunrise.
The alarm went off and we all rallied to get up and make it back out to the rim, again in the dark, to watch the sun come up. Somehow heading back out to the rim this time we knew where we were and how to get there. Each time having ventured this way taking a somewhat different route. Again, resembling our journeys throughout life.
Watching the rising sun come up over the canyon was wonderful, unfortunately due to elevation and a little too much wine the night before I was riding the struggle bus and trying my hardest not to vomit, as I’d already done so upon waking earlier. We continued walking along the rim watching the sun peak up over the rocks and shine down upon us. A beauty that for me was short lived as I needed to sit down in fear my head was about to explode.
We went to breakfast where I watched my friends eat, choked down a cup of green tea, with only one interruption where I politely excused myself to go vomit in the bathroom, grateful to have made it to the bathroom and not made a fool out of myself being the girl that vomited in the hallway. Lesson learned, minimal to no drinking while in national parks, it’s just not worth being hungover and not being able to fully enjoy the park.
Quite the journey was made in the last minute decision to experience the Grand Canyon. So grateful to my friend Mindi for inviting my to join her and Leslie as well as our many journey filled walks upon being there. The Grand Canyon being the first real #vanlife adventure and a great way to start this journey.
Both these ladies living in Georgia as well as many other reasons have brought me to the realization that my van finally has a name. It’s something I’ve gone back and forth on many times, but I’d like to formally introduce you all to Georgia!
I can’t wait to see how this van life journey unfolds and the adventures Georgia and I will have. Thank you so much for coming along for the ride. I thoroughly enjoy your feedback and comments as well as am forever grateful for you taking the time to read about my life and my journey. Thank you! Peace and Love to you all!!
Mindfully Authentic 