When we planned the trip to Wichita, it had to be a road trip. We had done it a couple times before and it’s a nice drive. We didn’t think we’d be able to board our dog because she was old and having health issues. We didn’t know if her little heart could take a six-night stay at the pet resort. By the time we knew she wouldn’t be going, we were already committed.
I talked Rob into making a stop at the Grand Canyon. He had never seen it. I had seen it once from a plane at 30,000 feet, but I wanted to stand at the edge of this marvel and gaze in wonder. It wouldn’t be too far out of the way if we took the 15 through Riverside County and caught 40 East at Barstow. With Rob driving, I didn’t worry about making up the time.
We left early on that Wednesday morning. The goal was 4 AM and we were on the road by 4:15. It was still dark and too early for me to start my work day. I was working because I had fewer vacation days than I needed. I was surprised by the amount of traffic on the freeways at that hour. We slipped through Riverside and San Bernardino as the sun came up, a beautiful sunrise over the mountains. We climbed into the high desert, hit Barstow and turned east. Somewhere along the stretch of desert highway, we paid over six dollars a gallon for gas, at Oasis. The bathrooms in this little stop were brand new and so clean. They even sold Route 66 souvenirs.
We drove along, a quick stop along the way for fast food breakfast sandwiches and iced coffees. The landscape began to change into forests and trees. At Williams, we headed north toward Grand Canyon National Park. I was getting excited. The line at the park entrance wasn’t too long. We paid our fee, got our maps and headed inside. We found parking easier than we found a bathroom. Then we took the short walk to the viewing area. We walked up the sidewalk, turned the corner, and there it was. The Grand Canyon, in all of its glory was directly in front of me. I moved to the edge, to take it in, to look around, look down, look across. It was breathtaking. It was truly magnificent. I could not capture the whole of it in any photo I took on my phone. I could not capture the large-ness, the greatness, the essence. I gazed in awe, marveled at the wonder. Thought it was strange that the top edge was so flat. It was this gaping hole in the ground, carved by a river, over the course of time.
We probably stayed 45 minutes. There was plenty to do, trails to walk and information to read. We had to be in Wichita on Thursday evening and had a reservation in Albuqueque that night. There was no more time dawdling. We stopped at a gift shop before heading to Flagstaff. I was excited to find a Smokey the Bear shirt. Rob got a patch and a window decal.
On the way down to Flagstaff, a single mountain loomed in the distance, still capped in snow in mid-May. Humphreys Peak, I think. It seemed out of place to me, black, rocky, and alone. In Flagstaff we had lunch at some diner that had a train running on a track in the dining room. It was quiet, everyone still wearing masks. The waitress said they had good fries, and they did. I had a meeting and had to run to to car to get dialed in. We picked up 40 again, eastbound, around 3:30.
It was getting dark as we approached Albuquerque. What I remember is how the city seemed to be nestled between mountains. You climb in elevation, unable to see signs of life, then suddenly, the city opens up. There are lights as far as you can see. We found the motel and checked in. We went back out to grab some food because the wait times were long for delivery. Back at the motel we ate our burgers, then settled in for the night. I drifted off to sleep to the sound of whatever was on TV.
I woke to the sound of screaming at what I later realized was 10:57. Someone in an adjacent room was screaming something like, “It is not dead” or “I am not dead,” over and over and over. I was paralyzed, my heart pounding, afraid to move. Just awake, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening, what I was hearing. I didn’t know if this was some domestic dispute or if something was in someone’s room. The screaming stopped and I waited for anything to happen. There was silence. Rob slept soundly next to me. I was afraid to close my eyes.
Take the 52 west 